Common Craps Phrases
Every game has its own jargon and gambling is no exception. Naturally, Craps has its own list of terms as well and when a game is as popular as Craps, it’s a whole new language. If you are a Craps newbie and can’t understand what Craps veterans are really saying, maybe what you really need is a comprehensive Craps glossary.
This alphabetized index of craps terms will quickly become your Craps bible because it has almost every term you can think of. So, never again will you get stuck because you didn’t know what a word meant.
- Snake Eyes - When you roll a two in craps, it is called 'Snake Eyes' - eyes because they look like eyes, snake because they are bad news since the most common bet made on the craps table is the pass line and when 'snake eyes' is thrown on the come out roll a bet on the pass line loses.
- Craps Introduction. Craps can be an intimidating game for the beginner. The table seems to have about a hundred different kinds of bets, the players are barking out commands in what seems to be a foreign language, and the pace is too fast to ever ask a question.
A
Verb, vulgar slang To defecate. The medicine is helping with the pain, but it makes me crap like crazy! Verb, vulgar slang To defecate while in or wearing (something). I couldn't reach a toilet in time and ended up crapping my pants. Understanding the words and phrases of the game will help your play, and will save you money. So here are the best 10 phrases in Craps game that can help you understand what the crew is saying and also what you should say to help them assist you in having more fun and more importantly help you make more money.
Aces – A bet that two 1s will show on the next roll.
Any Craps – A one unit one roll bet the next roll will be 2, 3, 12 with the payout usually being 7 to 1.
Any Seven – A bet the next roll will show a 7. Payout is usually 4 to 1.
Apron – The area behind the pass line on the craps table. All free odd bets are placed on the apron.
Arm – Skilled dice throwers who have believably mastered dice control and can manipulate the way the game is played. Known as “an arm”.
B
Back Line – The Do Not Pass Line.
Bank – The stack of chips placed on the craps table by the casino.
Bar 6-6 – Is a standoff with no total wins or losses. In this situation, bets placed may be withdrawn or alternatively, carried over to the next betting roll. Sometimes it’s Bar 1-1 or Bar 1-2.
Bar 12 or 2 – A push for bets on the Don’t Pass Line and the Don’t Come.
Behind – After the Don’t Come point is established, all checks are to go into the box placed “behind” the box number.
Behind the Line – A bet placed after the come out roll, on the Free-Odds.
Big 6 – A bet that a 6 will show before a 7 on the next roll. The payout is 1 to 1.
Big 8 – A bet that an 8 will show before a 7 on the next roll. The payout is 1 to 1.
Big Red – A bet that the next roll will show a 7.
Bones – Another name for the dice.
Black – Colloquial name for a $100 casino check.
Bowl – The container tray in which the spare dice is held by the stickman.
Boxcars – A bet on the number 12.
Box Man – The casino employee who supervises the dealers at the Craps table. He is usually also responsible for counting cash and gaming checks, settlling gambling disputes and general play of the game.
Box Numbers – The numbers 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10 marked inside “boxes” on the layout are known as box or point number. The remaining numbers are known as natural numbers.
Box Up – The changing of dice for every new set.
Buffalo – A 5 unit bet on every Hard Way and number Eleven.
Buy Bet – When a 5% commission is paid to collect house advantage and to get correct odds. The bet is placed on any of the box numbers and are paid if the number shows before a seven.
C
C and E – A two unit and one roll bet that the next roll will show 2, 3, or 11. One unit is wagered on any Craps or “C” and the other unit is wagered on Eleven or “E”.
Change Only – When the player places cash on the craps table, the dealer or the player must call out “change only” to indicate that there is no action being taken on the cash and it will be used to converted into checks.
Checks – Chips used to play Craps. They are round, plastic tokens and used for placing bets.
Choppy – A game is described as choppy when there are a number of inconsistent passes and misses with none of the players experiencing any good runs of winning throws.
Cocked Die/Dice – When either or both dice are rolled and they land partly on the craps layout and lean partially against some other obstruction on the table. The boxman is then required to call the number on the die that would land face up if the obstruction were to be removed.
Cold Table – When shooters do not have much luck making their points or naturals.
Color Change – When a player exchanges playing chips for different denominations.
Color Up – Is applicable either when a player exchanges smaller denomination checks for larger ones; or when the player is intentionally handed larger checks as part of better customer service.
Come Bet – A bet placed after the come out roll that the dice, Payouts are on rolls of 7 or 11 and losses incurred for 2, 3 and 12.
