What are the common phrases used by the stickman to call a craps game?
November 16th, 2016 at 5:04:53 AM
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What are the typical phrases that stickmen use to call a craps game in progress? The only one I can think of is "Yo! Eleven!" Every number has a nickname, right? Easy eight, and so on.
November 16th, 2016 at 5:21:52 AM
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You'll often hear "no-field 5" to distinguish it from the similar-sounding call of "9" (and to remind players and dealers that the field bet is lost). Or "the aces" or "the eyes" for a 2.
Not necessarily "common" these days, but there's always "little Joe form Kokomo" for a 4. You still may hear "Eighter from Decatur" every once in a great while.
My all-time favorite call I heard years ago was "Brooklyn Forest" for a hard 6.
Not necessarily "common" these days, but there's always "little Joe form Kokomo" for a 4. You still may hear "Eighter from Decatur" every once in a great while.
My all-time favorite call I heard years ago was "Brooklyn Forest" for a hard 6.
When Stick caught my quizzical look, he explained, "Two 'trees.' In Brooklyn, that's a forest."
"Dealer has 'rock'... Pay 'paper!'"
November 16th, 2016 at 5:40:54 AM
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One call that I found amusing was for hard four.
The Bishop Desmond two two
The Bishop Desmond two two
Happy days are here again
November 16th, 2016 at 11:08:34 AM
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Quote: chuser
What are the typical phrases that stickmen use to call a craps game in progress?
How about, "Seven out! Line away!" Ugh!
November 16th, 2016 at 11:27:39 AM
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"Cinco, Dos. ¡Adios!"
November 16th, 2016 at 3:13:29 PM
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Quote: chuserWhat are the typical phrases that stickmen use to call a craps game in progress? The only one I can think of is "Yo! Eleven!" Every number has a nickname, right? Easy eight, and so on.
2 = "TWO crap Aces," if coming out, "Take the line, Pay the don't"
3 = "THREE crap Ace-Deuce, if coming out, "Take the line, Pay the don't"
4 = "FOUR Hard/Easyway," if coming out "Mark the Four," if a winner, Pay the line, take the don't. If the four were laid, "Down behind the four."
5 = "FIVE, No Field," if coming out "Mark the Five," if a winner, Pay the line, take the don't. If the five were laid, "Down behind the five."
6 = "SIX Hard/Easyway, NO Field" if coming out "Mark the Six," if a winner, Pay the line, take the don't. If the six were laid, "Down behind the six."
7 = "Seven winner, pay the line" or "Seven OUT, take the line, pay the don'ts and last comes"
8 = EIGHT Hard/Easyway, NO Field" if coming out "Mark the EIGHT," if a winner, Pay the line, take the don't. If the eight were laid, "Down behind the eight."
9 = "NINE, Field roll, if a winner, Pay the line, take the don't. If the nine were laid, "Down behind the nine."
10 = TEN Hard/Easyway, Field roll" if coming out "Mark the TEN," if a winner, Pay the line, take the don't. If the ten were laid, "Down behind the ten."
11 = "Yo Eleven." If coming out, "Take the don't and pay the line. If a point and a DC (don't come) bet were present, "Take the DC
12 = "TWELVE crap," if coming out, "Take the line, PUSH the don't"
Easy and Hard apply to 4, 6, 8, and 10, as to whether they were form by two identical dice numbers (such as a 5-5 dice roll forming a HARD ten) or easy (such as a 6-4 dice picture).
Beware of all enterprises that require new clothes - Henry David Thoreau. Like Dealers' uniforms - Dan.
November 16th, 2016 at 4:49:07 PM
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The thing to remember is that the Stick is actually calling the game TO the base dealers, telling them each time what to do and what sequence to do it in.
You get variations such as "light up" for "mark".... it still means take that hockey puck and turn it from its dark side marked off to its light side marked on and position it on the newly established Point Number.
You get variations such as "light up" for "mark".... it still means take that hockey puck and turn it from its dark side marked off to its light side marked on and position it on the newly established Point Number.
