Collective Craps Glossary

Ive got to say, I have read a lot of the craps threads, and I for one as a craps newbie am confused. There are plenty of terms that come up with regards to betting, such as "Iron Cross" , and "$x across" that I have no clue what they mean.

So how about you people help me out, and post any craps terms you know that might require explaining, and what they mean. And if you dont understand any terms feel free to post them here, maybe the old hands can teach us all.

I can't resist wisecracking that what you need to know about these bets, is just to avoid them.

Quote: odiousgambit

I can't resist wisecracking that what you need to know about these bets, is just to avoid them.

I was expecting that, possibly from Nareed. Looks like you got in first :P

Quote: Croupier

Ive got to say, I have read a lot of the craps threads, and I for one as a craps newbie am confused. There are plenty of terms that come up with regards to betting, such as "Iron Cross" , and "$x across" that I have no clue what they mean.

So how about you people help me out, and post any craps terms you know that might require explaining, and what they mean. And if you dont understand any terms feel free to post them here, maybe the old hands can teach us all.

Here is a link to the rec.gambling.craps newsgroup's FAQ, put together by a guy named Steve Fry who used to post there. It will answer a lot of your questions and more.

http://www.faqs.org/faqs/gambling-faq/craps/

Secondly, download WinCraps from www.cloudcitysoftware.com and read the Help pages. The demo is free, and I think it allows you to read Help, but I'm not positive. A license that unlocks all the amazing power of the software is just $19.95, I believe.
Cheers,
Alan Shank
Woodland, CA

Thanks Alan, thats a great link. Really useful. I was kind of hoping to get a community created similar thing here. I keep meaning to download WinCraps but have never got around to it. Maybe that wil help.

Quote: Croupier

Ive got to say, I have read a lot of the craps threads, and I for one as a craps newbie am confused. There are plenty of terms that come up with regards to betting, such as "Iron Cross" , and "$x across" that I have no clue what they mean.

Not sure whether the FAQ I posted the link to covers that kind of term, so:

$x across refers to making place bets on all the numbers (usually excepting the point), so:

$27 across would be $5 on three of the "outside" points (the other being the passline point) and $6 on the 6 and 8. (3 * 5 + 2 * 6) = 27
$26 across would be $5 on all four outside points and $6 on the 6 or 8, whichever was not the passline point

"inside" refers to 5, 9, 6 and 8
"outside" refers to 4, 10, 5 and 9

So, if the point was 4, a player might say, "$22 inside" and toss a $25 chip to the dealer, who would put $5 on 5 and 9, $6 on 6 and 8 and return $3 to the player.

The dealers learn all the common amounts and exactly what they mean; it is one of the more difficult aspects of dealing craps.

The "Iron Cross" refers to a betting system that uses a combination of bets to realize a win on any number rolled except seven, I believe. The Field bet covers the 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11 and 12, then you place or buy the 5, 6 and 8; this may or may not involve a passline bet, as well. So many ways to win, just six ways to lose. Of course, when the seven shows you lose the whole spread.

One way to learn the jargon is just to watch people play and watch what the dealers do.
Cheers,
Alan Shank
Woodland, CA

Quote: goatcabin

Not sure whether the FAQ I posted the link to covers that kind of term.....

One way to learn the jargon is just to watch people play and watch what the dealers do.
Cheers,
Alan Shank
Woodland, CA

You were right,having just finished reading it all, it didnt. But it was still pretty useful. I was looking for more colloquial terms as well, such as the "Chuck and Ernie" I heard repeatedly yelled by the guy next to me at the Excalibur last year.

Could be a good side thread for the Wiz's main craps page, to direct newbies to(like me), so they understand the language.

Edit: Ooops! another slow post. Sorry for the duplication.


A couple of the items in your original question don't seem to be covered in the linked page. Here is my attempt to fill in a little:

The "iron cross" is a combination of place bets on the 6 and 8 plus the field bet. You get paid at least something on anything but a 7, with net payout adjusted depending on the relative amount of your three individual wagers.

