KEY TAKEAWAYS
Craps looks confusing at first because the table talks in its own language. The stickman calls every roll, dealers use slang for the numbers, and bets carry names like hardway, horn and hop. This glossary defines 30 of the most common craps terms in plain language, with an example of each in use. The entries are grouped into four themes: how a round runs, the bets on the layout, names for dice totals, and the people and customs at the table. Each definition describes the usual casino version of the game, and layouts, bet names and payouts vary by casino and jurisdiction. House edges quoted here come from published analyses, and the dice facts can be checked by hand: two dice make 36 combinations, and a total of 7 can be made 6 ways. Terms already defined elsewhere in the casino glossary appear as short cross-references.
How a Round of Craps Runs
A round has two phases, and these terms name the people, rolls and markers that move it along.
Shooter
Definition: The player who throws the dice. The role usually passes around the table, and the shooter normally must have a pass line or don’t pass bet in play.
Example: “The shooter picked up both dice and threw them down the table.”
Related terms: right bettor.
Come-out roll
Definition: The first roll of a new round, made before a point is established. The result of this roll decides whether the round ends at once or moves on to a point.
Example: “It is a come-out roll, so pass line bets are working.”
Related terms: point, natural.
Point
Definition: The number 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10 rolled on a come-out roll, which the shooter must then roll again before rolling a 7. Once a point is set, the round enters its second phase.
Example: “The point is eight, so the shooter needs another eight before a seven.”
Related terms: puck, box numbers.
Natural
Definition: A total of 7 or 11 on the come-out roll. Pass line bets win on a natural and don’t pass bets lose.
Example: “The shooter rolled a natural on the come-out.”
A 7 means something different after a point is set; see seven out.
Craps
Definition: A total of 2, 3 or 12 on the come-out roll, which loses for pass line bets. The word also names the whole game.
Example: “Three is craps on the come-out roll.”
Don’t pass bets win on 2 or 3 and push on 12 in most casinos; some tables bar the 2 instead. Check the layout.
Seven out
Definition: A roll of 7 after a point has been established. It ends the shooter’s turn and loses pass line bets.
Example: “The shooter sevened out and the dice moved to the next player.”
Related terms: point, shooter.
Puck
Definition: The black-and-white disk the dealers move on the layout. Black or OFF means the next roll is a come-out roll; white or ON, placed on a number, marks the point.
Example: “The puck is on the six, so that is the point.”
Also called the marker.
Box numbers
Definition: The six point numbers on the layout: 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10. Each has its own box on the table, and bets such as place bets use them.
Example: “All of the box numbers are working on this roll.”
Related terms: point. Inside numbers are 5, 6, 8 and 9; outside numbers are 4, 5, 9 and 10.
Push — see Blackjack Terms: 24 Definitions With Examples.
Common Craps Bets
Craps offers many bets, and their names are often the hardest part of the vocabulary. Payouts and rules vary by casino and jurisdiction.
Pass line
Definition: The main bet in craps, a wager that the shooter will win the round. It wins on a come-out 7 or 11, loses on 2, 3 or 12, and otherwise wins if the point repeats before a 7. It pays 1 to 1 and has a house edge of 1.41%.
Example: “I put twenty dollars on the pass line before the come-out.”
Also called the front line. Related terms: don’t pass, right bettor.
Don’t pass
Definition: A bet against the shooter that is the opposite of the pass line bet. It pays 1 to 1 and has a house edge of 1.36%, and the roll of 12 on the come-out normally pushes.
Example: “The don’t pass bettor wanted a seven before the point.”
Also called the back line. Related terms: wrong bettor.
Come bet
Definition: A bet made after a point is set that works like a new pass line bet. Its next roll acts as its own come-out roll, and if it travels to a number, that number becomes its come point.
Example: “I made a come bet, and it moved to the nine.”
Related terms: pass line, point.
Free odds
Definition: An extra bet made behind a pass line or come bet after a point is established. It is paid at true odds, so the bet itself carries no house edge, although the pass line bet it supports still does.
Example: “He took the free odds behind his pass line bet.”
Also called odds. The allowed size depends on the table’s odds limit.
Place bet
Definition: A bet that a chosen box number will roll before a 7. Place bets are paid at odds below true odds, so they carry a house edge.
Example: “I placed the six and the eight.”
Related terms: buy bet, box numbers.
Buy bet
Definition: A bet that a number will roll before a 7, paid at true odds with a commission deducted. The commission rate is set by the casino.
Example: “He bought the four and paid the commission up front.”
Related terms: place bet. Commission is also called vigorish.
Field bet
Definition: A one-roll bet that the next total will be one of the field numbers, usually 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11 or 12. Payouts on 2 and 12 vary by casino.
Example: “The field wins on a nine.”
A field bet loses on 5, 6, 7 and 8 and is decided on every roll.
Hardway
Definition: A bet that a 4, 6, 8 or 10 will be rolled as a pair, such as 3-3 for a hard six, before it is rolled any other way or before a 7 appears. Hardway bets are often inactive on a come-out roll unless called on.
Example: “Hard eight, so the hardway bet wins.”
Related terms: easy way.
Proposition bet
Definition: Any one of the special bets in the center of the layout, such as any seven, horn and hop bets. They are handled by the stickman and generally carry higher house edges than the pass line.
Example: “The center of the table has the proposition bets.”
Also called prop bets or center bets.
Any seven
Definition: A one-roll proposition bet that the next roll will total 7. It typically pays 4 to 1 and has a house edge of 16.67%, since a 7 comes up 6 times in 36 combinations.
Example: “The any seven bet lost because a six came up.”
Related terms: big red, proposition bet.
Horn bet
Definition: A one-roll proposition bet split across 2, 3, 11 and 12. It is usually made in multiples of four units, one on each number.
