So, you’ve wandered into the casino, and there it is: the craps table. It’s buzzing with energy, people yelling things like “Yo!” and “Hard Eight!“—and you’re just standing there, clutching your chips, wondering if you’re about to star in your own personal gambling sitcom. Sound familiar?
Don’t worry; craps might seem like a secret society with its own language, but once you crack the code, you’ll fit right in. That’s where this craps glossary comes in. Think of it as your Rosetta Stone for dice-slinging slang. From the basics like “Pass Line” to more colorful terms like “Snake Eyes” we’ve got all the lingo covered.
Whether you’re a newbie trying to survive your first roll or a seasoned shooter looking to brush up, this guide will help you talk the talk and play with confidence. Ready to roll? Let’s dive in!
Craps Terminology – Everything You Need to Know
A
- Aces: A roll of two ones (1+1). Also called “Snake Eyes.”
- Ace Deuce: A roll of 1+2, totaling three.
- Any Craps: A bet that the next roll will be a 2, 3, or 12.
- Any Seven: A bet that the next roll will total seven.
- Arm: A skilled shooter believed to control dice rolls.
B
- Base Dealers: Dealers stationed on either side of the table.
- Betting Right: Betting with the shooter, hoping for a Pass Line win.
- Betting Wrong: Betting against the shooter, such as with a Don’t Pass Bet.
- Big Six: A bet that a 6 will be rolled before a 7.
- Big Eight: A bet that an 8 will be rolled before a 7.
- Big Red: A term for seven, often avoided at the table to prevent “jinxing.”
- Bones: Another term for dice.
C
- C&E Bet: A combined bet on Craps (2, 3, or 12) and Yo (11).
- Center Field: Refers to the number 9 on the table layout.
- Cold Dice or Cold Table: A table where shooters are frequently losing.
- Come Bet or Come Line: Similar to a Pass Line bet, but made after the point is established.
- Come Out: The initial roll of a new round.
- Craps Check: A side bet that the next roll will be a craps number (2, 3, or 12).
- Crapless Craps: A variation of craps where 2, 3, 11, and 12 cannot lose on a Pass Line bet.
- Craps Numbers: The numbers 2, 3, and 12.
- Crap Out: Rolling a 2, 3, or 12 on the Come Out roll, resulting in a loss for Pass Line bets.
D
- Don’t Come Bet: Betting that a point number will not be rolled again before a 7.
- Don’t Pass Bet: Betting against the shooter, hoping for a loss on the Come Out roll.
- Double Odds: Doubling your Odds Bet, providing a higher payout.
- Down: Removing a bet from the table.
E
- Easy Way: Rolling a 4, 6, 8, or 10 with different numbers (e.g., 3+1 for 4).
F
- Fever: A slang term for the number 5.
- Free Odds: An additional bet behind the Pass Line that pays true odds.
- Front Line: Another name for the Pass Line.
G
- Garden: Slang for the Field area on the table.
- George: A player known for tipping generously.
H
- Hard Way: Rolling a pair (e.g., 3+3 for 6). Pays more than the Easy Way.
- Hi-Lo: A one-roll bet that the next roll will be a 2 (low) or 12 (high).
- Hi-Lo-Yo: A one-roll bet combining 2, 11, and 12.
- Hop Bet: A bet on a specific combination of dice on the next roll.
- Horn Bet: A bet that the next roll will be 2, 3, 11, or 12.
I
- Inside Numbers: The numbers 5, 6, 8, and 9.
L
- Lay Bet: A bet against a specific point number being rolled before a 7.
- Layout: The felt surface of the craps table showing the betting areas.
- Lay Odds: Adding odds to a Don’t Pass or Don’t Come Bet.
- Little Joe: A roll of 4.
- Low: A one-roll bet on 2.
- Little Phoebe: A roll of 5.
M
- Marker: A chip or puck used to mark the point number.
- Mark the Point: Placing the puck on the table to indicate the point.
- Mechanic: A term for a skilled dice manipulator.
N
- Natural: A 7 or 11 on the Come Out roll, resulting in a win for Pass Line bets.
- Nina: A roll of 9.
O
- One-Roll Bet: A bet that wins or loses on the next roll only.
- Odds Bet: An additional bet behind the Pass Line or Don’t Pass, offering true odds.
- Off: A bet not active for the current roll.
- Off and On: When a Come Bet wins and is replaced by a new bet in one motion.
- On: A bet that is active for the current roll.
- Outside Numbers: The numbers 4, 5, 9, and 10.
P
- Parlay: Leaving your winnings in play to increase your next bet.
- Pass Bet: Betting with the shooter, hoping for a win on the Pass Line.
- Pass Line: The primary bet placed on the shooter’s success.
- Payout Odds: The odds paid for winning bets, differing from house edge.
- Place Bet: A wager on specific numbers (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10).
- Place Numbers: The numbers 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10.
- Point: The number established after the Come Out roll.
- Press: Doubling or increasing a bet.
- Proposition Bet: A wager placed in the center of the table on specific outcomes.
- Puppy Paws: Slang for a pair of fives, totaling 10.
R
- Rail or Rack: The area where players keep their chips.
S
- Seven Out: Rolling a 7 after the point is established, ending the shooter’s turn.
- Shooter: The player rolling the dice.
- Shooting Dice: Another term for rolling the dice.
- Snake Eyes: A roll of two ones (1+1).
- Square Pair: A roll of double fours (4+4).
- Stickman: The dealer who handles the dice and calls the rolls.
T
- Toke: A tip given to the dealers.
W
- Working Bet: A bet that is active and in play for the current roll.
Y
- Yo: Slang for the number 11.
- Yo Bet: A one-roll bet on 11.
Congratulations! You’ve just leveled up your Craps vocabulary. With this glossary, you’re no longer just a bystander at the table—you’re ready to talk the talk and, more importantly, understand what’s going on. Whether you’re betting on “Yo”, avoiding “Big Red” or mastering the “Come Line,” you now have the lingo to back up your game.
Craps might be a fast-paced, high-energy adventure, but with this cheat sheet of terms, you can roll in with confidence. The next time someone shouts “Little Joe!” or “Snake Eyes!” you’ll nod knowingly, because you’re officially in on the action. Now that you’re familiar with the terms, delve deeper into craps odds to enhance your gameplay. Good luck!
