Craps Hardways Calculator: Odds & Payout Guide (2026)
Craps Hardways Calculator: Understanding Prop Bet Odds
Hardways are among craps' most exciting—and expensive—bets. When you bet "hard 8," you're wagering the dice will show 4-4 before either a 7 or an "easy" 8 (6-2 or 5-3). Our calculator shows exact odds and why the house edge makes these bets costly entertainment.
What Are Hardway Bets?
A hardway bet wins only if the number is rolled as a matching pair (doubles). It loses if a 7 rolls or if the number comes "easy" (any non-double combination).
Quick Answer: Hardway bets have house edges of 9.09% (hard 6/8) to 11.11% (hard 4/10)—among the worst in craps. They pay 7:1 or 9:1, but the true odds are 8:1 and 10:1 respectively. These are entertainment bets, not value plays.
How to Use Our Free Hardways Calculator
Use the Craps Hardways Calculator →
Enter your bet to see odds, payouts, and true probabilities.
Step-by-Step Instructions
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Select Hardway: Hard 4, 6, 8, or 10
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Enter Bet Amount: Your wager
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View Payout: What you'll win
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See True Odds: Compare to casino payout
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Check House Edge: Understand the cost
Input Fields Explained
| Field | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Hardway Type | Which number | Hard 8 |
| Bet Amount | Your wager | $5 |
| Payout | If you win | $45 |
| True Probability | Actual odds | 9.09% |
| House Edge | Casino advantage | 9.09% |
Hardway Bet Breakdown
Hard 4 and Hard 10
| Factor | Hard 4/10 |
|---|---|
| Winning combination | 2-2 or 5-5 |
| Ways to win | 1 |
| Easy ways (lose) | 2 (3-1, 5-5 or 6-4) |
| Ways to roll 7 | 6 |
| Total losing ways | 8 |
| Win probability | 1/9 = 11.11% |
| True odds | 8:1 |
| Casino payout | 7:1 |
| House edge | 11.11% |
Hard 6 and Hard 8
| Factor | Hard 6/8 |
|---|---|
| Winning combination | 3-3 or 4-4 |
| Ways to win | 1 |
| Easy ways (lose) | 4 (6: 5-1, 4-2) or (8: 6-2, 5-3) |
| Ways to roll 7 | 6 |
| Total losing ways | 10 |
| Win probability | 1/11 = 9.09% |
| True odds | 10:1 |
| Casino payout | 9:1 |
| House edge | 9.09% |
Hardway Odds Summary
| Bet | Win Prob | True Odds | Payout | House Edge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hard 4 | 11.11% | 8:1 | 7:1 | 11.11% |
| Hard 6 | 9.09% | 10:1 | 9:1 | 9.09% |
| Hard 8 | 9.09% | 10:1 | 9:1 | 9.09% |
| Hard 10 | 11.11% | 8:1 | 7:1 | 11.11% |
All hardways have terrible house edges compared to pass line (1.41%).
Real-World Hardway Examples
Example 1: Basic Hard 8 Bet
Bet: $5 on hard 8 Scenario A: Dice show 4-4
- Win: $45 (9:1 × $5)
- Keep your $5 bet
Scenario B: Dice show 6-2
- Lose: Your $5 (easy 8 loses)
Scenario C: Dice show 7
- Lose: Your $5 (seven-out)
Example 2: Session Analysis
Bankroll: $100 Bet: $5 hardways across (all four) Total per roll: $20
Expected results per roll:
- Win probability (any hardway): ~36.4%
- Average win: ~$40
- Average outcome: -$2.00 per roll (10% combined edge)
After 50 resolved bets: Expected loss ~$100
Example 3: Comparing to Pass Line
Same $100 bankroll, same session:
| Bet Type | House Edge | Expected Loss |
|---|---|---|
| Pass line | 1.41% | $1.41 per $100 |
| Hard 6/8 | 9.09% | $9.09 per $100 |
| Hard 4/10 | 11.11% | $11.11 per $100 |
Hardways cost 6-8× more than pass line.
