Craps Betting Hardway Bets

The craps Hardway bet is a standing bet that you can make, remove, increase, or decrease at any time. You bet that a hardway number will show as a pair before any other combination of that number and before a 7 shows. The Hardway bet can be made only on the numbers 4, 6, 8, and 10.

For a craps Hardway bet, each roll can result in three outcomes: 1) The hardway number appears and the bet wins, 2) The \"easyway\" number or a 7 appears and the bet loses, 3) Any other number appears and the bet stands until it wins or loses (or until you remove it—that's why it's called a \"standing\" bet).

Hard vs. Easy Ways

What's a \"hardway\" versus an \"easyway?\" Hardway bets are made on the 4, 6, 8, and 10. Let's look at the 10. There are three ways to make a 10. The three two-dice combinations are:

• 6 + 4 = 10 (easyway)
• 4 + 6 = 10 (easyway)
• 5 + 5 = 10 ( Hard 10 )

The 5-5 combination is the Hard 10. Your Hard 10 bet stands until a 5-5 is rolled (win), a 7 is rolled (lose), or an easy 10 (4-6 or 6-4) is rolled (lose).

Hard 4

There are three ways to make a 4:

• 1 + 3 = Easy 4
• 3 + 1 = Easy 4
• 2 + 2 = Hard 4

The Hard 4 bet wins if a 2-2 shows before a 7, 1-3, or 3-1.

Hard 6

There are five ways to make a 6:

• 1 + 5 = Easy 6
• 5 + 1 = Easy 6
• 2 + 4 = Easy 6
• 4 + 2 = Easy 6
• 3 + 3 = Hard 6

The Hard 6 bet wins if a 3-3 shows before a 7 or any easy 6.

Hard 8

There are five ways to make an 8:

• 2 + 6 = Easy 8
• 6 + 2 = Easy 8
• 3 + 5 = Easy 8
• 5 + 3 = Easy 8
• 4 + 4 = Hard 8

The Hard 8 bet wins if a 4-4 shows before a 7 or any easy 8.

Although the 2 and 12 are even numbers made by pairs (1-1 for 2, 6-6 for 12), there are no Hardway bets for them because they have no easyway combinations.

Minimum Bets and Payoffs

The table minimum doesn't apply to Hardway bets. The minimum is the lowest-denomination chip in play, usually $1.

Payoffs are 7:1 for Hard 4 and Hard 10, and 9:1 for Hard 6 and Hard 8. The Hard 6 and 8 each have four easyways to lose (vs. two for 4 and 10), so they pay more.

Some casinos advertise \"8 for 1\" and \"10 for 1\" on the table layout, seeming better. But \"8 for 1\" pays $8 while keeping your $1 bet—same as 7:1 (where you keep your bet and get $7). Unless it's a $3 table with high odds, I go elsewhere.

On or Off During Come-Out Rolls

Call Hardway bets on or off anytime, often after point is set. Pass Line players call them \"off\" for come-out (to root for 7) and \"on\" after point.

Policies vary. Ask, \"Are Hardways automatically off?\" Or listen to stickman: \"Hardways work unless called off.\"

Placing Hardway Bets

Hardways are in the center of the craps table, controlled by stickman. Toss chips gently to center, say \"Hard four, please.\" Avoid hitting others' chips.

Stickman places in the corresponding Hardway box.

Example Scenario

1. New shooter for come-out. You bet $5 Pass Line . Rolls 5 (point). Take $6 Odds.
2. Shooter rolls 4 (no effect).
3. Bet Hard 8 : Toss $1, say \"Hard eight, please.\" Stickman places.
4. Shooter rolls easy 8 (5-3). Lose bet. Rebet Hard 8 .
5. Rolls 10 (no effect).
6. Rolls 5 (point, win). Collect Pass Line + Odds. Hard 8 stands.
7. New come-out. Stickman: \"Hardways work unless off.\" Bet $5 Pass Line, call Hard 8 \"off.\" OFF button placed.
8. Rolls 7 (Pass Line wins). Hard 8 safe (off).
9. Next come-out rolls 6 (point). Take Odds. Call Hard 8 \"on.\" Remove OFF.
10. Rolls hard 8 (4-4). Wins 9:1 ($9). Bet stays.
11. Rolls 12 (no effect).
12. Rolls 7-out. Lose Pass Line/Odds and Hard 8.