Craps Terminology and Slang You Need To Know

Craps is one of the most exciting casino games, offering fast-paced action, unique lingo, and colorful traditions. For new players, the world of craps terms and terminology may seem like a foreign language, but once you learn the slang, the game becomes even more fun. 

This Glossary is here to give you clear explanations and also some real-life examples of how these terms are actually used at the table. By the end, you’ll not only understand the lingo but also feel natural when you hear the chatter at the dice table. Once you master the terminology, why not put it into action and play online craps at Las Atlantis Casino?

A

Ace Deuce - When the dice land on a 1 and a 2, you’ve got yourself an Ace Deuce — a total of 3. Players on the Pass Line groan, since it’s one of the dreaded craps numbers that wipes them out instantly. At the table, you might hear the stickman bark: “Acey-Deucey, craps three, line away!”

Aces - Two 1s staring back at you — that’s Aces, or as the old-timers love to call it, Snake Eyes. Rare, spooky, and definitely unlucky for the shooter. Expect a chorus of “Ooooh!” as the dice hit the felt.

Any Craps - This one’s a gutsy one-roll bet that says the next toss will be a 2, 3, or 12. Sounds simple, but the house edge bites. The stickman usually calls it out quickly: “Any craps, center action!”

Any Seven - The love-hate bet of the craps world. You’re wagering the next roll is a 7. The casino pays 4-to-1, but with the biggest house edge, it’s like shouting “Come and get me, Big Red!”

Arm - An Arm is a shooter everyone swears has magic powers. Dice control? Hot streak? Who knows. Around the table, whispers start: “Don’t mess with him — guy’s got an arm tonight.”

B

Base Dealers - These are the dealers holding down the left and right sides of the table, hustling chips, paying winners, and keeping the game moving. They’re the unsung heroes who keep the action fair.

Betting Right - The classic choice: you’re riding with the shooter on the Pass Line. You’re rooting for them to hit their point. Most players at the table are “right bettors,” so you’ll be in good company.

Betting Wrong - The rebel move. You’re backing the Don’t Pass Line, betting against the shooter. People may side-eye you, but when the dice go cold, you’ll be the one stacking chips.

Big Eight - A wager that 8 shows up before a 7. You’ll find it sitting in the corner of the layout. It pays even money, but savvy players usually prefer placing the 8 instead.

Big Red - The dreaded 7. Players avoid even saying the number — that’s why “Big Red” became the go-to nickname. At a hot table, you’ll hear plenty of: “No Seven, no Big Red!”

Big Six - Just like the Big Eight, but on 6. Same placement, same high house edge. Casual players love it; pros usually skip it.

Bones - Old-school slang for the dice, dating back to when they were literally carved from animal bones. Still a favorite phrase: “Let’s see what the bones say tonight.”

Box Cars - When both dice show 6s, you’ve rolled the mighty 12 — also called Box Cars. Toughest number to hit and a heartbreaker on the Pass Line.

Box Numbers - These are the big six: 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10. They can become the Point and are also the targets for Place Bets.

Boxman - The big boss at the table. The Boxman sits in the middle, guarding chips, handling disputes, and ensuring everything runs smoothly. Think of them as the casino’s watchful eye.

Boys - The stickman’s way of calling out to the other dealers: “Pay the Boys!” It’s part of the unique banter that makes craps feel alive.

C

C&E Bet - Short for Craps and Eleven. One-roll wager that the dice land on 2, 3, 12, or 11. Risky, flashy, and sitting right in the middle of the table where all the action is.

Center Field - Nickname for a roll of 9. Why? Because on the table layout, the 9 is sitting right in the center field. Expect the call: “Center Field Nine!”

Cold Dice / Cold Table - The dreaded situation where shooters keep bricking their rolls and nobody’s making points. Pass Line players groan, but “Wrong Bettors” quietly grin.

Come Bet / Come Line - A bet you make after the Point is set. Works just like a Pass Line bet. The Come Line area is waiting for you whenever you want to jump back into the action.

Come Out - The very first roll of a round. High energy, lots of cheering — because 7s and 11s mean instant wins, and craps numbers mean instant heartbreak.

