Hardway [Meaning] - MasterTerms.com

Hardway

A Hardway is a type of bet in Craps where the player wagers that a specific pair of numbers will be rolled before a seven is thrown. Hardways refer specifically to the doubles: 2, 2 (hard four), 3, 3 (hard six), 4, 4 (hard eight), and 5, 5 (hard ten).

In more detail, a Hardway bet can be placed on any of the hardway numbers, and it wins if that specific double is rolled before a seven. If a seven is rolled first or if the player rolls the same numbers but not as a double (for instance, rolling a 3 and a 1 for a total of four), the player loses the bet. The payout for a successful Hardway bet is typically higher than for other bets, reflecting the increased difficulty of rolling the doubles.

Hardway Example

For example, if a player bets on a Hardway four (2, 2), they will win if that specific roll comes up before a seven or any other combination that sums to four, such as 3 and 1. If they roll a 3 and a 1 first, or if a seven is rolled before they hit the hard four, they lose the bet.