Come Out Roll – It is the first roll when a new game is being started.
Comps – Complimentary drinks, room, food, etc provided by a casino to valuable players.
Craps – Numbers 2, 3 and 12 on the come out roll.
Crapless Craps – A type of Craps game offered at some casinos. When playing this version of craps, a roll of craps is not a loss at the come out. The number is instead marked as a point. House advantages on this game are much higher than regular versions of Craps and most experienced players tend to avoid Crapless Craps.
Crew – The collective name for all the casino employees running a Craps table.
D
Dealers – The casino employees in charge of a Craps table. There are usually 4 dealers for every craps game and they rotate positions. It is the dealer’s responsibility to pay out as well as place Free Odds and Lay bets.
Die In the Wood – When a die is rolled and it lands in a rack of chips.
Dime – A bet for $10.
Don’t Come Bet – When the player bets that the dice will not pass after the come out roll. Winnings are on a roll that shows 2 or 3 and losses are based on a 7 or 11. This bet can be easily removed at any time.
Don’t Pass Bet – This bet must be placed during the come out roll. Losses are on 7 and 11 with wins on 2 and 3. The role of 12 establishes a don’t pass point and once this is done, a 7 must show on the next roll for the bet to be a winner. throw of craps, or a 7 instead of the point.
Down Behind – This is usually called by the stickman, serving as a reminder to the dealer at the base that they must take losing Don’t Come bets.
Down with odds – A phrase used to describe the act of a dealer converting a player’s place bet to odds for their come bet that has traveled to a number. The place bet comes “down” after it is paid and is converted to a free odds bet for the come bet.
E
Easy Way – A roll of the dice with 4,6,8 and 10 and each die is different.
Edge – The advantage held by the casino over any wager made by a player.
E.T Bet – A bet that 11 or 12 will show in the next roll.
F
Fade – When a player meets an opposing player’s bet in a private game rather than playing against the casino.
Field – The large area on the lay out with the numbers 3, 4, 9, 10, 11 and 12.
Field Bet – When a bet is placed on 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12. Pays twice the amount of the bet if 2 and 12 are rolled .
Free Odds Bet – A bet paid at the correct/true odds. Usually wagered with another bet that has a house edge.
Common Craps Phrases Cheat
Front Line – Another term for the Pass Line.
G
H
Hardway – These bets can be placed on all boxes with even numbers. It is a bet that pairs 22, 33, 44, 55 will roll (made up with 4, 6, 8 or 10) before the 7 comes out. Bets are controlled by the stickman.
Hi / Lo – Two unit bet laid on the high 12 and the low 2.
Hi-Lo-Yo – Variation of the Hi/Lo bet with bets laid on three units, 2, 11 and 12.
Hook – When a player is positioned at the crap table between the base dealer and the stickman.
Hop Bet – One roll bets and can be wagered on any combination of dice numbers for the next roll. For example, the player will say “two, three hops for a dollar”. This means they are betting the 5 will be the next roll with the dice showing 2 and 3. Hop bets are a high house advantage bet and therefore best avoided.
Horn Bet – A 4 unit bet with 1 unit each on 2, 3, 11, and 12. The payouts for this bet are 15 to 1 when a 3 or a 11 rolls and 30 to 1 when a 2 or a 12 rolls. This bet is popularly considered an amalgamation of the worst craps bets and experts advise players not to use this bet.
Horn High Bet – 5 unit bet on 2, 3, 11 and 12 and the player calls a fifth number that is high.
Horn Numbers – 2, 3, 11 and 12.
Hot Table – A table where almost all the shooters are making the point.
I
Inside Bet – When a bet is placed on 5, 6, 8, or 9.
Inside Numbers – 5, 6, 8, or 9.
Insurance Bet – Two or more bets made in an attempt to cover each other.
J
Juice – Another term for vig (vigorish). The house edge.
K
L
Lammer – A plastic disc used by the dealers to designate, different bet situations.
Lay Bet – A bet that 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10 (point numbers) will only roll after a 7.
Layout – The base of a Craps table clearly marked with the various bets available to players.
Line Bet – Bet placed on the Pass or Don’t Pass Line
Long and Strong – This is said by the stickman when the dice needs to be thrown hard so it hits the back wall of the table.
Little Joe – Slang for a hard 4 (2-2)
M
Marker – An IOU agreement signed by a player owing credit at a casino.
