Ever wonder what happens when you take three dice, a betting table that looks like a circuit board, and 2,000 years of Chinese gambling tradition? You get Sic Bo—literally “precious dice”—a game so simple a child could play it, yet with more betting options than your local coffee shop has drink combinations. Unlike poker or blackjack where your decisions matter, Sic Bo is pure chance wrapped in an elegant package, which honestly takes a lot of pressure off your shoulders.
Key Takeaways:
- Sic Bo uses three dice tumbled in a cage or shaker, with players betting on the outcome before the roll
- Over 50 different betting options available, from simple high/low bets to complex triple combinations
- House edge ranges from 2.78% (Big/Small bets) to a whopping 33.33% (specific triple bets)
- No skill or strategy involved—every roll is completely random and independent
- Popular in Asian casinos and increasingly common in Western gambling destinations
- Minimum bets typically start at $5-$10, with maximums varying by bet type
- Game plays fast with rounds completing in under 60 seconds
What Is Sic Bo?
Sic Bo (pronounced “see-bo”) is an ancient Chinese dice game that’s been entertaining gamblers since the Han Dynasty. Think of it as the Eastern cousin to craps, but instead of rolling dice yourself, you’re betting on what three dice will show when they’re tumbled in a mechanical cage that looks like a miniature bingo ball mixer.
The game board features dozens of betting spots showing different dice combinations—pairs, totals, specific numbers, you name it. You place chips on the outcomes you think will appear, the dealer activates the dice cage (or shakes a covered container), and if your prediction matches reality, you win. If not, well, there’s always the next roll 30 seconds from now.
💡 Pro Tip: The name “Sic Bo” translates to “precious dice” or “dice pair,” though ironically the game uses three dice. Some casinos call it “Tai Sai” (big small) or “Dai Siu”—same game, different regional names.
Understanding the Sic Bo Table
The Sic Bo table looks intimidating at first glance—imagine a multiplication chart had a baby with a bingo card. But it’s organized logically once you understand the betting categories.
Main Betting Areas
The table is divided into sections based on bet types:
Small/Big Section: The largest and most prominent area, usually at the top or center. These are the simplest bets and where most beginners start.
Combination Bets: Shows all possible two-dice combinations (1-2, 1-3, 2-4, etc.). These occupy a large portion of the table middle.
Total Sum Section: Displays numbers 4 through 17, representing all possible totals from three dice. Each number shows its payout odds.
Single Number Bets: Six boxes showing numbers 1 through 6, where you bet on a specific number appearing on any die.
Double and Triple Sections: Smaller areas for betting on pairs or three-of-a-kind results.
Each betting spot clearly displays the payout odds, typically in “1 to X” format. A “1 to 8” payout means you get your original bet back plus 8 times that amount—so a $10 bet returns $90 total ($10 original + $80 profit).
How to Play Sic Bo: Step-by-Step
Playing Sic Bo is refreshingly straightforward. Here’s the complete process from sitting down to collecting (or mourning) your chips.
Step 1: Exchange Money for Chips
Approach the Sic Bo table and place cash on the table (never hand it directly to the dealer—casino rules). The dealer will exchange it for chips. Start with an amount you’re comfortable losing, typically 20-40 times your intended bet size.
Step 2: Place Your Bets
When the dealer announces betting is open (usually saying “place your bets” or illuminating a light), put chips on any betting spot you choose. You can make multiple bets simultaneously—there’s no limit beyond your bankroll and the table’s maximum bets.
Place chips directly on the spot representing your chosen outcome. If you can’t reach a particular spot, place your chips on the table and tell the dealer what you want; they’ll position them correctly.
Step 3: Wait for “No More Bets”
The dealer will announce “no more bets” and either activate the mechanical dice cage or cover and shake a dice container. Once this happens, the outcome is locked in—no touching chips or changing your mind.
Step 4: The Reveal
The three dice settle into position, showing their results. Modern electronic tables display the outcome on screens and illuminate winning bets. Traditional tables require the dealer to manually identify winners.
Step 5: Collecting Winnings
The dealer first collects all losing bets (which happens surprisingly quickly), then pays out winners according to each bet’s specific odds. If you win multiple bets, you’ll be paid for each one separately.
After all payouts, the next round begins immediately. Sic Bo moves fast—you’ll typically see 40-60 rounds per hour.
💡 Pro Tip: Don’t pick up your winnings immediately if you want to bet the same spots next round. Just add to your pile or remove excess chips. Keeping winning bets “up” shows the dealer your intentions and speeds up play.
Sic Bo Betting Options Explained
Sic Bo offers more betting variety than a buffet, but you don’t need to understand every option to play. Here are the main bet types, organized from simplest to most complex.
