Definition

1. Noun:
   • A dice game: "craps" is a popular casino and street gambling game played with two dice, where players bet on the outcome of the rolls.
   • A losing throw: In the game of craps, the term also refers specifically to a first (or "come-out") roll of 2, 3, or 12, which causes the shooter to lose immediately.

Usage and Examples

• As a noun (the game):
  • They spent the evening playing craps at the casino.
  • He learned the complex rules of craps.
• As a noun (a losing roll):
  • The shooter rolled a craps on the first throw.
  • A roll of two aces is called "snake eyes" and is a craps.

Advanced Usage

• "to shoot craps": to play the game of craps.
  • The old men would shoot craps in the alley behind the store.
• "craps out": (verb phrase) to lose by rolling a craps (2, 3, or 12) when trying to make a point.
  • He was on a winning streak until he crapped out on a roll of three.

Variants and Related Words

• Crap (verb, informal): To defecate. (Note: This is a distinct, informal word that is unrelated to the dice game "craps" but is homophonous.)
• Crapshooter (noun): A person who throws the dice in a game of craps.
• Craps table (noun): The specialized table on which the game is played.

Synonyms

• Dice game: A general term for any game played with dice.
• Bank craps: The version of the game played in casinos against a bank.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• "Feel like a million" / "On a roll": These are not direct idioms of craps, but the concept of being "on a roll" (experiencing a streak of success) originates from dice games like craps.
• "The dice are cold": An expression meaning someone is having a losing streak, often used in craps.

Noun

1. a gambling game played with two dice; a first throw of 7 or 11 wins and a first throw of 2, 3, or 12 loses and a first throw of any other number must be repeated to win before a 7 is thrown, which loses the bet and the dice
2. expressions used when when two dice are thrown and both come up showing one spot