The below craps definitions acquaint you with all the craps terms and craps slang you’ll hear at both the land and virtual craps tables.
Bank: In craps, the bank can refer to one of two things. It can be the type of craps you're playing; in this case, bank craps is formal craps played at a land or virtual craps table (as opposed to street craps). Bank can also refer to a casino employee or the casino itself.
Boxman: Positioned between the dealers, the boxman oversees all the action at the craps table and resolves any disputes.
Come Bet: A come bet is a craps bet that are similar to a pass line bet (they win on 7 and 11 and lose on 2, 3, and 12), except that it is placed after the come out roll.
Come-Out Roll: This is the first roll of every new round of craps, and it determines the point for subsequent rolls in that round.
Craps: While many popular games—like blackjack and blackjack online—are named after their winning combinations, craps is not only the name of the game but refers to a total of 2, 3, or 12 on the come-out roll (which in many cases results in an immediate loss for players betting on the pass line).
Dealer: At a full craps table there are usually two dealers who take and place player craps bets.
Dice: These are the numbered, six-sided cubes at the center of the action. While the shooter only rolls two dice, they will choose these dice from a group (usually of five) at the beginning of each round.
Don't Come Bet: A don't come bet is the opposite of a come bet and is much like the don't pass bet (wins on 2 or 3, pushes on 12, and loses on 7 or 11) except that it is made after the come out roll.
Don't Pass: The don't pass bet is the opposite of a pass line bet. It is made prior to the come out roll and automatically wins on a come out of 2 or 3, pushes on 12, and loses on 7 or 11. Once the point is established, a don't pass bet wins on a roll of 7.
Fire Bet: This is a unique craps bet and is only accepted at some casinos. Players are essentially betting that a “hot” shooter will set and hit a variety of different points during his turn.
House Advantage: Because casinos rarely pay out for true odds, their adjusted payouts give them a long-term positive expectation (while simultaneously putting players at a disadvantage). This calculated percentage is often called the “house edge” or “house advantage.” Craps bets carry a house edge of 1.36%-16.67%. The only bets without a house advantage are pass/don't pass odds and come/don't come odds.
Line Bets: Line bets are placed on the pass or don't pass line.
Loaded Dice: Dice that are illegally weighted so that they always fall on the same sides, presenting the same roll with every shot.
Multi-roll Bets: These bets may stand through a number of rolls and may be placed on specific values of either or both dice.
Natural: A roll of 7 or 11 on the come-out roll.
Off Button: The off button indicates that the game is in the come-out roll.
On Button: The on button indicates that the round is beyond the come-out roll and is used to designate the point.
Pass Line: The most basic and popular craps bet, 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 point which must be rolled again prior to a 7 for the pass line to pay.
Payout: A payout is each player's winnings as designated by their original wager and its odds.
Point: This is the number established by the come-out roll (anything other than 2, 3, 7, 11, or 12).
Player: This is the name given to anyone wagering at the craps table.
Proposition Bets: These are single roll bets found at the center of the betting layout.
Right: This is an alternate name for the pass bet.
Seven-Out: This is a roll of seven after the point has been set.
Shooter: This is the player that is holding and rolling the dice during a given round.
Snake Eyes: A total roll of two (where each dice face displays a one).
Stickman: The dealer that oversees the dice action—giving the shooter the dice and calling each roll.
Strategy: A way of playing designed to increase the player's chance of winning craps.
Street Craps: The version of the game played on the streets. Unlike bank craps, players actually compete against each other.
System: A means of betting designed to minimize a player’s chance of losing and increase his/her winning craps ratio.
Wrong: This is an alternate name for the don't pass bet.
We hope you found these craps definitions helpful and fun. Whether you’re playing in a real or virtual casino, playing land or online craps, the above terms and slang will prove useful for improving your understanding of the game and increasing your losing to winning craps ratio. Return to this craps glossary whenever you need a refresher course.