Hardway Strategy
The Reality
There is no winning hardway strategy:
- House edge is fixed and high
- No amount of bet sizing changes EV
- "Systems" just redistribute variance
If You Must Play Hardways
- Small bets only: Entertainment money
- Hard 6/8 over 4/10: Slightly better odds
- Set strict limits: Know your loss ceiling
- Consider it tip money: The cost of excitement
Working vs. Not Working
You can turn hardways "off" during come-out:
- "Hardways working": Active on come-out
- "Hardways off": Inactive during come-out (no action)
Most players keep them off on come-out since 7 is a natural winner for pass line but loses hardways.
Common Hardway Mistakes
1. Treating Them as Good Bets
Mistake: Playing hardways as a regular strategy Reality: 9-11% house edge is terrible Fix: Use pass/don't pass with odds instead
2. Pressing After Wins
Mistake: Doubling hardways after winning Reality: Each bet has the same edge Fix: Maintain flat bets if playing at all
3. Covering All Four
Mistake: Betting all hardways constantly Reality: Multiplies your exposure to bad odds Fix: Pick one for entertainment if any
4. Ignoring Better Bets
Mistake: Hardways instead of place bets Reality: Place 6/8 has 1.52% edge vs. 9.09% Fix: Learn the better craps bets first
Frequently Asked Questions
Are hardways ever a good bet?
Mathematically, no. They have some of the worst odds on the craps table. They're entertainment, not value.
What's the best hardway to bet?
Hard 6 and hard 8 have "only" 9.09% edge vs. 11.11% for hard 4/10. Neither is good, but 6/8 are slightly less bad.
How often do hardways hit?
Hard 6/8: About 1 in 11 resolved decisions Hard 4/10: About 1 in 9 resolved decisions
Should I keep hardways working on come-out?
Usually not. The 7 wins for pass line but loses your hardways. Most players turn them off.
Can I remove hardway bets?
Yes, hardways (like all proposition bets) can be taken down at any time. Unlike pass/don't pass after the point.
Why do casinos offer such bad bets?
Because people play them. The excitement of hitting a 9:1 payout draws action despite the terrible odds.
Hardways vs. Other Craps Bets
House Edge Comparison
| Bet | House Edge | Relative Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Pass/Don't Pass (with odds) | 0.4-1.4% | Baseline |
| Place 6/8 | 1.52% | ~1× |
| Place 5/9 | 4.00% | ~3× |
| Field (triple 12) | 2.78% | ~2× |
| Hard 6/8 | 9.09% | ~6× |
| Hard 4/10 | 11.11% | ~8× |
| Any 7 | 16.67% | ~12× |
Hardways are among the worst, beaten only by one-roll prop bets.
Place Bets vs. Hardways
| Factor | Place 6 | Hard 6 |
|---|---|---|
| House edge | 1.52% | 9.09% |
| Payout | 7:6 | 9:1 |
| Win probability | 45.5% | 9.09% |
| Excitement | Moderate | High |
Place bets are 6× better value for the same numbers.
The Psychology of Hardways
Why Players Love Them
- Big payouts: 7:1 and 9:1 feel like jackpots
- Table energy: Hardway calls create excitement
- Rooting interest: Something to cheer for
- Psychological reward: Winning feels skill-based
The Cost of Entertainment
| Session Length | Hardway Bets | Expected Loss |
|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | ~$100 action | ~$10 |
| 2 hours | ~$200 action | ~$20 |
| 4 hours | ~$400 action | ~$40 |
Budget hardways like any entertainment expense.
Pro Tips for Hardway Bettors
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Know the true cost: 9-11% house edge is expensive
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Set tiny limits: $1-5 maximum per hardway
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Turn off on come-out: Protect against 7s
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Focus on core bets: Pass line with odds first
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Treat as entertainment: Not an investment
Related Craps Calculators
- Craps Pass Line Calculator - Best basic bet
- Craps Place Bet Calculator - Better number bets
- Craps Don't Pass Calculator - Dark side play
- Craps House Edge Calculator - Compare all bets
- Craps Odds Calculator - Zero-edge odds bets
Conclusion
Hardway bets are exciting but expensive. With house edges of 9-11%, they cost 6-8× more than pass line with odds. Our calculator shows exact odds and payouts—use it to understand what you're paying for that excitement.
If you love the thrill of hardways, budget them as entertainment. Keep bets small, turn them off on come-out, and never confuse excitement with value. The math doesn't lie—but sometimes entertainment is worth the price.
