Every game has its own jargon and gambling is no exception. Naturally, Craps has its own list of terms as well and when a game is as popular as Craps, it’s a whole new language. If you are a Craps newbie and can’t understand what Craps veterans are really saying, maybe what you really need is a comprehensive Craps glossary.
This alphabetized index of craps terms will quickly become your Craps bible because it has almost every term you can think of. So, never again will you get stuck because you didn’t know what a word meant.
A
Aces – A bet that two 1s will show on the next roll.
Any Craps – A one unit one roll bet the next roll will be 2, 3, 12 with the payout usually being 7 to 1.
Don’t Come Bar- This area of casino craps table is for the Don’t Come Bet. It is a “virtual” Don’t Pass Bet. It is made after the point is established. 7 or 11 means you lose. 2 or 3 is a winner. With a 12, you neither win nor lose. If you roll any other number, then that becomes your point. Craps Check: Betting on any craps during the come out roll to hedge your pass line bet. Don't Come bet: A don't pass bet made after the point is established. Don't Pass bet: A bet that the shooter will not make his point. Double odds: An odds bet that is twice the size of the original pass/come bet. Some casinos offer higher odds. To roll a 2, 3, or 12 on the come out roll. A player betting on the Pass line or Come loses on crap out, but the roll does not lose when a point is established. Don't Pass and Don't Come wins if a 2 or 3 craps is rolled on come out, but ties (pushes) if a 12 is rolled on come out. The shooter may continue rolling after crapping out. Pass bets winwhen 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 comeout 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).
Any Seven – A bet the next roll will show a 7. Payout is usually 4 to 1.
Apron – The area behind the pass line on the craps table. All free odd bets are placed on the apron.
Arm – Skilled dice throwers who have believably mastered dice control and can manipulate the way the game is played. Known as “an arm”.
B
Back Line – The Do Not Pass Line.
Bank – The stack of chips placed on the craps table by the casino.
Bar 6-6 – Is a standoff with no total wins or losses. In this situation, bets placed may be withdrawn or alternatively, carried over to the next betting roll. Sometimes it’s Bar 1-1 or Bar 1-2.
Bar 12 or 2 – A push for bets on the Don’t Pass Line and the Don’t Come.
Behind – After the Don’t Come point is established, all checks are to go into the box placed “behind” the box number.
Behind the Line – A bet placed after the come out roll, on the Free-Odds.
Big 6 – A bet that a 6 will show before a 7 on the next roll. The payout is 1 to 1.
Big 8 – A bet that an 8 will show before a 7 on the next roll. The payout is 1 to 1.
Big Red – A bet that the next roll will show a 7.
Bones – Another name for the dice.
Black – Colloquial name for a $100 casino check.
Bowl – The container tray in which the spare dice is held by the stickman.
Boxcars – A bet on the number 12.
Box Man – The casino employee who supervises the dealers at the Craps table. He is usually also responsible for counting cash and gaming checks, settlling gambling disputes and general play of the game.
Box Numbers – The numbers 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10 marked inside “boxes” on the layout are known as box or point number. The remaining numbers are known as natural numbers.
Box Up – The changing of dice for every new set.
Buffalo – A 5 unit bet on every Hard Way and number Eleven.
Buy Bet – When a 5% commission is paid to collect house advantage and to get correct odds. The bet is placed on any of the box numbers and are paid if the number shows before a seven.
C
C and E – A two unit and one roll bet that the next roll will show 2, 3, or 11. One unit is wagered on any Craps or “C” and the other unit is wagered on Eleven or “E”.
Change Only – When the player places cash on the craps table, the dealer or the player must call out “change only” to indicate that there is no action being taken on the cash and it will be used to converted into checks.
Checks – Chips used to play Craps. They are round, plastic tokens and used for placing bets.
Choppy – A game is described as choppy when there are a number of inconsistent passes and misses with none of the players experiencing any good runs of winning throws.
Cocked Die/Dice – When either or both dice are rolled and they land partly on the craps layout and lean partially against some other obstruction on the table. The boxman is then required to call the number on the die that would land face up if the obstruction were to be removed.
Cold Table – When shooters do not have much luck making their points or naturals.
Color Change – When a player exchanges playing chips for different denominations.
