Learn the Terms/Slang Used in Craps & Their Definitions
One of the hardest things about learning a new game isn’t so much the rules, but all the terms and slang being used. Take craps, for example — how out of place would you feel if someone yelled out ‘snake eyes’ or ‘yo-leven?’
Pretty freaking out of place, right?
So to help you blend in at the craps table better, we’ve created this extensive glossary of craps terms and slang, as well as their definitions.
What Does ….. Mean in Craps?
Aces – A bet that the next roll will be a 2. Also known as snake eyes.
Advantage – The house edge that the casino has. How much money the casino will make for every bet or action (on average).
Any Craps – A wager that the next roll will be a 2, 3 or 12. Pays 7:1.
Any Seven – A bet that the next roll will be a 7. Pays 4:1.
Apron – The outer edge of the table, behind the pass line. This is where the free bets are placed.
Arm – Someone that is good at throwing the dice.
B Terms/Definitions
Back Line – Another name for the Don’t Pass Line.
Bar 6-6 – A roll with a total of 12 doesn’t lose, but can be withdrawn or carried over to the next roll.
Bar the 12 – A push for bets made on the Don’t Pass Line or Don’t Come.
Behind the Line – Free odds bets made after the come out roll.
Betting right – A wager that the roll will win on the Come and Pass Line bets.
Betting wrong – A wager that the roll will lose on the Don’t Pass and Don’t Come bets.
Big 6 – A wager that a 6 will be rolled before a 7 is rolled.
Big 6 and Big 8 – A bet near the corner of the Pass Line that pays 1:1 when one of the numbers show.
Big 8 – A bet that an 8 will be rolled before a 7 is rolled.
Bones – Another term for dice.
Boxcars – A pair of 6s and/or a bet on 12.
Boxman – The person who runs the craps table at the casino (the employee).
Box Numbers – The Place bet numbers: 4-5-6-8-9-10.
Bring Out – A term used when betting on the Hardway of a point.
Buffalo – A 5x wager on each of the Hardway bets and any 7.
Buy Bets – A 5% commission paid to the house to be paid the correct odds for a Place bet.
C Terms/Definitions
C and E – An abbreviation for “craps and eleven.” A wager that the next roll will be a 2, 3, 11 or 12.
Center Bets – Bets located in the center of the table — also known as proposition or prop bets.
Chips – What the casino gives you to spend in exchange for your cash.
Choppy – A craps table that is experience both frequent wins/losses, with no consistency to either.
Cold Table – The opposite of a hot table. Shooters are not rolling their points or naturals.
Come Bet – A bet placed after the come out roll. Pays on 7 or 11, and losses are for 2, 3 and 12s.
Come Out Roll – The first roll after a point has been established.
Craps – A roll of 2, 3 or 12.
Crap Out – To roll craps on the come out roll, an automatic loss for Pass Line wagers.
Crew – The 4 employees that run the craps table (boxman, stickman and two dealers).
D Terms/Definitions
Dealer – Two of the 4 employees running the craps table. In charge of the bets/payouts.
Dice – A cubed object with numbers stamped into each side. Two die are used in a game of craps.
Don’t Come Bet – A bet against the dice, that the dice won’t pass. Winners are on rolls of 2 and 3, and losses are on 7s and 11s.
Don’t Pass Bet – A wager placed on the come out roll. Losses are on 7s and 11s, and wins are on 2s and 3s. A 12 will establish a Don’t Pass point, which means that a 7 must show on the next roll for the bet to win.
Don’t Pass Line – The area on the table where Don’t Pass Bets are made.
Double Odds Bet – A free odds bet made at twice the amount of the original bet.
E Terms/Definitions
Easy Way – A roll of a 4, 6, 8 or 10 when the dice are not rolled as pairs (such as 4-4, for example).
Edge – Another term for house advantage.
E.T Bet – A wager that an 11 or 12 will be rolled next.
Even Money – Odds of 1:1.
F Terms/Definitions
Field Bet – A wager on the field.
