The Rules & Strategy of Sic Bo

Sic Bo is a Chinese dice game with a reputation to be as old as gambling. It is the best casino game nobody knows about. It is a popular table game in Asia, and thanks to online casino games, are available across the globe. The game is played with three dice, and the table layout is reminiscent of roulette and craps tables, with a series of bets, each with varying payout odds.

Roulette and craps enthusiasts can easily master the fast pace of the game, while novice punters can consult this in-depth guide and learn how to play Sic Bo. The payout odds for each bet on the table are listed below, and a few wagering tips are provided.

The Rules of Sic Bo

Although the range of bets illustrated on the table can seem confusing, Sic Bo is a simple and easy-to-learn game at its core. There are many superficial similarities between Sic Bo and other table games such as roulette and craps. However, the rules are unique, and it's worth learning the different bets and odds before playing your first game.

Three dice decide the outcome of each round in Sic Bo, but the dice are not rolled on the table. Rather, a special box is used. The table layout indicates the available bet types. Punters are required to bet on the outcome of each three-dice roll. In a live dealer version of Sic Bo, a croupier is responsible for rolling the dice, while in an online Sic Bo version, an RNG system randomly determines the roll's outcome.

The punter chooses a bet, and the options include wagering on a specific number, a total of all three dice, or that two or three dice will roll the same number. Each bet type offers different payout odds.

Playing a standard Sic Bo game is done according to the following blueprint:

Step 1: Choose your bet by placing chips on the designated section of the table for that potential outcome. The stake amount must be compliant with the accepted table limits.

Step 2: The real or software-powered croupier, depending on the Sic Bo version, will shake and roll the three dice, with the result of the roll being displayed.

Step 3: If your prediction for the roll comes to fruition, you will be paid according to the payout odds for the given bet. The funds are automatically credited to your account balance. Alternatively, you forfeit the stake for the bet in case of a loss.

Step 4: A new round starts by placing a new bet.

Betting Options in Sic Bo

There are several bets a punter can choose from, and it's possible to wager on multiple bets on the same roll. Some games allow punters to place up to 16 bets on a single dice roll. The lowest payout odds for a bet are 1:1, and 180:1 odds are the largest potential payout provided by a bet in Sic Bo.

Unsurprisingly, a bet with lower payout odds will have a smaller house edge, while the opposite is true for bets with high payout odds, which tends to increase the house edge. A Sic Bo game with standard rules offers a house edge ranging from 2.78% to 29.2% in relation to the chosen bet.

Small and Big Bets

The Small bet requires the combined value of the three dice to be between and including 4 and 10. On the other hand, a Big bet is a wager that the total sum of the dice will range from 11 up to 17. Both bets offer payout odds of 1:1, but the chance of landing a bet is not 50%, rather 48.61%, because a total such as 3 or 18 is not included and if it appears during a roll you lose the bet.

Double Bets

The bet allows a punter to predict which set of doubles (at least two dice will roll the same number). A doubles bet offers 10:1 payout odds.

Two-Dice Combination Bet

This is the largest betting section on the table, with 15 different combinations available for betting. You are wagering on two dice to produce the chosen number, for example, a 2-3 or 4-6. The payout odds for this bet are 6:1 for any chosen combination.

Three-Dice Total Bet

This bet challenges punters to guess the total of the three dice. As some totals are statistically more likely to occur, the odds will vary for different totals. The available options include:

Total of 10 or 11 with 6:1 odds
Total of 9 or 12 with 7:1 odds
Total of 8 or 13 with 8:1 odds
Total of 7 or 14 with 12:1 odds
Total of 6 or 15 with 18:1 odds
Total of 6 or 16 with 30:1 odds
Total of 4 or 17 with 60:1 odds

Single-Dice Bet

Pick one number and bet how many times it will appear on the three dice. The payout odds are 1:1 for one appearance of 1 and 2 on a roll, 3 or 4 that appear twice receive 2:1 odds, and 3:1 odds are available for three appearances of numbers 5 or 6.

Any Triples Bet

You only bet that a set of triples will come in, not requiring you to predict the exact number. The payout is 30:1 for this bet.

Specific Triples Bet

You are betting that specific triples will roll simultaneously. Some options include three 5’s or three 8’s. It's a hard roll to land, and that makes the payout odds of 180:1 the largest in the game.

Strategy & Tips for Playing Sic Bo

It's important to note that Sic Bo is a game of chance. As such, it's impossible to influence each dice roll's outcome. No method can provide the desired results with a high success rate. At the same time, leaving everything up to chance and placing random bets without being mindful of your budget is not a wise strategy.

You might not be able to influence the dice, but you can use a strategic approach by picking bets with a better statistical probability of hitting. Learning the house edge for each bet option is crucial to getting a grasp of the mathematical probability of a specific number or combination to hit on a dice roll, enabling you to make educated decisions when making bets. One option is to start by betting on Big or Small bets, which offer a 48.61% probability of hitting. It's also important to tailor a betting budget and use small stakes for each bet until you feel confident that you have mastered the rules.

Although the game allows you to place multiple bets, do not be tempted to hedge your bets by wagering on multiple high payout bets, hoping to improve winning chances and recouping lost bets by one big win. Placing multiple bets can improve the chances that one will win, but there is also an increased chance that more bets are lost, potentially leading to more significant losses.