Small and Big Bets (House Edge: 2.78%)
The bread and butter of Sic Bo, these are even-money bets on the dice total.
Small Bet: Total will be 4-10 (excluding triples)
Big Bet: Total will be 11-17 (excluding triples)
Payout: 1 to 1
These bets lose only if any triple appears (1-1-1, 2-2-2, etc.), which is why they have the lowest house edge. On a $10 bet, you’ll win $10 profit if correct.
Combination Bets (House Edge: 2.78%)
Bet that two specific numbers will appear on the three dice. For example, a 2-5 combination wins if the roll shows 2-5-1, 2-5-6, or even 2-5-5.
Payout: 1 to 5
This gives you better odds than small/big but requires more precision. A $10 bet returns $60 total if you win.
Single Number Bets (House Edge: 7.87-11.1%)
Bet on a specific number (1-6) appearing on one or more dice. The more times your number shows, the more you win.
Payouts:
- Appears once: 1 to 1
- Appears twice: 1 to 2
- Appears three times: 1 to 3
If you bet $10 on “4” and get 4-4-2, you win $20. Get 4-4-4? You pocket $30. This is actually three bets in one, which is why the house edge is higher than it first appears.
Total Sum Bets (House Edge: Varies 2.78-19.4%)
Bet the three dice will total a specific number from 4 to 17. Different totals have different probabilities and payouts.
Notice that 10 and 11 are most likely but pay the same as 9 and 12, which are less likely. This is the casino’s edge at work—payouts don’t perfectly match probability.
Double Bets (House Edge: 18.52%)
Bet that a specific pair will appear (like two 3s). The third die can be anything except another 3 (that would be a triple).
Payout: 1 to 8
The math works against you here. True odds of hitting a specific double are about 11 to 1, but the casino pays only 8 to 1.
Triple Bets (House Edge: 16.2-33.3%)
The long shots of Sic Bo come in two flavors:
Specific Triple: Bet on three identical numbers (like 5-5-5)
Payout: 1 to 150
House Edge: 30.09%
Any Triple: Bet that any three matching numbers will appear
Payout: 1 to 24
House Edge: 30.09%
These look tempting with their massive payouts, but the true odds are 215 to 1 for a specific triple. The casino pays 150 to 1, keeping a massive chunk for themselves.
💡 Pro Tip: If you must chase triples (and mathematically you shouldn’t), bet “any triple” rather than a specific one. Same house edge but slightly better hit frequency.
Sic Bo Odds and House Edge Explained
Here’s the uncomfortable truth: the house wins at Sic Bo regardless of which bets you choose. The question is how much and how fast.
The house edge represents the percentage of each bet the casino expects to keep long-term. A 2.78% house edge means on every $100 you wager, you’ll lose an average of $2.78. That’s not per session or per hour—that’s per $100 in total action.
Best Bets in Sic Bo
If you’re playing for entertainment with minimal damage:
- Small/Big bets (2.78% edge) – Your safest choice
- Combination bets (2.78% edge) – Same safety with more variety
- Specific total of 9, 10, 11, or 12 (6-12% edge) – Acceptable risk for better payouts
Worst Bets in Sic Bo
These bets are mathematically terrible but psychologically tempting:
- Specific triples (30.09% edge) – The casino loves these
- Any triple (30.09% edge) – Just as bad
- Two-dice combinations that aren’t domino pairs (check specific table rules)
Remember, house edge is different from hit frequency. Some bets with decent house edges (like specific totals) only win occasionally. Big/small bets have the same edge but win nearly 50% of the time, making your money last longer.
Sic Bo Strategy: Does It Exist?
Here’s where we burst some bubbles: there is no strategy in Sic Bo. The dice have no memory, don’t care about your rent payment, and can’t be influenced by betting patterns, lucky charms, or the intensity of your stare.
What Doesn’t Work
Tracking previous results: Each roll is independent. If Big has hit five times in a row, the odds of Small winning next are exactly the same as always. The dice didn’t keep a spreadsheet.
Progressive betting systems: Doubling your bet after losses (Martingale) or any other progression system doesn’t change the house edge. It just changes your bet size, which means you lose the same percentage of a larger or smaller number.
“Hot” or “cold” numbers: Three dice have no temperature. They’re plastic or ivory cubes rolling randomly.
What Does Work
Stick to low house edge bets: You’ll lose slower betting Big/Small compared to chasing triples. Math doesn’t lie, even if it’s boring.
Set a budget and stick to it: Decide before playing how much you’re willing to lose. When it’s gone, walk away. When you’ve doubled it, pocket the original and play with profits.
