With a roll stand (1), in particular a thick plate roll stand with a right stand frame (2), a left stand frame (3), an upper stand cross beam (4) connecting said frames, at least one pair of working rollers, and one pair of support rollers and the appertaining inserts, as well as a balancing device with holding arms (5, 6), and a piston rod (7) that protrudes through the cross beam in the upward direction and that projects above the top surface (8) of the cross beam (4). A brace (10), located on the outer end (9) of the piston rod (7), is aligned in the direction of the roller and engages with the holding arms (5, 6) of the balancing device. A rotational sleeve (11) arranged between the top edge (12) of the balance cylinder (22) and the bottom edge (13) of the brace (10) clasps around the piston rod (7) and is thus supported on the cross beam (4), and has at least one continuous groove (14) into which the brace (10) can dip.