Gambling Dice Terms

Gambling terms, words and phrases can often be confusing. This guide from BeGambleAware gives definitions to some of the most commons terminology and offers facts behind gambling myths. Freephone 24/7 National Gambling Helpline 0808 8020 133. Cold Dice — A term used for describing the craps table in a situation when no points are made. Color In — An expression players use when replacing low-value chips with high-value ones upon withdrawing from the craps table. Come Bet — A bet that is placed after the point has been established, equal to the pass line bet.

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On this page we have listed a number of words and phrases that can be commonly heard at the craps table. You don’t need to know all of these to enjoy the game, but it does help to familiarize yourself with them if you are going to be playing in a live casino.

There’s a lot of slang and jargon used at the craps table, even by the stickmen and the dealers. It’s important to understand their language so that you know what’s going on.

After going through this glossary you’ll have a good grasp on all of the main terms and phrases that you’ll hear at the craps tables and you’ll be able to enjoy the experience even more.

When you’re able to join in on the fun, it makes for a much more relaxed and exciting experience.

Please note that we haven’t included terms relating to the different types of bet in craps, other than a few slang terms. We do have a dedicated page where we have explained all main bet types in detail though.

  • AceA die showing a value of one.
  • All The Spots We GotA slang term for a roll of one.
  • ArmA player who is skilled at throwing the dice and able to improve the chances of certain numbers being rolled.
  • Betting RightBetting on the pass line. See Right Bettor for a further explanation.
  • Betting WrongBetting on the don’t pass line. See Wrong Bettor for a further explanation.
  • Big RedA slang term for a roll of seven.
  • BonesAn alternative term for dice.
  • BoysA slang term for the dealers.
  • BoxmanA casino employee at the craps table, responsible for the chips and supervising the dealers.
  • Capped DiceDice which have been fixed to favor certain numbers.
  • Center FieldA slang term for a roll of nine.
  • Cold TableA table where at least most of the players are losing.
  • Color UpTo exchange small denomination chips for larger denomination chips.
  • Come Out RollThe first roll of the dice in a new round, which sets the point.
  • Crap OutTo throw a 2, 3, or 12 on the come out roll.
  • Crap NumbersThe numbers 2, 3, and 12.
  • Easy WayRolls of 4, 6, 8, or 10 made without a double.
  • EdgeSee House Edge.
  • FeverA slang term for a roll of five.
  • Front LineAn alternative name for the pass line bet.
  • GeorgeA player who tips well.
  • Hard NumberAny number rolled as a pair. Two fours is a hard eight while two fives is a hard ten etc.
  • House EdgeThe advantage the casino has over the player for any given bet, expressed as a percentage of the player’s bet.
  • Hot TableA table where at least most of the players are winning.
  • Insurance BetA wager that’s made to protect against another wager losing.
  • Little JoeA slang term for a roll of four.
  • Little PhoebeA slang term for a roll of five.
  • MarkerA plastic disc used by dealers to mark the point number on the table.
  • NaturalA roll of seven or eleven on the come out roll.
  • Outside NumbersThe numbers 4, 5, 9, and 10.
  • Parlay A BetAdding the winnings from a bet to the original stake and wagering it all.
  • PayoffThe amount received from a winning bet.
  • PayoutThe odds associated with a bet (eg. 7:1), or the amount received from a winning bet.
  • Place NumbersThe numbers 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10.
  • PointThe value established on the come out roll.
  • Press a BetAdding money to an existing bet (typically doubling it).
  • Puppy PawsA slang term for a roll of ten.
  • RailThe area around the top of the craps table where player keep their chips.
  • Right BettorA player betting on the pass line. The term is used as most players bet on the pass line, and doing so usually means betting with the rest of the table.
  • Seven OutRolling a seven before rolling the point.
  • Skinny McKinneyA slang term for a roll of seven.
  • Snake EyesA slang term for a roll of two.
  • Square PairA slang term for a hard eight (a pair of fours).
  • StickmanA casino employee at the craps table, responsible for passing the dice to the shooter and announcing the outcome of rolls.
  • TokeA tip to the dealer.
  • Up Pops the DevilA slang term for a roll of seven.
  • Winner on Dark SideA slang term for a roll of three.
  • Working BetsBets that are in play for the next roll.
  • Wrong BettorA player who bets on the don’t pass line. The name stems from the fact that most players bet on the pass line, so betting the don’t pass line usually means wanting a different result than the rest of the table.

