Sic Bo: Rules, Bet Types, Payouts, and Strategy
Sic Bo is an ancient Chinese dice game built around predicting the outcome of three rolled dice. Learn every bet type, the exact house edge for each wager, and which bets give you the best odds.
On this page
What Is Sic Bo?
Sic bo (骰宝, literally "dice treasure") is an ancient Chinese dice game that has been played in various forms for centuries. The game migrated from Asia to Western casinos in the 20th century and is now a staple at both land-based and online gambling venues worldwide.
The concept is simple: three dice are rolled, and you bet on the outcome. There are no cards to read, no hands to set, and no decisions after your bet is placed. You predict what the dice will show — specific totals, combinations, doubles, triples, or simply whether the total will be high or low — and get paid based on the probability of your prediction coming true.
Sic bo's appeal lies in its accessibility and range of betting options. The table layout can look intimidating at first glance, with dozens of possible wagers displayed across a colorful grid. But each bet is independent and straightforward once you understand what it covers. The game moves quickly, creates genuine excitement when the dice are revealed, and offers everything from conservative even-money bets to long-shot wagers paying 180:1.
If you enjoy the strategic depth of pai gow poker but want something faster and purely luck-based, sic bo is the ideal complement in the table games section at Wild.io.
How to Play Sic Bo
A round of sic bo follows a clean, predictable sequence that makes it easy for new players to jump in.
Step 1: Place Your Bets
The sic bo table layout displays every available bet type. You place one or more chips on the areas representing the outcomes you want to wager on. You can bet on as many different outcomes as you like in a single round. There is no limit on the number of simultaneous bets — though each bet is resolved independently.
Step 2: The Dice Roll
In a live casino, the dealer shakes three dice in a sealed container or an electronic shaker. In online and live-dealer versions, the dice are rolled automatically or by the dealer on camera. The three resulting numbers are displayed on the table, and electronic boards typically light up the winning sections.
Step 3: Bets Are Resolved
Every bet on the layout is either a winner or a loser based on the three dice. Payouts happen instantly. There are no subsequent decisions, no doubling down, and no option to change your bet after the dice are released. This simplicity is what makes sic bo a pure game of chance — your only strategic decision happens before the roll.
Step 4: Repeat
The table resets and a new betting round begins. Most online versions move quickly, with rounds completing in 15 to 30 seconds. Live-dealer formats take slightly longer to allow for betting time and social interaction.
Sic Bo Bet Types and Payouts
The variety of bets available is what gives sic bo its depth. Every wager falls into one of several categories, each with distinct odds and payouts.
Small and Big
The most popular bets on the sic bo table. Small covers a total of 4 through 10, while Big covers 11 through 17. Both pay 1:1 and both lose if any triple appears (three of the same number). The house edge on Small and Big is 2.78%, making them the best standard bets on the table.
These are the sic bo equivalent of red/black in roulette — roughly even-money propositions that give you close to a coin-flip chance of winning on every roll.
Specific Totals
You bet on the exact total of the three dice, which can range from 4 to 17. Payouts vary by how likely each total is:
Total | Payout | House Edge |
|---|---|---|
4 or 17 | 60:1 | 15.28% |
5 or 16 | 30:1 | 13.89% |
6 or 15 | 18:1 | 12.04% |
7 or 14 | 12:1 | 9.72% |
8 or 13 | 8:1 | 12.50% |
9 or 12 | 7:1 | 7.41% |
10 or 11 | 6:1 | 12.50% |
Totals near the middle of the range (9, 10, 11, 12) occur more frequently but pay less. Extreme totals (4, 5, 16, 17) are rarer and pay significantly more. The best value among specific total bets is the 9 or 12 wager at a 7.41% house edge.
Single Number Bets
You choose a specific number from 1 to 6. If one die shows your number, you win 1:1. If two dice show it, you win 2:1. If all three dice show it, you win 3:1 (some tables offer higher payouts for triples on a single number bet). The house edge is approximately 7.87% at standard payouts.
Doubles (Specific Double)
You bet that at least two of the three dice will show a specific number. For example, betting on double fours means you need at least two fours among the three dice. Pays 10:1 with a house edge of 18.52%. This is one of the higher-edge bets on the table.
Triples
Two forms exist:
- Specific Triple: All three dice show a number you selected (e.g., three sixes). Pays 180:1 with a house edge of 16.20%. The payout is large, but the probability is just 1 in 216.
- Any Triple: All three dice show the same number, regardless of which one. Pays 30:1 with a house edge of 13.89%. More likely than a specific triple since any of six possible triples counts.
Combination Bets
You pick two specific different numbers (e.g., a 3 and a 5). If at least one die shows each of your chosen numbers, you win. Pays 6:1 with a house edge of 2.78% — tied with Small/Big as the best bets on the layout.
There are 15 possible two-number combinations. These bets offer solid value and add variety beyond the simple Small/Big wagers.
