Quick Answer: Who Are The Stickman, Dealers, And Boxman?
- Stickman: controls the dice and runs the center action
- Base dealers: manage most bets and pay/collect chips
- Boxman: supervises the table and protects accuracy and the bank
Think of it like a team sport:
- stickman controls the ball (dice)
- base dealers run plays (bets and payouts)
- boxman is the referee + bank manager
If you want the full big-picture guide first, start here: The Complete Guide To Craps.
The Stickman (Dice Control And Loud Calls)
The stickman stands in the middle of the long side of the table with a stick.
What The Stickman Does
- pushes the dice to the shooter at the start of each roll
- pulls the dice back after the roll
- calls the outcome loudly (“Six! Easy six!”)
- watches for illegal dice behavior (like sliding)
- manages many center-table prop bets
The loud calls aren’t for hype. They’re for clarity.
At a crowded table, clear calls prevent:
- payout confusion
- disputes
- players claiming the wrong outcome
What You Should Do With The Stickman
- wait for the stickman to send the dice before betting late
- don’t reach into the center area once the roll is happening
- if you want a prop bet, call it clearly before the dice move
If you want to know more about prop bets, read Understanding Prop Bets In Craps (Horn, Yo, C&E, Etc.).
The Base Dealers (Bets, Payouts, And Keeping Order)
The two base dealers stand on either side of the table.
Each one covers the players and layout area on their side.
What Base Dealers Do
- take Pass Line and Don’t Pass bets
- place and move Come and Don’t Come bets
- handle odds behind those bets
- pay place bets and collect losing bets
- confirm bet amounts and stack chips correctly
- keep track of what bets are “working” or “off” when needed
This is why base dealers look like they’re constantly counting and stacking:
- they are.
Craps payouts happen quickly, and accuracy matters.
If you’re new to moving bets, Come & Don’t Come Bets explains why bets travel and why it can get confusing.
What You Should Do With Base Dealers
- use clear commands, not vague ones
- good: “Place the six and eight for twelve each.”
- vague: “Put me on the numbers.”
- good: “Place the six and eight for twelve each.”
- avoid tossing chips at the last second
- if you want to change a bet, do it between rolls, not during the roll
The Boxman (Supervisor And Bank Manager)
The boxman sits behind the dealer chip stacks, facing the table.
They’re not “playing.” They’re monitoring.
What The Boxman Does
- supervises payouts for accuracy
- approves large payouts
- manages the chip inventory (the bank)
- handles disputes and questions
- watches for unusual betting patterns
- keeps the game fair when the table gets chaotic
If a payout seems wrong or you’re confused about a rule, the boxman is usually the person who can clarify it calmly.
What You Should Do With The Boxman
- if something feels off, ask politely and clearly
- don’t argue mid-roll
- wait until the roll settles, then ask for a check
The calmer you are, the smoother it goes.
Why Casinos Need All Three Roles
Craps needs a team because one roll can trigger all of this at once:
- dice outcome call
- line bet results
- come bet movement
- place bet payouts
- field bet outcome
- prop bet outcome
- odds payouts
If one person tried to do everything, mistakes would be constant.
The team setup is what makes craps playable at speed.
If you want to know more about the pace explanation, read Why Craps Is Faster Than Most Casino Games.
How Knowing Dealer Roles Helps You As A Player
Knowing roles helps you:
1) Avoid Slow “New Player Mistakes”
- betting late
- reaching into the layout
- unclear calls
- changing bets mid-roll
2) Get Paid Correctly Without Awkwardness
If you know who handles what, you don’t panic.
Stickman handles the dice and many center calls.
Base dealers handle most payouts and bet changes.
Boxman handles disputes and bigger approvals.
3) Feel More Confident At Live Tables
Confidence reduces mistakes, and mistakes are expensive in a fast game.
Common Misunderstandings About Dealer Roles
Misunderstanding 1: “The Stickman Is Just For Show”
No. Dice control is a core integrity job.
Misunderstanding 2: “The Boxman Is Watching Me Personally”
They’re watching the table, not judging you. Their job is accuracy and control.
Misunderstanding 3: “Dealers Decide Who Wins”
They don’t. The dice decide outcomes. The team enforces rules and pays correctly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Does The Stickman Do In Craps?
They control and retrieve the dice, call outcomes, and often handle center-table action like prop bets.
What Do Base Dealers Do In Craps?
They manage most bets on their side of the table, handle payouts, move bets like Come bets, and keep chip stacks organized.
What Does The Boxman Do In Craps?
They supervise the table, manage the bank, approve large payouts, and handle disputes.
Why Does Craps Need Three Roles?
Because one roll can affect many bets at once, and the game moves fast. Splitting responsibilities reduces mistakes and keeps pace smooth.
Should I Talk To The Boxman Or The Dealer If I’m Confused?
Ask the dealer first for simple bet questions. If it’s a rule dispute or payout check, the boxman can clarify.
Where To Go Next
You now know what the stickman, base dealers, and boxman do, and why craps needs a team to keep the game fast, fair, and organized.
Next, we’ll get practical: how to read the craps table layout like a pro so you can place bets confidently, avoid late-bet mistakes, and understand where your money is working.
Continue with How To Read The Craps Table Like A Pro.
