Back in the early days of online casino games, brick-and-mortar casinos were filled with traditional games like baccarat, poker, roulette and blackjack, as well as fruit slot machines. And while these games became a global sensation, land-based casinos were somewhat limited in terms of creativity.
The day casino games turned digital was a day that will never be forgotten. The modernisation of casino games was a major stepping stone for the industry as it opened a whole new door of creative possibilities. Players got to experience all-new themes, features and mechanics that were only made possible by technological advancements in casino solutions. Certain bets, bonuses and functions were only available online as they couldn’t be replicated by land-based casinos.
These advancements only made the love players had for casino games burn brighter, but more advancements also meant that there were way more things to learn. A lot has changed since the golden days, but we’re here to help!
With this article, we will give you a rundown of the ever-popular craps game and all the craps terms you need to know before diving in. A craps glossary can serve as a brilliant tool for players of any skill level as it can help build a solid foundation.
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2-way: Two bets placed simultaneously by the Craps player. One bet is for the player and the other is for the dealer. Should the player win their bet, the dealer will receive the second bet’s winnings as a form of tip.
3-way Craps: A craps betting strategy in which the player bets three single bets as a bundle on three numbers two, three and 12. The three pays 15:1 odds, and the two and 12 both pay 30:1 odds.
A
Any Craps: If two, three or 12 roll, it is called any craps. Players are paid seven to one.
Any Seven: A bet that the next number rolled is a seven.
Action: The total amount of funds a craps player plans on betting in their session. This can also sometimes refer to the total amount of money on a craps table.
Apron: This refers to the blank felt just beyond the craps table layout. The apron is the place where craps players place their bets.
B
Back Line: The don’t pass line is sometimes referred to as the the back line.
Bank Craps: ‘Bank Craps’ is the technical name for Craps within a casino.
Bankroll: A bankroll is the amount of funds a player has in their casino wallet to spend on online gaming.
Betting Wrong: Another way of referring to a wrong bettor.
Big 6 Or Big 8: Two of the most popular bets in Craps. Craps players can bet on a six or eight being rolled before a seven.
Big Red: A bet that refers to a seven craps bet.
Black: Dealer slang for a €100 bet in craps. Black chips are usually denote the one-hundred currency mark chips in craps.
Bones: Slang craps terminology to refer to dice.
Bonus Bet: An additional wager offered at a craps table that enhances gameplay and may potentially boost a player’s payout. Bonus bets are part of what makes baccarat popular.
Bowl: The location where the extra dice are kept. Usually situated in a container near the stickman. This container is often wooden or plastic and sometimes metallic.
Boxcars: When a player bets on double sixes or the sum total of 12 it’s known as a box cars bet due to the resemblance to the box cars on freight trains. The boxcars bet is also a one-roll bet.
Boxman: The boxman is a casino employee typically sitting between the dealers at the craps table opposite of the stickman. The boxman is responsible for the box of chips and House Bank at the craps table.
Box Numbers: When a craps player places a bet on the numbers four, five, six, eight, nine and 10, these are known as box numbers.
Boys or The Boys: “The Boys” is a slang term for referring to craps dealers.
Buffalo: A buffalo bet is a five-unit bet on each one of the Hardways as well as the number 11 or seven. The definition of a buffalo bet varies depending on where you are playing craps.
Buy Bets: There are certain bets in craps that pay out true odds, and the buy bet is one of them. This wager involves placing a bet on the established point numbers during both the come-out roll phase (the first roll) and the point roll phase. Players will win if the shooter rolls the point number before the seven. A 5% commission is sometimes paid to the casino to achieve the correct odds on the bets. A buy bet paying commission typically occurs only at land-based tables.
C
C and E: Covers the combination of any craps total, as well as the bet on 11. Craps payouts depend on the outcome of the next roll.
Cold Dice: Slang used to describe the table when no craps player is making their point.
Cold Table: Also referred to as a ‘cold streak’, a cold table in craps implies that the outcomes of the rolls are producing more seven-outs than usual.
Colour In: A phrase used to indicate when you’re cashing out smaller-valued chips for larger-valued chips when leaving the craps game.
Come Bets: Also known as pass line bets, come bets are wagers made after the point is established. A bet on the pass line is one of the most common wagers in craps.
Come-out Roll: The first roll of the dice to establish a point.
Comp: Complimentary or freebies provided to players based on their action. Occurs only on land-based tables.
