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Read Full BioSic Bo is a high-octane Chinese dice game based on predicting the outcome of three dice. You can play Sic Bo at the casino or online, with virtual tables or live dealers. Learn the lingo, the secrets, and how to play Sic Bo in our beginner’s guide.
Key Beats
- Sic Bo is a dice casino game where three dice are rolled, and players stake on the outcomes. It is a pure game of chance, and every roll of the dice is independent of the others.
- Online Sic Bo play is convenient for practice, with lower minimum bets and free demos available.
- Beginner-friendly bets are called Big and Small, which cover totals of 11–17 and 4–10 (excluding triples) and offer nearly 50/50 odds with a house edge of about 2.78%.
What Is Sic Bo?
Sic Bo, also known as Dai Siu or Tai Sai, meaning “Big Small,” is one of the simplest and most ancient games you can play at the casino. It’s a pure game of chance where players stake on the outcome of three dice after they are rolled.
There is no Sic Bo strategy to improve your winning chances, as no one can guess what the dice will show. Sic Bo has deep roots in ancient China, with research tracing its roots far back as the Han Dynasty. Despite a long history, Sic Bo fits perfectly into modern casino gaming due to easy Sic Bo game rules.
Sic Bo may seem similar to another popular casino game, Craps, but they’re pretty different. Sic Bo’s bets are tied to just one roll of the three dice, while Craps has much more elaborate rules, bets, and stretches across multiple rolls.
How to Play Sic Bo
Sic Bo is a fast-paced casino game. The aim is to predict what numbers will appear: a specific total, a combination of dice, or a pattern of numbers. Here’s how to play Sic Bo game in four simple steps:
- Place your bet: Put your chips on the betting areas that match your predictions. For example: One chip on “Small” (4–10), one chip on the six & three combination bet. This means you’re wagering that the total of the three dice will be between 4 and 10 (excluding triples) and that two dice will show six and three (in any order).
- The dealer shakes the dice: The dealer uses a dice shaker or dome to roll the dice in live casinos. Online, the roll is done electronically or with a live dealer. In this example, the roll produces the numbers six, three, and one, giving a total of ten while also showing both six and three.
- Evaluate the outcome: Compare your bets to the result. Following our example, the Small bet is successful because the total is ten, and the combination bet also wins because the dice include both a six and a three.
- Collect your payouts: When your bets win, the dealer pays out according to the odds of each wager. The Small bet pays even money (1:1), so you win one chip and also have your original chip returned. The combination bet pays 5:1, meaning you win five chips along with the return of your original chip. Altogether, you take home six chips in winnings plus your two initial chips, leaving you with a total of eight chips.
The result of the three dice determines the outcome of every game round. The combinations are what fuel the variety of betting options. Here are some examples:
- Small Total (4–10, excluding triples)
- Big Total (11–17, excluding triples)
- Specific triples (2-2-2) or any triple
- Doubles (two of a kind)
- Combinations (a three and a five appearing together)
Sic Bo Game Equipment and Setup
- Betting surface: The Sic Bo table layout features 50 betting options and areas, including totals, triples, doubles, small/big bets, and combinations.
- Dice: Three standard six-sided dice are used.
- Dice Shaker: either an electronic or manual shaker rolls the dice. Sadly, it’s a ‘hands-off’ approach for the players.
Sic Bo Betting Options Explained
Like roulette and Keno, there is no established betting strategy for Sic Bo. It’s all down to Lady Luck and your preferred deity.
Small and Big Bets
Small and Big bets are the most popular and beginner-friendly options on the Sic Bo table. They are easy to understand, offer relatively even odds, and are often placed in prominent positions on the table layout.
What Is a Small Bet?
- You win if the total of the three dice is between 4 and 10
- Excludes triples (for example: 2-2-2 is an automatic loss even though it totals 6)
- Marked as ‘Small’ or sometimes with the Chinese character
What Is a Big Bet?
- You win if the total is between 11 and 17
- Also excludes triples (for example: 6-6-6 loses even though it totals 18)
- Marked as ‘Big’ or with the character 大
Sic Bo Odds and Payouts
These bets are considered the safest options in Sic Bo, ideal for players who want steady, low-risk gameplay.
| Bet Type | Winning Total Range | Payout | House Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small | 4–10 (except triples) | 1:1 | ~2.78% |
| Big | 11–17 (except triples) | 1:1 | ~2.78% |
How to Win at Sic Bo
There is no magic Sic Bo winning formula to bring you the winning bag. When playing the game at online casinos, don’t forget that it’s a game of chance. However, here are a few pointers to hold tight if you’d like to know how to play Sic Bo and win.
