Craps Table Meaning

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There are many different bets you can make on the craps table. This often confuses new players but in actual fact craps is not that complicated. In this section we outline all of the possible betting options and show you where those bets go on the table.

The Craps Table

Below is an example of a craps table. The image shows a half table layout as seen on the Microgaming online craps game. Tables at other casinos might look slightly different but the layouts are very similar.

The Different Bets

  • The Language of the Craps Table Over the years, craps players and dealers have developed their own language for bets, the layout, and the overall action of the dice. Some of the sayings are fun and easy to understand; others were developed to help the dealers understand each other, such as calling E-O-Leven, or Yo-Leven when the dice total 11.
  • The traditional material of a craps table layout is felt, but many new tables have several types of synthetic fibers substituting for the felt. Casinos have put in these fibers for three reasons; they last longer, they can be more colorful, and more creative designs can be made on them.
  • – Charting a table is a reference meaning the outcomes of a craps table are being kept track of. Capped Dice – Capped dice are said to be crooked or loaded craps dice. Change Only – Change only means that a player must convert cash into gambling chips before placing a craps bet rather than just placing a cash money bet.

Alignment refers to how the dice line up with the craps table. They should line up as if they were sitting flat on the table. Delivery means the actual throw. You’re required to throw the dice hard enough to hit the opposite wall.


Pass Line

The most common craps bet. The Pass Line bet is made on the come out roll and wins if a 7 or 11 is rolled. If a 2, 3 or 12 is rolled the bet loses. If any other number is rolled the point is established. If the point is rolled before a 7 the bet wins. If a 7 is rolled the bet loses. Pays even money.

Pass Line Odds

Also known as 'Taking the Odds', the Pass Line Odds bet is an extra bet that can be made after a Pass Line bet is made and the point is established. In most cases this can be a multiple of your Pass Line bet. The bet wins if the point is rolled before a 7. This is one of the few best in the casino that has no house edge. The point determines the pay out with the most common being 2 to 1 (4 or 10), 3 to 2 (5 or 9) and 6 to 5 (6 or 8).

Don't Pass Line

The opposite bet to the Pass Line Bet. The Don't Pass bet wins if the come out roll is a 2 or 3 and loses if the come out roll is a 7 or 11. If a 12 is rolled this is a push. In the case of a push or if the point is established the dice continue to be rolled until either a 7 or the point is rolled. The bet wins if a 7 is rolled and loses if the point is roll. Wins pay even money.

Don't Pass Odds

Also known as 'Laying The Odds', this be is the opposite to Taking the Odds and wins if a 7 is rolled before the point. In most cases this bet can be a multiple of your Don't Pass bet. The pay out depends on the point with the most common being 1 to 2 (4 or 10), 2 to 3 (5 or 9) and 5 to 6 (6 or 8).

Come

The same as the Pass Line Bet with the exception that it can be made at any time after the point is established. The bet wins if a 7 or 11 is rolled and lose if a 2, 3 or 12 is rolled. If any other number is rolled this becomes your point. You win if your point is rolled before a 7. Pays even money.

Don't Come

The opposite of the Come bet and can be made at any time after the point is established. Wins if a 2 or 3 is rolled and loses if a 7 or 11 is rolled. If a 12 is rolled the bet pushes. If a point is established you win if a 7 is rolled before your point. Pays even money.

Place Bets

A bet made on 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10 that can be made at any time. Wins if the number is rolled before a 7. This bet is the same as the odds bets but with lower pay outs. The standard pay outs are as follows 9 to 5 (4 or 10), 7 to 5 (5 or 9) and 7 to 6 (6 to 8)

Place Bets To Lose

A relatively rare betting option found at some land based casinos but quite common online. This bet is the opposite of the Place Bets. The bet can be made at any time and wins if a 7 is rolled before your number. Pay off are usually 5 to 11 (4 or 10), 5 to 8 (5 or 9), 4 to 5 (6 or 8).

Buy Bets

These bets are similar to the Place Bets with different pay offs. A Buy Bet can be placed at any time on any of the points. This bet wins if the point is rolled before a 7. Pay offs are the same as the odds but casinos take a 5% vig on the bet. Wins pay 2 to 1 (4 or 10), 3 to 2 (5 or 9) and 6 to 5 (6 or 8).