Crap Out - When the Come Out roll is a 2, 3, or 12, Pass Line players lose immediately. The stickman’s call: “Crap out, line away!”

Craps Check - Slang for a Don’t Pass bet. You’re checking for craps numbers to cash in while others lose. Not the most popular move socially, but it’s part of the game.

Craps Numbers - The dreaded trio: 2, 3, and 12. These numbers spell instant disaster for Pass Line bettors on the Come Out roll.

D

Don’t Come Bet - The opposite of a Come Bet. You’re betting the shooter won’t make their point. Basically, you’re rooting for a 7 to show up before their number does. It’s not the friendliest bet at the table, but when the dice are ice cold, it feels pretty good.

Don’t Pass Bet - Placed before the Come Out roll, this one’s the mirror image of a Pass Line bet. You’re wagering the shooter craps out or Sevens Out before making the point. It’s the classic “betting wrong” move — going against the flow.

Double Odds - A sweet upgrade to your bet. After a Pass, Don’t Pass, Come, or Don’t Come bet is made, you can back it up with double the amount as an odds bet. The beauty? Zero house edge. The casino doesn’t like giving out freebies, but this one’s as close as it gets.

Down - Dealer lingo for when your bet has gone bust. If the chips are taken, they’ll call “Down!” and sweep them off the felt.

E

Easy Way - When you roll a 4, 6, 8, or 10 the “easy way” — meaning the dice don’t match. For example, 5+1 makes an Easy Six. Easier to hit than doubles, which is why they pay less than Hard Ways.

F

Fever - When a shooter’s hot and can’t seem to miss, they’re on a Fever. You’ll hear it at an electric table: “This guy’s got the fever — ride it out!”

Free Odds - The smartest bet in craps. After a point is set, you can add this extra wager behind your Pass or Come bet. Pays true odds, no house edge. Smart players never skip it.

Front Line - Another name for the Pass Line bet — the bread-and-butter wager of craps. Win with a Natural (7 or 11) on the Come Out roll, or stick around to root for your point.

G

Garden - Dealer slang for the Field Bet. Place it, and you’re betting the next roll lands on 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12. You’ll often hear: “Garden’s open!”

George - No, not the guy next to you. A “George” is a player who’s generous with tokes (tips) for the dealers. Always appreciated, always respected.

H

Hard Way - A roll made with doubles. Hard 4 (two 2s), Hard 6 (two 3s), Hard 8 (two 4s), Hard 10 (two 5s). Tough to hit, which makes the payout sweet. But watch out — any “easy” roll or a 7 wipes it out.

Hi-Lo - A one-roll wager on the extremes: 2 or 12. A risky move, but hey, it’s craps — the long shots make it fun.

Hi-Lo-Yo - The upgraded version of Hi-Lo. Same bet, but now you’ve added the 11 (the “Yo”). So you’re covering 2, 11, and 12 on the next roll.

Hop Bet - Pick your combo and hope it hits on the very next roll. Example: betting on a 2+3. High risk, big reward. Called “hop” because you’re hopping straight into a specific outcome.

Horn Bet - Four numbers, one roll. Bet on 2, 3, 11, and 12 all at once. Dealers often shout it loud: “Horn high eleven!”

I

Inside Numbers - The 5, 6, 8, and 9 sitting right in the middle of the table layout. Popular with players who like to place steady bets and build winnings over time.

L

Lay Bet - The opposite of a Place Bet. You’re betting that a 7 comes before a specific number rolls. A true “betting wrong” move, but sometimes the smart call.

Lay Odds - When you’ve got a Lay Bet, you can back it up with Lay Odds — again, no house edge. A sharp play for those going against the grain.

Layout - The big green felt is where all the action happens. It’s marked with every bet option, from Pass Line to the crazy Proposition bets.

Little Joe - Slang for a Hard Four — two 2s. Dealers sometimes call it out: “Little Joe from Kokomo!”

Little Phoebe - Another cute nickname — this time for a Hard Five (two 5s). Old-school slang that adds to the table chatter.

Low - Table slang for a 2 or 3. You’ll often hear: “Low craps, line away!”

