Sic Bo

Game Play

sic-bo_en Sic Bo is a fairly simple dice game, which is played with three dice. A croupier throws the dice after the players have made their bets on the different combination of dice and the total number of points. This is how wins and losses are determined. This makes Sic Bo a pure game of chance.

Gaming Table

The table used for this game consists of multiple fields for the different outcomes. Bets can be placed on anything form big to small, to very specific outcomes. Payouts range anywhere from 1 to 1 up until 1 to 180.

How to Play Sic Bo

First players place their wagers in form of chips onto the Sic Bo table predicting the outcome of the dice throw. Similar to roulette one can wager on multiple combinations. The croupier throws the dice once all bets have been placed. The dice are kept in a device that resembles a wire-frame birdcage and that pivots about its centre. The dealer rotates the cage for about a minute before the dice are thrown.
The numbers are announced any non-winning bets are removed from the table, and winners are paid. This makes the game fairly simple and ideal for novice casino players.

Combinations

Small
The sum of all three dice must be lower than 11. A Triple (all three dice with the same value) looses even if the total amount is less than 11.
The odds to hit a small are around 48%, this makes small one of the easiest bets which is awarded with a payout of 1 to 1
Big
the odds are the same as with small, with the only difference that the total number of points must be more than 10. Triples are excluded as in small, and payout is 1 to 1.
Specific Pair
There are 15 possibilities to determine pairs on the Sic Bo table, for example 1 and 2, or 3 and 5, etc. Should a player bet on a given pair and hit it, then the payout lies at 1 to 11, with odds at about 14%.
Double
the chances to win with a double are a little over 7%. A double is when 2 dice show the same amount of points, even if all three dice show the same number of points the player wins. Payout ratios are usually 1 to 11.
Specific Triple
As the name suggests bets are placed on a specific triple. The odds for such an outcome are less than 1%, but payout in this case lies at 1 to 180!
Any Triple
contrary to the specific triple one can place a bet on any triple, which increases the odds to 2.78% but reduces payout to 1 to 31.
Numbers 1 to 6
players have the option to bet on a number of 1 to 6. If that number appears one time, the payout is 1 to 1, with odds at 34.72%. should the number fall twice payout is set to 1 to 2, with odds at 6.94%, should however all three dice show the same number, then payout lies at 1 to 3 while odds are a mere 0.46%.
Specific Total score of 4
A bet is placed that the total score of the three dice is 4. Payout in the case of a win lies at 1 to 65 with odds at roughly 1.39%.
Specific Total score 5 to 17
As with the bet of 4 players can wager on any secific number between 5 and 17. The payouts and odds vary and are between 1.39% and 12.5%, and 1 to 6 to 1 to 62 respectively.

These are most of the betting possibilities, however please note that in online casinos, there might be a few additional options, so make sure to familiarize yourself with the respective rules before commencing your game.

Strategies

To win a Sic Bo you mainly need luck. If you place doubling bets on small until you win and then do the same with big, you will have good chances to generate profit. This would be equivalent to a red or black bet at roulette. Wins will however not be off the hook with this strategy.
All games of chance are designed that the house ultimately wins, so it does not make a lot of sense to rely on a system, as there is none.
At Sic Bo your best bet is the one with the highest odds, which are small or big bets.

History

Sic Bo also known as Dai Siu is a very old Chinese dice game. It is possible that it came to the US with Chinese immigrants, where it quickly gained in popularity especially in casinos.
Nowadays Sic Bo has also become popular in Europe and can be found in many live and online casinos.