Craps - Sound Like a Pro: Part 1

We know that you may not be all that familiar with the game of craps; after all, it is not the easiest game to learn and there is a certain game procedure that needs to be studied. But if you are one of those people who believes that you have to "fake it until you make it," you are best served by knowing some of the terminology that is available. This is will be of use to you whether you are playing in the online game or standing around a craps table in a physical casino. So please pay attention.

First of all, do you realize what "craps" is? Within the context of play itself, remember that it is a 2, 3 or 12. When any of those numbers is rolled, the shooter is said to have rolled craps.

Have you heard the term "snake eyes"? This is rather elementary, actually. And we don't mean to insult your intelligence. But for the uninitiated, this is what it is called when both of the dice that are rolled are ones (1's). Snake eyes - get it?

So what is meant by the term "boxcars"? Well, just think about the imagery for a moment. What kind of dice would look most like boxcars? Well, a pair of sixes, naturally. This is something you would hear mostly from other players. Generally, the casino employees at the table would call it "12, craps." Remember that a twelve IS craps, after all.

Here's one for the old timers: what is meant when a craps player says "Little Joe from Kokomo"? That's bizarre, right? Well, if you ever hear it in a craps atmosphere or read about it, it refers to the combination of a one (1) and three (3), totaling four (4). Just thought you should know.

A "natural" winner occurs when a seven (7) or eleven (11) is thrown on the "come-out" roll. And while we are at it, the "come out" is the roll on the part of the shooter that establishes the "point" for a round of play. But you knew that already, right?

What does the "C and E" mean? Surely you have heard this before, haven't you? To a lot of people this might mean somebody who goes to church only on Christmas and Easter, and while that is very funny, that doesn't exactly apply to a craps game. This is actually a combined bet, where half is going on craps and the other on eleven (11). Of course, you won't win both, but you might win one of them, and that's good!