The game of craps has its own language, and you’ll hear slang flying from every direction on a live craps table – dealers calling “snake eyes” (two ones), “boxcars” (two sixes), or players shouting “natural” (a 7 or 11 rolled on the come-out) or “Yo” (a roll of 11). In this article, we’ll talk about “Little Joe”, which means rolling a double two in craps.
First, let’s quickly go over the rules of craps.
Craps is a popular casino table game where a shooter rolls the dice, and players bet on various outcomes. All bets must be placed before the dice is rolled. Then, the shooter (the person shooting the dice) throws the “come-out roll” or the very first roll of the game.
The first outcome is the “pass line” or “don’t pass line”, which determines winning and losing numbers.
Here’s what happens if you bet “pass line”:
The “don’t pass line” bets are the opposite:
Craps also offers several side bets, where players can wager on specific number combinations, such as Come and Don’t Come Bets, Place and Lay bets, Field bets, Hard bets, and Proposition bets like Any 7 or Horn bet.
The double two in craps is a roll of two twos, which totals four. It’s also called “Hard 4”. It’s “hard” because both dice match. If the shooter rolls 1-3 or 3-1, that is called an “Easy 4”. The total remains the same, but the meaning changes.
So, why does a pair of twos in craps matter? The hardways bet is the most obvious example. When you bet on the hard 4, you’re wagering that the shooter will roll 2-2 before rolling an easy 4 or a 7. If the shooter hits the exact double two, you win. If they hit 1-3 or 3-1 first, you lose. If a 7 appears, you also lose.
Let’s look at a quick example. You place a £2 bet on Hardways 4. The shooter rolls a 2-2. That’s an immediate win. The payout is usually 7:1, so you get £14. But, let’s say the shooter instead rolls 1-3. That’s still a 4, but not a hard four. Your bet loses instantly. It also loses if a 7 is rolled.
The double two also matters on the come-out roll. If 4 becomes the point, players start watching the shooter closely. Shooters who throw more doubles sometimes build superstition around it. You’ll see the table erupt wildly when a 2-2 lands.
The odds of rolling a double two in craps are 1 in 36. Rolling a Hardways 4 is considered one of the most difficult bets in craps. It has an 11.11% house edge. In comparison, the “Don’t Pass” line has a 1.36% house edge – one of the lowest in craps
The double 2 in craps has two famous nicknames: Little Joe and Ballerina.
The nickname Little Joe goes back to the early 20th century when craps was played on the streets. Players used rhymes and fast slang to call out rolls. “Little Joe from Kokomo” used to be a popular chant for the Hard 4, which stuck. Over time, “Little Joe” has become shorthand for the 2-2 combo.
Ballerina is a fun slang term that plays off the phrase “two-two”, which sounds like tutu (the skirt worn by ballerinas).
Rolling a double two or “Little Joe” describes the game situation, not a specific bet. However, double two impacts two bets in your craps strategy:
|
Odds and Payouts for Rolling Double Two |
|
| Dice Outcome | Double two (2–2), also called Hard 4 |
| Probability | 1 in 36 (2.78%) |
| House Edge | 11.11% |
| True Odds | 8:1 |
| Payout | 7:1, 7.5:1, or 8:1 depending on the casino |
| Winning Condition | Shooter rolls 2–2 before an easy 4 or 7 |
| Losing Condition | Shooter rolls 1–3, 3–1, or 7 |
| Other Bets Affected? | No. Pass Line, Place, Come bets only care about the total 4, not 2–2 specifically |
Betting is only available to participants above 18 years. Please bet responsibly. BeGambleAware.org
Craps is simple once you get the rules. A shooter rolls two dice (come-out roll), and players have to bet on the outcome. The very first bets that can be placed are the Pass or Don’t Pass Line. 7 or 11 wins, and 2, 3, or 12 loses for Pass Line bettors. Any other number becomes the point. The shooter then tries to roll the point again before hitting a 7. Don’t Pass bets are the opposite. Along the way, players can place extra bets on specific numbers, combinations, or one-roll outcomes.
Yes. Many licensed casinos offer real-money craps online. You’ll find both digital RNG versions and live-dealer tables streamed in real time. Rules stay the same.
Online casinos are not rigged as long as you play at licensed sites. Both physical and online casinos must meet strict fairness standards to acquire their license. Stick to reputable casinos, and you can rest assured that your game will be fair.
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