Example: “He tossed a horn bet to the stickman.”
Related terms: yo, boxcars, snake eyes.
Hop bet
Definition: A one-roll proposition bet that a specific dice combination will appear on the next roll, such as 3-2. The stickman handles hop bets.
Example: “I hopped the five and two.”
Hard hops, the pairs, are paid at higher odds than easy hops.
Craps Slang for Dice Totals
These names for dice totals are shorthand dealers and players shout across the table.
Snake eyes
Definition: A roll of 2, made with a 1 on each die. It is also called aces.
Example: “Snake eyes on the come-out roll is craps.”
Related terms: craps.
Boxcars
Definition: A roll of 12, made with a 6 on each die. It is the highest total on two dice.
Example: “The shooter rolled boxcars.”
Also called midnight. Related terms: craps.
Yo
Definition: Table slang for a roll of 11, short for yo-leven. The word is commonly said to keep the number from being confused with seven in a noisy casino.
Example: “Yo-leven, front line winner.”
Related terms: natural.
Easy way
Definition: A roll of 4, 6, 8 or 10 made with two different numbers on the dice, such as 2-6 for an easy eight. An easy roll does not pay a hardway bet on that number.
Example: “It came easy, so the hardway bet is still working.”
Related terms: hardway.
Big Red
Definition: Table slang for the number 7, often used because players avoid saying the word seven. The name is a nickname, not an official term.
Example: “Big Red showed up before the point.”
Register: informal. Related terms: seven out.
People and Customs at the Table
A craps table has its own crew and customs, and these terms name them.
Stickman
Definition: The dealer who uses a stick to move the dice, calls each roll and handles center bets. The stickman also offers the dice to the shooter.
Example: “The stickman called yo-leven.”
Related terms: proposition bet, boxman.
Boxman
Definition: The casino employee seated between the dealers who supervises chips, payouts and table procedure. The boxman settles disputes and verifies money exchanged at the table.
Example: “The boxman checked the bet before the dice were thrown.”
Related terms: stickman.
Right bettor
Definition: A player who bets with the shooter, usually on the pass line. The term is jargon for the side of the bet, not a judgment.
Example: “The right bettors cheered when the point repeated.”
Related terms: pass line, wrong bettor.
Wrong bettor
Definition: A player who bets against the shooter, usually on the don’t pass line. The term sounds judgmental but is only table jargon.
Example: “The wrong bettors won on the seven out.”
Also called betting the dark side. Related terms: don’t pass, right bettor.
Toke
Definition: A tip for the dealers, either handed over directly or placed as a bet on the dealers’ behalf. Tipping is customary but optional.
Example: “He made a toke bet for the crew.”
Register: casino slang.
Quick-Reference Table of Craps Terms
Use this table to find a term fast. Each term links to its full entry above.
| Term | Short definition |
|---|---|
| Shooter | The player who throws the dice. |
| Come-out roll | The first roll of a new round, made before a point is established. |
| Point | The number 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10 rolled on a come-out roll, which the shooter must then roll again before rolling a 7. |
| Natural | A total of 7 or 11 on the come-out roll. |
| Craps | A total of 2, 3 or 12 on the come-out roll, which loses for pass line bets. |
| Seven out | A roll of 7 after a point has been established. |
| Puck | The black-and-white disk the dealers move on the layout. |
| Box numbers | The six point numbers on the layout: 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10. |
| Pass line | The main bet in craps, a wager that the shooter will win the round. |
| Don’t pass | A bet against the shooter that is the opposite of the pass line bet. |
| Come bet | A bet made after a point is set that works like a new pass line bet. |
| Free odds | An extra bet made behind a pass line or come bet after a point is established. |
| Place bet | A bet that a chosen box number will roll before a 7. |
| Buy bet | A bet that a number will roll before a 7, paid at true odds with a commission deducted. |
| Field bet | A one-roll bet that the next total will be one of the field numbers, usually 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11 or 12. |
| Hardway | A bet that a 4, 6, 8 or 10 will be rolled as a pair, such as 3-3 for a hard six, before it is rolled any other way or before a 7 appears. |
| Proposition bet | Any one of the special bets in the center of the layout, such as any seven, horn and hop bets. |
| Any seven | A one-roll proposition bet that the next roll will total 7. |
| Horn bet | A one-roll proposition bet split across 2, 3, 11 and 12. |
| Hop bet | A one-roll proposition bet that a specific dice combination will appear on the next roll, such as 3-2. |
| Snake eyes | A roll of 2, made with a 1 on each die. |
| Boxcars | A roll of 12, made with a 6 on each die. |
| Yo | Table slang for a roll of 11, short for yo-leven. |
| Easy way | A roll of 4, 6, 8 or 10 made with two different numbers on the dice, such as 2-6 for an easy eight. |
| Big Red | Table slang for the number 7, often used because players avoid saying the word seven. |
| Stickman | The dealer who uses a stick to move the dice, calls each roll and handles center bets. |
| Boxman | The casino employee seated between the dealers who supervises chips, payouts and table procedure. |
| Right bettor | A player who bets with the shooter, usually on the pass line. |
| Wrong bettor | A player who bets against the shooter, usually on the don’t pass line. |
| Toke | A tip for the dealers, either handed over directly or placed as a bet on the dealers’ behalf. |
Related Glossaries
Terms shared with other table games, such as push, are covered in Blackjack Terms: 24 Definitions With Examples. Another dice game with its own bets and payouts is explained in Sic Bo Rules: Bets, Payouts and How the Game Works. Odds language such as true odds is defined in Betting Odds Terms: 24 Definitions With Examples, and short forms like EV and RTP are in Gambling Acronyms and Abbreviations: 24 Definitions.
