Craps 7 Basic Craps Player's Guide Menu

Craps: Glossary Gambling Terms

Craps has a very unique language all to it's own.

2-Way Eleven
Player betting one roll wager on 11 for himself AND the dealers.
3-Way Craps
A bet made in units of 3, with one unit on 2, one unit on 3, and one unit on the 12. This is a horn bet without a bet on 11.
3-Way Seven
A better way to make a wager on Any Seven.
Aces
Betting that the next roll will be the total sum of 2.
Aces-Ace/Deuce
A one-roll bet on 2 and 3.
Action
How busy the table is. Or, the wagers that are in play.
Any Craps
A one roll bet that the next roll of the dice will be a 2, 3 or 12
Any Seven
A one roll bet that the next roll of the dice will be a seven
Apron
The outer perimeter of the table layout between the pass line and the player
At Risk
Used to indicate that a player's wager is active or "in action".
Back Line
Another term for the Don't Pass Line.
Bank Craps
The proper name of the casino game of Craps.
Bar the 12
Makes the 12 a standoff (a push) for the don't bettors.
Betting right
Betting that the dice will win on Pass Line and Come bets
Betting wrong
Betting that the dice will not win, or pass, by placing Don't Pass and don't Come bets
Big 6
A bet that a total of 6 will be rolled before a total of 7. This bet is always working.
Big 8
A bet that a total of 8 will be rolled before a total of 7. This bet is always working.
Big Red
Placing a bet on Any Seven.
Bones
Another name for the dice.
Bowl
The wooden or plastic container near the stickman that the dice rest in.
Boxcars
(Betting on the 12) Two 6s rolled in a craps game are called 'Boxcars'. (Boxcars are the last cars on a train.)
Boxman
Table supervisor who sits between the dealers and opposite the stickman and who is responsible for the thousands of dollars worth of chips that the casino keeps on hand at each craps table (The House Bank).
Boys (or The Boys)
Slang for the Dealers.
Buy Bet (Buy and Lay bet)
Giving the house a 5% commission in order to be paid correct odds for a place bet. Buy and lay bets are made the same way as a place bet, but paid off at true odds.
C and E Bet
A one roll proposition bet on the any craps (C) AND on 11 (E).
Change Only
When players put money on the table to get gaming chips (as opposed to MONEY PLAYS, when the player bets the money directly).
Charting a Table
Keeping track of table bets, either on paper or by using chips in your chip rack.
Cheques
The correct term for a casino gaming chips. A cheque always has the denomination placed on it.
Cocked Dice
A die or dice that end up leaning on the wall, gaming cheques or money, instead of lying flat on the table layout. The stickman decides how the dice are called based on the natural lean of the dice as if the object he dice are leaning on were taken away.
Cold Table
When shooters are not making their Points.
Coloring Up
Player exchanging small valued chips for larger ones.
Come Bet
Same as the Pass Line bet but made after the Come Out roll and only when a point is established on a number. If a point number rolls then the bet Comes to that number.
Come Box
The area on the craps layout where Come bets are placed.
Come Out Roll
The first roll of the dice in a new game. Pass bets win when the come out roll is 7 or 11, and lose when the come out roll is 2, 3, or 12. "Don't Pass" bets lose when the come out roll is 7 or 11, and win when the come out roll is 2 or 3. Don't bets tie when the come out roll is 12 (2 in some casinos; the "bar" roll on the layout indicates which roll is treated as a tie).
Craps
The numbers 2, 3, and 12.
Crapped Out
When on the come-out roll the numbers 2, 3, or 12 are rolled causing all pass line bettors to lose their pass line wagers..
Crapless Craps
A Craps variant where 2, 3, 11, and 12 are POINT numbers.
Dice are in the Middle
When dice are brought in by the stickman and placed above the Proposition Bets and in front of the Boxman. This is when wagers should be made by the players.
Don't Come
Making a bet against the dice (a 7 will appear before the point is rolled again) after the come out roll.
Don't Pass Bar
Just above the pass line is a thinner band of felt where you place your don't pass bets (essentially the opposite of a pass line bet).
Don't Pass Bet
Making a bet against the dice before a Come Out roll.
Don't Pass Line
The area on the layout where Don't Pass bets are placed.
Double Odds
An odds bet that is 2X as large as the original pass/come "Flat" bet.
Down Behind
Called by a dealer when there is a losing don't come bet.
Easy Way
The roll of a 4, 6, 8 or 10 where the dice are not pairs. The easiest way for a number to roll.
Field Bet
A one roll bet that the next roll will be 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12. This bet pays even money for 3, 4, 9, 10, and 11, and usually pays 2:1 for 2 or 12. Some casinos pay 3:1 for either the 2 or 12 (but not both).