Marker Puck – The plastic disc used by dealers to indicate the ‘Off’ and ‘On’ points on the Craps table.
Maximum/Minimum – The limits on the maximum or minimum amount that can be wagered on a single craps bet.
Midnight – Single roll bet on the number 12
Miss – The outcome of craps or the show of a 7 before the point.
Money Plays – Dealer announces it when acknowledging the cash is being used on the craps table lay out.
N
Natural – When there is a throw of either a 7 or an 11 on the come out roll. Also known as natural seven or natural eleven.
Nickel – Used to describe a $5 chip.
No Bet – Announced by dealer when a player’s bet is not accepted at the table either because it was too late, incorrect value, improper dice throw etc.
O
Odds Bet – A bet with not house advantage and is paid at its true odds. However, such a bet is usually made in conjunction with a bit that does have a house edge.
Off – When a bet is designated as inactive or not working for the next roll. Called by the dealer, usually in response to a player’s request.
On – When a bet is designated as active.
One Roll Bet – When the outcome of the bet is entirely dependent on the next roll of the dice.
Outside Numbers – 4, 5, 9 and 10.
P
Pass Bet – A bet that the shooter will throw the point or a natural.
Parlay – Taking the winnings from one bet and adding the winnings to a bet and betting all the money.
Pass Line – This is the most common Craps bet. A winning bet is when either a 7 or an 11 show on the come out roll. A losing bet is when a 2, 3 or 12 shows.
Past Posting – This is an illegal act where a gambler places or adds to a bet that has already won.
Payoff – The paycheck received by the player for placing a wager.
Pips – The spots on the dice.
Pit – The casino area that contains the Craps tables.
Pit Boss – The designation of the casino employee in charge of supervising and overseeing the “pit”.
Place Bet – A bet that states a place number i.e. 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10 will show before a 7 rolls.
Point – Any box number can be a point number and is established when the dealer places the puck on the number.
Press – Increasing a bet. The player informs a dealer that they want to “press” and the bet is usually increased by a factor of 2. The increments can be chosen at the discretion of the player.
Proposition Bet – Bets placed in the center of the craps table including both hardway and hop bets.
Purple – Slang term used to describe $500 checks.
Put Bet – Some casinos allow players to place this bet where the bet is “put” directly on a box number without worrying about going through the come. They have a high house advantage due to the flat portion of the bet never being in the come.
Q
Quarter – Slang term for a $25 check.
R
Rail – The area running along the top of the perimeter of the craps table where the players place their chips.
Right Bettor – The player who bets that the dice will win or pass.
Rounding – Rounding off of the payout amount to a whole number
S
Seven Out – Rolling a seven before making the point. It is called by the stickman and is the end of a shooter’s turn with the dice.
Sequence Bet – A bet that is not necessarily determined by the next roll.
Shooter – The player currently rolling the dice.
Skinny Dugan – Slang term used for the number 7. According to Craps superstition, the number “7” should never be said in a game to avoid bad luck and hence slang terms should be used.
Slow Bleed – When a player loses all their money, slowly and steadily.
Snake Eyes – A slang term used for a roll of 2.
Square Pair – Slang term used for a hard eight.
Stacks – Also known as working stacks, is the stack of chips that the dealers place in front of themselves and are used to pay bets.
Stickman – The casino employee responsible for handling of the dice with a long stick.
T
Take the Odds – Making a Free-Odds bet as a right bettor.
Three Way Craps – Betting in multiples of` 3 with 1 unit each on the 2, 3 and 12.
Toke – A tip given to the dealer or other craps crew.
True odds – The right odds of an event happening depending on the probabilities of the dice as per the chart.
U
V
Vigorish or abbreviated as Vig – Originally a term used to refer to the percentage charged by a craps operator on bets. It is now sometimes used to refer to the House edge.
W
Whirl Bet – A 5 unit bet the next roll will be a 2, 3, 7, 11, or 12. Also known as the easiest way to make the 5 worst bets in the game.
Wrong Bettor – When a player bets that a dice will not pass.
Working Bet – A bet that is currently live or active and has not been called off by its player.
X
Y
Yo (Yo-leven) – The slang term used for the number eleven. Since it sounds like seven, eleven is called as yo –leven or simply yo to avoid confusion.
Z
Zuke – Casino slang for a toke or tip.
You enjoy playing craps online, or perhaps land-based casinos are more your taste? Then you shouldn’t miss the opportunity to get to know the most frequently used terminology related to this popular game.