Color Up – Is applicable either when a player exchanges smaller denomination checks for larger ones; or when the player is intentionally handed larger checks as part of better customer service.
Come Bet – A bet placed after the come out roll that the dice, Payouts are on rolls of 7 or 11 and losses incurred for 2, 3 and 12.
Come Out Roll – It is the first roll when a new game is being started.
Comps – Complimentary drinks, room, food, etc provided by a casino to valuable players.
Craps – Numbers 2, 3 and 12 on the come out roll.
Crapless Craps – A type of Craps game offered at some casinos. When playing this version of craps, a roll of craps is not a loss at the come out. The number is instead marked as a point. House advantages on this game are much higher than regular versions of Craps and most experienced players tend to avoid Crapless Craps.
Crew – The collective name for all the casino employees running a Craps table.
D
Dealers – The casino employees in charge of a Craps table. There are usually 4 dealers for every craps game and they rotate positions. It is the dealer’s responsibility to pay out as well as place Free Odds and Lay bets.
Die In the Wood – When a die is rolled and it lands in a rack of chips.
Dime – A bet for $10.
Don’t Come Bet – When the player bets that the dice will not pass after the come out roll. Winnings are on a roll that shows 2 or 3 and losses are based on a 7 or 11. This bet can be easily removed at any time.
Don’t Pass Bet – This bet must be placed during the come out roll. Losses are on 7 and 11 with wins on 2 and 3. The role of 12 establishes a don’t pass point and once this is done, a 7 must show on the next roll for the bet to be a winner. throw of craps, or a 7 instead of the point.
Down Behind – This is usually called by the stickman, serving as a reminder to the dealer at the base that they must take losing Don’t Come bets.
Down with odds – A phrase used to describe the act of a dealer converting a player’s place bet to odds for their come bet that has traveled to a number. The place bet comes “down” after it is paid and is converted to a free odds bet for the come bet.
E
Easy Way – A roll of the dice with 4,6,8 and 10 and each die is different.
Edge – The advantage held by the casino over any wager made by a player.
E.T Bet – A bet that 11 or 12 will show in the next roll.
F
Fade – When a player meets an opposing player’s bet in a private game rather than playing against the casino.
Field – The large area on the lay out with the numbers 3, 4, 9, 10, 11 and 12.
Field Bet – When a bet is placed on 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12. Pays twice the amount of the bet if 2 and 12 are rolled .
Free Odds Bet – A bet paid at the correct/true odds. Usually wagered with another bet that has a house edge.
Front Line – Another term for the Pass Line.
G
H
Hardway – These bets can be placed on all boxes with even numbers. It is a bet that pairs 22, 33, 44, 55 will roll (made up with 4, 6, 8 or 10) before the 7 comes out. Bets are controlled by the stickman.
Hi / Lo – Two unit bet laid on the high 12 and the low 2.
Hi-Lo-Yo – Variation of the Hi/Lo bet with bets laid on three units, 2, 11 and 12.
Hook – When a player is positioned at the crap table between the base dealer and the stickman.
Hop Bet – One roll bets and can be wagered on any combination of dice numbers for the next roll. For example, the player will say “two, three hops for a dollar”. This means they are betting the 5 will be the next roll with the dice showing 2 and 3. Hop bets are a high house advantage bet and therefore best avoided.
Horn Bet – A 4 unit bet with 1 unit each on 2, 3, 11, and 12. The payouts for this bet are 15 to 1 when a 3 or a 11 rolls and 30 to 1 when a 2 or a 12 rolls. This bet is popularly considered an amalgamation of the worst craps bets and experts advise players not to use this bet.
Horn High Bet – 5 unit bet on 2, 3, 11 and 12 and the player calls a fifth number that is high.
Horn Numbers – 2, 3, 11 and 12.
Hot Table – A table where almost all the shooters are making the point.
I
Inside Bet – When a bet is placed on 5, 6, 8, or 9.
Inside Numbers – 5, 6, 8, or 9.
Insurance Bet – Two or more bets made in an attempt to cover each other.
J
Juice – Another term for vig (vigorish). The house edge.
K
L
Lammer – A plastic disc used by the dealers to designate, different bet situations.
Lay Bet – A bet that 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10 (point numbers) will only roll after a 7.
Layout – The base of a Craps table clearly marked with the various bets available to players.
