What is Sic Bo? Rules, strategy and how to play
Learn the essentials of Sic Bo, including its rules, gameplay, betting options, odds, payouts, and strategic approaches...
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Ancient Chinese dice game known now popular in casino
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Famous for fast-paced gameplay and varied betting options
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Learn best strategies for playing Sic Bo
What is Sic Bo?
Sic Bo means "precious dice" in Chinese. Traditionally, this game involved three dice and was sometimes referred to as Tai Sai and Dai Siu, meaning "big small" in Cantonese due to the common betting options in the game.
The table game's objective is to correctly guess what the dice will show. Like online slots and most other casino games, it is based purely on chance and is unpredictable and entertaining.
The Ancient Roots of Sic Bo
Sic Bo's origins can be traced back thousands of years to ancient China, where it was a popular pastime among commoners and nobility. The game was originally played with stones or bricks, but over time evolved to feature dice and standard Sic Bo rules.
The game was introduced to the world through Chinese immigrants, especially during the construction of the transcontinental railway in the 19th-century. It quickly gained traction in land-based casinos due to its unique appeal and simple yet engaging gameplay.
How to Play Sic Bo
To help you understand how to play this dice game, we'll start with an overview of the main Sic Bo rules and gameplay. As with our other casino betting guides, we'll then proceed with a more in-depth look at different strategies.
Gameplay Mechanics
Here's an overview of the four key gameplay mechanics that you need to be familiar with before playing Sic Bo online:
- Setup - Sic Bo is played with three dice on a table which, similar to craps or roulette, displays various betting options.
- Betting - In the game's initial stage, all players are invited to place their bets on the table, just like other popular casino games. Betting options include specific numbers as well as combinations and totals.
- Rolling - The dice are shaken in a mechanical or RNG-powered computer and then revealed.
- Payout - All winning bets are paid out according to a standard paytable. At online casinos, including Betfair Casino, payouts are automatic and instant.
Betting Options
One of the most intriguing, and sometimes daunting, aspects of learning how to play Sic Bo is understanding the different betting options. The following are the most common bets types, but some tables, especially variants, may feature additional or different options.
- Small - The total of the three dice is between 4 and 10 (inclusive) but includes no triples.
- Big - The total is between 11 and 17 (inclusive) but does not include any triples.
- Double - Betting that two out of the three dice show a specific number, such as 3.
- Triple - Betting on an exact triple value, such as all dice showing 4.
- Any Triple - Betting that any triple will appear, no matter the number.
- Total Sum - Betting on a specific total of the three dice.
- Combination - Betting on specific combinations of two numbers appearing on the dice.
- Single Dice - Betting on a specific number to show on one, two, or all three dice.
Sic Bo Odds and Payouts
Sic Bo's overall house edge is 2.78% which is lower than most of the best RTP slots. However, this value varies on different bets, as do the odds of winning and corresponding payouts.
|
Bet Type |
Payout |
Odds of Winning |
House Edge |
|
Small |
1:1 |
48.61% |
2.78% |
|
Big |
1:1 |
48.61% |
2.78% |
|
Specific Triple |
180:1 |
0.46% |
16.20% |
|
Any Triple |
30:1 |
2.78% |
13.90% |
|
Specific Double |
10:1 |
7.41% |
18.50% |
|
Total (4 or 17) |
60:1 |
1.39% |
15.28% |
|
Total (5 or 16) |
30:1 |
2.78% |
13.90% |
|
Total (6 or 15) |
18:1 |
3.70% |
16.67% |
|
Total (7 or 14) |
12:1 |
6.94% |
9.72% |
|
Total (8 or 13) |
8:1 |
12.50% |
12.50% |
|
Total (9 or 12) |
6:1 |
11.57% |
18.98% |
|
Total (10 or 11) |
6:1 |
12.50% |
12.50% |
|
Combination Bet |
5:1 |
13.89% |
16.67% |
|
Single Dice Bet |
1:1 for 1 2:1 for 2 3:1 for 3 |
34.72% (one die) 6.94% (two dice) 0.46% (three dice) |
7.87% |
The Best Sic Bo Strategy
While Sic Bo is fundamentally a game of chance, using a straightforward playing strategy can be helpful. Here are top tips for developing a sound Sic Bo strategy:
- Familiarise yourself with the game - Understand the different bets and their corresponding odds to know which offer the lowest and greatest risk.
- Gamble responsibly - Play responsibly by setting a budget before your gaming session and leaving the game when you've used it.
- Avoid high-risk bets - While they offer the best payouts, high-risk bets, such as Specific Triples, are very hard to win and could deplete your bankroll quickly.
- Be wary of betting systems - The odds of winning Small and Big bets make them suitable for the Martingale or similar betting systems, but these can quickly make you run out of funds.
Key Takeaways
- Sic Bo is a thousands-year-old dice game that originated in ancient China and became popular globally in the 19th-century and beyond.
- To learn how to play Sic Bo effectively, you need to familiarise yourself with the different betting options and payouts.
- Classic Sic Bo rules give the house an edge of 2.78%.
- Small and Big bets have the highest odds of winning, at 48.61%, but the lowest payouts. Specific Triple bets pay out the highest, but their odds of winning are 0.46%.
- Any Sic Bo strategy should include steps that promote responsible gambling, such as wagering within your means and stopping when your bankroll is empty.
Prices quoted in copy are correct at time of publication but liable to change.