Flat Bet
A player's original contract bet, made on the Pass Line or Don't Pass Line, Come or Don't Come before "taking" or "laying" odds.
Floorman
A casino executive who supervises one or more tables.
Free Odds
Another term for the Odds bet. Also called True Odds.
Free Odds Bet
Taken at true odds.
Front Line
Another term for the Pass Line.
Green
Dealer slang for $25 gaming cheques which in most casinos are green.
Hand-In
A toke (tip) handed in to the dealer(s). Usually during a good roll of the dice or while cashing out prior to leaving the table.
Hard Way
A bet on 4, 6, 8, or 10 that wins only if both dice show the same face; e.g., "hard 8" occurs when each die shows a four. "Hardways Work Unless Called Off" should always be called by Stickman on Come-Out roll to remind players that hardway bets are at risk unless player calls them off.
Hawking the Dice
When a dealer looks at the dice as they're rolled to the opposite end of the table. Dealers are supposed to watch their end of the table at all times to maximize customer service and game protection.
Hi-Lo
A one-roll bet on 2 and 12.
Hi-Lo-Yo
A one-roll bet on 2, 12 and 11.
Hope Bet
One roll bet on a particular dice combination.
Hoping Hardway
A 2 ,2 hop bet.
Horn Bet
A bet that the next roll will be 2, 3, 11, or 12, usually made in multiples of four, with one unit on each of the numbers.
Horn High
A bet made in multiples of five with one unit on three of the horn numbers, and two units on a selected "high" number (number 2, 3,11, or 12). Most Popular is the "$5 horn high eleven": $1 each on 2, 3, 12, and $2 on the 11.
Hot Table
When players are winning, usually pass line, come and place bets.
Inside
The numbers 5 6 8 9.
Juice
Another term for vig (vigorish). The casino edge or commission taken by the house.
Lammer
Plastic coin-like markers that are placed on Buy and Lay Bets and that are also used to mark bets ON or OFF (bets in action). Also used by boxman to keep track of the total money in the DROP.
Late Bet
When a player makes a bet after dice have been sent out or when the dice are already In The Air. The dealer or boxman will call "Bet" or "No Bet" to indicate whether the bet is valid.
Lay Bet
A bet that a 7 will be rolled before the number you are placing (4,5,6,8,9, or 10).
Lay Odds
An odds bet taken after the player has made a Don't Pass bet and a point has been established. The odds bet is paid at the correct odds for the point, and is a fair bet with no house edge. This also applies to a Don't Come bet. Making this bet is referred to "laying the odds" for your Don't bet.
Layout
The imprinted surface of a craps table, which shows all the areas where bets can be placed
Lid
The wood or plastic top of the House Bank that covers house gaming cheques when the table is not in action.
Lights Out
Often stated by Stickman to remind Dealers to move the Marker Puck to the black side (OFF position) since there is no point.
Line Bet
A bet on the Pass line or the Don't Pass line. These bets are placed at the beginning of a new game, before the Come Out roll. The shooter is required to make a line bet in order to shoot the dice.
Little Joe
A Hard 4 (2 2).
Lock It Up
Dealer term to put loose gaming cheques into their stacks or into the House Bank.
Marker
A Marker is used for high-roller play when a player uses credit already established at a particular casino. The buy-in is established with the boxman and a marker (A LAMMER from the ones usually used to keep track of the HOUSE BANK is set out on the table to identify the dollar amount of the buy-in/credit).
Marker Puck
A plastic disc that the dealer uses to mark the Point Number on the Craps table. When the puck is turned so that "OFF" is face up, then a Come-Out roll is about to start and Place Bets and all Free Odds Bets have no action.
Midnight
One roll bet on the 12.
Money Plays
Called aloud by the dealers when player makes a cash wager on the table instead of using gaming chips.
Natural
Another term for a throw of 7 or 11 on the come out roll. (Natural seven or natural eleven.)
No Bet
Called by Dealer or Boxman on late bets made by players after dice have been sent out or when In-The-Air, to indicate that those bets don't count.
No Roll
Called by Dealer or Boxman if roll of the dice is short, slips out of shooters hand, lands in the house bank, bounces off table or into the rack or hits another player with a noticeable delay before landing on the table, to indicate that the roll doesn't count.
Odds
An additional bet made on a Pass or Don't Pass bet after a point has been established. The bet is paid at true odds and carries no house edge. The amount that players can wager on the odds bet varies from casino to casino, usually "Double Odds", 3X, 4X and 5X, 10X, or even as much as 100X. This bet is also called Free Odds.
