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How to Play Sic Bo: A Quick Guide to the Ancient Dice Game

By Jon Young

How to Play Sic Bo

Sic Bio meaning dice pair in Chinese is a gambling game that was popular in ancient China. This game of chance is played purely based on luck with no skills or experience required. Being one of the only two casino games to be played on dice, Sic Bo is a popular game among online and real casinos. With little to no learning curve, the game has garnered its place among beginners and experts alike. Take a look at this article to get more insights about this game of luck and be prepared to try out your luck soon. 

What is Sic Bo?

Sic Bo is a traditional Chinese gambling game played with three dice. This rather simple yet mostly unknown game of chance can be won with pure luck and no skills required. This ancient Chinese game of dice is sometimes referred to as Dai Siu, Tai Hai, and Hi-Lo

The game is played similarly to craps where the players bet on the outcome of their dice rolls. Despite being an easy game of chance and being widely popular in Asian countries, it is overshadowed by other casino games.

However, the power of online casinos has made the game a popular sport among gamblers across the world. The game also has its US and English versions known as Chuck-a-luck and Grand Hazard. 

What is Sic Bo

How to Play Sic Bo

Traditionally, Sic Bo is played on a large table that might look confusing at first glance. The table consists of symbols and signs that predict every possible outcome the game can produce along with the rate each bet pays out if you win.

The bets are placed using the chips each player acquires at the beginning of the game. Once the bets are placed, the dice are rolled using an electric shaker by the dealer. In online Sic Bo games, the dice are rolled virtually and a random outcome is displayed.

Players can choose to bet on the outcomes of one, two, or all three dice or on the total of their outcome.

Once the outcomes are displayed, certain areas of the table will be declared as winning sections and the players who placed their bets on these spots win the corresponding payout.

Once you win, you can collect the associated payoff and get ready to place your next bet. Players can bet on multiple outcomes at once with very little wager in online casinos. 

Chances, Probabilities, and odds

Playing Sic Bo does not require any skillset or strategy. It is purely based on luck and the outcome of the throw of the dice. The probability of winning the game completely relies upon the outcome of the dice rolls and this increases the house edge of the game by roughly up to 18.98%.

The chances of winning each bet placed on the game of Sic Bo vary according to the betting options. Each bet has a payout accordingly. The different payouts for each specific bet are as follows:

TypeBetsPayout 
Single betsNumber bet appearing on a single dice1:1
Number bet appearing on two dice2:1
Number bet appearing on three dice3:1
Domino Combination betsTwo numbers with a specific combination (1 2, 1 3, 1 4, 1 5, 1 6, 2 3, 2 4, 2 5, 2 6, 3 4, 3 5, 2 6, 4 5, 4 6, 5 6)6:1
Two number bets with the same specific combination (1 1, 2 2, 3 3, 4 4, 5 5, 6 6)11.5:1
Triple betsThree dice with the same value 32:1
Three dice with the same specific value 195:1
Total betsThe total sum of 4 or 17 64:1 
The total sum of 5 or 16 32:1
The total sum of 6 or 1519:1
The total sum of 7 or 1412:1
The total sum of 8 or 138.5:1
The total sum of 9 or 127:1
The total sum of 10 or 116.5:1
Small betsA total sum of 4-10 except a triple 1:1
Big betsA total sum of 11-17 except a triple1:1
Even betsA total sum of even except a triple 1:1
Odd betsA total sum of odd except a triple 1:1

The payout odds are higher for the combinations that are less likely to be rolled. So it is smart to bet on a low payout combination rather than getting lured into bigger numbers. 

Game Rules

Sic Bo follows a simple game rule and this makes the game more attractive among gamblers. The players are supposed to fix a budget and collect their chips before beginning the game.

Once the table is set, the players are required to place their chips on numbers they wish to bet.

The dealer or player (in online casinos) rolls the dice and declares the winning spots. Those who won can collect their winning payout before the table gets ready for another round. 

History Of Sic Bo

The origins of Sic Bo can be dated centuries back to ancient China. The game started as a means of leisure for the Chinese fighters and elite class and then traveled among the masses of common folk and became a common sport.

