Craps Hop Bet: Understanding the Rules and Odds

A hop bet is a one-roll craps bet that a specific dice combination will show on the next roll. The hop bet is typically played by those playing a hunch and looking for excitement and a big payout.

Craps is a popular dice game at casinos, and many different types of bets can be placed on the craps table. We will cover how the Hop Bet works, whether it is a good bet to place, the odds of winning, and other important information about the craps Hop Bet.

We also have a fully functional hop bet calculator so you can see the payouts on any hop bet you make at the table.

Craps table layout with Hop bets section highlighted

11.1-13.9%

House
Advantage

Good Bet?

★★★★★

How Does a Hop Bet Work?

A hop bet is a proposition wager in craps where you bet that the next roll of the dice will result in a specific combination of numbers. They are one roll bets and there are two types of hop bets:

Easy Hops: These are bets on combinations where the dice show different numbers, like 2-3, 4-5, or 5-6.

Hard Hops: These bets are on combinations where the dice show the same number, such as 2-2, 3- 3, or 4-4.

Placing Hop Bets at the right time, after a roll AND when the stickman is taking prop bets, is good etiquette and will keep the table moving. You’ll simply say “hop the 5-5”, or “5-5 hopping” or whatever number combination you’d like. As you’re announcing your bet, set your chips on the layout for the dealer. Most tables will prefer you toss them to the stickman.

Hop bets can be placed in $1 increments and there are two different ways players typically place their wagers.

Individual combinations: This is a bet on a specific number combination, 5-4 for example.

Multiple combinations: This would be a bet on all of the number combinations that make up a point number. For example, a 9 can be made with a dice combination of 5-4 or 6-3. So if you decide to “hop the 9’s”, you’ll need $2. $1 will be placed on each of the combinations. If a 9 hits, you’ll be paid for the combination that was tossed, and lose the other bet.

New to craps? Learn more about how to play craps here.

It’s also important to note, not all casinos will have hop bets on their table layouts, but some who do not have it on the layout will still take hop bets. So if you don’t see it on the layout, you can still ask the dealers if they accept hop bets.

Odds of Winning a Hop Bet

The odds of winning depend on the specific combination you’re betting on.

Easy Hops can be made two different ways since the dice can land in any order, e.g., 3-2 or 2-3. The odds of an easy hop hitting is 18:1, or 1 in 18.

Hard Hops have only one possible combination since the dice must land on the same number on both, e.g., 4-4. The odds of a hard hop hitting is 36:1, or 1 in 36.

Bottom line – there are 2 ways to win with an Easy Hop, but only 1 way to win with a Hard Hop.

Hop Bet Payouts

Easy Hop bets pay $15 for every $1 wagered.

Hard Hop bets pay $30 for every $1 wagered.

But keep in mind – If you make a hop bet on multiple combinations, you’ll only be paid for the combination that wins. For example, if you “hop the 6’s”, that bet will cost you $3, and $1 will be placed on each of the 1-5, 2-4, and 3-3 combinations.

Hop Bet Calculator

House Edge on Hop Bets

Easy Hop bets carry a house edge of 11.11%

Hard Hop bets carry a house edge of 13.89%

This means that, on average, the casino will make a profit of 11.11% or 13.89% respectively on hop bets.

The house edge on the craps table has a range from 1.41% to 16.67%. The lowest being line bets and come bets. The highest house edge comes from the Any 7 bet.

With a proper advanced craps betting strategy, you can reduce the house edge well below 1.41%.

Hop Bet Strategies

Most hop bets are placed as a hunch, but there are times hop bets can be used as a hedge.

When placing hardway bets, you can hop the non-hardway portion to offset any loss from an easy hit

Hedging on a line bet or come bet loss, hopping the numbers you’d otherwise lose on.

Covering all of the numbers and pray for a hardway. It costs $21 to cover all numbers, if a hardway is thrown, you’ll be paid $30. But, it’s far more likely that you’ll only be paid $15 for a loss of $6.

FAQs

What is a hop bet in craps?

A hop bet is a single-roll bet placed on a specific dice combination. Hop bets can be placed on any roll. A hard hop (1-1, 2-2, 3-3…) pays 30:1. Easy hops (1-2, 1-3, 1-4…) pay 15:1. They carry a house edge of 13.89% on hard hops and 11.11% easy hops.

What does the hop seven pay?

Hopping all of the sevens will cost you $3 and it will pay $15. Alternatively, you could choose one combination (6-1, 5-2, 4-3), any one of those will pay $15.

What is the 3 4 5 rule in craps?

3-4-5 refers to the maximum odds a player can take at the craps table. 3x odds on the 4 or 10, 4x odds on the 5 or 9, and 5x odds on the 6 or 8.

What is the most profitable bet in craps?

The most profitable craps bet is the pass line with maximum odds. The pass line bet carries the lowest house edge on the table. Alternatively, a hop bet on a hardway will pay $30 for a $1 bet, so if you’re lucky enough for it to hit, that would be the most profitable.

Final Thoughts

The hop bet in craps is a fun one roll bet that comes with a big payout but has a very low chance of hitting. It is not one of the best craps bets on the table, so I would recommend only playing hop bets sparingly.

If you are going to place hop bets, pay attention to the flow of the game and try to place all of your bets at the same time. Proposition bets tend to slow the game down because they are cleared or paid after each roll, then oftentimes replaced. It is a lot of back and forth for the stickman.

When I’m making a prop bet, I often put the dealers on it with me, it is a nice tip if it hits.

Good luck at the tables!