Craps Check: Betting on any craps number during the come-out roll phase to hedge pass line bets.
Craps Numbers: ‘Craps numbers’ refer to the numbers two, three and 12.
Craps Table: The craps table features the general gaming area where players will place bets.
Croupier: Another term for ‘dealer’.
D
Dealer: Another term for ‘croupier’. In a game of craps, the dealer can be either a player or a casino employee. They would be in charge of handing out and collecting casino chips, rolling the dice, and making sure the game runs smoothly. In some land-based tables, players may take turns to act as dealers.
Dice Bowl: The dice bowl is used to store unused dice.
Don’t Come Bet: Don’t come bets are kind of like an extension of the don’t pass bet. They can only be placed when a point for the pass line has been established.
Don’t Pass Bar: The area on the table where players can place a don’t pass bet.
Don’t Pass Bet: The don’t pass bet is a wager whereby players win with a rolled two or three, while a seven or 11 will lose. A throw of 12 will make all wagers push, and any other numbers must not reappear before a seven for the don’t pass bet to be a winning bet. This wager has a low house edge.
Double Odds: The double odds wager is an odds bet that is twice the size of the original pass line bet/come bet. Some online casinos offer higher odds.
E
Easyway Bet: This wager is very similar to the hardway bet as it involves wagering on a specific number. It is not the most popular craps bet one can place as it generally offers lower payouts than other wagers since it is an easier bet to hit.
Even-money Bet: ‘Even-money’ is a wagering proposition with even odds. This implies that the bettor stands to lose or win the same amount of money, and is sometimes referred to as a 50-50 bet.
Eye in the Sky: Refers to the surveillance department or the cameras in the ceiling of land-based casinos that watch craps dealers and players as they this dice game.
F
Fire Bet: The fire bet is not the most common craps bets you’ll come across. To win this bet, the shooter must consecutively roll a number of different points. After each point has been rolled, the dealer will put a “fire” marker on that number.
Free Odds Bet: The free odds bet is one of the only wagers that does not have a house edge. The catch is that the free odds bet must be placed in conjunction with another bet, which may include a bet on the pass bet, don’t pass bet, come bet or don’t come bet.
Front Line Bet: Front line bets are another way of referring to pass line bets.
G
Garden: Slang for field bet.
George: A player that tips well. This craps term is most commonly used at land-based craps tables, though you may find live games that offer tipping as well.
Green: A slang term used by dealers in land-based casinos to refer to gaming chips valued at €25 (or currency equivalent) as these chips are often green.
H
Hardway Bet: A hardway bet is a multi-roll bet that the next rolled numbers are doubles before a rolled seven. The wager wins only when players bet on a hard four, six, eight or 10. A hard four implies a rolled two and two, a hard six implies a rolled three and three etc.
Hi-Lo: A one-roll bet that the next number rolled is two or 12.
Hi-Lo-Yo: A one-roll bet that the next number rolled is two, 11 or 12.
Hop Bet: A bet that the next roll will result in one particular combination of the dice. This wager is not super common and is not located on craps tables.
Horn Bet: A horn bet is a bet that the next roll will result in a two, three, 11, or 12.
Horn High Bet: A bet that involves placing one unit on three of the horn numbers, and two units on the “high” number 12.
Hot Dice: When players are experiencing a win streak or are rolling a lot of numbers.
Hot Table: A hot table refers to a table where most players at the table are winning.
House Edge: The house edge or ‘casino edge’ is a term used to describe the mathematical advantage the casino has over players every time they play craps and place bets. The house edge assures a percentage return to the house and a percentage loss of what a player bets — a casino will always make a profit regardless of the outcome of the betting round The house edge may also vary from one casino to another, depending on the casino rules, and even from one craps table to another.
I
Inside Numbers: Also referred to as ‘betting inside’, inside numbers include the number five, six, eight and nine.
Insurance Bet: An insurance bet is a type of side bet that typically pays half your original bet if you lose. This wager is sometimes used by players as a way to soften the blow to their bankroll should they suffer a loss.
L
Lay Bet: The lay bet is a bet that the next number rolled is a seven before the point number is rolled. Lay bets are the exact opposite of buy bets.
Lay Odds Bet: Once the point has been established, a lay odds bet can be placed that will win if the original don’t pass bet wins.
Little Joe: Craps slang for a pair of twos or a hard four.
