Quick Answer: What Is A Hardways Bet?
A hardways bet is a bet that a number will be rolled as a pair before:
- a 7, or
- the same number is rolled “the easy way”
Hardways are:
- Hard 4 = 2 + 2
- Hard 6 = 3 + 3
- Hard 8 = 4 + 4
- Hard 10 = 5 + 5
Hardways are usually placed in the center area of the table.
If you want the full big-picture guide first, start here: The Complete Guide To Craps.
How Hardways Bets Win
A hardways bet wins if the shooter rolls your hard number before it gets “broken.”
Example:
- You bet hard 8
- You win if 4+4 appears before a 7 or an easy 8
How Hardways Bets Lose (Two Ways)
Hardways lose in two ways:
1) A 7 Rolls
Seven ends the hardways bet immediately.
2) The Number Rolls Easy
This is the part beginners miss.
Example: Hard 8 can be broken by:
- 5+3
- 6+2
- 3+5
- 2+6
Those are all “easy” eights.
So even if an 8 shows up, you can still lose, because it wasn’t the hard version.
Why Hardways Are Hard (The Core Math)
Hardways are tough because:
- there is only one combination that wins
- there are multiple combinations that break it
- and 7 is always a threat
Let’s look at the math using combinations out of 36.
Hard 4 (2+2)
Ways to win:
- 2+2 → 1 way
Ways to lose:
- 7 → 6 ways
- easy 4 (1+3, 3+1) → 2 ways
So for hard 4, the “event battle” is:
- 1 way to win
- 8 ways to lose (6 + 2)
This is why hard 4 is tough.
Hard 10 (5+5)
Hard 10 works the same as hard 4:
Ways to win:
- 5+5 → 1 way
Ways to lose:
- 7 → 6 ways
- easy 10 (4+6, 6+4) → 2 ways
Same setup:
- 1 way to win
- 8 ways to lose
Hard 6 (3+3)
Hard 6 has more “easy break” outcomes.
Ways to win:
- 3+3 → 1 way
Ways to lose:
- 7 → 6 ways
- easy 6 (1+5, 5+1, 2+4, 4+2) → 4 ways
So:
- 1 way to win
- 10 ways to lose (6 + 4)
Hard 8 (4+4)
Hard 8 mirrors hard 6:
Ways to win:
- 4+4 → 1 way
Ways to lose:
- 7 → 6 ways
- easy 8 (2+6, 6+2, 3+5, 5+3) → 4 ways
So:
- 1 way to win
- 10 ways to lose
What This Means In Plain English
Hardways feel like:
- “I’m betting on a 6” or “I’m betting on an 8”
But you’re not betting on “any 6” or “any 8.”
You’re betting on:
- one exact roll (a double)
That’s why hardways hit less often than many people expect.
If you want a clear reminder of how often totals appear, read The Probability Of Rolling Each Number On Two Dice.
Hardways Payouts (Why They Look Attractive)
Hardways payouts look big because:
- the win condition is rare
- the bet can be broken easily
- the table wants to make it feel exciting
Typical payout ranges (varies by casino):
- Hard 4 / Hard 10 usually pay higher than hard 6 / hard 8
- some tables pay “better” versions, some pay worse
You don’t need to memorize exact payouts. What matters is the structure:
- rare hit + easy to lose = big-looking payout
The Real Risk: Hardways Encourage Re-Betting
Hardways are a classic “one small bet, repeated forever” trap.
A lot of people do this:
- “I’ll just toss $5 on hard 8 every roll.”
That can drain bankroll slowly because the bet loses in multiple ways.
If you enjoy hardways, the safest way is to treat them as:
- a small fun bet
- with a strict cap per session
A Smart Way To Play Hardways (If You Insist)
If you want to play hardways responsibly:
- keep it to 1 small unit
- cap it to a fixed number of rolls
- don’t increase size after losing
- don’t stack multiple hardways at once
- don’t mix hardways with lots of other center bets
Hardways should never be the core of your session plan.
Common Mistakes With Hardways
Mistake 1: Thinking “Hard 8” Means Any 8
It doesn’t. It means 4+4 only.
Mistake 2: Re-Betting Automatically After Every Loss
This turns into a slow bleed.
Mistake 3: Using Hardways To Chase
Hardways are not a recovery tool.
Mistake 4: Treating Payouts Like Value
Big payout doesn’t automatically mean good bet. It often means rare event.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are Hardways In Craps?
Hardways are bets that a number (4, 6, 8, 10) will roll as doubles before a 7 or the easy version of the number.
How Do Hardways Lose?
They lose if a 7 rolls, or if the number rolls “easy” (not doubles).
Why Are Hardways So Risky?
Because there is only one winning combination, multiple losing combinations, and 7 is always a threat.
Are Hardways Better Than Field Bets?
They’re different. Hardways are a center-style specialty bet and are usually higher-risk over time. Field is also risky, but in a different way.
Should Beginners Play Hardways?
Most beginners should skip hardways until they’re comfortable with the basic game flow and bankroll control.
Where To Go Next
You now understand the math behind hardways: one exact winning combination, multiple ways to lose, and why those flashy payouts don’t mean the bet is “good.”
Next, we’ll cover prop bets, the center-table bets with names like Horn, Yo, and C&E, and why these bets can be the fastest way to blow a bankroll if you don’t treat them carefully.
Continue with Understanding Prop Bets In Craps (Horn, Yo, C&E, Etc.).
