Sic Bo Guide: How to Play Sic Bo

Whether you're just starting out with games that involve dice or you're a seasoned player, Sic Bo offers a thrilling and straightforward experience. The rules are quite easy to grasp, and before long, you'll find yourself fully engaged and enjoying every moment!

What is Sic Bo?

Sic Bo is a game of chance that revolves around the roll of three dice. Originating from China, it's known by various names, including Dai Siu, Tai Sai, Hi-Lo, or the Big and Small game. It stands out as one of the few casino games that utilize dice.

Sic Bo enjoys immense popularity across Asia, especially within the vibrant casinos of Macau. With the rise of online gaming platforms, playing Sic Bo has never been more accessible, allowing you to join in from anywhere in the world. Variations also exist, such as Grand Hazard from England or Chuck-a-Luck from the US.

Sic Bo Basic Rules

Understanding how to play Sic Bo is incredibly straightforward. Basically, players place bets on the results of three dice that the dealer rolls. The gaming table features various betting options, and players can easily make their bets by placing chips on the corresponding areas of the table.

Now, let’s explore the different betting options you can choose from when playing Sic Bo online.

Sic Bo Bet Types:

Big and Small Bets

sic bo big small bet

By opting for the 'Big' bet, you are wagering that the total rolled by the three dice will range between 11 and 17 points (keep in mind, if three sixes are rolled, this bet does not win).

Choosing to place a 'Small' bet means you believe the total of the three dice will fall between 4 and 10. As before, rolling three ones will also not yield a victory for this bet.

Payout 1/1
Probability of Success 48.61%
House Edge 2.78%*

Specific Triples Bet

sic boo each triple

A Specific Triple (or 'Alls') bet indicates that you are betting on a particular number appearing on all three dice rolled, such as hitting three sixes.

Payout 180/1
Probability of Success 0.46%
House Edge 16.2%*

Any Triples Bet

sic bo any triple

'Any Triples' refers to a bet where you wager that any set of three matching numbers will be rolled, ranging from three ones to three sixes.

Payout 30/1
Probability of Success 2.8%
House Edge 13.9%*

Doubles Bet

sic bo doubles

When you place a bet on 'Specific Doubles' during your Sic Bo gameplay, you are betting that at least two of the rolled dice will display a certain number.

Payout 10/1
Probability of Success 7.41%
House Edge 18.5%*

Dice Combination Bet

sic bo dice combination

A 'Dice Combination' bet allows you to wager that two distinct numbers will appear when the dealer rolls the dice. For instance, you could bet on the combination of a two and a six.

Payout 6/1
Probability of Success 2.8%
House Edge 13.9%*

Three Dice Total

sic bo dice totals

One of the most favored betting options in Sic Bo is the 'Three Dice Total' wager. Here, players aim to guess the precise total of all three dice rolled. Statistically, certain totals are more likely to occur than others, which we’ll outline in the table below, and the house edge varies from 9.7% to 15.3% based on your selection.

Total Number Payout Probability of Success House Edge
10 or 11 6/1 12.5% 12.5%
9 or 12 7/1 11.6% 7.4%
8 or 13 8/1 9.7% 12.5%
7 or 14 12/1 6.9% 9.7%
6 or 15 18/1 4.6% 12%
5 or 16 30/1 2.8% 9.7%
4 or 17 60/1 1.4% 15.3%

Single Dice Bet

single dice bet

In this wager, players pick a number between one and six. The payout fluctuates depending on whether your chosen number appears on one, two, or all three dice, as detailed in the subsequent table. While the house edge remains constant, notable differences exist in the odds of your number showing up across the dice.

Number of Dice Payout Probability of Success House Edge
1 1/1 34.72% 7.9%
2 2/1 6.94% 7.9%
3 3/1 0.46% 7.9%

Additional Sic Bo Bets:

Here are some additional betting options in Sic Bo that may not be available on every table but can be found in select games. Please note that these bets are typically not provided in online Sic Bo.

Odd and Even Bets

Placing a bet on 'Odd' means you hope the total sum of the three dice results in an odd number. However, if all three dice show the same number (for example, three fives), it does not qualify as a winning 'Odd' bet.

The 'Even' bet anticipates that the total score of the three dice will be an even number, with triples once again being excluded from winning conditions.

Payout 1/1
Probability of Success 48.61%
House Edge 2.78%*

Four Number Combination

Given that there are only three dice in Sic Bo, this bet involves players selecting three out of four potential number combinations. The available combinations are: 1,2,3,4 – 2,3,4,5 – 2,3,5,6 – and 3,4,5,6. Players then pick one of these sets, and if any three of the four chosen numbers appear, it results in a win.

Payout 7/1
Probability of Success 11.1%
House Edge 11.1%*

Three Single Number Combination

Players can select any three numbers and win if all their chosen numbers show up when the dice are rolled.

Payout 30/1
Probability of Success 2.8%
House Edge 13.9%*

Specific Double and Single Number

In this scenario, players pick a particular double (for example, two 4s) along with a different specific number (like 5) and win if both come up in the roll. For example, a win occurs with the outcome of 4, 4, 5.

Payout 50/1
Probability of Success 1.4%
House Edge 29.2%*

Sic Bo Strategy

As a game of chance, there are no strategies or tips that will enable a player to control the outcome of the dice rolls. Sic Bo is purely based on luck, and the only real influence a player has is in their bet selections.

A solid approach might include focusing on bets with higher probabilities of winning. Observing the tables above reveals that opting for Big, Small, Odd, or Even offers nearly a 50/50 chance of success, given their 48.61% win rate.

However, since players are competing against the house in Sic Bo, it’s wise to consider bets with the narrowest house edge. The house edge reflects the percentage of the winnings the casino expects over a prolonged period (which, in practice, could mean millions of hands must be played). The remainder is the ‘ return to player In summary, while bets on Big/Small or Odd/Even provide the best chances of winning, there are also certain single die and combination wagers with lower house edges. When engaging in a luck-based game like Sic Bo, although there's no guarantee of victory, understanding house edges and probabilities associated with each type of bet can empower you to make smarter betting choices.

Bet Type House Edge Probability of Success Payout
Big/Small 2.78% 48.61% 1/1
Odd/Even 2.78% 48.61% 1/1
Dice Combination 2.8% 13.9% 6/1
3 Dice Total: 9 or 12 7.4% 11.6% 7/1
Single Dice Bet 7.9% 34.72 – 0.46% 1/1 – 3/1
3 Dice Total: 7 or 14 9.7% 6.9% 12/1

How do craps and Sic Bo differ?

Sic Bo FAQs

Sic Bo is one of only two dice games offered in casinos, alongside craps. In Sic Bo, each individual roll of the dice determines the outcome immediately, categorizing it as a pure game of chance. Conversely, craps involves more strategy, where specific rolls dictate the result of your bets.

What is a winning strategy for Sic Bo?

An effective, low-risk strategy for Sic Bo revolves around placing safer bets such as Big or Small. These bets present the lowest house edge and provide almost a 50/50 win chance. A successful bet doubles your stake, and since you'll win approximately half the time, this offers a consistent and uncomplicated gameplay method.

Sic Bo is an enjoyable pursuit with a reasonable house advantage. As with all games of chance, players may experience fortunate streaks; however, it’s important to remember that luck can shift at any moment.

Is sic bo a good game?

What are your odds of winning at Sic Bo?

The probability of your chosen number appearing on one die sits at about 2 to 1. When considering all three dice, the odds jump to roughly 200 to 1. The payout for a bet on a single number depends on how many of the three dice reflect your number. If it only appears on one die, your payout will be 1 to 1.

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