Whether you are new to craps, or a seasoned professional, this list of craps terminology and slang is bound to have something you’ll enjoy!
From craps stick calls to player shout-outs, and even some basic terminology you’ll hear at the table.
If you have suggestions on terms to add, please share them below.
Dealer Calls
2 – Snake eyes, aces, eyeballs, aces in both places, two bad boys from illinois
3 – Acey-deucey, 2-1 son of a gun, winner on the dark side
4 – Ballerina special, little joe, two spots two dots
5 – Racetrack driver, fever five, little phoebe
6 – pair of tres, waiter’s roll, thirty-three
7 – 7 out. Line away, 3-4 now we’re poor, 6-1 you’re done, 5-2 you’re through
8 – square pair, ozzie and harriet, windows, 44 that’s me
9 – Center field, center of the garden, nina, 45
10 – Hard 10 girls best friend, 55 to stay alive, big one on the end, 64 out the door
11 – Yo, Yo levin
12 – midnight, all the spots all the dots, boxcar
Craps Betting Terms
Big Red – A bet that the next roll will be a 7.
Yo leven – A bet that the next roll will be an 11.
Midnight – A bet the next roll will be a 12.
Aces or Snake eyes – A bet that the next roll will be 2.
Hi lo – A bet on 12 and 2.
Hi Lo yo – A bet on 12, 2, and 11.
World/whirl – A horn bet plus any seven.
Horn bet – A one-time bet on 2, 3, 11, 12. Four units are needed and spread equally, so $4 ($1 each) or $8 ($2 each), or $20 ($5 each) for example. More on horn bets.
Horn High (2,3,11, or 12) – When a player throws more than 4 units for a horn bet, the extra will go on the number they call high. More on horn bets.
Line bet – Short for pass line bet.
Lay bet – A bet that the 7 will hit before the number being “laid”
Ace deuce – A bet on 3, the dice will show a 1 and 2.
Hard (insert number) – Bet on 4, 6, 8, 0r 10 that the dice will be paired. I.e. For a hard 8 the dice will show a 4/4.
Don’t Bet – Betting against the shooter, hoping they throw a 7 before hitting their point.
Wrong bettor – Someone betting the Don’t Pass line.
On, or Working – When a player calls their bets on, even if the point is off.
Off – When a player calls their bets off.
Parley – When a bet hits and the player adds all of the winnings to the existing bet.
2-Way – When a player bets for themself and the dealers.
Inside – Numbers 5, 6, 8, and 9.
Outside – Numbers 4 and 10.
Hop bet – A one-time bet on any dice combination. “Hop the 3, 2” for example.
Press – Increasing your bet when being paid.
Crap Check – Betting a 2, 3, or 12 will roll next, played as a hedge against losing your pass line bet.
Field bet – One time bet in the field (2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 12). More on Field bets.
Come bet – Its like making a pass line bet, but each come bet essentially establishes its own point. More on come bets.
House edge – The percentage advantage the house has on any given bet based on probability and payout.
Proposition bets – One roll bet on anything in the middle of the craps table. Horn, hop bets, hardways etc.
Place bet – Betting on the 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10
True odds – Favorable odds payout for the player, no house advantage on the odds
Dice Slang
Aces – Pair of 1’s showing
Ace deuce – 1 and 2 showing
Hard 4! 2 and 2 showing.
Hard 6! 3 and 3 showing.
Hard 8! 4 and 4 showing
Hard 9! What? Yes – 5 and 4 showing
Hard 10! 5 and 5 showing
Yo or Yo leven – 5 and 6 showing
Boxcars, or Midnight – 6 and 6 showing
Craps Stick Calls
Little joe – Hard 4.
Natural – Throwing a 7 or eleven on the come out roll.
Off and on – Paying a come bet when a new come bet would have taken its place. Instead of swapping money, they just leave them in place.
Garden – The field.
Center Field – 9
Light it – When the player establishes a point
Color in – When a player exchanges smaller denomination chips for larger.
Black – $100 chip
Red – $5 chip
Green – $25 chip
No field 5 – 5
George – Referring to a courteous player who tips the dealers
Hit a brick – When the dice hit a stack of chips on the table
In the Dough – When a dice ends up on top of the extra chips sitting in the middle of the table, results in a no-roll.
Lights out – When the point is hit, or a player 7’s out. It’s a reminder to turn the puck off.
Lock it up – Reminder to a player to pick up their chips when they’re paid from a bet.
Mop – Refers to the dealers stick
Whip – Another name for the stick
Puck – The on/off button
Ozzie and harriet – A hard 8
Skinny – A bet on any 7
Stroker – Referring to a player who string bets, or holds up the game
Player Submitted
Little Joe from Kokomo – Hard 4 is rolled
The zipper ripper – Hard 10
It’s 12, you’re really late – 12
Hit us in the Tutu – Hard 4
Have more phrases to add?
If you have a good phrase, please share it and we will review/update and get it added to the list.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve been around a craps table, you’ve probably heard at least a few of these. Dealers can get pretty creative calling the dice. I wish I had been keeping track over the years.
Check out my article on advanced craps betting strategies.
Good luck on the craps table!
