Learn to Play Casino Craps: Craps Terms (Part 1)

Huh? What did he say? What does that mean? As a novice standing by the table watching, too nervous to jump in, you give up trying to understand this wacky game. Your Chinese language class in college was easier to understand than all this craps jargon. So, instead of having a blast at the craps table, you take your $100 and pee it away in a slot machine. Twenty minutes later, you stare at the machine thinking, "That was stupid. Why am I so afraid to play?"

It shouldn't be like that. Craps is so easy and so much fun. Trust me; you don't have to be a brain surgeon or math professor to play. Don't let your fear of the unknown keep you away.

You don't have to speak craps fluently to play. You just need to know a few basic words and phrases. As you play, your command of the language will develop quickly. Don't waste time trying to memorize every term before deciding to play. Always remember, if you don't understand something, just ask the dealer for help.

The following terms cover the letters A to B in alphabetical order. Craps terms beginning with other letters are defined in my other articles.

Aces = Two one's. Known as snake eyes or eyeballs.
Action = Bets that are in play or live. Also, how busy a table is.
Any Craps = A bet that the next roll will be a 2, 3, or 12.
Any Seven = A bet that the next roll will be a 7.
Apron = The outer edge of the table layout. The plain, unmarked area closest to the player.
At Risk = Cheques (money) that are in play or live.
Australian Yo = The number 3. When a 3 shows, the opposite number (i.e., the number on the bottom of the dice) is 11, which is "down under." On dice, 1 is opposite the 6, 2 is opposite the 5, and 3 is opposite the 4. So, when a 1-2 shows, the opposite side (i.e., the bottom of the dice, "down under") is 6-5.
Back Line = The Don't Pass line.
Back Wall = The inside end of the table against which the shooter must roll the dice for the roll to be considered valid.
Bank = All the casino's cheque stacks on the table in front of the boxman.
Barber Pole = A stack of cheques with a variety of denominations mixed together. Cheques should be stacked with higher-denominations on the bottom and lower-denominations on top.
Big Eight = An even-money bet that an 8 will appear before a 7.
Big Red = A bet that the next roll will be a 7 (same as Any Seven).
Big Six = An even-money bet that a 6 will appear before a 7.
Black = $100 cheques.
Bones = The dice.
Bowl = The plastic, wood, or metal bowl the stickman uses to hold unused dice.
Box Number = The numbers 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10 that can become a point on the come-out roll. All other numbers (i.e., 2, 3, 7, 11, and 12) are called naturals because they result in a decision on the come-out roll. Also, called point number.
Boxcars = The number 12. A bet that the next roll will be a 12. Also called midnight.
Boxman = The person supervising the game who sits between the two dealers and across from the stickman.
Boys, the = The dealers.
Broke Money = Money the casino gives a broke person for transportation home.
Brooklyn Forest = Two three's. A Hard 6.
Buffalo = A bet on all of the Hardways and the Any Seven.
Buffalo Yo = A bet on all of the Hardways and the number 11.
Bump = An extra break for a dealer because the shift is overstaffed relative to the number of tables/games in play.
Buy = A bet and paying a 5% vigorish (or tax) for the privilege of getting true odds that a number will show before a 7.

W. Enslen is a reliability engineer who routinely works with statistics. Having played and analyzed casino craps for 30 years, he has compiled his winning secrets in a new Ebook, which you can sample at Learn to Play Casino Craps. Be smart, play smart, and learn to play casino craps in reality instead of a Fantasyland of false hope.