Live Casino Craps: Live Casino craps refers to the series of craps table games available online. Live Casino tables feature live dealers, lavish studio designs, HD streaming, and cutting-edge tech that help get the overall experience as close to the real deal as possible.
Lose/Losing Streak: A succession of losing bets.
M
Marker Puck: The plastic disc used to indicate the established point number.
Mark the Point: When the dealer places the puck on the craps table to indicate that the point has been established.
Midnight: Slang for 12. Also referred to as ‘box cars’.
N
Natural: A natural is when two dice roll a seven or 11 on the come-out roll phase.
O
One-roll Bet: A one-roll bet is a wager that gets resolved after one roll of the dice. One-roll bets include the horn bet, field bet, C and E bet, eleven bet, etc.
Odds Bets: Odds bets are wagers made in addition to the pass line bet. A casino generally refers to this as placing an additional odds bet.
Off: A phrase used to indicate that you are not an active player in the next roll of the dice.
On: A phrase used to indicate that you are an active player in the current game round and are betting.
Outside Numbers: Also referred to as ‘betting outside’, outside numbers include four, five, nine and 10.
P
Pass Bets: Pass bets are placed during the come-out roll phase. A player betting on the pass wager wins if the outcome of the next roll is a seven or 11. Note that the pass bet is the same bet as the pass line bet.
Pass Line Bet: The pass line bet is the most common wager placed in craps. This bet is placed during the come-out roll phase and involves betting that the shooter will make the point. The pass line bet wins if the value of the come-out roll is seven or 11 and loses if it’s two, three or 12. If it’s any other value, then a point is established at that value, and the pass line bet will remain on the craps table until the point or a seven is rolled again. A player betting on the pass line is sometimes referred to as a right bettor.
Paytable: ‘Paytable’ or ‘pay table’ is a more common way of referring to the payout table. This table would list every possible payout a player can earn when wagering on a particular bet.
Payout: The award a craps table pays in a winning game round.
Payout odds: Refer to the chances of earning a payout.
Place Lose Bet: This place bet can be made after the come-out roll when the point number is established. Players can bet on four, five, six, eight, nine or 10. The bet wins if the dice rolls a seven before the chosen number.
Place Win Bet: This place bet can be made after the come-out roll when the point number is established. Players can bet on four, five, six, eight, nine or 10. The bet wins if the shooter rolls one of the chosen numbers before the shooter rolls a seven.
Point Number: The number established by the come-out roll phase.
Proposition Bets: Proposition bets are wagers on one of the bets in the centre of the layout. The proposition bet is also a one-roll bet.
R
Right Bettor: The right bettor is a term used to describe when players bet on the pass line.
Rack: The grooved rail where players keep their chips.
S
Seven Out: A phrase used to describe when a shooter rolls a seven before making their point. The pass line bet loses in this case.
Side Bet: A side bet is an additional wager offered by the craps table. These bets are completely optional and do not form part of the base game but are used as a way to boost the player experience by enhancing gameplay and potentially boosting the player’s payout. Placing a side bet often requires increasing the amount wagered in one betting round.
Single-roll Bet: A bet in craps that is resolved after one dice roll.
Shooter: The casino employee rolling the dice.
Snake Eyes: One of the many single-roll bets you’ll get to place in this casino game. Also known as Aces or Two Craps, the snake eyes wager involves betting on a rolled two.
Stickman: The dealer with the stick that pushes the two dice to the shooter and calls the rolls.
T
Toke: Another word for a tip. The option to tip dealers is generally only available at land-based craps tables, though tipping has been working its way to online games as of late.
True Odds: The actual odds of winning the bet.
Two Craps: A bet on the number two. Also referred to as ‘snake eyes’.
W
Whirl Bet: The whirl bet, also known as the world bet, is one of the many one-roll bets you can place in craps. It combines a horn wager and an any seven wager. To win, the outcome of the dice roll must be a two, three, seven, 11, or 12. Any other number results in a loss.
Winning Bet: A bet that awards a payout in a single round.
Win Streak: Refers to a succession of winning bets.
World Bet: A bet on the horn numbers (two, three, 11 and 12) along with a seven. Also known as a whirl bet.
Wrong Bettor: A wrong bettor is a player betting against the shooter. The wrong bettor also bets on the don’t pass line bet and is often referred to as ‘betting wrong’.
Winner on Dark Side: One of crap’s slang terms used to describe a roll of three.
Working Bets: Bets that are in play for the next roll.
Y
Yo or Yo-leven: A bet on 11.