Four people are usually required to run a live craps table. The "boxman", who sits in the middle of the table, is responsible for the casino's chips. She is responsible for controlling the game and making sure the dealers do not make any mistakes. She also protects the casino from thieves and cheats. Two dealers are standing to either side of the boxman. When the casino wins, they collect the bets and pay them out when the players do. Dealers also place the chips of players for those bets which are not self service (i.e. players cannot position their chips themselves on the layout). The "stickman", who stands in the middle of the table opposite the boxman, calls the game. The stickman retrieves the dice and controls them after each throw.
A stickman who is good can make the game more fun. He'll add humor to the game by using a lot of craps-jargon. If a die bounces and lands on a chip rack, (the wooden shelf that surrounds the table, where players keep their chips), then the stickman must say "No Roll" and retrieve the die to be inspected by the boxman. The stickman pushes dice to the shooter with his stick.
Stickmen can add lively banter to a game, making it more enjoyable for players. The more fun players are having, the more likely they will be to bet more (which is good for the casino), and tip more (good for crew). Instead of saying "No roll", a stickman can say, in a loud and rhythmic voice: "Die in wood, roll no better" or "I cannot read her, she is in the cedar." It's much more entertaining when the stickman uses all sorts of craps rhymes and jargon.
Dealers have come up with a lot of cute slang to describe the result of a die roll over the years. These are some of the most common ones that I hear while playing. There are probably many more that I've never heard. Next time you play, listen for them. Aces are the number 2, which is a combination of a die with a 1, and another die with a 1. Aces are also known as "snake's eyes." Also known as "eyeballs," they are also known by this name read more here.
The number 11, which is a 6 and a 5, on both dice, is called "yo," or "yo-leven." (The emphasis is on "yo") The stickman will say "yo-leven," to differentiate "eleven" and "seven," so that the players do not misunderstand.
The number 3 is "Australian Yo." If a 3 appears (i.e. a 1 and 2 on both dice), the opposite (i.e. the number at the bottom of the die) is 11. This is the "downunder." On dice, the 1 is next to the 6, the 2 is next to the 5, and the 3 is adjacent to the 4. When a 1-2 combination is shown, the "opposite side" (i.e. the bottom of dice) will be 6-5.
The number 12 can be called "boxcars", "midnight" or "midnight".
Brooklyn Forest is often used to describe the combination 3-3, which is a Hard 6.
All the numbers 2, 3 and 12 are called "craps". When a shooter throws 7 after establishing a point, it is called "seven out." A seven-out does not constitute a craps. When the shooter rolls the 7, do not show your lack of experience by yelling, "Oh man, he crapped-out." Correctly, you should say, "Oh man, he sevened out."
Sometimes the number 8 is referred to "Eighter From Decatur."
The number 9 can also be called "Jesse James", because he was killed with a.45 and the combination of 4-5 dice is a 9. When the dice combination shows 5-4, it is called "Studio 54".
The combination 4-4, also known as a "Hard 4" is often called "Little Joe."
The combination 3-2 can also be called "OJ", as OJ's jersey was number 32.
The combination of 5-5 (i.e. a Hard 10) is known as "lady’s delight."
Sometimes the combination 1-4 is called "One-eyed Chicken in the Weeds." The dealer didn't know what it meant, nor did I. He claimed to have learned the phrase from an earlier dealer, and he has repeated it ever since.
The game is more enjoyable when you hear the stickman use funny craps jargon. This also encourages players to engage in more interaction, which is usually a plus. Imagine that the shooter rolls the dice, and the results are a 1-4 combination. Imagine the stickman saying "Five" without any emotion. Imagine the stickman instead shouting "One-eyed Chicken in the Weeds!" The players begin to laugh and ask each other "What did the stickman say?" The players' questions lead to further interaction and conversation, which makes everyone have more fun. A good stickman is valued by the casino because happy customers are more likely be to return.
