How to Play
Sic Bo
Ancient Chinese dice game with simple rules and exciting action. Bet on three dice outcomes with odds ranging from safe 2.78% edge to high-risk 180:1 payouts.
📖Game Overview
Sic Bo (骰寶, meaning "precious dice") is an ancient Chinese gambling game played with three dice. Players bet on various outcomes before the dice are rolled. The dealer shakes the dice in a covered cage or electronic tumbler, then reveals the results.
Unlike Craps, Sic Bo is a single-roll game—each bet is resolved with one roll of the dice. The game offers numerous betting options with varying odds and payouts, from safe Small/Big bets to high-risk Triple bets. It's purely a game of chance requiring no skill or strategy.
🎯How to Play Sic Bo
💰Main Bet Types & House Edge
| Bet Type | Payout | House Edge | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small (4-10) | 1:1 | 2.78% | ✅ Best |
| Big (11-17) | 1:1 | 2.78% | ✅ Best |
| Combination (2 numbers) | 6:1 | 2.78% | ✅ Good |
| Single Number | 1:1, 2:1, 3:1 | 7.87% | ⚠️ Fair |
| Total 10 or 11 | 6:1 | 12.5% | ⚠️ Poor |
| Any Triple | 30:1 | 13.9% | ❌ Bad |
| Specific Triple | 180:1 | 16.2% | ❌ Worst |
| Total 4 or 17 | 60:1 | 29.2% | ❌ Terrible |
🎲Bet Types Explained
Small & Big Bets (Best Odds)
Small: Wins if total is 4-10 (excluding triples). Pays 1:1.
Big: Wins if total is 11-17 (excluding triples). Pays 1:1.
✅ Only 2.78% house edge—the best bets in Sic Bo!
Combination Bets
Win if two specific numbers appear on the three dice (e.g., 2 and 5). Pays 6:1. House edge: 2.78%.
Good middle-ground bet with decent odds.
Single Number Bets
Choose a number (1-6). Payout depends on how many times it appears:
- • One die shows your number: 1:1
- • Two dice show your number: 2:1
- • Three dice show your number: 3:1
House edge: 7.87%—not great but not terrible.
Total Bets
Bet on the sum of all three dice (4-17). Payouts vary widely:
- • Totals 10-11: 6:1 (12.5% edge)
- • Totals 9, 12: 6:1 (18.98% edge)
- • Totals 4, 17: 60:1 (29.2% edge)
⚠️ High house edges—avoid these bets.
Triple Bets (Avoid!)
Specific Triple: All three dice show the same specific number (e.g., three 4s). Pays 180:1. House edge: 16.2%.
Any Triple: All three dice match (any number). Pays 30:1. House edge: 13.9%.
❌ Terrible odds despite high payouts. Avoid these bets!
🧠Sic Bo Strategy
Sic Bo is pure chance, but smart betting improves your odds:
1. Stick to Small/Big Bets: Only 2.78% house edge—best odds in the game.
2. Add Combination Bets: Same 2.78% edge with 6:1 payout for variety.
3. Avoid Triples & Extreme Totals: House edges of 13-29% make these sucker bets.
4. Manage Your Bankroll: Set loss limits and stick to them.
💡 Best strategy: Small/Big bets only for lowest house edge!
💡Tips & Common Mistakes
🌐Where to Play Sic Bo Online
When playing online Sic Bo, look for:
Proper Licensing
UKGC, MGA regulated
Live Dealer
Real dice via stream
RNG Certified
eCOGRA, iTech Labs
Fair Payouts
Standard paytable
Table Limits
Range of stakes
Mobile Ready
Play anywhere
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sic Bo and how do you play it?
Sic Bo is an ancient Chinese dice game where players bet on the outcome of three dice. The dealer shakes the dice in a cage or tumbler, and players win based on the combinations that appear. You can bet on specific numbers, totals, combinations, or patterns. It's purely a game of chance with no skill involved.
What are the best bets in Sic Bo?
The best bets are Small (4-10) and Big (11-17) with only 2.78% house edge. These bets win nearly 50% of the time. Combination bets (two specific numbers) have 2.78% edge. Avoid Triple bets (16.2% edge) and specific number bets (high edges). Stick to Small/Big for the best odds.
