Sic Bo: Sic Bo is a fast-paced, dice-based casino game originating from ancient China. Its name translates to “precious dice,” and the game centers around the roll of three dice, offering a wide variety of betting options. It blends chance and strategy and is especially popular in Asian casinos, both land-based and online.
Whether you’re a curious beginner or want to understand the game in depth, this guide will walk you through how to play Sic Bo, explain the different types of bets, and provide odds and payout tables for smarter gameplay.
📌 What Is Sic Bo?
At its core, Sic Bo is a dice game played with three standard six-sided dice. Players bet on the outcome of the roll or combinations of the dice. After placing bets on a table layout, the dealer (or automated machine in online casinos) shakes and reveals the result.
Unlike craps, another popular dice game, Sic Bo has no involvement from the player after the bet is placed. There are no strategies involving rerolls or dice manipulation—it’s purely based on probability and chance.
🎯 Objective of Sic Bo
Your goal in Sic Bo is to predict the outcome of the dice roll. You can bet on:
- Specific numbers
- Totals
- Combinations
- Triples or pairs
- Whether the total is small or big
Each type of bet has different odds and payouts, making some bets riskier but more rewarding.
🃏 Types of Sic Bo Bets
Here’s a breakdown of all the possible bets you can make in Sic Bo.
1. Big and Small Bets
These are the most common and safest bets in Sic Bo.
| Bet Type | Dice Total | Payout | House Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small | 4–10 | 1:1 | ~2.78% |
| Big | 11–17 | 1:1 | ~2.78% |
Note: These bets lose if the result is a triple (e.g., 2-2-2), even if the total falls in the range.
2. Specific Triples and Any Triple
| Bet Type | Description | Payout | Odds (approx) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Specific Triple | All three dice show the same number (e.g., 3-3-3) | 180:1 | 0.46% |
| Any Triple | Any of the six possible triples | 30:1 | 2.8% |
These are high-risk, high-reward bets. Specific triples are among the hardest outcomes to predict.
3. Total Sum Bets
You bet on the sum of the three dice. Some totals are more likely than others due to the number of combinations.
| Total | Payout | Combinations | Probability | House Edge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 or 17 | 60:1 | 3 | 1.39% | ~15.28% |
| 5 or 16 | 30:1 | 6 | 2.78% | ~13.89% |
| 6 or 15 | 17:1 | 10 | 4.63% | ~9.72% |
| 7 or 14 | 12:1 | 15 | 6.94% | ~9.72% |
| 8 or 13 | 8:1 | 21 | 9.72% | ~12.5% |
| 9 or 12 | 6:1 | 25 | 11.57% | ~7.4% |
| 10 or 11 | 6:1 | 27 | 12.5% | ~12.5% |
The totals near the center (9–12) are most likely to occur, so they have the lowest payouts.
4. Single Dice Bets
You bet that a specific number (1–6) will appear on one, two, or all three dice.
| Outcome | Payout |
|---|---|
| Number appears once | 1:1 |
| Number appears twice | 2:1 |
| Number appears three times | 3:1 |
This is a flexible bet. If your chosen number appears more than once, you win more!
5. Double Bets
You choose a specific pair (e.g., 4-4), hoping that at least two of the dice show the same number.
| Bet Type | Payout | Odds (approx) | House Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Specific Double | 10:1 | ~7.4% | ~18.52% |
Though slightly easier to hit than triples, doubles still carry a relatively high house edge.
6. Combination Bets (Two Dice)
You bet on a specific two-number combination, like 3 and 5 appearing on any two of the dice.
| Bet | Payout | Odds | House Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Any Two-Dice Combo | 5:1 | ~13.9% | ~16.67% |
These offer decent middle-ground risk and reward and are a favorite of intermediate players.
🧠 Strategy Tips for Beginners
Although Sic Bo is a game of chance, some strategies can help you make smarter decisions:
- Start with Small/Big Bets
Low risk, almost 50/50 odds, great for learning the game. - Avoid Specific Triples Initially
They have huge payouts but are extremely rare. - Use Total Bets Wisely
Totals between 9–12 occur more frequently, making them safer to bet on than edge totals like 4 or 17. - Manage Your Bankroll
Set limits, avoid chasing losses, and treat high-payout bets as side bets—not your main focus.
🎰 Playing Sic Bo Online vs. in a Casino
| Feature | Online Sic Bo | Land-Based Sic Bo |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | Faster rounds | Slower pace |
| Minimum Bets | Often lower | Usually higher |
| Game Variants | Many (Live Dealer, 3D) | Standard format |
| Bonuses | Frequently offered | Rare |
Online Sic Bo platforms often come with tutorials, allowing you to practice risk-free before betting real money.
