What is the Sic Bo game?
This is a casino game that attracts most players in Asia, especially in the Macau region, which is known as the “Monte Carlo of the East.” The game came to the West in the twentieth century with Chinese immigrants.
Sic Bo is played quickly and, as experienced gamblers like to say, “without any nonsense.” It should also appeal to most roulette and slot machine players, as the games have some similarities.
At first glance, the game board may seem very complicated, but the rules of Sic Bo should dispel this notion.
The dealer rolls the dice, and players place bets on certain outcomes. Each bet's payout is linked to the probability that a certain sum or specific dice will appear.
Where is the best place to play Sic Bo?
How to play Sic Bo? Sic Bo rules
The easiest and simplest bet is the sum of the three dice faces. This ranges from 4 to 17, as 3 and 18 belong to triple combinations.
Usually, the payouts are written on the board itself (especially in online casinos), so you can calculate the probability based on that – the more the casino pays out, the lower the chance of winning.
For example, three identical dice (a triple combination) have payouts around 180:1.
You can also bet on Small and Big bets (Small – from 4 to 10, Big – from 11 to 17). This is close to a 50% probability (note that it is not exactly 50:50), so it is considered a fairly safe bet, as the chance of rolling three ones or three sixes is very small.
Since these bets have relatively low risk, their payouts are similar to betting on red or black in roulette – 1:1.
Due to the probabilities of triple ones or triple sixes, the big and small bets are often compared to the zero and double zero in American roulette.
Combination Bet
A combination bet is when you choose two specific numbers that will appear on the three dice. For example, if you bet on two and three, you will win only if the dice show two, three, and the third die does not matter.
Such bets require a bit more luck or the ability to assess probabilities.
A single bet is when you bet on just one number that will appear on the three dice. If one of your chosen numbers appears, the payout is 1:1, if two – 2:1, if all three – 12:1. Also, Sic Bo rules emphasize that if three identical dice appear in a single bet, the payout will be different than in a triple bet.
A double bet is when you bet on two specific numbers that will appear on the three dice. For example, such a bet on twos would win if the dice show two, any number, and two.
The payout, if your combination is correct, would be 6:1 (may vary depending on the casino). Unlike a triple bet, you cannot bet on any two numbers; it must be a specific double, although you can bet on as many double combinations as you like.
A triple bet is when you guess that all three of your chosen dice numbers will appear. The odds of a triple combination are just 1 in 216, but the payout is usually, as mentioned, 180:1. This can be a really good win.
Sic Bo strategies
Once you know how to play, you can think about strategies to help you win. It is joked that the first strategy all players of this game should apply is to tame Fortune.
However, this is far from all you need to win or play more safely without much risk.
A short video in English on how to play:
Low-risk strategy
If you want to risk minimally, the best bet will be where the casino has the smallest advantage. The smallest advantage is in choosing small and big bets.
So if you want to entertain yourself at the table for longer with a smaller budget, you can confidently choose small and big bets. The winnings are symbolic (1:1), but the risk is low.
Combination bets also offer low risk. You can expect your combination to be rolled about once every 7 rolls, and the payout is 6:1, so there are quite a few chances to win.
It is recommended to prepare 15 bets on combinations. If you win two or three times in 15 rolls, you have beaten the casino, and it might be a good time to step away from the table for a while.
Riskier strategies
If you are not afraid to take a bit more risk and want to go home with a larger sum of money, you can try one of these bets. Bet 3 units (whether it is three chips of 1 or 3 chips of 100 – your choice depending on your budget) on nine and two units on doubles: 1, 5, and 6.
You will have bet a total of 9 units. If 9 is rolled, you will win 24 units; if one of the chosen doubles, also 24 units. The chances of winning are not small, as 9 eyes are quite common, and doubles of ones, fives, and sixes are seen quite often in this game.
Another similar bet is to bet 3 units on 12 and two units on doubles: 1, 2, and 12. In case of a win, you will get 24 units, so it is very similar to the first option.
Due to the large number of combinations, Sic Bo strategies can be devised by the players themselves. Some are riskier, while others allow you to spend much longer at the table.
But the fact is – Sic Bo captivates and fascinates most who understand the rules of this dice game and feel a bit tired of card games or are looking for something new and less common.
More casino game rules can be found here.