Line Bet – Bet placed on the Pass or Don’t Pass Line
Long and Strong – This is said by the stickman when the dice needs to be thrown hard so it hits the back wall of the table.
Little Joe – Slang for a hard 4 (2-2)
M
Marker – An IOU agreement signed by a player owing credit at a casino.
Marker Puck – The plastic disc used by dealers to indicate the ‘Off’ and ‘On’ points on the Craps table.
Maximum/Minimum – The limits on the maximum or minimum amount that can be wagered on a single craps bet.
Midnight – Single roll bet on the number 12
Miss – The outcome of craps or the show of a 7 before the point.
Money Plays – Dealer announces it when acknowledging the cash is being used on the craps table lay out.
N
Natural – When there is a throw of either a 7 or an 11 on the come out roll. Also known as natural seven or natural eleven.
Nickel – Used to describe a $5 chip.
No Bet – Announced by dealer when a player’s bet is not accepted at the table either because it was too late, incorrect value, improper dice throw etc.
O
Odds Bet – A bet with not house advantage and is paid at its true odds. However, such a bet is usually made in conjunction with a bit that does have a house edge.
Off – When a bet is designated as inactive or not working for the next roll. Called by the dealer, usually in response to a player’s request.
On – When a bet is designated as active.
One Roll Bet – When the outcome of the bet is entirely dependent on the next roll of the dice.
Outside Numbers – 4, 5, 9 and 10.
P
Pass Bet – A bet that the shooter will throw the point or a natural.
Parlay – Taking the winnings from one bet and adding the winnings to a bet and betting all the money.
Pass Line – This is the most common Craps bet. A winning bet is when either a 7 or an 11 show on the come out roll. A losing bet is when a 2, 3 or 12 shows.
Past Posting – This is an illegal act where a gambler places or adds to a bet that has already won.
Payoff – The paycheck received by the player for placing a wager.
Pips – The spots on the dice.
Pit – The casino area that contains the Craps tables.
Pit Boss – The designation of the casino employee in charge of supervising and overseeing the “pit”.
Place Bet – A bet that states a place number i.e. 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10 will show before a 7 rolls.
Point – Any box number can be a point number and is established when the dealer places the puck on the number.
Press – Increasing a bet. The player informs a dealer that they want to “press” and the bet is usually increased by a factor of 2. The increments can be chosen at the discretion of the player.
Proposition Bet – Bets placed in the center of the craps table including both hardway and hop bets.
Purple – Slang term used to describe $500 checks.
Put Bet – Some casinos allow players to place this bet where the bet is “put” directly on a box number without worrying about going through the come. They have a high house advantage due to the flat portion of the bet never being in the come.
Q
Quarter – Slang term for a $25 check.
R
Rail – The area running along the top of the perimeter of the craps table where the players place their chips.
Right Bettor – The player who bets that the dice will win or pass.
Rounding – Rounding off of the payout amount to a whole number
S
Seven Out – Rolling a seven before making the point. It is called by the stickman and is the end of a shooter’s turn with the dice.
Sequence Bet – A bet that is not necessarily determined by the next roll.
Shooter – The player currently rolling the dice.
Skinny Dugan – Slang term used for the number 7. According to Craps superstition, the number “7” should never be said in a game to avoid bad luck and hence slang terms should be used.
Slow Bleed – When a player loses all their money, slowly and steadily.
Snake Eyes – A slang term used for a roll of 2.
Square Pair – Slang term used for a hard eight.
Stacks – Also known as working stacks, is the stack of chips that the dealers place in front of themselves and are used to pay bets.
Stickman – The casino employee responsible for handling of the dice with a long stick.
T
Take the Odds – Making a Free-Odds bet as a right bettor.
Three Way Craps – Betting in multiples of` 3 with 1 unit each on the 2, 3 and 12.
Toke – A tip given to the dealer or other craps crew.
True odds – The right odds of an event happening depending on the probabilities of the dice as per the chart.
U
V
Vigorish or abbreviated as Vig – Originally a term used to refer to the percentage charged by a craps operator on bets. It is now sometimes used to refer to the House edge.
W
Whirl Bet – A 5 unit bet the next roll will be a 2, 3, 7, 11, or 12. Also known as the easiest way to make the 5 worst bets in the game.