"$x across" is slang for a mess of place bets of identical amounts (plus 20% for 6 and 8) on everything except the point (if you have a pass line bet). The "x" varies depending upon whether the point is 6/8 or not and upon the overall magnitude of the wager.

There are variations of this, such as "$x across inside" which means no place bet on the 4 or 10, and "$x across outside", meaning no place bet on the 6 or 8. For "across outside", if the amount is high enough, then it's probably meant that the 4/10 is a buy bet, and that will increase "x" by the commission, if that is paid on the buy rather than just on the win. In all these cases, too, the point number is skipped if there is a pass line wager.

I sometimes feel that these are placed just to see how quickly the dealer can figure out how much to put on each number. Just keeping the boy on his toes! ;-)

Quote: Croupier

I keep meaning to download WinCraps but have never got around to it. Maybe that wil help.

Although I've never seen WinCraps in operation, I gotta believe it won't help.

The terms you specified are all shorthand for multiple bets. The only thing that *may* help is if you're using a craps simualor that simulates player chatter.

Quote: DJTeddyBear

Although I've never seen WinCraps in operation, I gotta believe it won't help.

The terms you specified are all shorthand for multiple bets. The only thing that *may* help is if you're using a craps simualor that simulates player chatter.

Since Croupier is a "newbie", I suggested WinCraps for general craps knowledge. It covers every kind of bet you can make, in considerable detail.

WinCraps does provide dealer voices and their calls, but I never use them, since I'm almost always running HyperDrive.
Cheers,
Alan Shank
Woodland, CA

Quote: Croupier

I was expecting that, possibly from Nareed. Looks like you got in first :P

Me? I've no idea what you're talking about ;)

Actually, I would like to second the suggestion that you get Wincraps. The best way to learn a game is to play it. I didn't "get" craps until I played it this way. Also best to vaporize a virtual bankroll before you put any money down.

As for the table slang, I recommend taking a lesson at a casino. Many give them in the mornings, and these often include some slang.

The Boneman over at Nextshooter.com has an excellent glossery.

If you have never played, I would go read

https://wizardofodds.com/craps

Ignore the appendixes for now.

Also I would suggest really only learning these parts

The Pass Line
Taking the Odds
Place Bets
Hard Ways
Field Bet

I included the last 2 only because they are large parts of the table and you will most likely wonder what they are.



My experience with trying to teach friends craps is if I went through the entire thing, they completely forgot everything or were confused what a pass line bet was when they actually got up to a table.

Later on I simply told people to do a pass line bet, with some odds. If they felt like gambling a little more, I suggested some place bets. At that point they could at least sit on a table and know at least their own bets. They knew what was going to win and what was going to lose. Once you get that down, you can easily add other options to do.


I don't claim to be an expert. I just know the people that I explained 2-3 bets to, actually could play on their own. The people I tried to explain everything to, simply asked me everytime where they should bet. :) I would suggest going to Youtube and watching a few of the crap videos there. It usually is helpful for people to put the name with where it actually is on the table. There is nowhere on the table that says "Place Bet". There is also no indication at all that you can add an extra bet on to your Pass Line Bet.

Thanks guys, I do know how to play craps (sort of) after a lesson from the Wizard last year.

The dictionary on nextshooter is pretty much what I was looking for. Thanks again.

Quote: Croupier

Thanks guys, I do know how to play craps (sort of) after a lesson from the Wizard last year.

http://www.cloudcitysoftware.com/

Get it now.

Croupier:

You don't need to download that software if you don't need it. The Wiz has a good little practice craps game on his WOO website.

And the best glossary I could find was the nextshooter.com glossary.

Dicedealer.com ain't bad either if you want to explore world of the dealer somewhat.

SFB

Roulette is a simple game. Anyone can teach it to a newbie simply by showing the bets that can be made.

But craps is WAY different. The row of 4-5-6-8-9-10 point numbers looks the same as a column in Roulette, but the payouts vary from point to point. The field bet pays on the 2,3,4,9,10,11 and 12, but only loses on the 5,6,7 and 8. Why?