House Edge by Bet
Understanding the house edge for every available wager is the foundation of smart sic bo play. The table below summarizes the full picture:
Bet Type | Payout | House Edge |
|---|---|---|
Small / Big | 1:1 | 2.78% |
Combination (two-number) | 6:1 | 2.78% |
Specific total of 9 or 12 | 7:1 | 7.41% |
Specific total of 7 or 14 | 12:1 | 9.72% |
Specific total of 6 or 15 | 18:1 | 12.04% |
Specific total of 8 or 13 | 8:1 | 12.50% |
Specific total of 10 or 11 | 6:1 | 12.50% |
Specific total of 5 or 16 | 30:1 | 13.89% |
Any triple | 30:1 | 13.89% |
Specific total of 4 or 17 | 60:1 | 15.28% |
Specific triple | 180:1 | 16.20% |
Single number (1 match) | 1:1 | 7.87% |
Specific double | 10:1 | 18.52% |
The pattern is clear: bets with lower payouts tend to have lower house edges, while the flashy high-payout wagers carry significantly steeper costs. Small, Big, and Combination bets at 2.78% compare favorably to many other table games across the casino floor.
For a deeper understanding of what these percentages mean for your bankroll over time, read our complete guide to house edge.
Sic Bo Strategy
Sic bo is a game of pure chance — you cannot influence the dice. However, you absolutely can make smarter choices about where to place your money.
Stick to Low-Edge Bets
The single most impactful strategic decision is bet selection. Small, Big, and Combination bets all carry a 2.78% house edge, which is competitive with blackjack and baccarat. Building your sessions around these three bet types gives you the longest possible playing time for your bankroll.
Avoid Specific Triples and Doubles
Specific triple bets (180:1) and specific double bets (10:1) look tempting because of their payouts, but the house edges of 16.20% and 18.52% respectively mean the casino takes a heavy cut. If you enjoy the thrill of a long-shot bet, limit these to a small portion of your total wagering.
Mix in Moderate Bets for Variety
Specific totals of 9 or 12 offer a middle ground: a 7:1 payout with a 7.41% house edge. These are reasonable supplemental bets that add excitement without dramatically increasing your expected losses. Pair them with a Small or Big bet to create a diversified approach.
Bankroll Considerations
Because sic bo resolves quickly and there are no pushes (unlike pai gow poker), your bankroll can move faster in either direction. A session bankroll of 40 to 50 times your base bet is a practical starting point if you are sticking to low-edge bets. Adjust downward if you plan to spread across multiple bet types per round, since multiple simultaneous bets increase your total action.
Set deposit and loss limits before you start playing. Wild.io offers responsible gambling tools that let you configure session limits, cooling-off periods, and self-exclusion if needed.
Super Sic Bo vs Classic Sic Bo
Super Sic Bo is Evolution Gaming's live-dealer variant that adds random multipliers to the classic game. Before each roll, the system randomly selects certain bet positions and applies multipliers ranging from 2x up to 1,000x the standard payout. The specific positions and multipliers change every round.
The core rules remain identical to classic sic bo — three dice, same bet types, same table layout. The multipliers are the only difference, and they introduce significantly higher variance. A specific triple that normally pays 180:1 could pay 180,000:1 if the maximum multiplier lands on it. Of course, the base payouts on some bets are reduced to fund these multipliers, so the house edge is recalibrated accordingly.
Super Sic Bo appeals to players who enjoy the lightning-round format popularized by Evolution's Lightning Roulette and Lightning Baccarat. If you prefer predictable, mathematically transparent outcomes, stick to classic sic bo where every payout is fixed and every house edge is known. If you enjoy the adrenaline of potential multiplier hits and can accept the higher variance, Super Sic Bo adds a compelling layer of excitement.
Both versions are available at online crypto casinos. Check the table games lobby at Wild.io to see which sic bo variants are currently live.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is sic bo a game of skill or luck?
Sic bo is entirely luck-based. Once you place your bets, you have no influence over the outcome. The skill component is limited to selecting bets with the most favorable house edge.
What is the best bet in sic bo?
Small, Big, and Combination bets all share the lowest house edge at 2.78%. These are the mathematically best wagers available on the sic bo table.
Can I play sic bo with cryptocurrency?
Yes. Online casinos like Wild.io support sic bo with Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other major cryptocurrencies. Deposits and withdrawals process on-chain with no conversion required.
What is the difference between sic bo and craps?
Both are dice games, but craps uses two dice and involves multi-roll bets with pass/don't-pass sequences. Sic bo uses three dice and resolves every bet in a single roll with no carry-over. Sic bo is simpler to learn, while craps offers deeper strategic decisions.
How often does a specific triple hit in sic bo?
The probability of any one specific triple (e.g., three sixes) is 1 in 216, or about 0.46%. On average, you would need to play 216 rounds to see a particular triple appear once — though randomness means it could come sooner or much later.
Sources
- Wizard of Odds — Sic Bo: https://wizardofodds.com/games/sic-bo/
- University of Nevada, Las Vegas Center for Gaming Research: https://gaming.library.unlv.edu/
- Evolution Gaming — Super Sic Bo Rules: https://www.evolution.com/games/super-sic-bo
Go deeper with a course
About the author
Provably Fair & Payments Writer
Devon covers the technical side of crypto: how blockchains reach consensus, provably fair verification, seeds and hashes, and how deposits and withdrawals actually move — from casino approval to network confirmations.
