Essential Craps Terms, Expressions & Slang
Written By Scott Lawson
This fast-paced dice game is well-known around the globe for the atmosphere that it brings to the casino floor. The crowded tables are often surrounded by punters and spectators shouting craps terms, cheering and groaning in equal parts. Understanding the expressions fosters the camaraderie that comes with winning and losing at the throw of the dice.
The unknown meanings of the yelled phrases can, however, make the table somewhat unapproachable, so we’ve put together this glossary of craps game terms to give you the knowledge to play with confidence.
Glossary of Important Craps Terms
Having a craps glossary handy when playing the game online, either in RNG-based or live versions, can be a useful resource to help perfect your gameplay or craps strategy. Knowing all the words to refer to the wagers on the table will ensure that you place the right bets at the right time.
With this information, you can make sure you and don’t accidentally put money on a bet that’s unlikely to pay out. There’s more to knowing the game than just knowing the rules, after all. Without further ado, check out our list of craps terms here!
Glossary
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- 2 x Odds This is an Odds Bet that is double the size of your pass line bet or come bet.
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- 3 Way Craps This is a combination of 3 craps bets in one bet. A 3 Way Craps is one bet on 2, one bet on 3, and one bet on 12.
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- 5 Count A useless craps system
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- A Hobos Delight on a Cold and Rainy Night A bet on 12 – see Boxcars
- A Square Pair This is a bet that the next roll will be a hard 8 (4+4).
- Ace A bet that the next roll will be a hard 2 (1+1).
- Ace Caught a Deuce/Ace Deuce A bet that the next roll will be 3 (1+2).
- Advantage The house edge
- After 5 The Field is Alive A bet that the next roll will be 5 (3+2).
- All the Spots we Got A bet that the next roll will be 12 (6+6).
- Any 7 A bet that a 7 will be rolled in the next throw.
- Any Craps Betting that the next roll will be 2, 3 or 12.
- Atomic Craps A bet that a hard 12 will be rolled in the next throw (6+6).
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- Back Line See: Don’t Pass Line.
- Back Line Skinner A bet on the next throw being a 7.
- Ballerina Special This a bet that the next roll will be a hard 4 (2+2).
- Benny Blue – You are All Through Betting that the roll will be a 7.
- Betting Right Betting on the Pass Line Bet and Come Bets.
- Betting Wrong A player who is betting on the dices losing – by placing bets on the Don’t Pass and Don’t Come areas.
- Big 6 A bet on a 6 being thrown before a 7 is rolled.
- Big 8 A bet on an 8 being thrown before a 7 is rolled.
- Big Red Placing a bet on any 7.
- Bones Another nickname for the dice.
- Boxcars Betting on 12.
- Boxman The supervisor of the craps table.
- Bring Out A term used by the stickman.
- Broke Money Transportation money given to the broke player by the casino.
- Brooklyn Forest Hard 6 – (3+3).
- Buck A round plastic disk used to mark either the point or to indicate that no point is yet established. It says Off on one side and ON – on the other side. One of the many commonly misunderstood craps glossary terms.
- Buffalo Placing a bet on each of the hard way and any 7.
- Buy Bets A 5% commission is paid to the casino in order to achieve the correct odds on a bet of 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10.
- Buy the 4 and 10 Paying a 5% commission to the casino so that the 4 and 10 payoff is at 2:1 on place bets. The buy bets on 4 and 10 allow the player to reduce the house edge from 6.67% down to 4% on these bets.
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- Casino Checks A term used by the casino for chips issued by the house.
- Center Field A bet on the next throw being a 9 (5+4).
- Changing Colour When you change casino chips into smaller or larger denomination you are changing colour.
- Checks A casino term for tokens – used instead of money.
- Chips A casino term for tokens – used instead of money.
- Choppy If none of the players are making more than 1 or 2 point rolls before they seven out.
- Cold Dice A expression used when the dices aren’t passing.