Lay Bets

The opposite to the Buy Bet. A Lay Bet can be placed on any point and wins if a 7 is rolled before the point. Due to the fact that a 7 being rolled is more likely the casinos take a 5% commission on the amount that can be won. Pay off are 1 to 2 (4 or 10), 2 to 3 (5 or 9) and 5 to 6 (6 or 8).

Big 6 and 8

A bet on Big 6 or Big 8 wins if a 6 or an 8 is rolled before a 7. These bets pay even money and should be avoided as you can make the same bet on the Place 6 or 8 and get better pay offs.

Field Bet

The Field betting areas is a big section on the craps table. A bet placed on the field wins if the next roll is a 2, 3, 4, 9, 10 or 11. If the next roll is a 3, 4, 9 or 11 you win even money. If a 2 or a 12 is rolled you win 2 to 1.

Hardways

There are four possible hardways bets (2-2, 3-3, 4-4 and 5-5). Hardways bets can be made at any time and win if the selected hardway rolls before a 7. The bet loses if a 7 is rolled or if the total is rolled with a different combination. Hardways 6 and 8 pay 9 to 1. Hardways 4 and 10 pay 7 to 1.

Any 7

Wins if a 7 is rolled and loses if any other number is rolled. Pays 4 to 1.

Any Craps

Wins is a 2, 3 or 12 is rolled and loses on any other number . Pays 7 to 1

Two Craps or Aces

Also known as Snake Eyes. Wins if a 2 is rolled and pays 30 to 1.

Twelve Craps or Two Sixes

Wins if a 12 is rolled and loses on all other numbers. Pays 30 to 1

Three Craps or Ace Deuce

Wins if a 3 is rolled and loses on all other rolls. Pays 15 to 1

Eleven or Six Five

Wins if 11 is rolled and loses on all other rolls. Pays 15 to 1

Horn Bet

The Horn Bet is actually four bets in one. You are placing one betting unit on 2, 3, 11 and 12. If 3 or 11 is rolled wins pay 3.75 to 1. If 2 or 12 is rolled wins pay 7.5 to 1. Any other number rolled and the bet loses.

Just like other casino games, Craps has plenty of terms, slang and jargon that can be heard at the Craps table or around it. Knowing these terms makes the game a little easier to understand and play. Don’t be afraid to ask a fellow player or one of the casino employees about any slang terms you hear at the craps table.

Aces – Betting that the next roll will be the total sum of 2.

Any Craps – A bet that the next roll will be 2, 3, or 12.

Any Seven – A bet that the next roll will be 7.

Arm – Term used to describe a player who is skilled at throwing the dice, sometimes even suggesting that the player can alter the result by the way he throws.

Back Line – same as the Don’t Pass Line.

Betting Right – Pass Line and Come bets.

Betting Wrong – Don’t Pass Line and Don’t Come bets.

Big Eight – Even money bet that an 8 is rolled before a 7.

Big Six – Even money bet that a 6 is rolled before a 7.

Big Red – Betting on any 7 being rolled.

Boxcars – Two 6s.

Boxman – The casino employee who sits behind the table between the two dealers and is in charge of the houses’ chips and overseeing all activity on the table

Buffalo – Betting on all the Hard Ways and Any Seven.

Buy Bets- 5% commission paid to the house so that the correct odds are paid

C &E – One time bet that the next roll will be any craps (2, 3, or 12) or 11.

Capped Dice – non standard, crooked dice which are no longer playable.

Center Bets – Also known as proposition bets, they are placed in the center of the table.

Cold Table – Something every Craps player hates! This table is losing often because shooters are not making points.

Come Bet – wager that the shooter will roll his point

Come Out Roll – The first roll by a shooter, either at the beginning of his turn or after he has made a point.

Craps Out – rolling a craps on the come out roll includes loss of pass line bets

Craps – The name of the game as well as a roll of 2, 3 or 12

Dealer 001f- the two casino employees on the sides of the Boxman who handle placing the bets and payouts

Don’t Come – Betting that the shooter will roll a 7 before he rolls his point.

