Sic Bo games
For a long time, casino games were fairly standard. You had slots, poker, blackjack, roulette and baccarat, and that was pretty much it. Sometimes an additional game or two, or even a variant, were added in to attract more players, but for the most part, you had five options when visiting a casino. With the rise of online casinos and the diverse player base they attract, this is rapidly changing. New games from countries all around the world are being added to live casino catalogues all the time.
One of the most popular new additions is the Sic Bo game. Hailing from China, Sic Bo is a fast-paced game with a wide variety of bet types. It is especially common in live dealer and digital casino formats, and is a game of pure chance (similar to roulette).
From Sic Bo rules to step-by-step game breakdowns, the team from LeoVegas has everything you need to know about this new and rising table game.
How to play Sic Bo – step by step
If you’re wondering how to play Sic Bo, don’t worry – the process couldn’t be simpler. There are three main steps to keep in mind:
- First, players place chips on the betting table.
- Next, the dealer shakes three dice (in a mechanical or virtual shaker).
- Finally, the dice land and bets are resolved based on the outcome.
That’s it – that’s everything you need to know about the basic gameplay. There are, of course, additional factors to consider beyond the above.
| Dice Total | Bet Type | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | Total bet | Win if you bet 10 |
| 2-5-2 | Double | Win if you bet ‘double 2’ |
Sic Bo table layout & betting options
The most interesting part of the Sic Bo live casino game is its betting layout options. Note that the game is played on a table that is divided into five betting layouts:
- Big/small
- Total bets
- Single number
- Double/triple
- Combination bets
Big bets refer to total scores between 11 and 17, while small bets refer to scores between four and 10. A single dice bet wagers that a total between one and six will appear on one, two or three of the dice. Double and triple bets wager that the same number will appear on two and three dice, respectively, and combination bets wager that two dice will show a combination of different numbers (no doubles, in other words).
Sic Bo payouts & odds
| Bet Type | Payout | House Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Big/Small | 1:1 | 2.78% |
| Specific Triple | 180:1 | 16.2% |
| Total (11) | 6:1 | ~12.5% |
| Double | 10:1 | ~18.5% |
| Single Number | 1:1 to 3:1 | 7.9% avg |
As you can see above, different Sic Bo bets offer different odds. The best Sic Bo bet is the big/small wager, while the worst Sic Bo odds come from specific triple bets. While the latter has the largest payout, this doesn’t mean that it’s a smart or worthwhile wager.
Basic Sic Bo strategy tips
While no single Sic Bo strategy can help improve your chances of winning, there are a few tips you can follow to create the best playing experience possible. First, stick to bets with low house edges (big/small and totals) and avoid high-payout/high-risk bets unless you’re more interested in fun than win potential. Since Sic Bo is purely luck-based, don’t chase losses! Bet smartly and reasonably, and consider setting betting limits to help keep losses from spiralling out of control.
Is Sic Bo a good game for beginners?
Sic Bo is a great game for beginners! It’s easy to understand and quick to play, which makes it a favourite of new players. With that said, the large bet variety can be overwhelming, so start small. Finally, remember that this is a chance-driven game! There is nothing you can do to improve your odds of winning, so don’t worry too much about strategy.