craps

American  

[kraps] / kræps /

noun

(usually used with a singular verb)

1. a game in which two dice are thrown and in which a first throw of 7 or 11 wins, a first throw of 2, 3, or 12 loses, and a first throw of 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 can be won only by throwing the same number again before throwing a 7.

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craps British  

/ kræps /

noun

1. a gambling game using two dice, in which a player wins the bet if 7 or 11 is thrown first, and loses if 2, 3, or 12 is thrown

2. to play this game

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Etymology

Origin of craps

First recorded in 1835–45, apparently from French craps, variant of crabs “double-ace” (lowest throw at the game of hazard), from 18th-century English slang; crab ¹ ( def. 7a )

Example Sentences

It is like “you’re at the casino, and they shut off the craps table, so everyone moves over to blackjack,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 24, 2025

A few people looked askance at them, their eyes and facial expressions signaling annoyance or disgust mixed with curiosity, but they quickly went back to playing cards or craps.

From Salon • Nov. 12, 2024

As slot machines clanged in the background and people packed around craps tables, Ms. Miles reflected on the job interview she had just come from at a nearby Walgreens.

From New York Times • Aug. 4, 2023

Holly Diebler, a craps dealer at Tropicana, is undergoing chemotherapy for throat cancer.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 9, 2023

At the end of each day Vinny would head off to play low-stakes poker, Danny would join Lippmann and the other bond people at the craps tables, and Eisman would go to bed.

From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis

Related Words

• poker
• roulette