In the earlier days, the game was played using sticks, shells, or rocks with special engravings that resemble the modern-day dice. It was only in the 20th century that the game found its way to the eastern world through Chinese immigrants and later into casinos.

Later the game became highly popularized among online casinos around the world. Many variations of Sic Bo were formed and became a trending sport in the gambling world.      

History Of Sic Bo

Tips And Strategies to Play Sic Bo

Unlike other casino games, Sic Bo doesn’t require any particular skill or strategy to play or win. It is a game of chance where the winning is purely based on luck. The game relies on the outcomes of the throw of the dice. As a player the strategies you can undertake to ensure you don’t lose a lot of money after a game are as follows:

  • Fix a budget before starting a game and stick to it.
  • Focus on placing bets on outcomes that have low payouts. Though the idea of sticking to bets with a 1:1 payout may be less thrilling, the odds will be higher.
  • Keep in mind that the dice rolls are random and refrain from trying to find patterns from the digital board that displays the previous outcomes. 
  • Try not to double the bets or win back the money you lost as this may cost you even more loss.
  • Make sure to choose reputed online casino sites before playing to ensure a fair game.

Following these simple tips and strategies will help you have a thrilling game in your favor. 

Sic Bo Betting Options

The Sic Bo game is all about betting and waiting for the dice to roll out in your favor. The best a player can choose to play are listed below:

Small and Big Bets

Small and Big bets are the most basic yet popular bets among Sic Bo players. Players can place their bets on the left and right upper sides of the table. With a payout of 1:1, it is one of the bets with the lowest house edge.

You can win a small bet if the total sum comes within 4-10 and a big bet if the sum is within 11-17. The sums of 3 and 18 are missing as the player loses if any triple comes as the outcome. 

Odd and Even Bets

Odd and Even bets also have a payout of 1:1 and are won when the sum of the outcome is an odd or even number except when a triple is rolled. 

Total of all Dice Bets

Players can choose to bet on the total sum of the outcome. The payouts vary for each sum of 4 to 17 of all the three dice. 

Triple Bets

You can bet on any specific set of numbers to show up on the next roll and the payout is 32:1. For specific triple bets (111, 222, 333, etc.) the payout is 195:1. 

Double Bets

Double bets are similar to triple bets where players can bet on specific two-number combinations and win a payout of 6:1. For a specific double bet of the same value, the payout is 11.5:1.

Single Number Bets

Placed at the bottom row of the table, single-number bets can be placed to predict a single-number outcome of the dice from 1 to 6. The payout varies from 1:1, 2:1, and 3:1 according to the number of dice chosen. 

Conclusion

Sic Bo is among the easiest and beginner-friendly casino games out there. If you are looking for a fun and thrilling leisure casino game with no specific strategy and brain gaming, Sic Bo might be the best option for you.

The players are required to place bets on spots reserved for a specific bet with a particular payout. If the dice roll out the predicted outcome, the player wins that bet. Keep in mind that the game is purely based on luck and the players cannot possibly predict the outcomes.

So be aware of the bets you place and create a budget to follow before the game begins. Also, make sure to choose reputable online casino sites that strictly adhere to legal guidelines and rules. 

FAQ

What is the house edge in sic bo?

The house edge indicates the profit the casino house can make in a game. Being a game of chance, the house edge of Sic Bo is pretty high in comparison and ranges from 2.78% to 18.98%.

Is Sic Bo Skill Or Luck?

Sic Bo is purely a game of luck. The game requires no skill or strategy and strictly relies on the random number rolled out by the dice. Players cannot find a loophole or pattern in the outcomes generated by dice roll and only rely on their luck and smartly placing their bets on low payout spots. 

Is Sic Bo fair in online casinos?

Yes, Sic Bo is fair in online casinos. With a rather high house edge and low odds of winning, the game may seem unfair and not in your favor. But if you are careful in choosing a reputed casino site, you can have a fair and thrilling game. 

Can I play Sic Bo for free?

Yes, free online Sic Bo games are available on certain websites with no registration or download required. You can use this experience as a practice session before you step into real money casino games. 

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