- Totals of 10 and 11 hit most often because they have the highest number of possible dice combinations. Understandably, their payouts are smaller, but they offer the safest bets for a steady adventure.
- Totals like 4 and 17 are the least likely to hit. They have just one combination to produce them, so they’re risky.
- Triple bets (such as 4-4-4) are among the riskiest bets in Sic Bo. If you’re feeling like staking on a triple, “any triple” is a much better option to catch a win. The payout is lower, though.
- High-risk bets are exciting and can win you a huge stack of cash in the blink of an eye. But they can make your bankroll bleed, also in the twinkle of an eye. So, use your smallest chip sizes for them.
5 Sic Bo Tips to Enjoy Gaming Sessions
Instead of guaranteeing wins, these five tips help ensure you enjoy the gaming sessions and manage your bankroll.
- Since Sic Bo is based on pure chance, don’t stress about any Sic Bo gaming guide or Sic Bo strategy cheat sheet. There aren’t any guaranteed strategies.
- Treat Sic Bo like entertainment. Picture a scenario where it’s just you and three dice having a good time.
- Make steady bets for stability, and occasionally sprinkle in the high-risk bets for excitement.
- Take breaks and enjoy the pace.
- Be sure to gamble in safe and legit online sites to ensure transparent payouts and maximum security.
Popular Sic Bo Lingo
Here’s a handy guide to all the phrases and terminology you will likely hear playing Sic Bo.
Sic bo
The name of the game means ‘precious dice’ in Chinese.
Big bet
A bet that the total of the three dice will be between 11 and 17, excluding triples.
Small bet
A bet that the total of the three dice will be between four and ten, excluding triples.
Triple (specific triple)
A bet that all three dice will show a specific number.
Any triple
It’s a bet that any triple will be rolled, regardless of the number.
Double (pair)
A bet that two of the three dice will show the same specific number.
Combination bet
A bet on two different numbers shows up on any two of the dice (for example, two and five).
Single number bet
A bet that a specific number (one through six) will appear on one, two, or all three dice.
Total bet (sum bet)
A bet on the total of all three dice (for example, betting the dice will total nine or 14).
Shaker/dice cup
The container is used to shake and roll the dice (manual or electronic).
Dice dome
The clear, glass-like dome is used in automated Sic Bo tables to shake the dice.
Payout odds
The ratio shows how much you win if your bet is successful (for example, 6:1 means six units won for every one wagered).
Layout
The printed or digital table surface shows all possible betting areas.
RNG (random number generator)
Used in digital versions of Sic Bo to simulate fair dice rolls.
House edge
The casino’s statistical advantage over the player.
Live dealer sic bo
A streamed version of the game with a real dealer and dice is popular in online casinos.
Conclusion
Confused by craps? Bored with roulette? Fed up with blackjack? Sic Bo may be the game you’re looking for.
It’s a genuinely thrilling experience. It combines the excitement of craps with the betting options of roulette. Like slots and keno, there is no strategy, but Sic Bo is a blast to play. The house edge ranges from reasonable (2.78%) to insane (16.2%), with everything in between.
What you’ve just learned is how to play Sic Bo explained in simple terms. Now that you know the rules, the odds, and where to play, why not try your luck at the Sic Bo table in person or online? Stick with the beginner-friendly bets as you get a feel for the dice and enjoy the ride. Have fun, stick to your limits, and play responsibly.
FAQs
Sic Bo game rules are some of the simplest you’ll encounter in the casino. Just place bets on what you think the three dice will show. If your prediction matches after the roll, you win.
Yes. If you play with real money at a licensed casino, Sic Bo pays real money.
You can bet on totals, specific numbers, combinations, pairs, or even triples. Some bets are safer, others are high-risk.
Yes, the core gameplay is the same. However, online platforms may offer bonus features or faster rounds.
Sic Bo is 100% luck. No Sic Bo rules or strategy can control the dice. Your chances lie in the hands of fate.
The house edge varies. Small/Big bets have the lowest house edge of around 2.7%, while some triples and rare totals can reach between 10–20%.
Note that there’s no guaranteed Sic Bo strategy to make you win. However, play low-risk bets and use high-risk bets sparingly to give yourself a structured approach.