November 16th, 2016 at 4:49:24 PM
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3 = "a buck and a duck" at Hollywood Cbus, anyway.
one or both dice land in the chip rack = "No good it's in the wood" or "Too tall, that's all, y'all"
one or both dice land in the chip rack = "No good it's in the wood" or "Too tall, that's all, y'all"
November 16th, 2016 at 11:47:46 PM
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what number did I get on the e.o.
get second you pig
November 17th, 2016 at 12:21:52 AM
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Quote: FleaStiffThe thing to remember is that the Stick is actually calling the game TO the base dealers, telling them each time what to do and what sequence to do it in.
You get variations such as "light up" for "mark".... it still means take that hockey puck and turn it from its dark side marked off to its light side marked on and position it on the newly established Point Number.
Yes, the stickman is calling the game for the base dealers, not necessarily the players. Especially on a crowded table, it can be easy to forget to take a losing DC or lay bet or move a DC behind a number, since those bets are more rare compared to pass line/come/field/etc.
A "proper" stick-call, which you'll probably only hear by an inexperienced dealer at a break-in house or some veteran who loves his job too much, is something like this: "Four, easy four, down behind the four, field roll four, don't's and comes travel to the four." A proper stick call is also the order in which the dealers are supposed to take/pay bets. And technically, the don't-come bets are supposed to get moved before the come bets.
What can get really frustrated is on a busy table where people are playing come-bets occasionally, you (dealer) will run into this scenario. You have 6 people on your side, players 1, 2, and 5 have a come-bet on the FOUR. The following roll, players 2, 3, 5, 6 have a come-bet in the come area and a FOUR is rolled. Proper order to pay/move bets is to pay #1, do off-and-on for #2 (unless flat-bet is different amount), move come bet #3 to the FOUR, do off-and-on for #5, then move #6's come bet. Not sure why I wrote that, but I did.
That isn't to say some stickmen won't add some "flare" for whatever reason, and say stupid sh*t like "Little joe from cocomo" or whatever. The dealers I've worked with that'd do that, at least the ones that were encouraging players to join their table (ESPECIALLY a dead game), didn't last long. One guy, I think his nickname was the flea-catcher or flea-bringer or something, ended up crying for a majority of the shift because none of the dealers liked him. He ended up moving shifts, because no boxman wanted to sit on the table he was dealing on. The boxmen would rather be stuck on the worst (busiest) tables all night with a bunch of players constantly asking for then paying off markers than sit on flea-catcher's table with 1 player.
If there's a hop-bet, stickman should call out the way it landed. ie: "Nine, center nine, came six three" or "Five, no field, five, came three two" (or "trey deuce") If a player hopped a 5-3, then the dealer would call out how the dice landed IF an 8 is rolled, otherwise, no need to call how it came (unless it's a hardway, for instance, like hard 4/6/10).
Quote: ontariodealerwhat number did I get on the e.o.
+1
November 17th, 2016 at 4:49:01 AM
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If a player is on the Don't and the come out roll is a 12 you might hear, "We just paid the light bill." (This statement would only be said to the person on the don't, not to the table.)
November 17th, 2016 at 5:21:20 AM
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I feel it is appropriate to add at this time that Stick Calls may indeed also be for entertainment purposes and that some fancy stuff can be added to give a busy dealer some more time so as to avoid 'running him over' by moving the dice too fast.
Some sticks will say 'came Easy, Bet it Hard'. Came easy is the important information, the Bet it Hard is an exhortation to the players to remind them of the availability of Center bets. And of course I'm sure you've all heard of the neophyte dealer who when asked by a player "which way did it come" replied "It came from down there (indicating the end of the table)".
Its nice to have some entertaining patter or to have a crew that asks the waitress for drinks (fat chance of their getting that on duty). Slow tables can be mean and a little banter can be fun.