Are you new to craps and wondering what everyone is going on about? Or maybe you’ve been playing for a while and still haven’t got your head around the jargon. For beginners, it’s all too easy to be completely confused and feel like you’ve got no clue about what’s going on. But for those of you who have found your way here there’s no need to panic any longer. This section of our site has been designed to provide you with a user-friendly explanation of the terms you’re going to encounter. Allowing you to concentrate on your games and play with the confidence of a pro. It’s important for all players to be able to understand what’s going on around the table and become more familiar with the language being used. And this applies whether you’re a newcomer to the game or have already been playing for a while.

The definitive glossary of craps terms and jargon


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Ace deuce:A wager that the next roll will be a 3 (a two and a one) on the next dice and is a one roll proposition bet.
Aces:A wager that the next roll of the dice will be 2 ( a one and a one). Also called snake eyes, it’s another one roll proposition bet.
Ace deuce:А wager that the next roll will be a 3 (a two and a one) on the next dice and is a one roll proposition bet.

Gambling Dice Terms Rules

Dice
Aces:А wager that the next roll of the dice will be 2 ( a one and a one). Also called snake eyes, it’s another one roll proposition bet.
Action:Тhis term refers to wagers that are active on the table.
Advantage:The same as the edge, it’s the percentage the casino has on a bet.
Against the dice:Betting on the don’t pass and don’t come bets, thereby betting a 7 will be rolled before the point number.
Any craps:A one roll proposition bet on the next roll being a 2, 3 or 12. This particular bet has a huge house edge of 11.1%.
Any seven:Another one roll proposition bet on the next roll being a 7, with a payout of 4:1.
Apron:In a live casino this term is used to refer to the outer perimeter of the table and is normally made of felt.
Back line:Also known as the don’t pass line.
Bank craps:Often shortened to just ‘craps’, this is the official name of the game and the variant you’ll find at most casinos.
Bar 12:When the dice are rolled and the outcome is a 12 resulting in a push on the don’t come bets.
Behind the line:Placing odds on a pass/come/don’t pass/don’t come bets. The reason it’s called the line is there is no place marked on the table for the odds bets. They have to be placed directly behind the original bet.
Big 8:Betting that an 8 will be rolled before a 7. Mostly, this pays even money and has a house edge of 9.1%. This bet is the same as a place 8 bet with the difference that a place bet pays 7 to 6 and the house edge is only 1.5%. This makes a place bet a much better option.
Gambling dice terms meaningGambling dice terms definitions
Big 6:Betting that a 6 will be rolled before a 7. It pays even money and has a house edge of 9.1%. This bet is also identical to a place 6 bet but less advantageous. The place 6 bet has a house edge of just 1.5%.
Big red:Another term used when placing a bet on any seven
Black:Table lingo for $100 chips because this is the color they are in most casinos
Bowl:This is a container that is placed next to the stickman at a live table for holding the dice.
Boxcars:A bet that two sixes (12 in total) will be rolled on the next roll.
Boxman:This is the name for the casino ‘dealer’who sits in the middle of the table and is in charge of the betting action, the chips and manages the players. It is also the person who sits opposite the stickman.
Box numbers:Place bet numbers of 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10.
Boys or the Boys:A slang term for the craps dealers that has gone out of common use because of the number of female dealers now employed by casinos.
Buffalo:Placing a 5-unit bet on each hardways number and any seven.
Buffalo Yo:A 5-unit bet on each hardways number and an eleven.
Bump:The break a dealer takes when the craps table has few players.
Buy bet:A wager on the 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10, much the same as a place bet. The difference being you give the house a 5% commission in order to get true odds.
C&E:A one roll bet on both any craps and the eleven. The bet is made in two parts with one unit being placed on the any craps outcome of 2, 3 or 12 and the other unit being placed on the eleven. If the any craps bet wins, the eleven bet loses and vice versa.
Center bets:All bets in the middle of the table, which are the one-roll and proposition bets. It’s also referred to as the center field.
Charting a table:This is technique used to keep track of the outcomes of the roll of the dice and is used for casino craps strategies.
Cocked dice:When a dice ends up at an angle it’s called a cocked dice. The result of this happening is decided by the stickman who will look at the natural angle of the die/dice and what number it will land on top if the object it’s leaning against were to be removed.
Cold dice:When all the shooters are sevening out before a point number is matched.
Cold table:When all the shooters at a table are sevening out before a point number is matched.
Color in:cashing out smaller chips for chips of greater value when leaving the table.
Come bet:The same as a pass-line bet but it’s made after the come out roll once a point has been established.
Corner Red:The corner of the craps table layout that features the big 6 and big 8 bets written in red.
