Double Two Craps Explained: The Ballerina Roll in Dice Games

Double two, also known as the ballerina roll, is a result in craps that sometimes leaves new players curious about its meaning and place in the game. This roll has gathered a few nicknames and simple rules, and understanding it helps build confidence at the table.

This guide explains the basics of double two in craps, how players and dealers refer to it, the odds of seeing it, and which bets it touches. It also clarifies the difference between a hard four and an easy four, and how table rules or payouts might vary.

Any lingering myths are cleared up along the way so you can see exactly where the ballerina roll fits into the wider game. If you choose to play, set sensible limits and stick to what feels comfortable.

What Is Double Two In Craps?

Double two in craps refers to a dice roll where both dice land on the number two. This totals four and is commonly known as the ballerina roll.

There are three ways to make a total of four: 1-3, 3-1, and 2-2. Double two is the only one made with matching numbers, which is why it is called a hard four.

At the table, you might hear different nicknames for the same result. Knowing that “ballerina” and “hard four” both mean 2-2 makes the calls easier to follow.

Now that the term is clear, how does it actually show up during play?

How Does The Ballerina Roll Occur?

The ballerina roll happens when the shooter throws the dice and both land showing two. Casinos require a legitimate toss, including hitting the back wall, to keep rolls fair and consistent.

There is no approved technique that makes double two appear more often than any other specific pair. It is simply one of the possible outcomes when two standard dice are rolled.

With that in mind, it helps to look at how likely it is to appear.

What Are The Odds Of Rolling Double Two?

With two six-sided dice, there are 36 possible outcomes. Only one of those is 2-2, so the chance of rolling double two is 1 in 36, or about 2.78%.

By comparison, an easy four can arrive in two ways, 1-3 or 3-1, which is why the hard four is less common than the easy version. These odds feed directly into how different bets pay.

So, which parts of the layout does a hard four actually affect?

Which Bets Pay For Double Two?

Double two, also called hard four, touches several areas of the craps layout, though each bet treats it differently. The hard four bet is the most direct link, but other wagers can be involved depending on the stage of the game.

Here is how common bets interact with a 2-2 result:

• Hard four: Wins only if 2-2 appears before a seven or any easy four, usually paying 7 to 1. If a 3-1 or 1-3 arrives first, or a seven, the bet loses.
• Pass Line and Don’t Pass: On a come-out roll, a 4 establishes the point. Pass Line players then want a 4 to repeat before a 7, while Don’t Pass players are on the opposite side of that outcome.
• Place and Buy bets on 4: A Place bet on 4 usually pays 9 to 5 when any 4 appears. A Buy bet on 4 pays 2 to 1, typically with a small commission taken according to house rules.
• Field: The number 4 is usually a field winner that pays even money. Exact payouts depend on the table’s field rules.

Come and Don’t Come bets work in the same way as Pass and Don’t Pass once they move to the 4. The key point is that only the hardways bet cares about how the four is made. For most other wagers, a 4 is a 4, whether it is hard or easy.

How Is A Hard Four Different From An Easy Four?

A hard four is the pair 2-2. An easy four is 3-1 or 1-3. That difference matters because there is only one way to roll a hard four, but there are two ways to roll an easy four.

On hardways bets, that distinction is crucial. A hard four bet wins only on 2-2 and loses if an easy four or a seven appears first. On Place, Buy, Pass, and Come wagers that involve the number 4, the layout does not separate hard from easy, so both versions are treated the same for those bets.

Understanding this split helps explain why the hard four pays more than an even-money wager yet is still a relatively tough result to hit.

How Do Table Rules And Payouts Vary For Double Two?

Rules and payouts for outcomes involving double two can vary by table, so it is always sensible to glance at the layout and any posted paytables before getting involved.

For the hard four, many tables pay 7 to 1. Place bets on 4 commonly pay 9 to 5, while Buy bets on 4 pay 2 to 1 with a small commission that might be taken only on wins or upfront, depending on the house. Laying against the 4 does the reverse, paying 1 to 2, and often involves a commission as well. The field usually pays even money on 4, with special payouts reserved for 2 or 12 if offered.

Small details, like whether commission is rounded or when it is collected, can change the value of a bet. Dealers also follow house procedures when calling or settling results, so the same roll might be handled with slightly different phrasing or timing from place to place.

How Do You Read A Double Two Result On The Table?

Spotting a double two is straightforward once you know what to look for. If both dice show two pips, the total is four and it is a hard four. Dealers will often announce “hard four” or “ballerina” to make it clear.

If it happens on a come-out roll, the puck moves to 4 and Pass Line players now want that number to repeat before a seven. If hardways bets are on the layout, only those placed on the hard four are in play for that specific 2-2 result.

Listening to the dealer’s call and watching where chips are paid or removed is a quick way to learn how the table treats the outcome.

What Do Dealers And Players Call Double Two?

At a craps table, double two is known by a few names. “Ballerina” is the familiar nickname, often called out as “two-two, ballerina, tutu.” The formal term is “hard four,” since both dice match and the total is four.

You might also hear short calls like “hard four” without any flair. However it is said, it points to the same thing, a 2-2.

Common Misconceptions About Double Two

A frequent misconception is that all totals of four are paid the same. They are not. Hardways bets care about how the four is made, while most other wagers only care that a four has arrived.

Another myth is that certain throws can make double two appear more often. In standard play, outcomes are random and there is no permitted way to steer the dice toward a specific pair.

Some also think “ballerina roll” is a separate bet. It is just a nickname for the hard four, not a different wager.

If gambling starts to affect your well-being or finances, seek support early. Organisations such as GamCare and GambleAware provide free, confidential help. Understanding the ballerina roll, and how it touches different bets, makes the game easier to follow and helps you choose wagers with a clear head.

_{**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.}