Some sticks will say 'came Easy, Bet it Hard'. Came easy is the important information, the Bet it Hard is an exhortation to the players to remind them of the availability of Center bets. And of course I'm sure you've all heard of the neophyte dealer who when asked by a player "which way did it come" replied "It came from down there (indicating the end of the table)".
Its nice to have some entertaining patter or to have a crew that asks the waitress for drinks (fat chance of their getting that on duty). Slow tables can be mean and a little banter can be fun.
November 17th, 2016 at 5:48:34 AM
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Quote: FleaStiff
... a little banter can be fun.
While center-bet related, but not stick banter, I had this happen once: I was on a long, LONG roll and pounding the hard-way bets (which I seldom play). Folks with $5 hard-way bets had press-&-take'd them to black chips and were screaming with excitement. Seems like every other roll was a hardway.
At one point I rolled a 9. The stickman, trying to be heard over the loud crowd, shouted, "NINE. PAY THE FIELD!" I snapped back with, "Was that a hard nine?" Broke up everyone. Two surprised beer drinkers had beer coming out of their noses from laughing with a mouth full of beer.
Aren't those the moments that make craps the great game it is?
November 17th, 2016 at 11:42:04 PM
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2 craps 2, snakeyes, your mother in law
get second you pig
November 17th, 2016 at 11:47:52 PM
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I've heard, "Three, crap flea, Ace Deuce" more times than I can count.
November 19th, 2016 at 3:59:16 PM
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Entertaining stickman calls are fine. But, for me, when the dice land at the far end, I can't hear the number because the stickman's head is turned in the direction of the dice. I understand the stickman needs to keep his/her eyes on the dice @ all times, but if I can't hear the number, I'm not knowing what's going on at my end of the table, mainly, whether my number hit or not. I've complained re: this, before & for a while my dealer will announce the number, but that doesn't last long. There's a lot of background noise in a casino, and, I do have hearing aids. Hearing the number rolled helps me keep in the game.
November 19th, 2016 at 10:03:23 PM
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Not the stickman, but today I heard a craps dealer describe the Field bet as the "Craps buffet".
I invented a few casino games. Info:
http://www.DaveMillerGaming.com/ —————————————————————————————————————
Superstitions are silly, childish, irrational rituals, born out of fear of the unknown. But how much does it cost to knock on wood? 😁
November 19th, 2016 at 10:23:01 PM
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Hard 10, lady's friend.
November 20th, 2016 at 7:37:19 AM
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12 should be a lady's friend because it's always hard.
November 20th, 2016 at 8:09:48 PM
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I like to practice playing craps on the app "Craps Trainer Pro". If sound is enabled, the imaginary stickman calls the rolls. This helps familiarization with the calls. However, there is one call that I am not familiar with. After the point is established, if a 6 or 8 (not the point) is rolled, there is a call that I can't determine is either "corner" or "quarter". I can't figure out what that means.
"6, (easy/hard) 6, no field, quarter/corner, comes go to 6"
"8, (easy/hard) 8, no field, quarter/corner, comes go to 8"
"6, (easy/hard) 6, no field, quarter/corner, comes go to 6"
"8, (easy/hard) 8, no field, quarter/corner, comes go to 8"
November 20th, 2016 at 8:56:25 PM
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They might be saying "corner". There's an old bet called the big six-eight that was located on the two corners either side of the stick. I think it didn't pay as well as placing the 6-8, or it was a duplicate, so it gradually went away. I could be wrong.
If the House lost every hand, they wouldn't deal the game.
November 20th, 2016 at 9:08:56 PM
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I never understood why anyone with a clue would make that even money bet on placing six / eight.
Glad it's gone.
Glad it's gone.
"What, me worry?"
November 21st, 2016 at 12:27:19 AM
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It's "corner". It's nearest to the player on the hook (person 3-4 away from stickman and base dealer).
It pays even money. You can either bet the 6, the 8, or both.
It pays even money. You can either bet the 6, the 8, or both.
