Hardway bets in craps are multi-roll bets that a specific number will be rolled “the hard way” (as a pair) before it’s rolled “the easy way” or before a 7 appears. For example, a Hard 8 bet wins only if 4+4 is rolled before any other combination of 8 (like 5+3 or 6+2) or before a 7.
Hardways are among the most popular proposition bets at the craps table — they stay active across multiple rolls, offer decent payouts (7:1 or 9:1), and create excitement every time the dice land on your number. But with house edges of 9-11%, they’re expensive long-term bets.
Hardways Calculator
How Hardway Bets Work
A hardway bet wins when the number is rolled as a matching pair (the “hard” way) and loses if the number is rolled any other way (the “easy” way) or if a 7 is rolled first.
| Bet | Wins On | Loses On | Payout | House Edge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hard 4 | 2+2 | 3+1, 1+3, or any 7 | 7:1 | 11.11% |
| Hard 6 | 3+3 | 4+2, 2+4, 5+1, 1+5, or any 7 | 9:1 | 9.09% |
| Hard 8 | 4+4 | 5+3, 3+5, 6+2, 2+6, or any 7 | 9:1 | 9.09% |
| Hard 10 | 5+5 | 6+4, 4+6, or any 7 | 7:1 | 11.11% |
Key difference from one-roll bets: Hardways stay active until they win or lose. They’re not resolved on a single roll — they can stay up for many rolls until either the hard number, the easy number, or a 7 appears.
When Are Hardways On and Off?
- ON during the point roll (default) — your hardway bet is working
- OFF during the come-out roll (default) — hardways are typically turned off unless you tell the dealer to keep them “working”
- You can ask the dealer to turn them ON or OFF at any time
Hardway Odds Explained
The math behind hardways comes down to how many ways each number can be rolled:
Hard 6 and Hard 8 (9:1 payout, 9.09% edge)
- 1 way to roll it hard (3+3 for 6, or 4+4 for 8)
- 4 ways to roll it easy (4+2, 2+4, 5+1, 1+5 for 6)
- 6 ways to roll a 7
- Total losing combinations: 10. Winning: 1. True odds: 10:1. Casino pays 9:1.
Hard 4 and Hard 10 (7:1 payout, 11.11% edge)
- 1 way to roll it hard (2+2 for 4, or 5+5 for 10)
- 2 ways to roll it easy (3+1, 1+3 for 4)
- 6 ways to roll a 7
- Total losing combinations: 8. Winning: 1. True odds: 8:1. Casino pays 7:1.
Hard 6 and Hard 8 are slightly better bets because there are more “easy” ways to lose on 4 and 10 relative to the payout difference.
Hardway Parlay Strategy
Hardways are one of the most popular bets to parlay because of the compounding effect:
- $1 on Hard 8 hits → pays $9. Parlay it → now $10 on Hard 8
- Hard 8 hits again → pays $90. Parlay again → $100 on Hard 8
- Hard 8 hits a third time → pays $900
Three consecutive hardway hits turns $1 into $900. It’s extremely rare (the probability of hitting Hard 8 three times before a 7 or easy 8 is about 0.07%), but when it happens, it’s one of the most exciting moments at the craps table.
Hardways FAQs
What does “the hard way” mean in craps?
Rolling a number “the hard way” means rolling it as a matching pair — both dice show the same number. Hard 6 = 3+3, Hard 8 = 4+4, Hard 4 = 2+2, Hard 10 = 5+5. Rolling it any other way (like 5+3 for 8) is called “the easy way.”
Are hardways working on the come-out roll?
By default, hardways are OFF during the come-out roll. You can tell the dealer “hardways working” to keep them active. If a 7 rolls on the come-out while they’re working, you lose your hardway bets.
Which hardway bet is best?
Hard 6 and Hard 8 have a lower house edge (9.09%) compared to Hard 4 and Hard 10 (11.11%). If you’re going to bet hardways, the 6 and 8 are the better mathematical choice.
Can I take down a hardway bet?
Yes — hardway bets can be removed or reduced at any time. Just tell the dealer “take down my hard 8” and they’ll return your chips.
Final Thoughts
Hardway bets add excitement to any craps session — they stay active across multiple rolls and offer satisfying payouts when they hit. But with 9-11% house edges, they should be a small part of your overall strategy, not the foundation. Keep your core bets on the Pass Line with Odds, and use hardways as entertainment bets when the table is hot.
Check our craps payout calculator for exact hardway payouts at any bet amount.