Don’t Pass Bet – Making a bet against the dice before a Come Out roll.

Don’t Pass Bar – opposite of a Pass Line bet

Double Odds – Doubles the initial Pass Line, Don’t Pass Line, Come, Don’t Come bets.

Easy Way – A dice roll of 4, 6, 8, and 10 with each die having a different number.

Edge – The casino’s advantage over the player.

Even Money – 1:1 payout

Field Bet – A bet on 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11 or 12.

Floorman – casino employee who stands behind the craps table, dealers with players and credit

Free Odds Bet – Taken at true odds.

Front Line – Same as the Pass Line.

Hard Way- Betting on a 4, 6, 8 or 10 when both dice are the same number

Hi-Lo – One roll bet that the next roll will be a 2 or 12

Hope Bet – Single time bet that the dice will land on specific numbers.

Horn Bet – A bet on 2, 3, 11 and 12 with the same amount.

Horn High Bet – bet amount is split into five parts. Two parts on the high number 12 and three units for the other numbers 2, 3 and 11.

Hot Table – The best kind to play on! A Hot Table will have shooters making points and lots of money for other players. You can always spot these tables by the crowds around them and the noise coming from them.

Inside Numbers – 5, 6, 8 and 9. Used mostly when placing bets dice

Line Bet – Bet on the Pass Line or Don’t Pass Line.

Lay Bet – Betting that a point number will not be rolled before a 7 is thrown

Lay Odds – Additional odds bet against the dice

Layout – painted marks on the felt showing all bets that can be made

Little Joe – A Hard 4 or rolling 2 2s

Table

Loaded dice – dice that are weighted, results in specific rolled numbers

MarkerBuck/Puck- A Plastic disk that the dealers use to mark the point on the Craps table; ‘Off’ or ‘On’.

Midnight – One time roll bet on 12.

Natural – 7 or 11 on the come out roll.

Odds – ratio of an event occurring, generally the amount paid out per winning bet

Off – bets will not be active on the next dice roll.

On – active

One Roll Bets – betting on a single dice roll

Outside Numbers – 4, 5 9, and 10.

Parlay – Using winnings to increase a bet, usually double (let it ride/ press the bet).

Pass Line (Bet) – Betting the dice will win or pass.

Payoff – winnings on a wager

Pit Boss – Casino employee responsible for all craps tables in one area of casino

Place Bet – betting a point number will be thrown before a 7 comes out.

Place Numbers – 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10.

Point – number established on Come Out roll 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10

Craps Table Meaning Example

Point Number – One of the numbers 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10 determined on the come out roll.

Press (a Bet) – use winnings to double a bet.

Proposition Bets – Prop Bets – single roll bets and the hardway bet.

Rail – The grooved area along the top of the craps table where chips are kept

Right Bettor – A player who bets that the shooter will make the Point.

Roll- single throw of the dice

Rounding – Payout rounding. Rounding up or down the amount.

Seven Out – When a 7 is thrown after a point has been established and before the point number is rolled again thus ending the shooters turn.

Shooter - The player who is currently rolling the dice.

Snake Eyes – When you roll a two in craps. Each die looks like a snake’s eye

Stickman – A casino employee standing opposite the Boxman who calls out the dice rolls and returns the dice to the shooter, also responsible for the placing and paying the proposition bets.

Toke – A tip given to the dealer usually made on a line or prop bet

The Point – The number established on the come-out roll. Only place numbers (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10) can become the point. The shooter attempts to roll the point number again before throwing a 7 in order to win that round of pass line or come betting.

Three-way Craps – A bet made in units of 3 with one unit on 2, one unit on 3, and one unit on 12.

True Odds- odds a particular number will be rolled on any single dice roll

Unit – bet size used as standard of measurement

Vigorish – or Vig. The casino edge or commission taken by the house.

Working – Bets that are active on any given roll

Whirl Bet – Betting on 2, 3, 7, 11 or 12 with the same amount.

Craps Table Meaning Math

Wrong Bettor – A player betting the dice will not pass. A player who bets the shooter will not make the point and instead he will Seven-Out.

Craps Table Meaning

Yo – The number 11. Also called Yo-leven