Before anyone walks up to a craps table to learn the bets (as has been suggested in this post), an understanding of the mathematics of dice is required.

Point = 2 Ways = 1 1-1
Point = 3 Ways = 2 1-2, 2-1
Point = 4 Ways = 3 1-3, 2-2, 3-1
Point = 5 Ways = 4 1-4, 2-3, 3-2, 4-1
Point = 6 Ways = 5 1-5, 2-4, 3-3, 4-2, 5-1
Point = 7 Ways = 6 1-6, 2-5, 3-4, 4-3, 5-2, 6-1
Point = 8 Ways = 5 2-6, 3-5, 4-4, 5-3, 6-2
Point = 9 Ways = 4 3-6, 4-5, 5-4, 6-3
Point = 10 Ways = 3 4-6, 5-5, 6-4
Point = 11 Ways = 2 5-6, 6-5
Point = 12 Ways = 1 6-6

If you're trying to explain craps to someone, and they seem to be unable to understand this concept, please tell them to stick to Roulettte.

Quote: discflicker

only loses on the 5,6,7 and 8. Why?

actually, my sense of symmetry is disturbed because the 9 wins. So does anybody know?

Here are some common ones:
Place bets: When you hit one you can either say "Same Bet" which means just that. Pay me and leave the same bet up. Also, if you say nothing that's what the dealer will do.
"Press"=double my bet
"Parlay"=take my entire payoff and add it to my bet (to the nearest proper unit)

Come bets: If you already have a come bet that moved to a number and you've put odds on it, now you've placed another come bet and the number hits again the dealer will leave your odds on the new come bet and tell you that you're "off and on" for whatever payout you're getting. Example - you have 10 flat with 20 odds on the 5 and 5 hits (you also have another 10 in the come). The dealer will place $40 next to your come bet and say "off and on for 40".

"down with x odds" If you have a place bet and a come bet and the place bet hits you will get paid for the place bet and the come bet will move to that number. The dealer will assume you want your place bet down and would like odds on your come bet (since the payout is better). So he will take you "down with odds".

Example - $12 placed on the 6 and a $5 come bet. 6 hits. you get paid $14 and the dealer will take you "down with $25 odds sir?" Your answer should then be, "Yes and put the dollar on the hard way for the crew!" $14 payout plus $12 original bet = $26. $25 odds and $1 for the boys on the hard 6. You could also ask for just $10 odds or whatever multiple of 5 you prefer. "Down with 20 and a 2 way hard 6." Now you would sound like you know what you're doing.

More terms - Big Red, Horn Bet, Horn High, C & E, 3 way craps, Yo, hop bets - I loved it when this one guy used to "hop the 6-4 for $64." You just knew it was gonna hit!

Quote: odiousgambit

actually, my sense of symmetry is disturbed because the 9 wins. So does anybody know?

Better to disturb your symmetry than to make 9 a loser and vastly increase the house advantage. I'm too lazy to calculate the %.

Quote: Doc

Edit: Ooops! another slow post. Sorry for the duplication.


There are variations of this, such as "$x across inside" which means no place bet on the 4 or 10, and "$x across outside", meaning no place bet on the 6 or 8. For "across outside", if the amount is high enough, then it's probably meant that the 4/10 is a buy bet, and that will increase "x" by the commission, if that is paid on the buy rather than just on the win. In all these cases, too, the point number is skipped if there is a pass line wager.
)

More accurate would be just "110 inside" or even "110 in." Or "40 outside" or just "40 out." The dealers would question "across inside/outside" - kinda contradictory. Across is all the numbers excluding the point. Inside is just that - the 4 inside numbers. Just so you don't embarrass yourself.

New Craps players must "pay their dues, if they want to sing the blues" when it comes to learning the language of Craps.
There is a lot and only by steady studying, play and watching, listening and asking can one become proficient in understanding and speaking "Craps".
Sure you will look and sound like a fool at times, but so what. Laugh it off and keep going forward.

