Definition
A Hop Bet is a one-roll “proposition” bet in Craps where the player bets that the next roll of the dice will result in a specific combination. These are not usually listed on the main table layout, but they are accepted “on the fly” by the dealer.
In context
A player might shout, “Hop the 5-4!” to the dealer. If the next roll is a 5 and a 4, the player wins. If any other combination rolls (including a 4-5, if the bet was “easy”), the player loses.
Why it matters
Hop bets offer some of the highest payouts at the Craps table (up to 30:1), but they also carry some of the worst house edges (usually between 11% and 14%). They are “sucker bets” designed to tempt players with quick, high-payout action.
Related terms
In detail
If you want to see a Craps dealer’s skills put to the test, watch a table full of players shouting “Hop bets.” These bets are the “jazz” of the Craps pit—fast-paced, verbal, and requiring instant mental math from the crew. Unlike a “Pass Line” bet that stays on the table for several rolls, a Hop bet is a “one-and-done” wager. You are betting specifically on what the very next toss of the dice will be.
There are two types of Hop bets:
- Easy Way Hop: Betting on a total that can be made with two different numbers (e.g., a 5-4 for a total of 9). Since there are two ways to roll this (5 on die A and 4 on die B, OR 4 on die A and 5 on die B), the payout is lower, usually 15:1.
- Hard Way Hop: Betting on a specific “double” (e.g., 3-3 for a total of 6). Since there is only one way to roll this, the payout is higher, usually 30:1.
The math behind these bets is brutal for the player. In a fair game with no house edge, a 15:1 bet should pay 17:1, and a 30:1 bet should pay 35:1. By shortchanging the payout, the casino creates a house edge of 11.11% on the 30:1 hops and as high as 13.89% on the 15:1 hops. Compare this to the 1.41% house edge on the Pass Line, and you can see why the casino is more than happy to take your “hop” action.
So why do players make them? First, there’s the “hunch” factor. Craps is a game of streaks and superstitions. If a player feels a “Hard 8” (4-4) is coming, they might hop it for $5 to win $150 instantly. Second, there is the “Hedging” strategy (though, as discussed in other entries, this is usually a math error). A player with a large “Place” bet on the 9 might “hop the 7” for a few dollars as insurance against a losing roll.
From the casino’s side, Hop bets are a logistical challenge. Because they aren’t printed on the felt (the “layout”), the dealer must remember which player made which hop bet and for how much. They usually place the player’s chips on the “apron” (the wooden rim of the table) or in a specific empty spot in the center “prop box” to keep track. If the dice roll and the bet wins, the dealer must pay it out immediately and then clear the chips, as the bet is now over.
The “vibe” of a table often changes when Hop bets start flying. It becomes louder and more chaotic. Experienced “stickmen” (the dealer who controls the dice) will often “call out” hop bets to encourage more action: “He hops the reds! Any 7 on the hop!” This is part of the casino’s “carnival” atmosphere, designed to distract players from the high house edge.
One thing for beginners to watch out for: the “verbal contract.” In Craps, a verbal bet is binding only if the dealer or boxman acknowledges it by saying “Bet” or “I have that.” If you shout “Hop the 2-2!” just as the shooter releases the dice and the dealer doesn’t acknowledge you, the bet doesn’t exist—even if the dice land on 2-2. Conversely, if they acknowledge it and you haven’t put the money down yet, you owe the house that money if the dice roll.
In summary, Hop bets are the “scratch-off tickets” of the Craps world. They are fun, they provide a quick jolt of adrenaline, and they can lead to a nice “color up” if you get lucky. But if you make them a regular part of your strategy, the 11%+ house edge will grind your bankroll into the felt faster than almost any other bet in the building.