Craps Lingo
Before you check out the rules and learn to play craps, you should take some time and learn the craps lingo. Getting a grip on craps lingo will help you understand what’s going on around you, and in turn improve your game. The following are basic craps colloquialisms you should know.
Boxcars
Also referred to as midnight or cornrows, boxcars are a pair of sixes.
The Boxman
This is the supervisor who sits between the stickman, the shooter and the other craps players.
Hard 2, 4, 6, 8, 10
A hard number is the result of rolling doubles. For example a hard 4 is two 2’s. Betting on a hard number greatly decreases your chances of winning, as it is statistically less likely. For example to roll a normal 8 you have a 4 in 36 chance, whereas to roll a hard 8 you have a 2 in 36 chance. These are the types of odds you need to know (and understand) if you are going to learn to play advanced craps.
Hi-Lo’s
A hi-lo refers to a bet on a 2 and a 12, while a hi-lo-yo refers to a bet on 2, 11 and 12.
Line Bets
The pass line and don’t pass line lower the house odds more than any other bets on the craps table. To win a pass line bet the shooter must roll a 7 or an 11 on the opening roll, and loses only if the shooter rolls a 2, 3 or 12. The don’t pass line is the opposite scenario, except the 12 is neutral (although in some casinos the 2 is neutral and the 12 not).
The Shooter
The shooter is the person throwing the craps dice. You bet on what this person throws.
Snake Eyes
Also referred to as aces in some situations, snake eyes are a pair of 1’s.
The Stickman
The dealer with the “stick” who pushes the dice to the shooter is called the stickman. The stickman may be backed up by up to three other dealers, depending on how busy the casino is at the time.
Yo or Yo-leven
This refers to the number eleven. After several nasty incidents whereby players misheard the dealer and believed the outcome to be a seven as opposed to an eleven, this name came into usage to prevent this misunderstanding from recurring.