Sic bo in one paragraph: three dice shaken under a cover, 216 equally likely outcomes, and a layout whose prices run from 2.78% to over 47%: the widest spread of any casino table game. Small (4-10) and Big (11-17) at 2.78% are the only two bets worth making, and they lose to any triple. Everything else, the totals, the triples, the doubles and the combinations, costs from 7.87% upward. Worse, the payouts vary between casinos on the same dice, so the identical bet can cost three times as much at the next table; the variation page prices both schedules.
Rules
- Three dice are shaken in a covered container, then revealed.
- Players place bets on outcomes: totals, doubles, triples, or specific combinations.
- Winning bets pay according to a fixed table; losing bets are collected.
- Unlike craps, there is no sequence of rolls; each round is independent.
Common Payouts
| Bet | Typical Pays | House Edge | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small (4–10) / Big (11–17) | 1:1 | ≈2.78% | Loses if a triple appears. |
| Specific Triple (e.g., 1-1-1) | 180:1 or 150:1 | 16.20% or 30.09% | Very high edge; avoid. |
| Any Triple | 30:1 or 24:1 | 13.89% or 30.56% | Wins on any triple. |
| Total 9 or 12 | 6:1 | 18.98% (41/216) | Not a good bet. The 7.41% often quoted for this box is the figure at 7:1, and most tables pay 6:1. Check the payout before the edge. |
| Total 9 or 12 | 7:1 | 7.41% (2/27) | The same box on a better pay table, costing less than half as much. |
| Total 10 or 11 | 6:1 | 12.50% (1/8) | 27 of 216 ways, so the pay table decides everything here. |
| Total 10 or 11 | 7:1 | 0.00% (exactly 0) | 27 × 8 = 216. At 7:1 this box has no house edge at all, the only bet in the game without one; most tables pay 6:1. |
| Specific Double | 10:1 or 8:1 | 18.52% or 33.33% | Risky long-shot bet. |
| Dice Combo (e.g., 2+5) | 5:1 | ≈16.7% | Pays if both numbers appear. |
Exact payouts and edges vary by casino; always check the printed table before playing.
Strategy & Bankroll
- Best bets: Stick to Small/Big, the lowest house edge on the usual pay table (~2.8%).
- Avoid long-shots: Triples and exotic totals carry very high edges.
- Totals 9/12: at the usual 6:1 they cost 18.98%, among the dearest bets on the layout; only a table paying 7:1 brings them down to 7.41%.
- Bankroll tip: Because Sic Bo is all chance, focus on pacing wagers and session limits.
Every bet on the layout has its own page, counted from the 216 outcomes of three dice, with both common payout schedules. See every sic bo bet ranked by house edge →
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What’s the best bet in Sic Bo?
- On the usual pay table, Small (4–10) and Big (11–17), with a house edge of ~2.8%. A table that pays 7:1 on Total 10 or 11 has one bet with no edge at all.
- Are payouts the same everywhere?
- No. Payouts for totals and triples vary by casino. Always check the table chart.
- Is Sic Bo skill-based?
- No. Unlike poker or blackjack, it’s pure chance. Strategy is about bet selection and bankroll control.
- Why is it popular in Asia?
- Sic Bo has deep cultural roots and is featured in many Macau and Asian casinos.
Corrected on 19 October 2026: the payout table gave any triple at 24:1 as about 13.9% (that is the 30:1 table; at 24:1 it is 30.56%) and a specific triple as 30% or more (16.20% at 180:1); it called the 7:1 Total 10 or 11 an even-money bet (it pays 7 to 1 and has no house edge); and it recommended totals 9 and 12, which cost 18.98% at the usual 6:1.