Wrong Bettor – When a player bets that a dice will not pass.
Working Bet – A bet that is currently live or active and has not been called off by its player.
X
Y
Yo (Yo-leven) – The slang term used for the number eleven. Since it sounds like seven, eleven is called as yo –leven or simply yo to avoid confusion.
Z
Zuke – Casino slang for a toke or tip.
So might be a dumb question but in the Don't Pass Bar is better odds why doesn't everyone bet it instead of the Pass bar?? I know it is known as the dark side but if everyone bets it then the whole table can still be winning or losing together but with better odds??
Hi I am from Perth Australia and we do not have a craps table at our casino.
So might be a dumb question but in the Don't Pass Bar is better odds why doesn't everyone bet it instead of the Pass bar?? I know it is known as the dark side but if everyone bets it then the whole table can still be winning or losing together but with better odds??
First, most craps players don't care about better odds. That's why most craps players play the hardaways, horns, and c&e bets.
Second, even people who like low odds (like myself) don't like betting to lose. I understand you could look at the game differently, but if everybody played the don't, you're switching dice all the time and losing becomes the new winning. To be honest, a hot shooter on craps is about as exciting as it gets in a casino. The energy flowing, people increasing bets, it's just exhilarating. A don't bettor doesn't get to experience that, and the vibe would never get there if everybody was dark siding it.
Part of it comes from the way the game is introduced to newbies. If you attend one of the casino's free craps lessons, they will start with the basics: pass line and odds. Then they'll talk about how a come bet (with odds) is just like a pass bet, but after the point is established. Then they'll talk about the place bets, and finally the field and hard ways, because they're popular and simple. They'll mention the Dont's as well as the prop bets, but they'll do it in a way that suggests that they are advanced concepts, and a newbie should get familiar with the basics first.
The other part comes from the fact that a wrong side shooter will retain the dice when he loses. Who wants that? So the tradition is to be a right side shooter. And players generally will bet WITH the shooter. Or at least with the dice, which means right side betting.
What Does Don't Pass Bar Mean In Craps Machines
I think the fact that dark side is also called 'wrong' actually has very little to do with it.For what it's worth, a few months ago, there was a discussion here about creating a craps game that favored wrong betting. The single change in the game would be that the shooter lost the dice when he MADE a point. A LOT of people liked the idea.....
Tiltpoul has two great points.
Most people don't know or care about the odds / house edge. Proof: Blackjack that pays 6:5 and double zero Roulette.
There IS something to say about the energy created by a hot shooter.
the whole table can still be winning or losing together but with better odds??
Remember the odds are reversed on the come out roll. You have EIGHT ways to lose and only 3 ways to win on the come out roll. Once you get past that deficiency, than you have better odds than the pass. :)
Laying more odds than the amount that will be paid, rubs people the wrong way.
Personally I play the pass since You need a larger bankroll on the don't to cover the odds. While you get true odds (no house edge) this lager bet scares people off.
What Does Don't Pass Bar Mean In Craps Table
That's important, too.I learned to play craps, really, using the WinCraps sim program. one thign you elarn once you hit the tables, is that making bets with money is a bit different (she understated). So, for example, laying 10X odds on the scrren doens't feel the same as when you do it with real money...
But that also goes for making multiple come bets with odds. More so since a seven can wipe out a whole lot of bets.
Now I'll usually play a pass line bet with odds, and will add come bets sporadically. At Rapid Craps,w here players can't see your action, I still play the Dark Side with multiple don't come bets with odds sometimes. There a seven wins you a lot of bets.
It's a complicated game to play. I think there are more questions about betting strategy about craps than about all other games combined.
First, most craps players don't care about better odds. That's why most craps players play the hardaways, horns, and c&e bets.
True. Whether its some sort of shared frenetic energy generated at the table or what, people are generally trying to Win Big rather than merely to win. The desire is for Action! A horn bet is a way of making four bad bets simultaneously... but you only need ONE of those four to hit and you've got that desired 'WIN' even if its just a lousy two quarters dropping into the tray! For many players it seems to be whoop and holler and the 'win' something even if it ain't all that much.My companion's second craps session involved her gripes about betting a sum of money to win less. She hated it even though she understood she was betting on the favorite. Its just plain unpopular no matter how it looks mathematically.