DOUBLE TWO IN CRAPS: MEANING, PAYOUTS AND BETTING STRATEGIES

If you’ve played craps before, you’ll know that a double two outcome is very possible. But how does this impact your betting, and what can you do to come out on top? Join us at EnergyCasino as we explore this outcome.

WHAT IS A HARD FOUR BET ON THE CRAPS TABLE?

A Hard Four bet in craps is a wager that the shooter will roll a total of 4 as double twos (2-2) before rolling a 7 or an “easy four” (3-1). It falls under the category of hardways bets, which focus on specific doubles (hard numbers).

Since rolling a 4 with a double two is less common than rolling a 4 as 3-1, this bet has a higher payout but also a greater house edge. If the shooter rolls a hard 4, the bet wins, but if a 7 or an easy 4 appears first, the bet loses.

IMPORTANCE OF DISTINGUISHING BETWEEN HARD AND EASY ROLLS​

A hard roll occurs when a number is made by rolling identical dice values, such as hard 4 (2-2), hard 6 (3-3), hard 8 (4-4), and hard 10 (5-5). Since hard rolls can only be made in one way, they are harder to hit than their easy roll counterparts, which have multiple dice combinations. Hard rolls stay active until the number is rolled the hard way, an easy version of the number appears, or a 7 is rolled.

On the other hand, an easy roll refers to rolling a total of 4, 6, 8, or 10 using two different numbers, such as easy 4 (3-1), easy 6 (4-2), easy 8 (5-3), and easy 10 (6-4).

These rolls are more common than hard rolls because they can be made in multiple ways, making them more favourable for players relying on natural dice probabilities. Easy rolls play a key role in bets, where the goal is to roll a specific number before a 7.

PROBABILITY AND ODDS BETS OF ROLLING DOUBLE TWO

The probability of rolling Double Two (2-2) in craps is 1/36 since there is only one way to roll this combination out of 36 possible dice outcomes. In terms of odds, the chances of rolling a hard 4 are 35 to 1 against, meaning it occurs once for every 35 non-hard 4 rolls. When betting on Hard 4, most online casinos offer a 7:1 payout, though some may offer 8:1.

PAYOUTS AND HOUSE EDGE FOR DOUBLE TWO IN CRAPS

The payouts and house edge for rolling Double Two (2-2) in craps depend on the type of bet placed. The most common wager involving Double Two is the Hard 4 bet, which pays 7:1 in most online casinos, though some offer 8:1. However, despite the attractive payout, the bet carries a high house edge—approximately 11.1% at 7:1 odds and 9.09% at 8:1 odds.

This is because the probability of rolling a Hard 4 is only 1/36, while there are two ways to roll an Easy 4 (3-1, 1-3) and six ways to roll a 7, which ends the bet. Unlike Place Bets or Pass Line wagers, which have much lower house edges, the Hard 4 bet is best suited for players willing to take higher risks for bigger payouts.

BETTING ON DOUBLE TWO (HARD 4) IN CRAPS

Betting on Double Two (Hard 4) in craps involves different wager types, each with its own risk and payout structure

HARDWAYS BET ON 4

A Hard 4 bet wins if the shooter rolls a Double Two (2-2) before a 7 or an Easy 4 (3-1 or 1-3) is rolled. This bet offers a payout based on 7:1 or 8:1 odds, depending on the casino. However, since double two is one of the more difficult combinations to roll, the house edge is relatively high compared to other bets, making it a high bet risk. The bet pays when the exact combination of 2-2 is rolled before any other outcome.

PLACE BETS ON 4

A Place Bet on 4 involves betting that any 4 will be rolled before a 7. This could include both a Hard 4 (2-2) or an Easy 4 (3-1, 1-3). The payout odds for a Place Bet on 4 are typically 9:5, which is lower than the Hard 4 bet but offers a better chance of winning, as the number rolled could be any 4. This is a line bet and follows the same rules as other line bets, where you can take odds or place additional bets.

LAY BET ON 4

A Lay Bet on 4 is placed on the opposite of the pass. It wins if a 7 is rolled before any 4 appears. Since a 7 is more likely to be rolled than a 4, lay odds for this bet are typically 2:1, meaning the bet pays more in relation to the original bet. This bet can be used strategically to offset risk or as part of a buy and lay bet strategy.

STRATEGIES INVOLVING BETTING ON THE HARD FOUR

If you opt to bet on the Hard 4, you could consider placing a Horn Bet or Horn High bet, as it covers multiple numbers rolled including two craps (2-2, 3-1, 1-3, and 4). This can increase your exposure to different outcomes, although the payout odds for these bets vary.

Players can also make buy and lay bets to either increase their exposure to the point value or protect their initial stake by betting on the opposite outcome.

For a more conservative approach, placing even money bets like the Pass Bet or Don’t Pass Bet offers a lower house edge while still allowing you to participate in the game. If you’re feeling lucky, you might also use double odds for the Pass Line, adding a greater potential payout when the shooter continues their streak of favourable rolls.

DOUBLE TWO AGAINST PASS LINE BET

When betting on the Double Two in craps (also known as the Hard 4), it’s important to understand how it contrasts with a Pass Line Bet. A Pass Line Bet is placed during the come out roll and wins if the shooter rolls a 7 or 11 and loses if a 2, 3, or 12 is rolled.

If any other number is rolled, that number becomes the pass line point, and the bet stays active until the point number is rolled again or a 7 appears.

A Hard 4 (Double Two) is not part of the Pass Line Bet but can be played separately through a Hardways Bet.

The Hard 4 pays off if 2-2 is rolled before a 7 or an Easy 4 (3-1 or 1-3). The odds bets placed on the Pass Line after the point number is established are an important consideration for players, but they don’t apply to the Hard 4.

COMMON MISTAKES WHEN BETTING ON DOUBLE TWO

Here are a few mistakes to avoid:

• Betting Too Much on Hard 4: Overcommitting to the Hard 4 can lead to significant losses, as it’s a high-risk bet with a high house edge.
• Misunderstanding the Buy Bet: Confusing Buy Bets with regular Place Bets can cost more, as Buy Bets pay true odds but require a higher amount bet.
• Not Timing Bets Properly: Placing a Hard 4 bet during the come out roll is risky, as it’s not part of the Pass Line Bet strategy.
• Ignoring Losing Numbers: Players often neglect the risk of rolling 7 or Easy 4, which leads to losing numbers and a lost Hard 4 bet.
• Chasing Losses: Increasing the original bet after a loss on the Hard 4 can spiral into greater losses, especially without adjusting to odds or patterns.

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