Your Guide to Casino Gaming Strategy and Probability
Essential Terms for Understanding Throws, Betting Odds, and Table Etiquette
Master the language of craps with our comprehensive glossary. Learn the terminology that professional players and dealers use, understand probability concepts, and discover proper table conduct for this exciting dice game.
The first roll of a new round in craps. This roll establishes the point number (any result between 4 and 10) or results in a natural (7 or 11) or craps (2, 3, or 12). The come out roll is the foundation of the entire game structure and determines whether the shooter will win or lose immediately, or continue rolling to establish the point.
Any number from 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 that is established on the come out roll. Once a point is established, the shooter continues rolling until they either repeat the point number (winning the pass line bet) or roll a 7 (losing the pass line bet). The point number is marked on the craps table layout with a puck to indicate which number is currently in play.
When a 7 is rolled after the point has been established, ending the shooter's turn. A seven out causes all pass line bets to lose and transfers the dice to the next player. This term reflects the mathematical reality that 7 is the most likely outcome when rolling two dice, making it the most probable way to end a round after a point is set.
Rolling two ones (1-1) for a total of 2. This is the lowest possible outcome on a craps roll and is considered craps on the come out roll, resulting in an immediate loss for pass line bettors. The term "snake eyes" comes from the visual appearance of two dice each showing a single dot, resembling the eyes of a snake.
Rolling two sixes (6-6) for a total of 12. This is the highest possible outcome and counts as craps on the come out roll. The term originates from the railroad industry, where railroad cars had numbers on them, and two sixes resembled the numbers on box cars. Box cars is also an immediate loss for pass line bettors on the come out roll.
The mathematical advantage that the casino maintains over players in the long run. In craps, house edge varies depending on the bet type, ranging from 1.4% on pass line bets to over 16% on proposition bets. Understanding house edge helps players make informed decisions about which bets offer better odds and longer-term viability.
The actual mathematical probability of a specific outcome occurring, expressed as a ratio. For example, the true odds of rolling a 7 are 6 to 5 (six ways to roll a 7 out of 36 possible combinations). Understanding true odds versus the payout odds offered by the casino is crucial for identifying favorable bets that minimize the house edge.
An optional wager made after the point is established, paying true odds with no house edge. This is considered one of the best bets available in craps because the payout matches the actual probability of the outcome. Players can take or lay odds depending on their position, effectively reducing the overall house edge on their combined pass line and odds bet.
The casino dealer who stands in the middle of the craps table, controlling the dice, announcing outcomes, and managing proposition bets in the center of the table. The stickman sets the tone for the game and is responsible for maintaining proper game flow. Good table etiquette includes listening to the stickman's calls and respecting their decisions on outcomes.
The casino employee who sits at the craps table overseeing the game, managing the casino's money, and resolving disputes. The boxman supervises both the stickman and the dealers on either end of the table. Players should address concerns about fair play or rule disputes to the boxman rather than arguing with dealers.