Common Craps Terms Explained
Craps is quite a beautiful and amusing game. The act of rolling the dice at the craps table, along with the anticipation of whether the desired dots will land, fill your entire body with an adrenaline rush. But, in the game of craps, there is much more going on than a mere throw of dice. There are specific rules that you must understand, and follow, to not only play the game correctly but also win some significant sums. Typically, to understand the rules, you must know specific craps terminology and even slang related to this engaging game.
Even though craps terms may sound a bit unfamiliar, you will learn them in no time. Craps lingo is not as complicated as it may seem at first glance. Don’t let the craps glossary, together with its terms and slang prevent you from playing this entertaining game. Seize this perfect chance to familiarize yourself with the most frequent craps terminology and slang.
Craps Glossary
2-Way — One-roll bet placed for both a player and a dealer.
3-Way — A 3-unit wager placed by a player. One unit is placed on 3, another on 2, and one on 12.
Ace Deuce — A one-roll suggestion wager claiming the following roll is going to be 3 (the combination of 2 and 1 on the dice).
Aces — Wagering that the following roll will amount to 2 in total. This term is also known as Snake Eyes.
Action — Bets which are placed on the craps table and are currently active.
Any Craps — Betting that the following roll will amount to 2, 3, or 12.
Any Seven — Betting that the following roll will amount to 7.
Big Red — Additional term for Any Seven, as the players refrain from uttering “seven” when playing.
Back Line — Additional term referring to the “don’t pass” line.
Bank Craps — The official and legitimate title of the game. The commonly used “craps” is derived from the official name and is far more familiar.
Big 8 — A wager where a shooter will roll 8 prior to 7.
Big 6 — A wager where a shooter will roll 6 prior to 7.
Big Red — A different way of referring to wagers placed on number 7.
Black — A slang word dealers use for the $100 chip, as those chips are primarily black in the majority of casinos.
Bones — Another term for dice.
Boxcars — A slang expression indicating the number 12. It is also known as midnight.
Boxman — A supervisor sitting at the craps table among the dealers but opposite the stickman.
Box Numbers — A bet placed on numbers 4-5-6-8-9-10
(The) Boys —A slang term referring to casino dealers.
Capped Dice — Dice that were altered to favor particular figures.
Cold Dice — A term used for describing the craps table in a situation when no points are made.
Color In — An expression players use when replacing low-value chips with high-value ones upon withdrawing from the craps table.
Come Bet — A bet that is placed after the point has been established, equal to the pass line bet.
Come-Out Roll — The very first roll of the dice that needs to establish the point.
Comp — A complimentary reward or gift that is given to players on the basis of their activities.
Crap Numbers — Numbers referring to figures 2,3, and 12.
Craps — Besides referring to the title of the game itself, the expression refers to the situation in which the player rolls 2, 3, or 12 during the come-out roll.
Craps Check — Placing bets on any craps figures, along with the come-out roll, in order to avoid the pass line bet.
Dead — A game table at which no one is playing.
Don’t Come Bet — A don’t pass wager placed after establishing the point.
Double Odds — An odds bet which is double as the initial pass/come bet. The odds differ in various casinos.
Down (or Take me Down) — The expression players use to signal they want their bet to be abolished or returned.
Easy Way — An expression referring to the situation in which 4, 6, 8, or 10 is rolled with different figures on the dice.
Even Money — A situation when the bet is cashed out 1 to 1 — the players lose or gain precisely the same sum they invested.
Eye in the Sky — Video surveillance office or security cameras that monitor both dealers and players.
Front Line — A different expression for the pass line bet.
Garden — A slang expression that refers to a field bet.
George — A slang phrase referring to a live casino player that leaves outstanding tips.
Green — A slang word that indicates a $25 chip.
Hard Number — Any figures rolled in pairs. Two 4s represent hard 8, whereas two 5s represent hard 10.
Hard Way — A wager placed on numbers 4,6,8, or 10; but only if the dice come out in the following pairs: 2-2, 3-3, 4-4, 5-5.
Hi-Lo — A one-roll wager placed on 2 and 12.
Hi-Lo-Yo — A one-roll waged placed on 2, 12, and 11.
Hop Bet — Betting that the following roll will come out in a specific combination of dice, e.g., 3-5, 2-2, 3-3, 4-4.
Horn Bet — Betting that the following roll will amount to 2, 3, 11, or 12, but in multiples of 4. Every number should appear in one unit.
