Can craps ever break the mainstream the way poker has
Can craps ever break the mainstream the way poker has?
One of the things that makes gambling so popular is that there are so many different games to choose from. From slots to roulette, from blackjack to poker, players are spoiled for choice whenever they visit a casino – be that online or in person. One option that we have not mentioned yet is craps, simply because it has not managed to achieve the same level of mainstream popularity as the other four.
Why is this? At first glance, there is plenty to love about craps, making it challenging to recognise why players are opting for other games. Over the course of this article, we will be examining the reasons why players are not flocking to play craps online and are instead selecting other titles.
History of craps
The game of craps has been around for centuries, first emerging all the way back in Ancient Rome. Although the modern game with it’s iconic table setup tasks players with predicting the outcome of a roll of dice, these were not around during this era with soldiers using pig knuckles instead. Nice.
It was not until France in the 18th century that something emerging the craps we recognise today began to be played. It soon took off and travelled over to America where it became popular, eventually finding its way to the casinos of Las Vegas where it continues to be played today.
What are the rules?
As we mentioned, the basic premise is that players must predict the outcome of a roll of dice. Usually played with six players, each of them takes turns rolling two die. Before the roll is made each player must bet on the outcome.
Many different bets can be made; however, the most basic starting wagers are Pass line (where a 7 or 11 is rolld) and Don’t Pass line (where a 2, 3, or 12) is rolled. If anything else is rolled the round continues until either that or a seven is rolled.
Can it break into the mainstream?
Perhaps the biggest issue craps has concerning its mainstream popularity is that is perceived to be a complicated game with a high barrier to entry. Although roulette, blackjack and slots can be explained to new players in a matter of seconds, craps is not so easy to understand. Because of this, many players – both online and in the casino – are put off giving it a go.
However, that does not explain why poker is so much more mainstream. In this regard, craps suffers from two key problems. One, it simply does not possess the glamour, nor the profile of poker. The game is featured in a long list of Hollywood movies while the World Series of Poker is very well known and broadcasted across the world. This in turn makes it easy to attract new players.
Craps also suffers from being entirely a game of chance. Players like to think that their skill is important when they are gambling. Poker, blackjack, and several other games give them this satisfaction, whereas craps cannot.