M

Mark the Point - When a point is set, the dealer marks it with a puck. It flips to “ON” and sits on the number, showing everyone what the shooter is chasing.

Marker - That little puck itself. White side means “OFF,” black side means “ON.” Simple, but crucial.

Mechanic - Not someone fixing the dice — but someone cheating with them. A mechanic tries to manipulate the roll. Casinos watch for them like hawks.

N

Natural - The dream Come Out roll — a 7 or 11. Pass Line bettors cheer, chips get paid instantly, and the shooter keeps rolling.

Nina - Old-school slang for a 9. Expect to hear the stickman call: “Nina from Pasadena!”

O

Odds Bet - The holy grail of craps bets. Added behind your Pass, Don’t Pass, Come, or Don’t Come bets once a point is up. Pays true odds, no house edge. Always worth it.

Off - A bet that’s not active on the next roll. Players can call their bets “off” if they don’t want them to work.

Off and On - When a bet comes down as a win but is immediately put right back up again, without the player even touching the chips.

On - Means a bet is active. You’ll see it clearly marked with the dealer’s puck.

One-Roll Bet - Any bet that lives or dies on a single throw of the dice. Flashy, fun, but dangerous for your bankroll.

Outside Numbers - The 4, 5, 9, and 10, hanging on the outside edges of the table layout. Great options for Place Bets.

P

Parlay - When you let your winnings ride and stack them on your next bet. High risk, but if the dice are hot, it can snowball into big payouts.

Pass Bet - The most common craps bet. You’re rooting for a 7 or 11 on the Come Out roll, or for the shooter to make their point before rolling a 7.

Pass Line - The strip on the table where Pass Bets go. Always front and center on the layout.

Payout Odds - The ratio of how much you win compared to your bet. Example: 2-to-1 means every $1 gets you $2 back.

Place Bet - A bet on a specific number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10) that it rolls before a 7. Great for targeting your favorite numbers.

Place Numbers - The numbers you can Place Bet on: 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10.

Point - The shooter’s target number after the Come Out roll. Hit it before a 7, and you win. Roll a 7 first, and it’s game over.

Press - Telling the dealer to double your bet after a win. It’s a way to ride the hot streaks.

Proposition Bet - High-risk, high-reward wagers sit in the center of the layout. They’re resolved on one roll, and the house edge is steep — but they’re exciting.

Puppy Paws - Yet another nickname for a Hard Four (two 2s). You'll sometimes hear the stickman say: “Puppy paws, craps four!”

R

Rail or Rack - That little groove running around the edge of the craps table — the Rail (or Rack) — is where players keep their chips safe and stacked. You’ll often hear dealers remind you: “Keep your hands in the rack!” when the dice are moving.

S

Seven Out - The heartbreak rolls. When the shooter’s chasing a point and a 7 lands instead — boom, Seven Out. Pass Line players groan, Don’t Pass bettors smile, and the dice get passed to the next shooter.

Shooter - The star of the show — the person actually rolling the dice. Everyone gets their turn as the Shooter, with the dice moving clockwise around the table.

Shooting Dice - The act of rolling the dice. Whether you’re tossing casually or with a practiced “arm,” this is where the magic (or misery) happens.

Snake Eyes - Two little ones staring back at you — the infamous Snake Eyes. A roll of 2. Super rare, super unlucky, but one of the most famous craps terms out there.

Square Pair - Another playful nickname for a Hard Four (two 2s). Expect the stickman to call it out with flair.

Stickman - One of the dealers at the table. The Stickman uses a long stick to slide the dice to the shooter, announces rolls, and keeps the energy alive. They’re basically the table’s hype man.

T

Toke - Casino slang for a tip. Tossing the dealers a toke when you’re winning isn’t just polite — it’s part of the craps culture.

W

Working Bet - A bet that’s active and live on the next roll. If you don’t want a bet to count for a roll, you can call it “not working.” Otherwise, if it’s on the felt, it’s working.

Y

Yo - Slang for an 11. Called “Yo” to avoid confusion with “seven,” since they sound too similar when dealers shout across the table.

Yo Bet - A one-roll wager on the 11. Simple, risky, and sitting right in the middle of the layout with the other Proposition bets.