Hop bets in craps are one-roll bets on a specific dice combination appearing next. Easy hop combinations usually pay 15:1 and have a house edge around 11.11%. Hard hop combinations, such as 3-3 or 5-5, often pay 30:1 and have a house edge around 13.89%.
Quick Facts
- Hop bets are decided by the next roll only.
- They bet on dice combinations, not just totals.
- Easy hops usually have two winning orders.
- Hard hops have one winning combination.
- Common payouts are 15:1 for easy hops and 30:1 for hard hops.
- Hop bets are center action handled by the dealer and stickman.
- They are high-edge proposition bets, not strategy bets.
Plain Talk
A hop bet says, “I want the next roll to land as this exact dice combination.”
For example, “hop the five-one” means the player is betting that the next roll shows 5 and 1. In many houses, either order counts: 5-1 or 1-5. That gives the bet two winning combinations out of 36.
A hard hop is different. “Hop the hard six” means 3-3. There is only one way to roll 3-3, so the payout is higher, but the house edge remains ugly.
The Massachusetts craps rules describe hop wagers as one-roll wagers on named dice pairs. The Wizard of Odds dice probability page gives the 36-combination base, and the Wizard of Odds craps basics gives the common proposition-bet pricing logic.
This page is about hop bets. For normal hardways that stay up, read Hardways Bets Explained. For the larger one-roll family, read One-Roll Bets Explained.
How It Works
Hop bets are usually called verbally and placed by the dealer in the center area. The exact wording matters.
| Player Call | What It Usually Means | Common Payout |
|---|---|---|
| “Hop the five-one” | 5-1 or 1-5 next roll | 15:1 |
| “Hop the six-four” | 6-4 or 4-6 next roll | 15:1 |
| “Hop the hard six” | 3-3 next roll | 30:1 |
| “Hop the hard ten” | 5-5 next roll | 30:1 |
Some houses require precise calls. Some book “hop the six” as all ways to make 6, split across combinations. Others expect the player to specify the pair. Do not assume. Ask the dealer before betting.
| Hop Type | Winning Combinations | True Odds | Common Payout | Approx. House Edge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easy hop | 2 | 17:1 | 15:1 | 11.11% |
| Hard hop | 1 | 35:1 | 30:1 | 13.89% |
Craps Table Example
The point is 9. A player tosses in $6 and says, “$3 each, hop the six-four and hard ten.”
The dealer books:
| Bet | Amount | Wins If |
|---|---|---|
| Six-four hop | $3 | 6-4 or 4-6 |
| Hard ten hop | $3 | 5-5 |
The next roll is 4-6. The six-four hop wins and the hard ten hop loses.
| Result | Payout Logic |
|---|---|
| Six-four wins | $3 × 15 = $45 profit |
| Hard ten loses | -$3 |
| Net before returned winning stake | +$42 profit |
If the next roll had been 5-5, the hard ten hop would win and the six-four hop would lose. If the next roll were 6-3, both would lose.
From the Casino Side:
Hop bets are vulnerable to miscommunication. The dealer must know the exact combination, amount, and whether the player meant a specific pair or a group of ways.
The stickman is central because the call often comes when the dice are being pushed to the shooter. A good stickman slows the dice if a legitimate bet is being booked, but the game cannot become chaos because players are shouting late hops.
The boxman watches hop action because disputes can be messy. If the player says “hop the six” after a roll of 4-2, what exactly was booked? The answer should be clear before the dice move, not argued after the result.
Surveillance checks timing, chip movement, and dealer placement. The bet must be accepted before the throw.
Common Mistakes
- Saying “hop the six” without knowing whether the house books all sixes or a specific pair.
- Confusing a hardway bet with a hard hop.
- Thinking a hop bet stays up like a normal hardway.
- Believing a nearby roll means the combination is “coming.”
- Making late calls after the stickman has moved the dice.
- Forgetting that easy hops and hard hops have different probabilities.
- Ignoring the high house edge because the payout looks large.
Hard Truth
Hop bets are not advanced craps strategy. They are expensive one-roll guesses with casino-friendly payouts and plenty of room for player confusion.
FAQ
What is a hop bet in craps?
A hop bet is a one-roll wager on a specific dice combination appearing on the next roll.
What is an easy hop?
An easy hop is a two-way combination, such as 5-1 or 1-5. It usually pays 15:1.
What is a hard hop?
A hard hop is a pair, such as 3-3 or 5-5. It has only one winning combination and usually pays 30:1.
Are hop bets the same as hardways?
No. Standard hardways are multi-roll bets that stay alive until the hard number, easy version, or 7 resolves them. Hard hops are one-roll bets only.
Can I hop a seven?
Many houses allow hop bets on seven combinations such as 6-1, 5-2, or 4-3. They are still one-roll proposition bets.
Are hop bets good bets?
No. They are high-edge, high-variance bets. They are for entertainment, not cost-efficient craps.
Why do dealers repeat hop bets?
Because the exact wording matters. Repeating the bet helps prevent payout disputes.
Deeper Insight
Hop bets expose a key craps lesson: totals and combinations are not the same thing.
A total of 6 has five combinations:
| Total 6 Combination | Type |
|---|---|
| 1-5 | Easy |
| 2-4 | Easy |
| 3-3 | Hard |
| 4-2 | Easy |
| 5-1 | Easy |
A place bet on 6 wins on all five combinations. A hop bet may win on only one pair, or two ordered versions of the same pair, depending on the call.
That difference is why a hop bet can pay much more than a place bet while still being worse value.
Formula / Calculation
For an easy hop:
P(Easy Hop) = 2 / 36 = 5.56%
EV = (2/36 × $15) - (34/36 × $1)
EV = $0.8333 - $0.9444 = -$0.1111
House Edge = 11.11%
For a hard hop:
P(Hard Hop) = 1 / 36 = 2.78%
EV = (1/36 × $30) - (35/36 × $1)
EV = $0.8333 - $0.9722 = -$0.1389
House Edge = 13.89%
Formula Explanation in Plain English
An easy hop has two winning dice orders, but the 15:1 payout is below the fair 17:1 price. A hard hop has one winning combination, and the 30:1 payout is below the fair 35:1 price. The gap is the casino’s edge.
Related Reading
For the full game map, start with the craps guide. Use craps dice combinations, craps odds, and craps house edge before adding hop bets to your vocabulary. Compare hop bets with Hardways Bets Explained and One-Roll Bets Explained. The craps odds calculator and variance simulator show why one-roll bets feel exciting and drain money fast. For the myth side, read dice control myth.