COMMON CRAPS TERMS: CRAPS GLOSSARY AND TERMINOLOGY

Craps is one of the most famous gambling games in the world. If you’re new to the game, you might be unfamiliar with the kind of language that is often used around the craps table.

For example, what does ‘bet that the next’ mean? What is a ‘one roll bet,’ and what is a ‘pass line bet?’ There’s clearly a lot to learn when it comes to the game, and getting familiar with the terminology before you have money on the table can help better your chances of success.

What are some of the craps terms, phrases, and slang you’ll want to be familiar with? Read on and we’ll walk you through the basics.

A

Ace Deuce: ‘Ace Deuce’ is a term used when the next roll results in a three.

B

Bet: In the game of craps, a bet refers to the amount of money or chips that a player places on the outcome of the next roll. Craps is a dice game where players wager on the results of a roll or a series of rolls of two dice. There are various types of bets in the game that a player could attempt.

Betting Wrong: In craps, ‘betting wrong’ refers to a type of bet called the Don’t Pass wager. It is essentially the opposite of the more common Pass Line bet. A player betting on a Don’t Pass wager means they are betting against the shooter, implying they want the shooter to lose or ‘seven out’. It’s important to note that while Don’t Pass bets offer slightly better payout odds than Pass Line bets, they are also subject to a higher house edge, meaning the casino has a slightly greater advantage.

C

Chips: In a casino, chips refer to the small, round discs or tokens that are used as a form of currency for gambling. They are also known as casino tokens, casino chips, or simply chips. These chips are made from various materials such as clay, ceramic, or plastic, and are designed to represent a specific monetary value.

Cold Dice: The term ‘cold dice’ is used to describe a situation when a shooter is consistently rolling numbers that result in losses for players. It implies a streak of bad luck for the shooter, where they are failing to make the point or achieve desirable outcomes for punters.

Cold Table: Also similar to ‘cold dice’, ‘cold table’ is a slang term used when players hit a losing streak.

Come Bet: A type of multi-roll wager in craps. It is made after the point is established. To place a Come wager, you place your chips in the come box on the craps table. The Come wager is a bet that the next roll will be a seven or 11. If a two, three or 12 is rolled, the bet loses.

Come Out Roll: In craps, the Come Out roll refers to the first roll of the dice in a new craps round of betting. It is the initial roll that sets the stage for the rest of the game.

Craps Table: A craps table is a specialised table used for playing the popular dice game. It is typically found in casinos and is designed specifically for craps. A standard craps table is quite large, usually about 12 to 14 feet long, and features a layout that is divided into different sections. The central area of the table is where players place their bets, and it contains various marked areas for different types of bets, such as Pass Line bets, Come bets, and Proposition bets.

D

Dealer: In craps, the ‘dealer’ refers to the casino employee responsible for managing the game, handling the bets, and controlling the flow of the game. The dealer is typically positioned at the centre of the craps table.

Dice Roll: This refers to the act of throwing or rolling the two dice used in the game. The outcome of the roll determines the results of various bets placed on the craps table. It is an integral part of the game as it determines the progression of the round and the potential payouts for players.

Don’t Come Bet: A Don’t Come wager is a type of bet in the craps game that is made after the point has been established and is the opposite of a Come bet. The Don’t Come bet wins if the next roll is a two or three. If the shooter rolls a 12, the bet is pushed and returned to the craps player.  If any other total is rolled, the chips will be moved to the upper-left corner of the total to mark the point. The same bet will win if a seven is rolled before the point is rolled again.

Don’t Pass Bet: A Don’t Pass bet is a wager in the game of craps that goes against the shooter. When you place a Don’t Pass bet, you are betting that the shooter will not succeed in establishing a point before rolling a seven. The Don’t Pass bet wins if the first roll of the dice is a two or three. It loses if the first roll is a seven or 11, and pushed if a 12 is rolled.

Double Odds Bet: The Double Odds bet is a wager that is twice the size of your original bet (the Pass/Come bet).

E

Even-money Bet: A bet that offers a payout of the same value of your original bet. 

F

Field Bet: A ‘Field Bet’ is a type of single-roll bet where a craps player wagers on the next roll resulting in one of the numbers displayed in the field area of the craps table. The field area typically includes the numbers two, three, four, nine, 10, 11, and 12. The Field is a self-service one-roll wager, which means that players at land-based casinos are allowed to move chips freely.

Free Odds: ‘Free Odds’, also referred to as Lay Odds, refers to an additional bet that can be placed by a player after a point has been established. This bet is often considered one of the best wagers in the casino because it has no house edge, meaning the casino has no advantage over the player.

Front Line: The ‘Front Line’ is another way of referring to the Pass Line bet. 

H

Hardway Bet: A bet that the shooter rolls a pair, including a two and two, three and three, four and four, and five and five. 

Horn Bet: This is a type of proposition bet that is placed on the two, three, 11, and 12. It is called a Horn bet because the shape of the bet area on the craps table resembles a horn. Horn bets are one-roll bets, meaning they are resolved on the next roll. After the outcome is determined, the Horn bet may be reset or reestablished for the next roll if you choose to continue.

