Know the Vocabulary! A Craps Dictionary of Terms
When it comes to terminology, Craps has one of the most intricate and developed "languages" of all casino games.
In fact, if you are new to the game it really does sound very bizarre but once you understand the jargon, its really makes the game all the more enjoyable.
KNOW THE NUMBERS!
As strange as it may seem, craps even has certain names for the number combinations on the dice thrown and it really helps to know these!
(Two) 1 and 1: Known as "Snake Eyes" or "Two Aces".
(Three) 1 and 2: There are a number of terms for this combination, some of the most popular are: Cock Eyes, Cross Eyes, Ace-Deuce (Or Ace caught a Deuce) and Phoebe (or little Phoebe).
(Four) 2 and 2: Little Joe (also, Little Joe from Komo).
(Five) 3 and 2: This one they call the Thirty two juice roll.
(Six) Combo: Any combination that makes up six is called "My Sister" or "Sixty Days".
(Eight) Combo: Any combination (except 4 and 4) that makes up eight is called "Ada" or "Ada/Eighter from Decatur".
(Eight) 4 and 4: When 4 and 4 are thrown they are known as a "Square Pair".
(Nine) Combo: Any combination that makes up nine is known as "Nina from Pasadena" or "My Carolina".
(Ten) Combo: Any combination (except 5 and 5) is called "Big Dick".
(Ten) 5 and 5: This combination has a few terms namely: Puppy Paws, Pair of Sunflowers or Pair-a-Roses.
(Eleven) 6 and 5: Six five, no jive!
(Twelve) 6 and 6: For this you'll hear "All the spots we've got" or "Boxcars".
TABLE TERMS
Bar the 12
Situated on the Craps layout in the Don't Pass Line and Don't Come Box areas. A 12 is a standoff in these areas to ensure the house edge over the wrong bettors.
Box Numbers
The box areas of the Craps table are situated around the numbers 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10. They are used to "Mark the point", and to "Put Place", "Come" and "Buy Bets".
Come Box
The Come Box refers to the area on the Craps table where a "Come Bet" is made.
Don't Pass Line
The Don't Pass Line refers to the area on the layout where a "Don't Pass" bet is made.
Inside Numbers
Inside numbers are the numbers 5, 6, 8 and 9. These are usually designated as inside numbers when making a "Place bet" on these numbers.
Layout
The imprint on the felt surface of the Craps table indicating all bets that can be made in the game, with designated areas for each bet.
Marker Buck (Puck)
A plastic round disk used to mark either the point or to indicate that no point is yet established; "OFF" on one side, "ON" on the other side.
On Base
The term for the dealer standing at the table who is not the stickman.
On the Stick
A reference to the dealer who is working the stick, and is therefore the stickman for a particular period.
Outside Numbers
Outside numbers are classified as 4, 5, 9 and 10. These are designated as outside numbers when making a "Place bet" on these numbers.
Rails
The Rails are the grooved area around the Craps table where players are able to place and store their chips when they aren't being used in play.
Stickman
The stickman is a casino employee who calls the game and handles the stick at a Craps table.
BETTING TERMS
Any Seven
A bet placed on the next dice roll being a 7.
Any Craps
A bet placed on the next dice roll resulting in Craps (2, 3 or 12).
Behind the Line
Free-odds bets after a point has been established on the come out roll.
Betting Right
A bet placed that the dice will pass; with the dice.
Betting Wrong
A bet placed that the dice won't pass; against the dice.
Big 6
An even-money bet that 6 will be rolled before 7.
Big 8
An even-money bet that 6 will be rolled before a 7 is.
Bring Out
A term used when betting on the hardway of a point, to "bring out" the point.
Buy Bets
Buy bets refer to the 5% commission that are paid to the casino to ensure that the player is paid the correct odds on a bet (usually the 4 and/or 10).
Advantage
The House edge or "advantage" that the casino has over a player on a particular game. This is usually worked out on a percentage basis over time.
Center Bets
Center Bets refer to bets situated in the center of the Craps table layout. These are also occasionally known as Proposition Bets.
Chips
Another name for tokens, these are issued by a casino in place of money and have the equivalent cash value as designated on each chip.
Colour Change
The changing of chips to a higher or lower denomination (Different chip colours designated the chips value).
Come Bet
A "Come bet" refers to a bet made with the dice that they will pass, this is made after the "come out" roll.
Correct Odds
The term Correct Odds refers to the mathematical likelihood that a bet will be a winning one (generally the odds a point will be made prior to a 7 rolled).
Doey/Don't
This is a betting system or strategy using "Pass" and "Don't Pass" betting strategies.
Don't Come Bet
A bet made after the come out roll, that the dice won't pass. In effect this is betting against the dice.
Double Odds
A free-odds wager made at double the amount of the original bet.
Free Odds Bet
Free Odds is another name for an "Any Odds" bet where the house has no advantage. The bet is either placed on a "Pass", "Don't Pass", "Come" or "Don't Come" bet after the point is established.
Don't Pass Bet
A bet made on the come out roll that the dice will "not pass", again this is in effect, betting against the dice.
Even Money
A 1 to 1 payout.
Field Bet
A bet placed on the next roll of the dice being either 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11 or 12.
Five Times Odds
A free-odds bet made at five-times the amount of the original bet.
Front Line
Also know as the Pass Line.