What is the difference between Small and Big bets?
Small bets win if the dice total 4-10 (excluding triples). Big bets win if the dice total 11-17 (excluding triples). Both pay 1:1 and have the same 2.78% house edge. They're the safest bets in Sic Bo, similar to Red/Black in roulette. You lose both if any triple appears.
What are Triple bets in Sic Bo?
Triple bets are wagers that all three dice will show the same number. Specific Triple (e.g., three 4s) pays 180:1 but has a 16.2% house edge. Any Triple (any three matching dice) pays 30:1 with 13.9% edge. These are high-risk, high-reward bets with terrible odds—avoid them for consistent play.
How do combination bets work?
Combination bets win if two specific numbers appear on the three dice (e.g., 2 and 5). They pay 6:1 and have a 2.78% house edge, making them one of the better bets. There are 15 possible combinations. This is a good middle-ground bet between safe Small/Big and risky specific numbers.
What is a Total bet in Sic Bo?
Total bets wager on the sum of all three dice (4-17). Payouts and house edges vary widely. Totals of 10 and 11 pay 6:1 with 12.5% edge. Extreme totals (4, 5, 16, 17) pay up to 60:1 but have 15-47% house edges. These are generally poor bets compared to Small/Big.
What are Single Number bets?
Single Number bets win if your chosen number (1-6) appears on one, two, or all three dice. Payouts: 1:1 for one die, 2:1 for two dice, 3:1 for three dice (rare). House edge is 7.87%. While fun, these have worse odds than Small/Big bets. Better than Totals but not optimal.
Can you use a strategy to win at Sic Bo?
Sic Bo is pure chance—no strategy changes the outcome. However, smart betting helps: stick to Small/Big bets (2.78% edge), add Combination bets for variety, avoid Triples and high-edge Totals, and manage your bankroll. The best 'strategy' is choosing low house edge bets and playing for entertainment.
What is the house edge in Sic Bo?
House edge varies widely by bet type. Small/Big: 2.78% (best). Combinations: 2.78%. Single Numbers: 7.87%. Totals: 12.5-47.2%. Specific Triples: 16.2%. Any Triple: 13.9%. The range is huge—from excellent to terrible. Always check the paytable and stick to low-edge bets.
Is Sic Bo similar to Craps?
Both use dice and offer multiple bet types, but they're different. Sic Bo uses three dice with fixed outcomes per roll. Craps uses two dice with sequential rolls (come-out, point). Sic Bo is simpler—one roll determines all bets. Craps has lower house edges (0.37% with odds) while Sic Bo's best is 2.78%.
What does the Sic Bo table look like?
The Sic Bo table displays all possible bets with their payouts. Small and Big are prominent on the sides. The center shows Totals (4-17), Combinations, Triples, and Single Numbers. Each bet area shows the payout ratio. The dealer uses a dice shaker or electronic tumbler to roll three dice, which are then revealed.
Can you play Sic Bo online?
Yes, online casinos offer Sic Bo with RNG (random number generator) or live dealer versions. Live dealer Sic Bo uses real dice in a tumbler via video stream for authentic gameplay. RNG versions are faster. Both are fair when playing at licensed casinos with certified random number generators.
What are the odds of rolling a specific Triple?
The odds of rolling a specific triple (e.g., three 6s) are 1 in 216 (0.46%). Despite the 180:1 payout, the house edge is 16.2% because true odds are 215:1. This makes it one of the worst bets in Sic Bo. Any Triple (any three matching) is 1 in 36 (2.78%) but still has 13.9% edge.
Should beginners play Sic Bo?
Yes, Sic Bo is beginner-friendly if you stick to simple bets. Start with Small/Big bets—they're easy to understand and have the best odds (2.78% edge). Avoid complex bets like Totals and Triples initially. The game is fast-paced and exciting, making it great for casual play. No skill required.
What is the maximum payout in Sic Bo?
The maximum payout is typically 180:1 for a specific Triple bet. Some casinos offer 150:1. Extreme Total bets (4 or 17) can pay 60:1. However, these high payouts come with terrible house edges (16-47%). The high payouts are designed to attract players despite the poor odds. Stick to lower-paying, better-odds bets.
Last Updated: January 31, 2026