Horn High Bet: A stake made in multiples of five, placing one unit placed on three of the horn numbers, and two units on 12, also referred to as the ‘high number’.

Hop Bet:  This one-roll bet is a bet that the next roll will hit a particular combination of numbers on. A winning bet pays 15:1 if the numbers are different, and 30:1 if they are the same.

Hot Dice: Slang craps terminology that is used when many players hit winning streaks at the table.

Hot Table: ‘Hot table’ is craps lingo that refers to a situation where multiple players are hitting winning bets. It implies that the dice rolls are consistently resulting in favourable outcomes for the players at the craps table.

I

Insurance Bet: Helps soften the blow of a loss by partially returning the original wager. 

L

Lay Bet: A Lay Odds bet is a type of wager that can be made against a specific number. It is the opposite of a Place bet. When you place a Lay bet, you are betting that a particular number will not be rolled before a seven is rolled. Also known as Free Odds. It is a type of bet that complements a Don’t Pass or Don’t Come bet. Laying odds on a Don’t Pass or Don’t Come bet means you are betting that a 7 will be rolled before the point number.

Line Bet: A line bet refers to a wager placed on either the ‘Pass Line’ or ‘Don’t Pass Line.’ It is one of the fundamental bets in the game and is commonly made by players. If you plan to play craps, this is one of the first terms you should get familiar with.

O

Odds Bet: An Odds bet is a supplemental wager that can be made in conjunction with a Pass Line, Don’t Pass Line, Come, or Don’t Come bet. It is considered one of the best bets in the game because it carries no house edge and pays true odds. It’s important to note that odds bets are typically limited to a certain multiple of your original line bet.

One-roll Bet: A one-roll bet is a type of wager that is resolved on the next roll. Unlike line bets, which can remain active over multiple rolls, a one-roll bet is determined immediately after the next dice roll and does not carry forward to subsequent rolls. They are appealing to some players due to their potentially high payouts. However, it’s important to note that most one-roll bets have a higher house edge compared to other bets.

P

Pass Line: The Pass line is both a betting area on the craps table and a fundamental bet that players can place during a round. It is one of the most common and popular bets in the game.

Pass Line Bet: In craps, the pass line bet is a fundamental bet that is made at the beginning of a round. It is one of the most popular bets in the game and has a low house edge, making it a good option for beginners and experienced players alike. A Pass bet is often used as a starting point for more advanced craps strategies.

Place Bet: A place bet is a type of wager that you can make on specific numbers (four, five, six, eight, nine, or 10) to be rolled before a seven. It allows you to bet on individual numbers without relying on the Come-Out roll or the establishment of a point number. It’s important to note that Place bets remain active until they win, lose, or are turned off by the player. They can be made at any time during the game, even after the Come-Out roll. However, the payouts for Place bets are less favourable compared to a True Odds bet, for example. Place bets can be an alternative to the more common Line bets in craps and allow you to focus on specific numbers that you believe will be rolled.

‘Point Has Been Established’: The phrase ‘ the point has been established’ is craps terminology that refers to a specific phase in the game when the shooter rolls a number (four, five, six, eight, nine, or 10) during the Come-Out roll. This number becomes the ‘point’ number for that round.

Point Number: According to craps rules, the point number is the number the shooter is trying to roll before rolling a seven.

Proposition Bets: Proposition bets refer to a category of wagers that can be placed on specific outcomes or combinations of outcomes during a single roll. These bets are separate from the regular bets made on the Pass Line, Don’t Pass Line, Come, or Don’t Come. Proposition bets in craps typically have higher payouts but also higher house edges, making them more challenging to win.

R

Roll: In craps, a ‘roll’ refers to the action of throwing the dice. The game revolves around the outcome of these dice rolls. A roll begins with the shooter (the person rolling the dice) throwing two dice. The possible outcomes of the roll are determined by the sum of the numbers that appear on the two dice.

S

Shooter: The casino employee that is in charge of rolling the dice.

Side Bet: Sometimes referred to as a bonus bet, the side bet is an optional wager that allows players to boost their winnings even if they did not hit their original stake. Side bets are often found at online casinos.

Snake Eyes: ‘Snake Eyes’ is a slang term in the list of craps terms that refers to the number two.

T

Take Odds Bet: A wager where you bet odds on the Pass Line and Come bet.

W

Whirl Bet: A bet that the next roll will result in a two, three, seven, 11 or 12 being rolled.

World Bet: A bet on two, three, 11, 12, and any seven. 

Wrong Bettor: A ‘wrong bettor’ refers to a player who is betting against the shooter or the majority of other players at the table. It is a slang term commonly used to describe those who make Don’t Pass line bets and Don’t Come bets. It’s important to note that wrong bettors may face some social opposition at the craps table since they are effectively betting against the shooter.

Y

Yo Bet: A bet that the shooter will hit an 11 on the next roll.