Sic-Bo Tips and Tricks for Playing Online

Sic Bo is a popular dice game with its origins in China, though it can be found in many casinos all over the world and of course can be easily played online, too. We are excited to share all the information you need to know about this fun dice game, as well as the top Sic Bo tips and tricks for getting started now.

In this article, we will go over the basic tenets of the game, including how betting rounds work at a casino, the role of the dealer, and the various odds available across the board. We will demystify the Sic Bo table, which looks complicated at first but is actually quite simple once you get the hang of it. With our Sic Bo tips and tricks, you will be up and running in no time at all. To learn more, check out our guide to playing Sic Bo online.

• Sic Bo Game Rules
• How to Play Sic Bo Online
• Final Sic Bo Tips and Tricks

Sic Bo Game Rules

Of course, before we get into tips for placing your bets, it’s essential we go over the basics of game play! Sic Bo game rules are relatively simple, especially when compared to many casino table games. It is one of only two major table games that uses dice. Funnily enough, the name “Sic Bo” comes from the Chinese phrase for “dice pair” but Sic Bo is played with three dice, whereas craps is played with a pair of dice!

Placing Your Bets

Similar to baccarat or roulette, playing Sic Bo is based on your guess of what will show up on the three dice that are rolled during each turn. The game is very similar to roulette in that you do not play against the dealer or any other players; your betting decisions are completely independent of other players on the board. You can all bet on the same spaces or on completely different spaces and it will not affect the outcome nor the payouts of the game. That means you can play the game with many players or just one on one with a dealer.

Before the dice are rolled – usually using a mechanical dice roller that is activated when the dealer presses a button – the dealer will signal that the table is open for bets. All players place their chips in their desired spaces, placing as few or as many as they like, in accordance with table minimums. The dealer then signals that the table is closed and the betting period is over, at which point they will activate the dice roller and reveal what combination of dice has been rolled.

Players will be paid out depending on the combination and the bets they have placed. Though this works almost exactly like roulette’s betting, Sic Bo game rules – namely its game board – are slightly different, so let’s take a look at this now to further understand the game.

Sic Bo Game Board

Above you will find an example of the Sic Bo game board. Though they may differ slightly from casino to casino, some basic elements will always be present. The board is made up of a series of rectangles and squares, each with a different dice outcome clearly labeled. In order to bet, the player decides which outcomes they think will happen in the next roll. Payouts are awarded based on odds, i.e. the likelihood of each outcome.

The most likely odds are similar to the red or black and even or odd bets in roulette. These are “Big” or “Small” on the top outermost corners of the board. If the total of the dice rolled adds up to between 4 and 10, this counts as a “Small” roll. If it is between 11 and 17, this counts as “Big.” Both of these squares pay out 1:1 for successful bets.

There is an exception however: If the result is a triple (i.e. three 1s, three 3s, etc.), no “Big” or “Small” bets will be paid out. That’s why the “Small” bets start with 4 and not 3, since 3 would only be the result of three 1s.

Next we have the specific number values. These represent the total of the three dice. Each of these values has its own particular payout amount based on individual odds. For example, it is less likely to roll a total of 4 in Sic Bo than a total of 9, so a 4 would pay out more than a 9. In this way, the game differs from roulette.

Underneath these totals, you have pairs of dice you can bet on. There are fifteen total options of pairs that may show up within the three dice, like a 1 and a 6 or a 2 and a 3, and so on. These usually pay 5:1 odds. You can then bet on there being a specific double, two dice of the same number. This pays out more – usually 10:1. The highest win you can get in the game is by betting on a specific triple (150:1), which is of course a rare outcome, though you can also get a major payout by betting on “Any triple” (usually 24:1 or 25:1).

Lastly, at the bottom of the board you will find individual numbers. You can simply bet on which numbers will show up on any of the three dice rolled. These are 1:1 if you get one dice right. If two appear with the same number, this ramps up to 2:1. If three appear, it is 3:1; however note that these will not be paid the same as a bet on a specified triple would be! To get the big payout, you must bet on that particular triple. Betting on the bottom row won’t count.

How to Play Sic Bo Online

Though you cannot find Sic Bo at every brick-and-mortar casino, you can find it quite easily online! That is great news if you are learning how to play Sic Bo online now and want to get started without having to wait. With this in mind, here are a few things you should keep in mind if playing online Sic Bo.

Sic Bo Online Guide

• Always check online gambling rules in your state. Though you may find online casinos you can access, they may not be legal or secure. Protect your earnings and make sure to only play with licensed sites in a state where it is legal to do so.
• You can usually test casino games for free by using a trial version. If you are unclear about any rules, we recommend using this to get a hang of the game before you put down real money on it.
• When playing in person, the dice roller is sometimes transparent so you can watch the dice roll into place, or sometimes opaque for added suspense!
• A top tip: Odds can differ slightly from casino to casino though overall Sic Bo game rules stay the same, so be sure to read carefully before playing to avoid disappointment. For example, we have seen the triple bet pay out 180:1 but sometimes only 150:1, which is a massive difference!

Final Sic Bo Tips and Tricks

In a way, Sic Bo combines the fun elements of blackjack and roulette. Like in blackjack, you can follow a strategy based on the odds of specific combinations of dice numbers coming up. A high-risk strategy would see you betting on less likely odds, like specific triples, but reaping the rewards, whereas a low-risk strategy will probably result in steady but small payouts.

Mathematicians have calculated the house edge of each possible outcome in Sic Bo. If you are mathematically inclined, you are welcome to read over these sorts of calculations, but the results are mostly reflected in the payouts that you will see across the playing board. Outcomes that are less statistically probable will pay out more, outcomes that are more probable will pay out less, in accordance with the edge.

Still, it may be interesting to experiment with these odds when you play. The payout of any triple is still much higher than most other options on the board. It may be worth chancing your luck on such high-risk bets from time to time. Ultimately however, like roulette, the game of Sic Bo comes down to luck! No outcome is guaranteed, and like in baccarat, the idea of following streaks or patterns is an unreliable one.