Craps Glossary

Craps is a game that has a language all its own, its usually the loudest game in the casino, so before you start playing you may want to familiarize yourself with the terms. After all you wouldn't want to give the impression that you are a complete amateur, just new. Also knowing the language of craps will help you play the game correctly and maybe even help you win!

Newcomers to the game can pick up on the terms quickly but these will help you out if you get stuck. In no time you will be able to be a professional yourself.

Any Craps
One roll bet that the next roll of the dice will be a 2, 3 or 12.

Any Seven
One roll bet that the next roll of the dice will be a seven.

Back Line
Another term for Don't Pass Line.

Bar the 12
Makes the 12 a standoff for the wrong bettors, which allows the casino to keep its advantage on Don't Pass and Don't Come bets.

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 & Big 8
A bet that pays even money that a six or an eight will be rolled before a seven.

Boxman
The casino executive who is in charge of the craps table. The boxman sits between the two dealers.

Buy bets
Paying a five percent commission to the casino in order to be paid. Usually 4 and/or 10.

Change Color
The changing of chips to a higher or lower denomination.

Chips
A casino term for tokens used instead for money at the casino.

Come Bet
A wager placed after the come-out roll that the dice will pass.

Come Box
The area on the craps layout where Come bets are placed.

Come-Out Roll
The first roll that establishes the point for the pass and Don't Pass Line bettors.

Craps
A term for the numbers 2, 3 and 12.

Crap Out
Rolling a 2, 3 or 12 on the come-out roll.

Crew
Four casino employees that staff a craps table, includes a boxman, a stickman, and two dealers.

Dealer
Called the Stickman, casino personnel who handles bets and payoffs.

Dice
The cubes, which are marked from 1 to 6, whose combinations when, thrown, determine the wins and losses at a craps table.

Disk or Puck
A round object white on one side and black on the other. When on the white side and in a place number box signifies that a come-out roll has occurred and that a point has been established.

Don't Come Bet
A wager against the dice placed after the come-out roll.

Don't Pass Bet
A wager placed prior to the come-out roll that a seven will be rolled before a point is repeated.

Don't Pass Line
The area on the layout where Don't Pass bets are placed.

Double Odds Bet
A free odds bet made at double the original Pass Line, Don't Pass Line, Come or Don't Come wager.

Easy Way
The roll of a 4, 6, 8 or 10 where the dice are not pairs.

Edge
The advantage that the casino has on any given wager.

Even Money
A payoff of 1 to 1 .

Field Bet
A one-roll wager that the next number thrown will be a 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11 or 12.

Floorman
A casino staff member who stands behind the craps table, checking on the players and authorizing credit for players

Free Odds Bet
Another term for any odds bet where the house has no advantage a bet made in addition to the Pass Line, Don't Pass Line, come and Don't Come bet after the point is established

Front Line
Another name for a Pass Line.

Hardway Bet
A wager that the 4, 6, 8 or 10 will be rolled as a pair before being rolled easy or a seven is thrown.

Horn Bet
A one-roll wager that combines the 2, 3, 11 and 12.

House Edge
The advantage or edge a casino has over a player on a particular bet on the craps layout

Lay the Odds
Odds bet against the number that pays off at less than even money.

Lay Wager
Betting against a point number that has been thrown by paying a 5 percent commission.

Layout
The imprinted surface of a craps table, which shows all the areas where bets can be placed.

Off
A term meaning that certain bets will not be at risk on the next roll of the dice. A designation that a bet is not working on a particular roll.

On Base
The term for the dealers other than the stickman.

One-Roll Bets
Wagers whose outcome is determined by the very next roll of the dice.

Parlay
To increase a bet, usually by double; same as Press.

Pass
A winning situation for the right bettors.

Pass Line Bet
A wager that the dice will pass or win made prior to the come-out roll.

Payoff
The casino pays and the player collects a winning bet.

Place Numbers and Bets
The place numbers are 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10. The place bet is a wager that either one or more of the place numbers will come up before a seven.

Point
The numbers 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10 established on the come-out roll.

Press
To increase a bet, usually by doubling; same as Parlay.

Proposition Bet
Bets that are made in the center of the layout.

Quarters
Chips with a twenty-five dollar denomination.

Right Better
A player betting that the dice will pass, or win.

Seven Out
To throw a 7 after a point has been established, ending the roll and losing with the dice.

Shooter
The person who is rolling the dice.

Stickman
The dealer who calls the game and handles the stick.

Working
The bets are at risk on the next roll of the dice.

Wrong Bettor
A player who bets against the dice.