- Craps terminology includes common and rarer lingo.
- Knowledge of craps terms can help bettors feel comfortable as they play.
- Most craps terms are intuitive in connection to their meanings.
When you’re new to any casino experience, you’ll undoubtedly come across some new jargon or familiar words in a new context. Craps consistently provides those experiences for many people new to the game.
There’s plenty of common craps terminology, and some craps table lingo that’s used only in specific situations. As bettors gain knowledge in how to play craps, that vocabulary only grows.
If you need these craps terms explained, these phrases are easy for bettors to learn in the majority of cases. This is why one of the most common beginner craps tips is to get a handle on them.
The Most Common Craps Terms for Players
Any good craps glossary addresses the most commonly used actions during gameplay. It’s difficult to formulate solid craps strategies without being familiar with these terms.
Come Out Roll
Among all beginner craps terms referencing parts of the process of gameplay, this is perhaps the most pertinent. The Come Out Roll refers to the first roll of any round of betting or the roll that follows the point failing or being made.
Craps
In most games, with the exception of crapless craps, this term refers to a roll that results in a two, three, or 12. These results can determine bets on the Come Out roll depending on how the players wager.
Don’t Pass Line
One of the more common selections from the craps betting terms list, the Don’t Pass Line means a wager against the shooter on the Come Out roll. The bet wins if the result of the roll is a two or three, pushes for a 12, and loses if the shooter rolls a seven or 11 in most games.
Natural
When the shooter rolls a seven or 11 on a Come Out roll. This is usually a win for Pass Line bettors and a loss for wagered on the Don’t Pass line.
Pass Line
A wager that backs the shooter on the Come Out roll. In most versions of craps, this bet wins on a Natural and loses if the result is a two or a three.
Point
If the Come Out roll results in a number other than two, three, seven, 11, or 12, that number becomes known as the Point. The shooter’s aim becomes to roll that number again before rolling a seven.
Seven Out
After a Point has been established for a betting round, the shooter may “seven out” if they roll a seven before rolling the point again. In this instance, Pass Line bets lose and Don’t Pass Line bets win.
Shooter
The most essential of all craps slang meanings, this simply refers to the person throwing the dice on any given betting round. In online versions of craps and live dealer games, bettors don’t have to worry about this and can focus on their bets.
Betting Terminology for Beginners in Craps Play
Whether you’re looking to hone your live dealer craps strategies, try out some digital versions of the game, or brush up before playing at a physical casino, it’s good to know the names of a greater variety of bets so you can recognize your options. These are the most useful terms in this regard.
Big 6/Big 8
This wager hits when the shooter rolls a six or an eight prior to a seven being rolled. You might not always find this option when you’re playing online craps.
Buy Bet
This is a wager that cancels the house edge and instead charges a commission on wins. With these wagers, you get true odds, but whether it’s good value depends on the number you’re looking for.
Come Bet
After the point has been established in a round of betting, craps bettors can place a Come bet, which works similarly to a Pass Line bet. A seven or 11 wins, while a two, three, or 12 loses. It can introduce variety into mathematical craps strategies.
Don’t Come Bet
The opposite of a Come Bet, but also placed after a point has been established. This wager resembles the Don’t Pass bet before the point’s establishment. A roll of a two or three wins, a seven or 11 loses, and a 12 is a tie.
Field Bet
This wager covers a “field” of numbers. These are 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, and 12 on the subsequent roll. Some casinos may give better odds to certain numbers (typically the two and 12) in that field as well.
Hardways
This is a set of bets that hinges upon whether a “hard” pair is rolled on the next throw. For example, a “hard” four is a pair of twos, a “hard” six is a pair of threes, a “hard” eight is a pair of fours, and so on.
Horn Bet
A wager that stakes the numbers two, three, 11, and 12. Your wager is split evenly across these four numbers.
Lay Bet
A lay bet has a structure similar to a Buy Bet in that it winners pay a commission to get true odds. However, it differs from the Buy bet because you wager on a seven being rolled before another number, whereas the Buy bet stakes a particular number being rolled before the seven.
Odds Bet
This is a common side bet that adds an extra stake after a point has been established. It works to diminish the house edge on Come, Don’t Come, Don’t Pass, and Pass bets.
Place Bet
After a Come Out roll takes place, bettors can choose any number to Place. The numbers that can be wagered on are 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10. These bets win if the chosen number is rolled before a seven.
Improve Your Craps Knowledge at BetMGM
When you’re mastering the etiquette of craps and other aspects of the game, grasping the terminology is equally important. When you recognize the lingo, you can focus on the game action and devote all your attention to the outcomes.
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Register to get that bonus and put your new craps knowledge to use. In no time, you’ll be using craps lingo like you’ve been playing the game for years.
