Sic Bo

Sic Bo Strategy and Rules

Sic Bo is a game somewhat like roulette in that there are many places on the table to place bets. Three dice are used to determine the outcome of the betting. Not every online casino has Sic Bo - a couple of very good casinos with sic bo include Hampton Casino, Casino Miami Beach, Portofino Casino, or Sci-Fi Casino.

Betting Areas

Single Number Bets
The bottom row of the Sic Bo table has six betting areas. These are called single number bets. If one of the three dice comes up as one the numbers bet on (from 1-6), you get paid out at 1-1. If two numbers come up you get paid out at 2-1 and if three numbers come up you get paid out at 3-1. So if you bet on the number 6 and you wagered $5.00 and 2 sixes came up you would win $10.00.

Two Number Combinations
The two number combination bets consist of placing a wager on any 2 dice combinations. If you wager on a 6,4 combination and the result of the dice roll was 4,7,6, you would win at 5-1 odds. If the result of the dice roll was 6,4,4 you would win twice because there are two combinations of 6,4.

Three Number Totals
A three number total wager consists of combining the total shown on the dice roll. Different totals have different odds. A result of 3 or 18 is always a loss. The payouts are as follows:

Three Number Totals (4-17)

   4 or 17 50-1

   5 or 16 25-1

   6 or 15 15-1

   7 or 14 10-1

   8 or 13    6-1

   9 or 12    5-1

10 or 11    5-1

Small or Big Wager
You can wager on whether the combined total of the dice roll will be either between 4-10 or 11-17. This wager pays out at 1-1 odds. A triplet will always result in a loss for the player.

Triplet Bets
Triplets are when the resulting dice roll consists of all three dice containing the same digit. So if you wagered on three 5's and that was the dice result you would win at 150-1 odds. You can also wager on all six triplet bets at once, this is called "any triplet" and pays out at 25-1 odds.

Pair Bets
Pairs are when the resulting dice roll contains a pair of the same number. Whether you have two fives or three fives you still only win once and you win at odds of 11-1.

Strategy

Guest columnist Michael Shackleford, the Wizard of Odds, offers this strategy.

The odds and table layout will vary from place to place. I suggest sticking to only the 'low' and 'high' bets.

Following is a list of the best. This information is based on the games at the Riviera in Las Vegas and the Trump Plaza in Atlantic City. The Mirage in Las Vegas also offers sic bo and follows the Atlantic City rules.

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 11-18, except for a three of a kind. Probability of winning is 48.61%. Pays 1 to 1. House edge is 2.78%.

Wins on total of 4. Probability of winning is 1.39%. Pays 50 to 1 at the Riviera for house edge of 29.17%. Pays 60 to 1 in Atlantic City for house edge of 15.28%.

Wins on total of 5. Probability of winning is 2.78%. Pays 18 to 1 at the Riviera for house edge of 47.22%. Pays 30 to 1 in Atlantic City for house edge of 13.89%.

Wins on total of 6. Probability of winning is 4.63%. Pays 14 to 1 at the Riviera for house edge of 30.56%. Pays 17 to 1 in Atlantic City for house edge of 16.67%.

Wins on total of 7. Probability of winning is 6.94%. Pays 12 to 1 at both the Riviera and Atlantic City for house edge of 9.72%.

Wins on total of 8. Probability of winning is 9.72%. Pays 8 to 1 at both the Riviera and Atlantic City for house edge of 12.50%.

Wins on total of 9. Probability of winning is 11.57%. Pays 6 to 1 at both the Riviera and Atlantic City for house edge of 18.98%.

Wins on total of 10. Probability of winning is 12.50%. Pays 6 to 1 at both the Riviera and Atlantic City for house edge of 12.50%.

Wins on total of 11. Probability of winning is 12.50%. Pays 6 to 1 at both the Riviera and Atlantic City for house edge of 12.50%.

Wins on total of 12. Probability of winning is 11.57%. Pays 6 to 1 at both the Riviera and Atlantic City for house edge of 18.98%.

Wins on total of 13. Probability of winning is 9.72%. Pays 8 to 1 at both the Riviera and Atlantic City for house edge of 12.50%.

Wins on total of 14. Probability of winning is 6.94%. Pays 12 to 1 at both the Riviera and Atlantic City for house edge of 9.72%.

Wins on total of 15. Probability of winning is 4.63%. Pays 14 to 1 at the Riviera for house edge of 30.56%. Pays 17 to 1 in Atlantic City for house edge of 16.67%.

Wins on total of 16. Probability of winning is 2.78%. Pays 18 to 1 at the Riviera for house edge of 47.22%. Pays 30 to 1 in Atlantic City for house edge of 13.89%.

Wins on total of 17. Probability of winning is 1.39%. Pays 50 to 1 at the Riviera for house edge of 29.17%. Pays 60 to 1 in Atlantic City for house edge of 15.28%.

Two of a kind: Player may bet on any of the 15 possible two dice combinations (for example a 1 and 2). Bet wins if both numbers appear. Probability of winning is 13.89%. Pays 5 to 1 at both the Riviera and Atlantic City for house edge of 16.67%.

Double: Player may bet on any specific pair (for example two 1's). Player wins if at least 2 of the number chosen appears. Probability of winning is 7.41%. Pays 8 to 1 at the Riviera for house edge of 33.33%. Pays 10 to 1 in Atlantic City for house edge of 18.52%.

Triple: Player may bet on any specific trips (for example three 1's). Player wins if all 3 dice match the number chosen. Probability of winning is 0.46%. Pays 150 to 1 at the Riviera for house edge of 30.09%. Pays 180 to 1 in Atlantic City for house edge of 16.20%.

Any Triple: Wins on any three of a kind. Probability of winning is 2.78%. Pays 24 to 1 at the Riviera for house edge of 30.56%. Pays 30 to 1 in Atlantic City for house edge of 13.89%.

1-6: Player may bet on any specific number from 1 to 6. If chosen number appears 1 time bet pays 1 to 1, if it appears 2 times bet pays 2 to 1, and if it appears 3 times it pays 3 to 1. Probability of 1 match is 34.72%, 2 matches is 6.94%, 3 matches is 0.46%. House edge of 7.87%.

Our thanks to the Wizard of Odds. If you have a question, feel free to ask the Wizard.