- Cold Table An expression used when the shooters are not making their points.
- Come/Come Bet The Come bet allows you to place a bet similar to a pass line bet after the come out roll.
- Come out Roll The very first roll in a betting round.
- Craps Numbers 2, 3 and 12 are called craps.
- Crap Out If a 2 – 3 or 12 is thrown on the come out roll.
- Crapped Dice Slang term for Crooked Dice.
- Crew Slang for the two dealers + the stickman + the boxman – who are handling the craps table.
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- Dealers The two dealers are responsible for the bets placed at the craps table. You can ask your dealer to place your bets for you.
- Dice Pass When the shooter throws a 7 he must pass on the dice to the next player in line.
- Die in the Wood – Roll no Good Slang used when the dices lands in on of the players chip rack.
- Disc The ON – OFF disc. See: Buck.
- Don’t Come/Don’t Come Bet/Don’t Pass A Don’t Come Bet is the reverse of a Come bet. This is a bet that a 7 will be thrown before the point is rolled.
- Don’t Come Box/Don’t Pass Line This is an area on the craps table where you can place a Don’t Come bet.
- Double Odds/Double Odds Bet See: 2x Bet.
- Double Saw on Boxcars This is slang for betting on the next roll to be a 12 (6+6).
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- Easy Way The easy way to roll a number – is the opposite of rolling a number the hard way. Forming the number without a pair.
- Edge See: Advantage.
- Eighter from Decatur A bet that the next roll will be 8 (4+4).
- End of the Race A Bet that the next roll will be 7.
- Evealine Eleven – after the point is made.
- Even Money A bet that offers a payoff of 1-1.
- Excuse Me Sir – Craps is a Game of Skill not Strength A player that is throwing the dice way too hard.
- Excuse Me Sir – We need to Feed the Chickens not Kill them. A player that is throwing the dice way too hard.
- Excuse Me Sir – You did not lose the Dice – Only your Friends and Money A player that throws craps on the come out roll.
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- Field The Field bet is a one roll bet that the next roll will be a 2, 3, 4, 9, 10 or 12. If a 3, 4, 9, 10 or 11 is rolled the Field bet win and is paid even money (1-1). If 2 or 12 is rolled you will be paid 2:1.
- Floormen Floormen are supervisors who are responsible for the casino employees running the games – and the games. Sometimes you can see a floorman standing behind the table watching over the game.
- Free Odds If you bet on the Pass Line, Don’t Pass, Come, or Don’t Come, you can increase your original bet by the double the amount of your wager. See: Wager Behind.
- Front Line See: Pass Line.
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- George This is slang used by the casino crew for a big tipping craps player.
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- Hard Way Throwing a number with a pair.
- Hop This is a bet on a particular number to be rolled in the next throw.
- Hopping Hardways A bet that a certain pair will be rolled in the next throw.
- Horn By placing a horn bet you bet on 2, 3, 11 and 12. If one of these numbers comes up you win on that bet – but lose the other three.
- Hot Dice/Hot Hands This is slang for a shooter who rolls the point numbers.
- Hot Roll A roll in which the dice are continually passing and are held by the shooter for a long period of time.
- Hot Table Slang term for a craps table with lots of action.
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- I Can’t read’er – She’s in the Cedar Slang used by the casino crew when one or both the dice land in a player’s chip rack.
- In the Plank – Not worth a Wank A slang term used by the casino crew when one or both of the dices has landed in the rail.
- Inside Numbers These are the place number bets: 5, 6, 8 and 9.
- Insurance Bet This is when a player makes two or more bets at the craps table to insure one or the other. If one bet loses the other bet will win.
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- Jesse James Slang for a nine – Because Jesse James was shot to death with a forty-five.
- Jimmie Hick Slang for a six.
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- Lay A bet against a particular number wagered by a Wrong Better.
