The Stickman, Dealers and Boxman are like referees at a football game. When there's something questionable about a roll of the dice, they're the ones who determine how to call it. It's in their interest to be fair because they work for tips, and players who feel cheated certainly aren't going to be tipping much.
A Fair Roll in craps is whatever number is called by the Stickman unless:
Over-Ruled by the Boxman.
Over-Ruled by a Floor Person.
Called by a Dealer, instead of the Stickman, because a die or both dice are hidden behind a stack of cheques and out of the direct line of sight of the Stickman.
A "Fair" Roll should be thrown down the middle of the table and hit the back wall.
Dice that do not hit the back wall are usually called if both pass the "50-yard line" (middle of the table).
Die or dice that land on player wagers, the Dealers' stacks, or the marker puck are Fair.
A die that lands on top of the other die is Fair. (Yes, this actually happens.)
Die or dice that hit another players, dealers, boxmans or stickmans hands (or stick) are Fair unless there is an undue delay in them landing on the table. (In which case the casino might think that someone has tried to slip crooked dice into the game.)
Die or dice that cock or lean on player wagers (chips or money) or the wall are called according to what result would be shown if the offending object were removed. The stickman is usually responsible for calling such a result, though often a dealer closest to the result will make the call. The boxman is the ultimate authority at determining a completed result.
"No Roll" is called when:
One or both bounce off the table. ("Over the wall too tall to call.")
One or both land in player rack. ("No number in the lumber.")
One or both land in house bank. ("No roll in the dough.")
One or both land in Stickman's bowl. ("No roll in the bowl.")
One or both slip out of shooter's hand (usually short of the 50-yard line).
One or both bounce into a player or dealer and have a measurable delay in dropping to the table.
A shooter deliberately tries to slide one or both down the table.
A player lobs one or both above the eyesight of the Stickman.
A player picks up and rolls more than two dice.
A player shoots toward the wrong end of the table.
Another player, other than the shooter, picks up the dice and throws them.
The house notes that false dice have been entered into the game. (Very rare.)
General