What is a hop bet in craps?

Have you ever heard someone at the craps table yell “Six-five on the hop!” and wonder what on Earth they’re talking about? Well, they weren’t talking about a weird beer order that’s for sure (although in the PNW, you can never be sure). This explosive call-out is referring to a “hop bet.”

So, what is a hop bet in craps?

It’s when you bet that a specific combo, like a 6 and 5 – per the example from our zealous caller in the first paragraph – will land on the very next roll.

It’s a flashy and risky bet that’s usually reserved for the show-off types, but if it hits, although rare, the payout is solid.

Let’s break down how hop bets work, what they pay, and whether they deserve a spot in your next Craps session.

Easy, Hard, & Total Hop Bets

When you make hop bets in craps, you’re calling out a specific combination of the two dice. But how those numbers land matters. That’s where the terms easy and hard hop bets come in.

(Btw – If you’re still getting familiar with the basics, our guide on how to play craps covers everything from the pass line to the layout.)

Easy Hop Bets

An easy hop bet means you’re betting on two specific but different numbers that add up to the total you called.

For example, a “6-3 on the hop” is considered “easy.” The dice has two ways to land, as either 6-3 or 3-6. Same with 5-4 hopping, 5-7 hops, etc.

In comparison to hard hops (in the next section), these bets are more likely to hit since there are two ways to win, and the payout reflects that: typically 15:1. They’re still risky, but not totally out of reach.

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Hard Hop Bets

A hard hop bet is when you’re betting on the same number on both dice, like “4-4 on the hop,” or “6-6 hopping.” These are tougher to land, since there’s only one way for it to happen. But with that extra risk comes a bigger reward, usually 30:1 if you hit.

Hop Totals

A hop total bet splits your wager across all dice combos that add to a chosen number. Say “10 hopping,” and your bet covers 6-4, 4-6 (easy hops), and 5-5 (hard hop). You’re paid only on the part that hits: 15:1 for easy, 30:1 for hard.

Anyway, hop-fully that’s clear. Now let’s look at probabilities.

Probability Of Winning A Hop Bet

A hop bet in craps looks fun and dramatic, but before you call one out, slow your roll. Your odds of actually hitting one are pretty rough.

A pair of dice has 36 possible outcomes, from 1-1 to 6-6.

When you place an easy hop bet, you’re betting on two specific combinations out of those 36. For example, a bet on “3-2 on the hop” wins if the roll is 3-2 or 2-3. That gives you a 2 in 36 chance, or 1 in 18.

A hard hop bet, like “3-3,” has just one winning combo, which is a 1 in 36 shot.

Now here’s the kicker: those payouts sound decent, but they don’t match the true odds. The house edge is built in, which is about 11.1% on easy hops and 13.9% on hard hops. You might have a better chance of finding a matching Tupperware lid on the first try.

Are hop bets worth it?

In short: not usually, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be fun.

Hop bets offer big, flashy payouts when they land, but they rarely do. Plus, the house edge, which can reach 13% or higher, is one of the highest on the craps table. That means over time, hop bets will drain your bankroll faster than most other wagers.

But “worth it” isn’t always about the math.

Craps is a social game of boisterous laughter and risks. For some players, the reaction is worth a million, so they’ll toss out a hop bet for the thrill. Maybe they have a hunch. Maybe the last three rolls were all 4s, and they’re feeling spicy. As long as you know the odds going in and you’re not relying on it as part of your actual strategy, hop bets can add some personality to your play.

Just don’t fall into the trap of thinking you’ve “figured something out.” The payout doesn’t match the probability, and you’re not beating the system. Hop bets are best treated like seasoning: a little adds flavor, too much ruins the meal.

How much do hop bets pay in Craps?

Hop bets pay 15:1 for easy combos (two different numbers) and 30:1 for hard combos (doubles). Sounds nice, but those payouts don’t match the true odds, which is why the house edge is so high.

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How can I place a hop bet in craps?

To place a hop bet, you don’t toss your chips just anywhere; that would be a hop-pas, pronounced hop-pah, the craps step child of a faux pas.

Hop bets aren’t listed on the layout of most tables, so you’ll need to call them out clearly to the dealer before the next roll.

You can’t just say “nine on the hop,” “hoppity nine,” or worst of all, “hop to it” to the dealer. The last one, especially, doesn’t reflect well on your table manners.

You must be specific about which dice combo you’re betting on, like “five and four on the hop,” “five-four hopping,” or “hard six on the hop” (which clearly implies 3-3).

And yes, wording matters. A “hard six” means two threes. That’s a hard hop bet. If you meant 4 and 2, you should’ve called “easy six on the hop.” These aren’t interchangeable. The payouts are different, and the dealer will place exactly what you say. If you mess it up, the dealer won’t be hopping in to help you fix it.

Most dealers will confirm your bet verbally, especially if the table’s loud. However, it helps to make eye contact, slide your chips over, and clearly state the amount and combo.

Or better yet, just play craps online. You won’t have to make eye contact with anyone; just hit the button for a hop bet if the casino allows it. *Shudder*. That almost felt like making a phone call.

Wrapping it up here, what are hop bets in craps? They’re fun, flashy wagers that can spark a good time, but not reliably make you money. Use them sparingly like hot sauce, just a dash here and there to rile up the crowd. For more consistent, reliable wins, play craps at Cafe Casino, where the table games are H.O.P. – High On Payouts. (We should trademark that.)