November 21st, 2016 at 5:43:40 AM
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No, you're spot-on, Babs! I have had computer craps games that would occasionally call 6/8 both a "corner rug 6/8" and a "corner red 6/8." I think the "red" referred to the fact that the Big 6/Big 8 bets were printed in red on the layout. I have never heard either of these calls in an actual casino.Quote: beachbumbabsThey might be saying "corner". There's an old bet called the big six-eight that was located on the two corners either side of the stick. I think it didn't pay as well as placing the 6-8, or it was a duplicate, so it gradually went away. I could be wrong.
Like the Field Bet, the Big 6/Big 8 was designed as a self-service bet that is (sort of) self-explanatory to someone unfamiliar to the game. And like the Field, it carries a high edge. Craps layouts make the bad (high HE) bets easy to spot and easy to understand. The better bets are harder to find and/or harder to understand. Heck, the best bet on the table (odds) isn't printed anywhere!
"Dealer has 'rock'... Pay 'paper!'"
November 21st, 2016 at 9:31:06 AM
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Quote: MrV
I never understood why anyone with a clue would make that even money bet on placing six / eight.
I once bet on the Big 6/8 even-money bet. I had forgotten to use a $10 match-play offer that only could be used on even-money payouts. I remembered the match-play offer as I walked past a craps table en route to the parking garage. A roll was in progress, and I didn't have time to play. So I put it on (one of) the 6/8. Don't recall if I won or lost,
As best I recall, casinos still have the Big 6/8 on the layout. Has my memory failed me on such an important question as this? (Perish the thought!)
November 21st, 2016 at 12:08:49 PM
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Disagree. The 6/8 "Corner Red" is mostly gone, and NJ outlawed it on crap tables as usurious.
Haven't seen it in ages.
Haven't seen it in ages.
Beware of all enterprises that require new clothes - Henry David Thoreau. Like Dealers' uniforms - Dan.
November 21st, 2016 at 12:33:35 PM
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"Hey isn't that the guy who used to treat us like shit, not tip and tell us his AP slot was going to take over the casinos and put us out of jobs?"
December 2nd, 2016 at 12:50:09 PM
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Quote: PaigowdanDisagree. The 6/8 "Corner Red" is mostly gone, and NJ outlawed it on crap tables as usurious.
Haven't seen it in ages.
I just saw it on a cruise ship a few weeks ago. Norwegian Getaway.
December 2nd, 2016 at 3:05:31 PM
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This is a little off topic, but speaking of the 8 and 6 bets, I heard recently a story of the original of the term 86, as in to kick somebody out of somewhere in an informal way and not told not to return.
As I was told, the term comes from when organized crime controlled Vegas. To "86" someone meant to take them 8 miles out of town and bury them 6 feet deep.
Can anyone confirm or deny? The source that it comes from strikes me as someone who would be quick to believe an urban legend, but some stories ARE true.
As I was told, the term comes from when organized crime controlled Vegas. To "86" someone meant to take them 8 miles out of town and bury them 6 feet deep.
Can anyone confirm or deny? The source that it comes from strikes me as someone who would be quick to believe an urban legend, but some stories ARE true.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
December 2nd, 2016 at 3:14:43 PM
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I have heard it was a term used in bars.When someone was drunk they would give them 86 proof whiskey instead of the 100 proof.
Though I admit that doesn't seem to be much of a deterrent.
I have heard the Version you said also.
Though I admit that doesn't seem to be much of a deterrent.
I have heard the Version you said also.
Happy days are here again
December 2nd, 2016 at 5:28:22 PM
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"Box Car" 12!
December 4th, 2016 at 1:50:51 AM
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86 was restaurant lingo for 'all out of it' long before Benny Binion even hit town.
The drives were more than eight miles and the graves had darn well better have been more than six feet deep to avoid discovery by scavengers.
One guy got driven to the airport in the trunk of a car while listening to conversation about whose fault it was they had forgotten a shovel.
