Long before roulette wheels spun in Europe, Chinese gamblers were betting on the outcome of three dice. Sic Bo, which translates to “precious dice,” is one of the oldest gambling games in existence. It was played in ancient China using bricks or tiles, and over centuries it spread to casinos across Asia and eventually the world. Today, Sic Bo is a staple in Macau, Singapore, and online casinos worldwide.
The game is simple in concept – three dice are shaken, and players bet on what numbers will appear. But beneath this simplicity lies a surprising amount of depth. There are more than 50 different betting options, ranging from safe bets with high probability to long-shot wagers that can pay out 180 times your stake. This guide explains how Sic Bo works, the different betting options and their payouts, and where Australian players can find the game online.
What Is Sic Bo?
Sic Bo is a dice game played with three dice. The dice are shaken in a small chest or container, then revealed. Players place bets on a wide range of possible outcomes before the dice are shaken. The game is sometimes called “Tai Sai” (which means “big small”) in some Asian casinos, referring to the two most popular bets.
The game is believed to have originated in ancient China, where it was played using bricks or tiles rather than dice. It spread to other parts of Asia over centuries and eventually reached Western casinos through Macau and Asian gaming communities. Today, Sic Bo is found in most major casinos in Macau, Singapore, and the Philippines, as well as in online casinos serving players around the world. The online version replicates the experience faithfully – players see a virtual table with all the betting options, click to place chips, and watch an animated dice roll reveal the outcome.
What makes Sic Bo unique among casino games is the sheer number of betting options. A roulette wheel has about 35 possible bets. Sic Bo has more than 50. These bets range from simple wagers on whether the total will be high or low, to complex combination bets that require specific pairs or triples to appear. The variety means that players of all risk tolerances can find bets that suit them. The house edge varies dramatically by bet type – some bets have a house edge as low as 2.8%, while others exceed 30%.
Sic Bo at a Glance
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Game type | Dice game |
| Number of dice | 3 |
| Number of possible bets | 50+ |
| House edge range | 2.8% – 30%+ (depending on bet) |
| Minimum bet | Usually $0.50 – $5 |
| Maximum payout | 180x (specific triple) |
How to Play Sic Bo – The Basics
The rules of Sic Bo are straightforward. A round begins with players placing bets on the outcome of three dice. The betting options are displayed on a felt table layout, similar to a roulette table but with different sections for different bet types. After all bets are placed, the dealer shakes the three dice (or an animated dice roll occurs online). The dice are revealed, and winning bets are paid according to the odds for that specific bet type.
The two most common bets for beginners are “Small” and “Big”:
- A Small bet wins if the total of the three dice is between 4 and 10, excluding a triple (all three dice showing the same number)
- A Big bet wins if the total is between 11 and 17, also excluding triples
- Both bets pay even money (1:1), and the house edge is approximately 2.8%
- The only way to lose a Small or Big bet is if the dice show a triple, regardless of the total
New players should start with Small and Big bets while learning the game. These bets are simple to understand, have good odds, and allow players to experience the rhythm of Sic Bo without risking money on complex combination bets. Once comfortable, players can explore other bet types that offer higher payouts but lower probabilities. The key is to understand that every bet type has a different house edge, and some are much worse for players than others. Bets on specific triples (all three dice showing a particular number, such as three 4s) pay 180:1 but have a very low probability and a house edge of over 30%.
Betting Options and Payouts
Sic Bo offers more than 50 different betting options, but they fall into several categories. The most common categories are Small and Big, which cover ranges of dice totals; Specific Totals, where players bet on the exact sum of the three dice (from 4 to 17); Single Number bets, where players bet that a specific number (1 through 6) will appear on one, two, or three dice; Two Number Combination bets, where players bet that two specific numbers will appear on at least two of the three dice; and Triple bets, where players bet that all three dice will show the same number (either any triple or a specific triple).