- Lay the Odds See: Free Odds
- Lay Bets A lay bet is a bet that a 7 will be thrown before the number you are placing your lay bet on – 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 – comes up.
- Lay Wager See: Lay
- Layout The layout of the craps table is simply the imprinted surface of a craps table – which shows all the different areas where craps bets can be placed.
- Like Mom & Dad A bet that the next roll will be two fours.
- Line Away A bet on the next roll being a 7 (5+2).
- Line Bet A line bet can be a bet on either the Pass Line – or the Don’t Pass Line.
- Little Joe Slang for a pair of twos.
- Little Joe from Kokomo A bet on the next roll being a pair of twos.
- Little Phoebe Slang for a bet on the next roll being a 3 and a 2.
- Long & Strong Sometimes the stickman will tell a player to throw the dice long and strong – this is because he wants the player to throw the dice hard enough to hit the backboard.
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- Midnight Slang for 12 – or a bet that the next roll will be 12.
- Miss/ Miss Out When the shooter tries to make his point – but instead rolls a seven the shooter is said to miss.
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- Natural When the shooter rolls a seven or and 11 at the come out roll.
- Nickel A chip with a $5 denomination.
- Nina and the Marina Slang for 9.
- Nina from Pasadena A bet on the next roll being 9 (5+4).
- Numbers A craps term used for the numbers: 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10.
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- Odds Bets See: Free Odds
- Odds Off Odds Off refers to the fact that the player can call off his odds bets at any time – the odds bet is left on the table until the wager is resolved.
- Off The player can call his bets off if he thinks that he will not win on the next throw.
- OJ Slang for a bet on 3 and 2. Refers to O.J Simpson who used shirt number 32 when he was playing football.
- On Base Dealers.
- On the Stick See: Stickman.
- One Roll Bet A bet that will resolve on the next roll.
- Outside Numbers The numbers 4, 5 9 and 10 as place number bets.
- Outstanding in Your Field Slang for a bet that the next roll will be 12 (6+6).
- Ozzie & Harriet Slang for a bet that the next roll will be 8 (4+4).
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- Pair of Aces in the Wrong Place Slang for Two.
- Pair of Sunflowers Slang for a bet on the next roll to be 10 (5+5).
- Pair of Roses Slang for a bet on the next roll to be 10 (5+5).
- Parlay A progressive betting strategy that leaves your winnings on the table for the next roll.
- Pass This is a winning situation for the right betters – those who bet on the Pass Line and Come.
- Pass Bet This is simply a pass line bet – This is a bet that the dices will pass – you will normally place this bet before the come out roll.
- Pass Line The area on the craps table where you can place your pass line bet is called the pass line.
- Payoff Payoff is the paying of winning bets to a player.
- Pit The pit is the area enclosed by all the tables in a casino – floormen walk around in the pit and keep an eye on the games in progress and the casino employees.
- Pit Bboss A casino employee who is in charge of all the tables in a certain area within the casino.
- Place Bet A bet on either the 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 as individual numbers or in any combination.
- Point If 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10 is rolled in the first roll this number now becomes the point and the shooter must roll this number again before he rolls a 7.
- Press a Bet A term used by the player when he wants to increase his bet with double the amount.
- Proposition Bets The proposition bets are made in the center of the table.
- Puck See: Buck
- Puppy Paws Slang for a bet that the next roll will be 10 (5+5).
- Put Bet A pass line bet that you make after the come-out roll.
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- Rails Where players keep their chips when they are not using them to make bets.
- Rhythmic Rollers This is people who can influence the dice to change the odds – dice pre-setters.
- Right Bettor Players who bet on the Pass Line and Come is called right betters – as opposite to wrong betters who bet against the dice.
- Roll A simple throw of the dice – OR – a series of throws with the dice until the shooter sevens out.
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- Same Bet – Press Method This is when a player is using the same bet after every win. Same bet – press method is used for place bets.
- Scared Money This is when a gambler has insufficient funds to keep playing.