The drives were more than eight miles and the graves had darn well better have been more than six feet deep to avoid discovery by scavengers.
One guy got driven to the airport in the trunk of a car while listening to conversation about whose fault it was they had forgotten a shovel.
December 4th, 2016 at 7:51:36 AM
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Quote: beachbumbabsThey might be saying "corner". There's an old bet called the big six-eight that was located on the two corners either side of the stick. I think it didn't pay as well as placing the 6-8, or it was a duplicate, so it gradually went away. I could be wrong.
Way back in class the instructor said Big 6/8 was an "extension of the Field Bet." At the time, PA rules were not yet set to if it would or would not be allowed so we had it on our lays. I seriously do not know if it is allowed in PA or not since I know not to play it and don't deal in a casino I really never notice or remember to look.
When I teach players I describe it as "the stupidest bet in the casino." I stress I did not say "worst" as "worst" can be debated. I then say "stupidest" because 20 inches away you get better odds for the same outcome. Then I explain 7:6 vs. 1:1. The number of people who still don't get it then is amazing, BTW. I then explain Big 6/8 is there to sucker the new player too intimidated to talk to dealers. My style of instruction is a bit more "street" than most, so some people get what I am saying and others keep playing it. Oh, well, I did my job.
How about some "After Midnight" calls?
"Four-Hard Four! She is going to show you the door"
"Twelve Boxcar Twelve. Swallow the come and spit in the Field!"
All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others
December 7th, 2016 at 6:37:10 AM
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Quote: PaigowdanDisagree. The 6/8 "Corner Red" is mostly gone, and NJ outlawed it on crap tables as usurious.
Haven't seen it in ages.
I just saw it at Paris on Monday and several other places. I can't remember exactly which places but also played at Planet Hollywood, Flamingo, Cromwell, Caesar's Palace, Binion's, and The D,
December 7th, 2016 at 7:55:23 AM
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What is that casino in town that has two roulette tables side by side, one American and one European. Everyone could get up and move a few feet for better odds, but . . .Quote: AZDuffmanI stress I did not say "worst" as "worst" can be debated. I then say "stupidest" because 20 inches away you get better odds for the same outcome.
December 19th, 2016 at 12:21:10 PM
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Quote: WizardThis is a little off topic, but speaking of the 8 and 6 bets, I heard recently a story of the original of the term 86, as in to kick somebody out of somewhere in an informal way and not told not to return.
As I was told, the term comes from when organized crime controlled Vegas. To "86" someone meant to take them 8 miles out of town and bury them 6 feet deep.
Can anyone confirm or deny? The source that it comes from strikes me as someone who would be quick to believe an urban legend, but some stories ARE true.
According to Wikipedia, this is also a claim made by Doyle Brunson. While organized criminals may have used the term, I highly doubt that they originated it. I'm no historian, but I believe the mob started in Vegas with the Flamingo in 1946 and there are references to the term "86" that predate that time, so ... they stole it!
December 19th, 2016 at 12:45:12 PM
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At local stick man will make a moose sound really really loud on a 10
Expect the worst and you will never be disappointed.
I AM NOT PART OF GWAE RADIO SHOW
December 19th, 2016 at 12:51:10 PM
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How loud does the moose sound at other times?Quote: GWAEAt local stick man will make a moose sound really really loud on a 10
Actually, I would find that annoying. I do like a serious craps game but that does not mean somber. The stick's calls are supposed to keep the base dealers on the right track and to let the players know what is happening in what order so the players don't all start with 'pay me, pay me' nonsense. A bit of humor goes a long way from time to time but its craps, not 'carnival craps'.
December 19th, 2016 at 12:56:20 PM
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Quote: charlestfuller"Box Car" 12!
or "all the spots we got"
December 19th, 2016 at 10:28:21 PM
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Quote: WizardThis is a little off topic, but speaking of the 8 and 6 bets, I heard recently a story of the original of the term 86, as in to kick somebody out of somewhere in an informal way and not told not to return.