Understand you’re paying for entertainment: Every bet in Sic Bo has a negative expected value. You’re not investing; you’re buying excitement. Budget accordingly.
💡 Pro Tip: If you want to maximize playing time on a fixed budget, make only Big/Small bets and size them at 2-5% of your total bankroll. Boring? Yes. Effective at stretching your entertainment dollar? Also yes.
Common Sic Bo Variations
Most casinos stick to standard Sic Bo rules, but you’ll occasionally encounter variations that change payouts or add side bets.
- Chuck-a-Luck: An American carnival version using a wire cage. Rules are similar but payouts are often worse. House edge can reach 15% on basic bets—avoid unless you’re just having nostalgic fun.
- Electronic Sic Bo: Same game but with automated dice tumbling and digital betting. Faster gameplay (70+ rounds per hour) means faster losses despite identical house edge.
- Super Sic Bo (Live Casino): Some online casinos offer multiplier features where random bets get boosted payouts for single rounds. House edge remains, but volatility increases dramatically.
The core game remains consistent: three dice, random results, casino has the edge.
Conclusion
Sic Bo won’t win you a fortune, but it offers fast-paced, no-thinking-required entertainment with a dash of exotic flair. Unlike poker where you’re grinding through decisions or blackjack where you’re consulting strategy charts, Sic Bo lets you point at pretty pictures on a table, watch some dice tumble, and celebrate or shrug within 60 seconds.
Stick to Big/Small bets for the best mathematical odds, treat those triple bets as the expensive lottery tickets they are, and remember that you’re essentially paying $3-$5 per hour (on a $100/hour action) for entertainment. That’s cheaper than a movie and comes with free drinks in most casinos.
The ancient Chinese played this game for two millennia not because it was beatable, but because watching dice tumble is inherently entertaining. Don’t overthink it, don’t chase patterns that don’t exist, and definitely don’t bet the rent on a triple six. Your future self will thank you.
FAQs
Sic Bo translates to “precious dice” or “dice pair” in Chinese, though the game uses three dice rather than two. It’s also called “Tai Sai” (big small) or “Dai Siu” in some regions, referring to the game’s most popular betting option.
While both use dice, Sic Bo uses three dice vs. craps‘ two, and players don’t roll themselves—a mechanical cage or dealer handles all rolls. Sic Bo has no shooter rotation, no pass line, and generally higher house edges than craps’ best bets. Sic Bo is simpler but mathematically less favorable.
Big and Small bets offer the lowest house edge at 2.78%, making them the best mathematical choice. Combination bets (betting on two specific numbers appearing) have the same low house edge while offering more variety and better payouts at 5 to 1.
No. Every dice roll is completely independent and random. There’s no skill component, no decisions during play, and no way to track results that predict future outcomes. The only “strategy” is choosing low house edge bets and managing your bankroll.
Specific triple bets have a devastating 30.09% house edge despite their attractive 150 to 1 payout. Any triple bets are equally terrible at 30.09%. These bets should be avoided unless you’re specifically paying for the thrill of a long shot.
Yes, absolutely. Sic Bo is 100% chance with zero skill component. Unlike poker or blackjack where decisions matter, Sic Bo requires only that you place chips on betting spots before dice are rolled. The outcome is entirely random and cannot be influenced.
Most Sic Bo tables have $5-$10 minimums, though higher limit tables exist. Bring at least 20-40 times your bet size to withstand normal losing streaks. For a $10 minimum table, $200-$400 provides reasonable playing time while sticking to Big/Small bets.
This is how the casino builds its edge. Without the triple exclusion, Big/Small would be true 50/50 bets with zero house edge. By making all triples losers for these bets, the casino gains a 2.78% advantage while still offering nearly even-money action.
Yes, most major online casinos offer both automated Sic Bo and live dealer versions. Live dealer games use real dice and human dealers via video stream, providing authentic casino atmosphere from home. Rules and odds typically match land-based casinos.
Very fast. Land-based Sic Bo completes 40-60 rounds per hour, while electronic versions can reach 70+ rounds hourly. This speed means your money cycles through the house edge quickly—a $10/hand bettor at 50 rounds per hour puts $500 in action, expecting to lose about $14/hour on Big/Small bets.
A combination bet wagers that two specific numbers will both appear among the three dice. For example, betting on 2-5 wins if the roll shows 2-5-1, 2-5-3, or even 2-5-5. It pays 5 to 1 and has just a 2.78% house edge, making it one of Sic Bo’s best bets.
No. No betting system can overcome the house edge in a game of pure chance. Progressive systems like Martingale only change bet sizing—you still lose the same percentage of whatever amount you wager. The math is unforgiving and doesn’t care about patterns or progression schemes.