Crapless craps:We’ve looked at this variant of craps in more detail on another page. Basically, it’s a very uncommon version of the game where the 2, 3, 11 and 12 are all point numbers. Because of this it’s impossible to lose on the come out roll and you can’t win with the 11. the only way to win on the come out roll is to roll a 7.
Crap out:When the shooter rolls a 2, 3 or 12 and the round finishes. It’s also called seven out.
Craps:when the shooter rolls a 2, 3 or 12 on the come out roll.
Dead:A craps table that has no players.
Dealer:These are casino employees that sit on each side of the boxman and are in control of the payouts for each side of the table.
Dice in the middle:When the stickman places the dice above the proposition bets in front of the boxman. It is an indication to players that they need to place their bets.
Don’t come bet:Made after the come out roll and works like a don’t pass line bet after the point is made. This type of bet pays even money.
Don’t pass bet:Betting that the come out roll will be a 2, 3 or 12. this bet loses if the come out roll is a 7 or 11 but is a push if a 12 is rolled. Any other number rolled will establish the point. The house edge for this bet is 1.35% but it can be reduced by deciding to lay odds on the don’t pass bet.
Double odds:When you place the odds between pass, don’t pass, come or don’t come bets at twice the original amount.
Down or take me down:Players use this term when the want a bet to be removed and returned.
Down behind:Used by the dealer to let a don’t bettor know their bet has been lost.
Easy way:A term used to describe when a 4, 6, 8 and 10 is rolled and the dice have different numbers on them. For example, a 1 and a 3 for an outcome of 4.
Edge:Also called the house edge it refers to the advantage a casino has on any bets made by the players.
Even money:A bet that pays 1:1. Whether a player wins or loses the will get back the same amount of money placed on the bet.
Fade:A term used in street craps that refers to betting against the shooter up to the amount of his wager.
Field bet:Betting that the next roll will be a 2, 3, 4, 9, 10 or 12.
Garden:A slang term used for the field bets.
Hard way:When you roll a 4, 6, 8 or 10 and the combination of numbers are the same. For example, 2 and 2 when rolling 4, or 5 and 5 when rolling 10.
Hardway bet:Found in the center of the table next to the one-roll proposition bets you’re betting that the hard way of a 4, 6, 8 or 10 will be rolled.
Hi-Lo:A one roll bet that the next roll will be either a 12 or a 2.
Hi-Lo-Yo:A one roll bet that the next roll will be either a 2, 11 or 12.
Hit a brick:When the dice hit a stack of chips and doesn’t roll the length of the table.
Hop bet:A one roll bet that the next roll will be combination of your choosing. It can be any combination, for example, a 2 and a 3, or a 4 and a 1.
Horn bet:A one roll bet that the next roll will be a 2, 3, 11 or 12, with one unit bet on each number.
Horn high bet:A bet made in units of 5 with one each on the 2, 3, 11 and 12 plus another placed on one of the numbers.
Hot table:When all shooters have been playing for a while without sevening out.
Inside bet:Wagering on a 5, 6, 8 and 9.
Insurance bet:Placing two or more bets in an attempt to cover one another should one lose.
Late bet:Trying to place a bet when the dice are in the air. The dealer or the boxman will make the decision whether a late bet is valid and will either call out bet or no bet.
Lay bet:Made by a wrong-way bettor that the shooter will roll a 7 before point numbers 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10. a 5% commission will have to be paid to get true odds on the bet.
Lay odds:Extra bets placed on the don’t come and don’t pass bet made by wrong-way bettors. This type of bet offers true odds and no house edge.
Line bet:Also known as the pass line or don’t pass line bets.
Little Joe:Table slang for a hard-way 4 (2 and 2).
Marker puck:A plastic disc that’s used by dealers to show which points are on and off the table.
Mark the point:When a dealer indicates the point number by putting the puck on the table.
Midnight:A single roll proposition bet on the 12, also known as any twelve.
Multi-roll bet:Any bets that can’t be settled on the next roll of the dice. A few rolls of the dice will be required to determine the bets outcome.
Natural:When a shooter rolls a 7 or an 11 on the come out roll.
No roll:When the shooter fails to roll the dice to the end of the table or if the dice slip from the shooters hand, or roll off the table. The roll is invalid.
Odds bet:An additional bet that’s placed behind the pass/come/don’t pass/don’t come bets. It has no house edge and true odds are paid. 2 or 3 times the original bet can be placed.
Off:Bets not working on the next roll of the dice.
On:Bets which are in action for the next roll of the dice.
One roll bets:This bet is made on the next outcome only and will no longer be active throughout the game afterwards.
Outside dealer:The stickman standing outside of the pit.
Gambling dice terms glossary
Parlay:Increasing your bet amount by adding your winnings to the original bet.
Pass line bet:The most common bet in craps. If the come out roll is a 7 or 11 it wins and loses with a 2, 3 or 12. Any other numbers will establish the point.
Pit:The area in a live casino in which the craps table is located.
Place bet:Betting that a place number of 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10 will be rolled before a 7.
Point:This is the betting number established for the rest of the round when the come out roll is either a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10. a right way bettor will place a bet for the point to be rolled before a 7, while wrong way bettors will bet a 7 will be rolled before the point.