Odds Off
Free Odds bets that are "not working". Free Odds bets can be called "off" by the player at any time. Also, Free Odds on Come Bets are usually "off" during the Come Out roll, unless the bettor asks to have them "working". Come Odds bets that are "off" will be returned to the player if 7 is rolled on the Come Out roll. Don't Come LAY ODDS generally work on the Come Out roll.
Off
Usually refers to Marker Puck OR lammers placed on player wagers to indicate that they are not in action on the next roll of the dice.
Off and On
Refers to the way that Dealers pay off Come bets when a player has a new come bet and wins on a number where there is already a wager postioned.
On
Usually refers to Marker Puck OR lammers placed on player wagers to indicate that they are in action (aka "working", or "At Risk")
One on the Rail
Usually called by a dealer to inform the Boxman that a die, which rolled or bounced off the table, has been returned and set "On the Rail" near the Boxman for inspection.
One Roll Bets
Outcome of these bets are established by the next dice roll. Depending on the next roll, the bet either wins or loses.
Outside
The numbers 4 10 5 9.
Parlay
Leaving your winnings in action (letting it ride).
Pass Line Bet
 A wager that the dice will pass, or win, made prior to the come out roll.
Pass (also Pass Bet and Pass Line Bet)
Wins when the Come Out roll is 7 or 11, or when a point is rolled before a 7. Loses when the Come Out roll is 2, 3, or 12, or when a 7 is rolled before the point.
Past Posting
Illegally making a wager after the dice have landed with a result. Also, making a wager on the Don't Pass AFTER a point has already been established.
Paying Behind
Usually called and executed by dealer when paying off Don't Bets.
Payoff
The return or payback the player receives for his or her wager.
Penny
Dealer slang for $1 gaming cheques.
Place Bet
A bet that a particular number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) will be rolled before a 7 comes up.
Playing the field
is a common and popular one roll bet. To place this bet find the box with the word 'field' written in it along with a set of numbers (as in 'Field Bet' above). Placing a field bet means you are betting that the next roll will be a 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12.
Point
A 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 rolled on the Come Out roll. The shooter must roll the point again, before rolling a seven, in order for the dice to "pass". A "come point" is just the number that is serving as a point for a come bet.
Press a Bet
To double a bet.
Proposition Bet
All one-roll bets in the middle of the table AND The Hardways. Also, some "Call Bets" such as "Hopping" bets where there is no place on the felt with a printed place to position the bet.
Rack
The grooved railing around the table where players position their chips.
Rail
The top grooved area around the player side of the table.
Right Bettor
A player who bets on the Pass Line (as opposed to the Don't Pass).
Save the Odds
Called by the Stickman when 7 is rolled on a Come Out roll to remind dealers to return Odds on Come Bets back to players who may have odds positioned on their active Come Bets.
Seven Out
When a 7 is thrown after a point has been established and before repeating the point number, next player in line will be the shooter.
Shooter
The player who is rolling the dice. The shooter must place a Line bet (Pass or Don't Pass) in order to be eligible to roll the dice. Of course, the shooter can place other bets in addition to the required Line bet. Most shooters (and players) tend to play the Pass line.
Single Odds
An odds bet that is about as large as the original pass/come bet. Some casinos allow "double odds", or even larger odds bets.
Skinny
Slang for a bet on Any Seven. Also called Big Red.
Snake Eyes
Betting on a total of 2.
Still Up
Phrase often stated by dealers to remind players that a specific wager is still in play, or asked as a question to see if player wants the same wager repeated.
Table Sign
A sign on either or both sides of the table stating table minimums and maximums, terms for multiple odds, and maximum wager on odds and/or payoffs.
Taking Odds
Making an Odds bet.
The Point
The number that is established on the come out roll. Only place numbers (4,5,6,8,9,10) can become the point. The shooter will attempt to repeat throwing the point before throwing a 7 in order to win that round of betting.
Tub (also "Mini" or "Half-Table")
A small one or two dealer craps table used usually in small casinos.
Vigorish
(Also abbreviated Vig.) The casino edge or commission taken by the house.
Wall (or Back Wall)
Either end of the table. Shooter is supposed to hit the back wall to complete a fair roll of the dice.
Whirl (or World)
A bet that the next roll will be 2, 3, 7, 11, or 12, made in multiples of 5, with one unit on each of the numbers.
Working
A casino term meaning that the bets are at risk or in action on the next roll of the dice
Working
Meaning certain bets will be at risk on the next dice roll.
Working Bets
Bets that are "live" and in "action".
Wrong Bettor
Slang for a player who plays Don't Pass and/or Don't Come.
Yo or Yo-leven
The number 11 as called by the stickman and often by the players. Called this way to clearly differentiate it from the number 7.
Your First (2nd, 3rd etc.)
Refers to the way that dealers reference the playing position of players when paying off wagers or making change.