Utilizing the Hop Bet

Most people don't know this, but you can bet on hardways hopping and get a higher payoff. If you think a hardway four is "due" you can bet, for example, "$5 2&2 hop". Now the good thing about hardway hops is that they pay double - instead of 15:1 (on a regular hop bet) you get 30:1 on your wagers. So, if you bet $5 hardway 4 hop, and the very next roll is 2&2, you'll win $150 (at 30:1) instead of $35 at 7:1 - $110 more!

Remember, though, a hardway hop (at 30:1) is for one roll only, while a regular hardway bet (at 7:1 or 9:1) stays up until it wins or loses. Also, make sure your favorite casino pays 30:1 on hardway hops. Some of the older casinos still pay 15:1, so ask first to make sure.

At 30:1 this means you can bet $5 hardway hopping on the 4, 6, 8 or 10 and win $150 as opposed to winning $35 (7:1) on the 4/10 or $45 (9:1) on the 6/8.

You can also hop the seven on the comeout. This is rarely done, but it can be very profitable - if you do it correctly. The seven can be made three ways - 3&4, 2&5, and 1&6, so your bets must be in multiples of $3. You can use a simple $3 progression ($3, $6, $9, etc.), especially if the shooter sets the dice and bets big on the passline.

Finally, if you like to lay bets, you probably thought of hedging your even lay bets (4, 6, 8 or 10) with a hardway wager. If the hard ten rolls, you lose your $80 lay bet but win $84 (at 7:1) from the hard way. Now, instead of betting $12 hard ten, you can bet $3 hard ten hopping, which can pay 30:1 instead of 7:1. Remember, though, that this is a one-roll bet, so it must be replaced on every roll. However, if you lose the $80 when the hard way rolls, you can win $90 ($3 at 30:1) on the hard ten. And if you win your lay bet you will only lose $3 instead of $12.

Always remember that Hop Bets are one roll bets. They have a sizeable house edge so don't go crazy. It's a fun bet that can spice up the game so use it accordingly.

That's it for now, so until next time,

WORK HARD, PARTY HARDER!!