As I was told, the term comes from when organized crime controlled Vegas. To "86" someone meant to take them 8 miles out of town and bury them 6 feet deep.
Can anyone confirm or deny? The source that it comes from strikes me as someone who would be quick to believe an urban legend, but some stories ARE true.
years ago an old man told me during the depression 86 meant a store or restaurant was out of something....it probably derived from this 86....you're out.
get second you pig
December 19th, 2016 at 10:44:56 PM
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Good point. Never thought of that before...Quote: JoemanHeck, the best bet on the table (odds) isn't printed anywhere!
December 20th, 2016 at 2:10:48 AM
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I think that perpetuates the myth that casinos don't really want you making odds bets. As if the casino cared how fast you burned through your bank roll. Odds bets just let them shear the sheep faster.
December 23rd, 2016 at 2:15:46 PM
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When the dice go off the table they say something like:
Dice in the lobby, Bobby.
Dice in the lobby, Bobby.
December 23rd, 2016 at 2:35:35 PM
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I've never heard that one. Often its Too Tall To Call ... Alerts the floor ... the dealers keep staring at their end of the table they don't "hawk" the dice or try to follow an errant die.Quote: vanwelyWhen the dice go off the table they say something like:
Dice in the lobby, Bobby.
December 23rd, 2016 at 3:17:05 PM
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Hawking the dice was my favorite. Impossible to understand some dealers who spoke in garbled English.
December 23rd, 2016 at 6:54:10 PM
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EVERY crew member has an assigned sight task as far as visual focus goes. "Hawking" the dice means to follow its path and is often a temptation.
Watching the shooter's hands before and after the release of the dice is not random.
Watching the dice and making the call is the stick's job, he seeks assistance of the base dealer IF the stick can not make out the spots on the dice clearly due to distance or obstructions. The base dealer at the shooter's end of the table does not track the travel path of the dice.
A box or Floor may tell a base dealer to refrain from hawking the dice, he LISTENS for the stick to tell him the results and for the BOX to rule on "no roll" or not. He does not follow the dice or form an opinion as to the quality of the roll. The stick and the box may admonish the shooter, but its the Box who makes the ruling as to bounce/wall/lobbing/etc. Dealer keeps his eyes where they belong.
Watching the shooter's hands before and after the release of the dice is not random.
Watching the dice and making the call is the stick's job, he seeks assistance of the base dealer IF the stick can not make out the spots on the dice clearly due to distance or obstructions. The base dealer at the shooter's end of the table does not track the travel path of the dice.
A box or Floor may tell a base dealer to refrain from hawking the dice, he LISTENS for the stick to tell him the results and for the BOX to rule on "no roll" or not. He does not follow the dice or form an opinion as to the quality of the roll. The stick and the box may admonish the shooter, but its the Box who makes the ruling as to bounce/wall/lobbing/etc. Dealer keeps his eyes where they belong.
December 23rd, 2016 at 11:31:46 PM
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its in the sequoia...I can't call it for ya.
get second you pig
February 6th, 2017 at 10:09:37 PM
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Quote: FleaStiffI think that perpetuates the myth that casinos don't really want you making odds bets. As if the casino cared how fast you burned through your bank roll. Odds bets just let them shear the sheep faster.
Correct. It is not the casino's responsibility that the player doesn't know what the hell they are doing. It is not a mistake that the Field is large and easy to understand, or the Big 6/8, or all the shiny center action that pays out so well. These are the bets the casino wants action on, not unlike all the side bets on blackjack or baccarat or carnival games.
With that said, if there is a novice to the game who is nice and asking questions, I never have a problem telling them "16 ways to win, 20 ways to lose," or "if you want to bet the 6 and 8 you should make it a place bet," because I think that's the moral thing to do.
February 6th, 2017 at 11:26:51 PM
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Quote: vanwelyWhen the dice go off the table they say something like:
Dice in the lobby, Bobby.
when they both go off the table "two die outside, the O.J. roll"
get second you pig
