Who Was Little Joe from Kokom, the Hard Four in Craps?

Who was Little Joe from Kokomo and why is the hard four in craps associated with him?

The hard four at craps has several slang designations. “Little Joe from Kokomo” is one, along with "Little Joe in the Front Row" or just "Little Joe." "Ballerina" is another -- it's a tutu.

One common explanation cites Joe Fohn as the Little Joe. Fohn was a pro bowler in the 1920s from Kokomo, a town in Indiana around 60 miles north of Indianapolis. Fohn was known for his unique four-step bowling-ball delivery, but to us, that's a stretch. We couldn't even find any indication of how tall he was, let alone definitive historical evidence directly tying him to the crap term.

And that's about it for anyone who the term might be associated with. We do know that "Little Joe" is old gambling and military slang for the number 4. The exact origin, again, is murky, but it could trace back to dice games among soldiers in WWII or even earlier street games in the U.S.

The addition of "from Kokomo" is probably just a rhyming flourish, common in the lively lingo surrounding craps.

No part of this answer may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without the written permission of the publisher.

Have a question that hasn't been answered? Email us with your suggestion.

Missed a Question of the Day?

Have a Question?

Tomorrow's Question

Has Clark County ever considered legalizing prostitution?

Comments

O2bnVegas Jul-16-2025

card terms

I love all those card game "slang designations", like Cowboys for two Kings (or is it Jacks?).  One of my favorites is "A Beethoven" for the dud hand in High Card Flush, when you are dealt "two, two, two and one", translated to a singing "Da Da Da Daaa", instead of a playable Flush.

Maybe a poll for readers' favorites would be fun.

Candy

Reno Faoro Jul-16-2025

midnight

craps  IS  a great game . when it works , each throw has a 'NAME', MONIKER , MEANING , I LIKE -'YO ADRIENNE' , 'MIDNIGHT','BOX CARS', or if the point is  5, i say '4-1,1-4 2-3 3-2 , lol enjoy.

Cal Jul-16-2025

Card terms

Three 10's is "the judge"...30 days.
Jacks are "hooks"
2's are ducks or swans
And the infamous "dead man's hand" 
Straights are "from here to there"
A full house is "no vacancies"

Cal Jul-16-2025

Card terms

2 more
A club flush is "puppy feet"
A diamond flush is, of course, "a girl's best friend"

O2bnVegas Jul-16-2025

@ Reno Faoro and Cal

I love those!  I'd heard of Box Cars and Snake Eyes, not sure about "Yo Adrienne" except from Rocky Balboa to his girlfriend.  Do tell.

Love "puppy feet" and "a girl's best friend"...must remember them.

Y'all keep 'em coming!

Esloth Jul-16-2025

Fifty-five

Not sure which was first, Little Joe for a hard four or calling a 55 roll Big Dick for a hard ten. it is noteworthy that they are on exact opposite sides of the dies.

John James Jul-16-2025

Hard 4

Another one for hard 4 is “The Bishop” Desmond TuTu

Llew Jul-16-2025

Poker

AA = bullets.   55 = Dolly Parsons. Or at Barge = presto!.  

Deqd man’s hand is A8.

Llew Jul-16-2025

Oops

That’s Dolly Parton, not Dolly Parson.

Raymond Jul-16-2025

Also

"Acey Deucy" for a 3, "Centerfield" for a 9 (it's the middle of the seven numbers that win on Field), "Big Joe" for a 10, and "Snake Eyes" for a 2.

And, of course, "Oh [Bleep]" from the players for a 7-out.

Ken Kjelson Jul-16-2025

Seven

Cinco dos adios

Brent Jul-16-2025

My favorite dice call

"One-eyed chicken in the yard"=3. One eye, two feet, and pay the Field.

Question of the Day - 16 July 2025

Comments