Hardway Bet
A bet that the dice will be an even pair on either a 4, 6, 8 or 10 before they come up the easy way or a 7 is rolled.
Hop Bet
A bet on the dice coming up as a number not in the center layout.
Horn Bet
A one roll bet on the dice roll resulting in 2, 3, 11 and 12.
Lay Bet
A bet placed by a wrong bettor, that a 7 will be rolled before the number; a 5% commission is paid for making such a bet.
Lay the Odds
A free-odds bet by a "Wrong bettor" against a number, this is made based on the potential winnings rather than the bet.
Line Bet
Another name for either a "Pass Line" and/or "Don't Pass" bet.
Maximum (Max) Bet
The highest value (or maximum amount of money) a player can wager in a game of Craps.
Minimum Bet
The minimum bet a player can make in a game of craps.
Odds
The probability of an event occurring in a game of Craps.
Odds (Free-Odds) Bet
Another name for an "Any odds bet" where the house has no advantage over the player.
Off
A term used to indicate that a bet is not working on a particular roll.
On
A term used to indicate that a bet is working on a particular roll.
One Roll Bet
A bet where the outcome is determined by the next roll of the dice.
Parlay
To increase a bet, usually when doubling the bet. This is also known as a "Press".
Pass Line
The area on the Craps Table where a "Pass Line" bet is made.
Pass Line Bet
A bet placed that the dice will pass. In effect this is betting with the dice.
Payoff
The casino payout that the player collects when winning a wager.
Place Bet
A bet on the numbers 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10 in the box numbers area of the Craps table.
Press
To increase a bet, usually when it is doubled, this is also known as a "Parlay".
Proposition Bet
The proposition bet is also known as a Center Bet, where the bet is placed in the area at the center of the Craps table.
Right Bettors
Players who bet that the dice will "Pass".
Sequence Bet
A bet where the outcome is based on the following roll of the dice, but may take a succession of rolls to be determined.
Single Odds/1X Odds
A "Free-odds" bet made at equal the amount of the original bet.
Take the Odds
To make "Free-odds" bet as a right bettor, thus getting better than even-money on a winning bet.
Ten Times Odds/10X Odds
A "Free-odds" bet made at ten-times the amount of the original bet.
Triple Odds/3X Odds
A "Free-odds" bet made at triple the amount of the original bet.
True Odds
True Odds refer to the probability that a particular number will be rolled on any single roll of the dice.
Unit
The wagering amount used as a standard of measurement.
Working
An indication that bets are "on", and payouts will be made on the next roll of the dice.
Wrong Bettors
Wrong Bettors are players who bet "Don't Pass", this is also referred to as betting against the dice.
GAMEPLAY TERMS
Choppy Dice/Choppy Table
The passing of the dice to table where there is no consistency eg. A player rolls a seven or makes his number then "craps" or "seven-outs".
Cold Dice
Dice which consistently "Don't Pass".
Come Out Roll
The first roll of the dice before a point has been established.
Coming Out
A term indicating that a new "Come out" roll is about to happen.
Crap(s) Out
To throw a "Craps" on the "Come out" roll, this results in an automatic loss for Pass Line bettors.
Craps
The name of the dice game and also refers to a dice roll resulting in the total of 2, 3 or 12.
Easy Way
The roll of a 4, 6, 8 or 10 where the dice are not matched as a pair (i.e. the hardway), such as 5-5.
Hardway(s)
The term used when dice result in a pair for the numbers 4, 6, 8 or 10, such as 2-2, 3-3, 4-4 or 5-5. This is the opposite of "Easyway".
Hot Roll
A "Hot Roll" occurse when dice are continually passing and are held by a shooter for a long time before a seven-out.
Natural
Another name for a 7 or 11 rolled on the "Come out" roll.
Pass
A winning decision on the dice, this occurs when a total of 7 or 11 is rolled on a "Come out" roll and/or the point is made.
Point
The numbers 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10 when rolled on the "Come out" roll.
Roll
A roll can refer to a single throw of the dice or to a complete series of throws until the shooter "sevens-out".
Seven Out
A loosing throw of 7 after a point has been established. This ends the roll.
Shoot
This refers to a complete series of rolls before a "seven-out".
Shooter
The player who throws the dice, and whose results determine all payouts and losses at the Craps table.
Standoff
A situation where no decision results from a throw of the dice on certain bets.
Yo (Yo-leven)
The slang term for the number 11.
OTHER CRAPS RELATED TERMS
Boxman
An employee of the casino who supervises the Craps game and remains seated behind all the casino chips during the play.
Crew
A team of four casino employees (including a boxman, a stickman, and two dealers) that staff and run the Craps table.
Dealer
An employee of the casino who works directly with the player and manages all monetary transactions, bets and payouts.
Floorman
A casino employee responsible for checking on the palyers and authorising their credit. He or she stands behind the Craps table.
High Roller
A player who wagers large amounts of money at a Craps table.
Host
A casino representative responsible for all contact with high rollers in order to accomodate them so that they become regular patrons.
Loaded Dice
Dice that have been weighted to tamper with their roll and affect the outcome in favour of the casino.
Marker
A marker is an "IOU" signed by a player with established credit at a casino.
Pit Boss
A casino employee responsible for all of the craps tables in a designated area of the casino.
Player
Another name for gambler or bettor.
Toke
The tip given to a dealer by a player. This is usually made on a "Line bet" or "Proposition bet".