- Seven Out When the shooter is trying to make his point but throws a seven.
- Seven is a Bruiser – The front line is a Loser Slang for a bet on the next roll to be a 7 (5+2).
- Shoot A series of rolls by the shooter – until he sevens out.
- Shooter The player who is rolling the dice.
- Shooter on the dark side – Says he Won’t A gambler who makes a Don’t Pass bet.
- Single Odds See: Free Odds.
- Six Ace Betting on the next throw will be the number 7 (5+2).
- Six Five – No Jive Betting that the next throw will be the number 11 (5+6).
- Six One – You are All Done Betting that the next throw will be the number 7 (5+2).
- Small Ace Deuce – Can’t Produce Betting that the next throw will be the number 3 (2+1).
- Snake Eyes Two – or a bet on number two.
- Square Pair Hard 8.
- Stickman The casino employee who calls out the dice rolls and hands the shooter the dice.
- Studio 54 Studio 54 is slang for the number 9.
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- Take the odds See: Free Odds
- Taken Down A bet that is taken down is removed and returned to the player – either because the player requested this or because of the craps rules.
- Ten the Hard Way This is a bet that the next roll will be 10 – rolled with a pair of fives.
- The Big One on the End This is a bet that the next roll will be 10 – rolled with a pair of fives.
- The Dice Are Cold As Ice – Sweet As Honey – Bet the Don’t and Win the Money Slang for a cold table – the shooters are not making their points.
- The Other Side of Eleven’s Tummy Slang for a bet that the next roll will be number 2 (2+1).
- The Windows Slang for a bet that the next roll will be number 8 (4+4).
- Thirty Two – Juice Roll Slang for a bet that the next roll will be number 5 (3+2).
- Three Craps Three – The Indicator Slang for a bet that the next roll will be number 3 (2+1).
- Tip A tip is a gratuity given to the dealer by the player.
- Token This is the dealer’s term for a tip given to a dealer from a player.
- Triple Dipple – In the Lucky Ducky Slang for a bet that the next roll will be number 12 (6+6).
- Two Aces The number 2 (1+1).
- Two Crap Two – Double in the Bubble The number 2 (1+1).
- Two Rolls and no Coffee Slang for a shooter that sevens out after two rolls.
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- Up Pops the Devil Slang for a bet that the next throw will be number 7 (5+2).
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- Value for Money Bet A term used for a bet with a low house edge.
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- Wager Behind See: Free Odds
- Whirl Bet A whirl bet is a bet that the next throw with the dice will be 2, 3, 7, 11 or 12, adding up to 5, with one unit on each of the numbers.
- Winner on the Dark Side A bet that the next roll will be 3.
- Working A craps term meaning that the bets are at risk on the next throw with the dice.
- World Bets See: Whirl bet
- Wrong Better A wrong better is a craps player who bets that the dice will not pass – and therefore he is normally not very popular at the craps table – at least not among the betters who are Betting Right.
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- X Odds See: Free Odds
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- Yo Slang for 11.
- Yo Eleven A bet that the next throw will be 11 (5+6).
- Yo – Elevine – Lost her Drawers in the Men’s Latrine Slang for eleven.
Frequently Asked Questions
If there are any further questions about the slang that is being shouted as craps game terms, you’re not alone. It seems like people like to make up all sorts of rhyming phrases, and it can be dependent on the casino itself or the country you’re playing from. Further questions about craps terminology are answered here:
What does craps mean?
The word craps refers to the popular game of craps and the numbers 2, 3 and 12 when thrown on a come out roll. It is a losing throw of the dice for anyone that has placed a wager on the Pass Line, though it is a winning result for anyone who has wagered on the Don't Pass Line.
Can you win money playing craps online?
Yes, you can win money playing craps online if you play using a smart wagering system. By this, I mean only placing bets that are likely to pay out, or have a low house edge. However, even by doing this, you will lose money over the long term as the house always wins.
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