Sic-bo

Sic Bo, meaning "dice pair" is an ancient Chinese gambling game. Today it is one of the lesser known casino games and is often confined to designated rooms for Asian games. The game uses three dice and a table with a variety of betting options on the roll of those dice. The odds and table layout may also vary from place to place. If you must play Sic Bo I would suggest sticking to only the 'low' and 'high' bets.

It is a very simple game to play, for the object of the game is to either select the individual numbers, or a combination of the numbers, that will appear on the dice after they are shaken and rolled. The betting possibilities and their payoff amounts are depicted on the table layout by showing the faces of the dice in their many combinations. There are single die numbers, two of a kind, three of a kind, or combinations of any two or three of the dice.

Small : Wins on total of 4-10, except for a three of a kind. Probability of winning is 48.61%. Pays 1 to 1. House edge is 2.78%.

Big : Wins on total of 11-17, except for a three of a kind. Probability of winning is 48.61%. Pays 1 to 1. House edge is 2.78%.

TYPES OF BETS

There are seven different types of bets that can be made in the game of Sic Bo:

Wagers may be made on any one of the six dice sides, 1 through 6. If that number comes up on any one of the dice, the bet is paid off at 1:1. If two of the dice come up with the same number, the bet is paid off at 2:1. If all three dice come up on that same number, the bet is paid off at 3:1.

A bet may be made on a combination of two particular numbers. If those two numbers come up on any two of the dice, the bet is paid off at 5:1.

Wagers may be made on the total of all three dice. The player can bet on any specific total from 4 to 17. The payoff on this bet varies from 6:1 to 50:1, depending upon the total bet.

Another bet is a wager of "small" or "big". A bet on small wins if the total of the three dice is between 4 and 10. A bet on big wins if the dice total between 11 and 17.

A wager can be made that a particular triplet will come up with a payoff of 150:1.

A bet can be made on any triplet with a payoff of 24:1.

A bet can be made on any pair of numbers turning up, with a payoff of 8:1.

GAME PLAY

The game commences when players place their chips on the designated sections of their choice. Each player is responsible for the correct positioning of their wager on the layout, regardless of whether the chips are placed by the dealer or themselves.

Once the bets are in place, the dealer shakes the dice in a sealed container called a shaker and then sets it on the table. The dealer announces the numeric value of each die and enters these values into the electronic device on the table. All winning patterns of the three dice are lit up on the layout, and the dealer proceeds with paying off the winners.