Floorman – A casino employee that stands behind or near the craps table, overseeing the action, taking care of problems and approving credit.
Free Odds Bet – A term for any odds bet where there is no house advantage.
Front Line – A reference to the Pass Line.
H Terms/Definitions
Hardway Bet – A wager that the dice will come up a pair (2-2, 4-4, 6-6, for example) before they come up the easy way, or a 7 is rolled.
Hi / Lo – A 2x bet on the high 12 and low 2.
Hi-Lo-Yo – A variation of the Hi / Lo bet. 3x bets are made; on the 2, 11 and 12.
Hop Bet – A one roll bet that is wagered on any combination of the dice for the next roll (for example, a 2, 4 hop would mean a 2 and 4 are rolled).
Horn Bet – A 4x bet with money on 2, 3, 11 and 12. Payouts are 15:1 for a 3 or 11 and 30:1 for a 2 or 12. Considered to be one of the worst bets in craps.
I Terms/Definitions
Inside Numbers – A 5, 6, 8 or 9.
Insurance Bet – Two or more bets made to cover each other.
J Terms/Definitions
Juice – Another term for edge, house advantage or vig(orish).
L Terms/Definitions
Lammer – A plastic disk used to designate different betting situations.
Lay Bet – A wager that a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10 will only roll after a 7.
Layout – The craps table, with all of the different bets available to players.
Little Joe – A hard 4 (2-2).
Long and Strong – A phrase used by stickman that means the dice need to be thrown hard so that it hits the back wall of the (other side of the) table.
Loaded Dice – Dice that are heavier on one side. Made for cheating.
M Terms/Definitions
Money Plays – A term used for when cash is being placed on the table (instead of or in addition to chips).
N Terms/Definitions
Natural – A 7 or 11 on the come out roll.
Nickels – $5 chip.
O Terms/Definitions
Off – A wager that is inactive or not working on the next roll.
On Base – Term for standing dealers whom are not stickmen.
One Roll Bets – A wager whose outcome is determined by the next roll.
P Terms/Definitions
Parlay – To increase (usually double) a bet.
Pass – A winning decision on the dice — a 7 or 11 is rolled on the come out roll, or the point is made.
Pass Line Bet – A bet that the dice will pass — betting with the dice.
Past Posting – An illegal bet made after all bets have been made/accepted. A form of cheating.
Payoff – The winning amount due to a player.
Pips – Spots on the dice.
Pit Boss – The employee in charge of overseeing the craps table.
Place Numbers and Bets – Bets on 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10 before a 7 is thrown.
Point Number (Point) – Any box number.
Press a Bet (Press) – Increasing a bet, usually by 2.
Proposition Bet – Bets made in the center of the table which include both hardway and hop bets.
Q Terms/Definitions
Quarters – Term used for a $25 check.
R Terms/Definitions
Rails – The perimeter around the table where players can place their chips.
Right Bettor – A player who wagers with the dice — that the dice will pass.
S Terms/Definitions
Seven Out – A 7 being rolled before a point has been made. End of the shooter’s turn.
Shooter – A term used for the player currently throwing the dice.
Skinny Dugan – A term used for the number 7 (to avoid saying 7, because it’s been said to be bad luck).
Snake Eyes – A roll of 2 (1-1).
Square Pair – Term used for a hard 8 (4-4).
Stickman – Casino employee who handles the dice with a long stick.
T Terms/Definitions
Take the Odds – Making free-odds bets as a right bettor.
Tip – Another term used for toke, or gratuity given to the casino employees.
Toke – Another term for tip or gratuity. Usually given to casino staff.
W Terms/Definitions
Working – Bets that are in action on the table.
Wrong Bettor – Players who bet against the shooter on the Don’t Pass Line.
V Terms/Definitions
Vigorish or Vig – Another term for juice, house edge or advantage. The commission that the house receives.
Y Terms/Definitions
Yo-leven – A term used for the number 11.
Z Terms/Definitions
Zuke – Another term for toke or tip — gratuity given to casino staff.
