Craps Terminology and Slang You Need To Know

Curious about the meaning of common craps terms? Our craps glossary is here to guide you! Whether you're a newcomer learning the lingo or an experienced player refining your knowledge, this resource covers everything from fundamental phrases to advanced terminology.

Understanding key craps terms is essential. We break down important expressions and rules in a clear, easy-to-understand way. Ready to put your knowledge into action? Play craps at Las Atlantis Casino and experience the thrill of the dice.

A

Ace Deuce – A roll of 3, made by rolling a 1 and a 2.

Aces – A roll of two 1s (1 + 1 = 2). Also called “Snake Eyes.”

Any Craps – A bet that the next roll will be 2, 3, or 12 — all considered “craps” numbers.

Any Seven – A bet that the next roll will total 7, using any dice combination (like 3+4 or 2+5).

Arm – A player believed to have skill in controlling the dice to get favorable outcomes.

B

Base Dealers – The two dealers on each end of the table who manage bets and payouts.

Betting Right – Betting with the shooter, hoping they win. This is also called a pass-line bet.

Betting Wrong – Betting against the shooter, hoping they lose.

Big Eight – A bet that the shooter will roll an 8 before a 7.

Big Red – Slang for the number 7. Players avoid saying “seven” out loud due to superstition.

Big Six – A bet that the shooter will roll a 6 before a 7.

Bones – Slang for dice.

Box Cars – A roll of two sixes (6 + 6 = 12).

Box Numbers – The numbers 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10 — popular numbers to bet on in craps.

Boxman – The supervisor who sits between the two base dealers and oversees the game.

Boys – Slang for the two base dealers at the craps table.

C

C&E Bet – A combined bet on Craps numbers (2, 3, or 12) and 11. Each part has separate payouts.

Center Field – Slang for rolling a 9.

Cold Dice / Cold Table – A streak where shooters keep losing; nobody is making points.

Come Bet / Come Line – A bet made after the come-out roll. It works like a pass-line bet but starts with the next roll.

Come Out – The first roll of a new round in craps.

Crap Out – Rolling a 2, 3, or 12 on the come-out roll. This means pass-line bets lose and don’t-pass bets win.

Craps Check – A bet placed on craps numbers (2, 3, or 12) during the come-out roll.

Craps Numbers – The numbers 2, 3, and 12 — usually bad for pass-line bettors.

D

Don’t Come Bet – The opposite of a Come Bet. You win if the next roll is 2 or 3, lose on 7 or 11, and push on 12. After that, you’re betting the shooter won’t hit the point before rolling a 7.

Don’t Pass Bet – The opposite of a Pass Line Bet. You’re betting the shooter won’t make the point and will roll 2 or 3 to win (12 is a push).

Double Odds – An additional bet that’s twice as big as your original Pass or Come bet — placed behind the line and paid at true odds.

Down – Removing or reducing a bet from the table.

E

Easy Way – Rolling a 4, 6, 8, or 10 using two different numbers (like 3 + 1 for 4). It’s called "easy" because it’s not a double (like 2 + 2 or 4 + 4).

F

Fever – Slang for rolling a 5.

Free Odds – A side bet with no house edge, placed behind a pass line or come bet after a point is set.

Front Line – Another name for a pass line bet — a bet that the shooter will win by making the point.

G

Garden – Slang for a field bet — a one-roll bet that wins if the next roll is 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12.

George – Slang for a player who tips dealers generously.

H

Hard Way – Rolling a 4, 6, 8, or 10 by getting doubles (like 2+2 for 4 or 4+4 for 8). It must be that exact combo to win.

Hi-Lo – A one-roll bet on the lowest (2) and highest (12) numbers possible.

Hi-Lo-Yo – A one-roll bet on 2, 11 (Yo), or 12.

Hop Bet – A bet that a specific dice combination will appear on the next roll (e.g., 3 and 5 exactly, not just totaling 8).

Horn Bet – A bet split equally on 2, 3, 11, and 12. For example, a $4 horn bet = $1 on each number.

I

Inside Numbers – Bets placed on the numbers 5, 6, 8, and 9, which are located in the center section of the craps layout and tend to hit more often than outside numbers.

L

Lay Bet – A bet that a 7 will be rolled before a specific number (like 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10).

Lay Odds – A side bet against the shooter, placed behind a Don’t Pass or Don’t Come bet to increase payout, with no house edge.

Layout – The designated betting area on the craps table where players place their chips.

Little Joe – Slang for rolling a 4 as double twos (2 + 2).

Little Phoebe – Slang for rolling a 5.

Low – A one-roll bet that the total will be 2.

M

Mark the Point – When the dealer places a marker on the table to show the current point number.

Marker – A plastic disc used to mark the point after the come-out roll.

Mechanic – A shooter who claims or believes they can control the dice to influence the outcome.

N

Natural – Rolling a 7 or 11 on the come-out roll — a win for pass-line bets.

Nina – Slang for rolling or betting on a 9.

O

Odds Bet – An extra bet made after a Pass Line or Come Bet, offering true odds with no house edge.

Off – What players or dealers say when a bet is not active on the next roll.

Off and On – When a Come Bet wins and the player places a new bet on the same number; the dealer pays the win and keeps the bet "on."

On – Means a point has been set, or a bet is currently active.

One-Roll Bet – A bet that is decided in one roll — either wins or loses immediately.

Outside Numbers – Bets on 4, 5, 9, and 10 — numbers on the outer parts of the layout.

P

Parlay – Adding your winnings to your original bet to make a larger bet on the next roll.

Pass Bet – A bet that the shooter will win the come-out roll by rolling a 7 or 11.

Pass Line – The section of the table where pass-line bets are placed — betting with the shooter.

Payout Odds – The odds you get when you win a bet, ranging from +100 to +3000 depending on the bet type.

Place Bet – A bet that the shooter will roll a specific number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) before rolling a 7.

Place Numbers – The numbers 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10 — commonly used in place bets.

Point – If the come-out roll lands on a place number, that number becomes the point, and must be rolled again before a 7 to win.

Press – A strategy where you increase your place bet using the winnings from a previous win on the same number.

Proposition Bet – A bet placed in the center of the layout, usually one-roll bets with high risk and reward.

Puppy Paws – Slang for rolling a hard 10 (two 5s).

R

Rail or Rack – The part of the craps table where players store their chips between bets.

S

Seven Out – When the shooter rolls a 7 before making the point, ending their turn and causing most bets to lose.

Shooter – The player currently rolling the dice.

Shooting Dice – Slang for playing craps, often used when talking about informal or street games.

Snake Eyes – Slang for rolling a pair of ones (1 + 1 = 2).

Square Pair – Slang for rolling a hard 8 (4 + 4).

Stickman – The dealer who uses a long stick to move the dice to the shooter and calls out the results.

T

Toke – A tip given to the dealer, usually after a win. If you're a George (a generous tipper), you probably give plenty of tokes!

W

Working Bet – A live or active bet that counts on the next roll. If the number hits, it wins or loses based on the outcome.

Y

Yo – Slang for rolling an 11. Players say “yo” instead of “eleven” to avoid confusion with “seven.”

Yo Bet – A one-roll bet that the next roll will be 11. It offers a high payout if it hits.