Common Craps Terms

Common Craps Terms

The below Craps glossary is a collection of basic Craps terms used in and around the Craps table. It includes both formal language and Craps slang. While it is not necessary to memorize the entire Craps glossary, reading through to be sure you have a working knowledge of game language is essential, and will improve your comprehension of Craps rules and strategy.

Most online casinos also post game glossaries in an effort to familiarize patrons with the language endemic to their site. Use the Online Players Association Craps glossary to begin your Craps career and you’ll be a more informed and competent online craps player.

Craps Terminology

B

Behind the Line
A bet on the free odds after a point has been established on the come out roll.
Betting Right
Betting that the dice will pass.
Betting Wrong
Betting that the dice won’t pass.
Big 6
A bet at even money that the 6 will be rolled before a 7 is rolled.
Big 8
A bet that the 8 will be rolled before a 7 is rolled.
Box Numbers
The box areas on the craps table around the numbers 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10, which are used to mark the point. It is the location where you can make place, come, and buy bets.
Boxcars
A slang term for the roll of a 12.
Buy Bets
A 5% commission that is paid to the casino in order to be paid the correct odds on a bet, usually the 4 and/or the 10.

C

Centre Bets
This refers to the bets that are located in the centre of the layout. These are also known as Proposition Bets.
Cold Dice
A slang term for dice which consistently don’t pass.
Come Bet
A bet with the dice that they will pass. This bet immediately follows the come out roll.
Come Box
Area where the come bets are made.
Come Out Roll
The initial or first roll of the dice prior to the establishment of the point.
Coming Out
A term that designates that a new come out roll is about to occur.
Correct Odds
The mathematical probability that a bet will be a winner. These are usually the odds that a particular point will be made prior to the rolling of a 7.
Craps Out
A roll of the dice in which a craps roll is thrown on the come out roll. This results in an automatic loss for those who bet on the Pass Line.
Craps
A roll of 2, 3 or 12. It also refers to the name of the game.

D

Dice
A pair of cubes, each with six sides and numbered from 1 to 6. The combination of the roll determines payoffs and losses in the game of craps.
Die
A single cube as above. This is a singular expression of the craps term “dice.”
Don’t Come Bet
A bet that is made after the come out roll in which the dice will not pass. In this wager, you are betting against the dice.
Don’t Pass Line
The area on the craps table where a Don’t Pass bet is made.

F

Field Bet
A bet that the next roll of the dice will come up 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11 or 12.

H

Hardway
The dice coming up in pairs for the 4, 6, 8 or 10, such 2-2 for the 4, or 5-5 for 10.
House Advantage
The refers to the adjusted payouts of the house. The house rarely pays out in true odds. In craps, the house advantage is 1.36% - 16.67%. The only bets in craps without a house advantage are the Pass/Don’t Pass bets and the Come/Don’t Come bets.

N

Natural
A roll of 7 or 11 on the come out roll.

P

Pass Line
The most basic and popular of the craps bets. The Pass Line bet wins with a 7 or 11 on the come out roll and loses with a 2, 3 or 12. If any other number is rolled, it sets a particular point which must be rolled again prior to a 7 for the Pass Line bet to be a winner.
Point
Refers to the number established by the come out roll. It is anything other than a 2, 3, 7, 11 or 12.

S

Seven-Out
A roll of 7 after the point has been set.
Snake Eyes
A total roll of 2 in which each die displays a 1.