Horn High Bet — A bet placed in multiples of 5, where one unit is on 3 of the horn numbers, whereas two units are on the high number, i.e., 12.
Hot Dice or Hot Table — Refers to the situation in which a player is winning the game, or they are rolling too many numbers.
House Edge — The advantage casinos have over players for any given wager or bet; usually given in a percentage.
Inside Bets — Wagers placed on 5, 6, 8, or 9.
Inside Numbers — Wagers placed on 5, 6, 8, or 9.
Insurance Bet — Two or more wagers that cover each other if one of them fails to win.
Juice — The provision casinos take on particular wagers.
Lay Bet — Betting that number 7 is to be rolled prior to the placed number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9) appearing.
Lay-Out — The area on which the bets are placed.
Lay Odds — Extra odds that could be made after establishing the point, and which may win if the initial “don’t pass” bet manages to win.
Little Joe — A slang term used when a pair of 2s or, in other words, a Hard 4 appears.
Marker Puck — A disc made of plastic which is used for indicating the point. “On” can be seen on one side and “Off” on the other.
Mark the Point — An action the dealer performs in order to indicate the point number by placing the disc on the craps table.
Midnight — A slang term used for number 12. It is also referred to as “Box Cars”.
Natural — Numbers 7 or 11 obtained during the come out roll for the triumphant bet.
No Roll — No roll is announced when a player fails to roll the dice to the opposite end of the craps table, if they drop the dice, or if they fall off the table. This means that the roll is not valid.
One Roll Bet — A wager placed on the final result of the following dice roll only. It stops being active once the dice are rolled. If you want to go on playing, you will have to make additional wagers for every new roll.
Off — A signal used for indicating that the bets are no longer active or working with the following roll of the dice.
On — A signal used for indicating that the bets are active or working with the following roll of the dice.
Outside Numbers — An expression that refers to wagers placed on numbers 4-10 or 5-9.
Parlay — Boosting the bet sums by adding new wagers to the initial bet.
Pass Line Bet — A bet placed during the come out roll where you wager that the player is going to make the point.
Payoff — The sum obtained from a successful bet.
Payout — The odds connected with bets, or the sum obtained from a successful bet.
Pips — The dots on the dice marking the figures.
Place Bet — Betting that a specific number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10) is to be roller prior to number 7.
Common Craps Phrases For Beginners
Place Numbers — Figures 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10.
Point — The figure that is set up by the come out roll.
Press a Bet — Boosting the bet sum, commonly by doubling the wager.
Proposition Bet — all one-roll wagers and bets placed in the middle of the craps table layout.
Puck — A marker that resembles a puck used in hokey. In craps, it serves to signal the point number of the action round.
Rack (or Rail) — A grooved part located on the craps table in which players keep their chips.
Right Bettor — A player who places bets on the pass line.
Right-Way Bettor — Participants that are betting against the shooter, expecting that the point number will be rolled prior to 7.
Seven Out — A term used for describing a situation in which a player rolls number 7, but fails to make the point. This means they lost the pass line bet.
Shooter — A game participant who places bets and rolls the dice.
Skinny Dugan — Yet another slang expression referring to figure 7. In craps, it is considered bad luck if someone calls out number 7 during the game.
Common Craps Phrases Examples
Snake Eyes — A slang term referring to figure 2. It is also known as aces.
Square Pair — A slang expression referring to hard 8 (two 4s).
Stickman — The dealer who uses a stick to pass the dice to players and calls out the figures.
Common Craps Phrases List
Take Odds — An extra bet placed on the pass and come wagers with good odds (no house edge). This bet is commonly placed immediately after the initial bet.
Three-Way Craps — The one-roll suggestion bet placed on figures 2, 3, and 12 in units of 3. One unit is assigned to 2, another to 2 and the last to 12.
Toke — A slang word used for a tip that the players give to the dealer.
Two-Way Craps — A wager placed by a player that is split among them and the dealers. It is commonly made during one-roll bets.
Up Pops the Devil — A slang expression referring to a roll of 7.
Vigorish — The term used for indicating casino commissions for specific bets.
Winner on Dark Side — A slang phrase indicating a roll of 3.
Working Bet — A wager that is active at the moment or that is “on” for the following dice roll.
World Bet — A wager placed on the horn numbers together with any number 7.
Wrong Bettor — A player who places their bets against the one rolling the dice.
Yo or Yo-leven — An expression that refers to the number 11 to prevent any confusion people might have with the figure 7.