Kind of like us guitar players, (nope27, goatcabin and me to name a few) learning to play "Classical Gas".
No sheet music needed, maybe listened or watched Mason Williams play it once. Yeah right! 1 in a million could do a good job from the start.
It takes time and practice, almost like everything else in life if you wants to get better at it.

I add the saying "Two way". Not the normal 2way bet. Example: 2way 9, $1 6-3, $1 on the 5-4

Throw in $2 to stick and say "two way hard 6"
Or the one I hit last week, "Two Way yo!"
Two way meaning a bet for the player and the dealer.
Yes.
Learn it, live it and love it!

Quote: Larrymac

I loved it when this one guy used to "hop the 6-4 for $64." You just knew it was gonna hit!

My 3rd year as dice dealer back in the 70s, 2nd week on swing, I was feeling good about myself, maybe cocky and saw the 6-4 for $64! I think he had $300 on the line and was my only player. The point was not even a 10. I'm thinking to meself, "Yeah right" and it rolls. I add fast. 640...960 + the bet 64. Got it 1024 and down.

I feel all eyes coming to me as stick points the stick in front of my player and the player throws in a $1 and says "all black and keep the change". Stick called" $1000 and down, $25 and down for the boys". I was ready to cut out the $24 and just did what stick told me to do. Then I woke up and I was back in Kansas. "Thank You" we all said in unison.
The game continued and box tells me a few rolls later, "you can breathe now".

Learning can and does go both ways at Craps.

FYI, NOTHING is "SOFT" at a craps table. (Thats 21 talk)
Always easy or hard at a Craps table.

Quote: odiousgambit

actually, my sense of symmetry is disturbed because the 9 wins. So does anybody know?

The casino doesn't really care about symmetry. The 9 wins and the 5 loses because that provides the desired edge for the casino without being "excessive". There are 16 ways to win and 20 to lose, which would be an 11.11% HA. With two of the 16 double payoffs, that reduces the HA to 5.55%. If one is triple, is comes out to 2.78%. If the 5 won, you'd have 20 ways to win and only 16 to lose. If the 9 lost, it's be 12 to win, 24 to lose, and even with a double and a triple, it'd still be 25%, more than the market would bare.
Cheers,
Alan Shank
Woodland, CA

Quote: goatcabin

The casino doesn't really care about symmetry. The 9 wins and the 5 loses because that provides the desired edge for the casino without being "excessive". There are 16 ways to win and 20 to lose, which would be an 11.11% HA. With two of the 16 double payoffs, that reduces the HA to 5.55%. If one is triple, is comes out to 2.78%. If the 5 won, you'd have 20 ways to win and only 16 to lose. If the 9 lost, it's be 12 to win, 24 to lose, and even with a double and a triple, it'd still be 25%, more than the market would bare.
Cheers,
Alan Shank
Woodland, CA

If anyone is seriously asking this question, it demonstrates what I'm talking about having to learn the math of dice BEFORE you start to play. The house makes a TON of money off of people who don't understand these things. Player ignorance is their bread and butter.

Quote: discflicker

If anyone is seriously asking this question, it demonstrates what I'm talking about having to learn the math of dice BEFORE you start to play. The house makes a TON of money off of people who don't understand these things. Player ignorance is their bread and butter.

Oh, get off it, you don't need to know anything more than knowing what the HE means. There are charts showing this all over the place.

Quote: 7winner

My 3rd year as dice dealer back in the 70s, 2nd week on swing, I was feeling good about myself, maybe cocky and saw the 6-4 for $64! I think he had $300 on the line and was my only player. The point was not even a 10. I'm thinking to meself, "Yeah right" and it rolls. I add fast. 640...960 + the bet 64. Got it 1024 and down.

I feel all eyes coming to me as stick points the stick in front of my player and the player throws in a $1 and says "all black and keep the change". Stick called" $1000 and down, $25 and down for the boys". I was ready to cut out the $24 and just did what stick told me to do. Then I woke up and I was back in Kansas. "Thank You" we all said in unison.
The game continued and box tells me a few rolls later, "you can breathe now".

Good story.