Gambling Dice Terms

Press a bet:Increasing the amount of your bet, usually by doubling it.
Proposition bets:Includes all one roll and hardway bets in the center of the table layout.
Right way bettor:A player who bets with the shooter for the point to be rolled before the 7.
Seven out:Rolling a 7 before the point number, once a point has been established. It effectively ends the round and changes the shooter.
Skinny Dougan:A slang term for the number 7. There are a number of other names used because it’s considered bad luck to say the number seven at the craps table.
Snake eyes:Rolling a 2 on the proposition bet ‘any 2’.
Stickman:The casino employee who is in charge of handling and calling the dice number.
Take odds:Additional bets on the pass and come bets which offer true odds and no house edge.
Three-way craps:A one roll proposition bet on the 2, 3 and 12 made in units of three.
Two-way:A bet that’s made by a player and split between the player and the dealer. Usually, this type of bet is made on one roll bets.
Vigorish:Often abbreviated to vig, this terms refers to the house commission on certain bets.
With the Dice:Playing for the point number to be rolled before a 7. A right-way bettor plays with the dice.Working bet:A bet that is active or on for the next roll.World bet:

Gambling Dice Terms Crossword

Betting on the 2, 3, 7, 11 and 12 all at once and made in units of 5.
Wrong-way bettor:A player who bets that a 7 will be rolled before the point number. Also known as betting against the dice.

Gambling Dice Terms Definitions

Yo:the number 11.

Gambling Dice Terms Definition

You’re probably thinking that’s rather a lot of jargon to understand. But it won’t be long before you’re using it like a seasoned veteran of the game. Try and use the jargon whenever you can because it makes the game more fun.