Where does the phrase “African dominoes” come from and What does African golf mean?

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Karen Hill

African dominoes and African golf are popular names for the game of craps, a gambling game played with a pair of dice.

The game is especially favored among African Americans, hence, “African”; the term “dominoes” alludes to the combined number of pips on the two dice, identical with those on the face of dominoes.

“Golf” is in ironical reference to the usual financial status of the players and to the great disparity in the comparative cost of equipment.

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