The key takeaway for new players is that Small and Big offer the best value. The house edge on these bets is less than 3%, comparable to European roulette. Once players move away from Small and Big, the house edge rises significantly. Specific Totals and Two Number Combinations have house edges in the 12-17% range, while triples have house edges above 30%. These bets can be fun for small stakes, but they should not form the core of a player’s strategy. Playing Sic Bo responsibly means understanding that the odds are not in your favour for most bets, and that the game should be treated as entertainment rather than a way to make money.
Common Sic Bo Bets and Payouts
| Bet Type | Payout | House Edge | Risk Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small / Big | 1:1 | 2.78% | Low |
| Specific Total (10 or 11) | 6:1 | 12.5% | Medium |
| Specific Total (9 or 12) | 7:1 | 18.8% | Medium-High |
| Single Number (one die) | 1:1 (1x) / 1:2 (2x) / 1:3 (3x) | 7.9% | Low-Medium |
| Two Number Combination | 5:1 | 16.7% | High |
| Any Triple | 30:1 | 13.9% | Very High |
| Specific Triple | 180:1 | 30%+ | Extreme |
Where to Play Sic Bo Online in Australia
Sic Bo is not available at Australian-licensed online casinos because Australian-based online casinos are prohibited under the Interactive Gambling Act (IGA) 2001. However, many offshore online casinos offer Sic Bo to Australian players. Two main formats:
- RNG (random number generator) Sic Bo – the dice roll is computer-generated, rounds are very fast, and demo mode is usually available
- Live dealer Sic Bo – a real dealer shakes real dice in a studio, streamed to players via video; slower but feels more authentic
Live dealer Sic Bo has become increasingly popular in recent years. Players can watch a real person shake the dice, which adds to the authenticity and trust in the outcome. The betting interface remains the same as RNG versions, but the pace is slower because it depends on a human dealer. Most live dealer Sic Bo tables are powered by Evolution Gaming, which is the market leader in live casino games. Evolution’s Sic Bo tables are available at many offshore casinos and feature high-quality video streams, multiple camera angles, and professional dealers.
Offshore platforms that offer Sic Bo include Stake Casino (both RNG and live dealer), Joe Fortune (Sic Bo in table games section), Ignition Casino (RNG Sic Bo), PlayAmo (live dealer Sic Bo from Evolution), and BitStarz (Sic Bo in game library). These platforms are not licensed in Australia and are regulated in offshore jurisdictions such as Curacao. Players should understand that there are no Australian consumer protections for offshore gambling, and disputes must be pursued in the operator’s licensing jurisdiction. Most online casinos offer a demo mode for RNG Sic Bo, allowing players to learn the betting options without risking real money. Live dealer Sic Bo typically does not have a demo mode because of the cost of streaming real dealers.
Sic Bo is one of the oldest gambling games still played today, with a history stretching back thousands of years to ancient China. The game has survived because it offers a perfect balance of simplicity and depth. Beginners can place Small or Big bets and enjoy the game immediately. Experienced players can explore dozens of betting options, from specific totals to triples, each with different odds and payouts.
The key to enjoying Sic Bo responsibly is understanding that the house edge varies dramatically by bet type. Small and Big bets have a house edge of only 2.78%, comparable to European roulette. Specific triples have a house edge exceeding 30%. Players who stick to Small and Big bets will lose money more slowly than those chasing long-shot payouts. Australian players can find Sic Bo at offshore online casinos, with live dealer versions from Evolution Gaming offering the most authentic experience. As with all gambling, set a budget before playing and never chase losses.
Official resources:
- Evolution Gaming (live dealer Sic Bo): https://www.evolution.com/
How Do You Play Sic Bo Online?
Q1: What is Sic Bo and how do you play it? ▼
Sic Bo is an ancient Chinese dice game played with three dice. Players place bets on the outcome of the dice roll, choosing from over 50 possible betting options. The dice are shaken, and winning bets are paid according to the odds for that bet type.
Q2: What is the best bet in Sic Bo? ▼
The Small and Big bets are generally considered the best for players. They pay even money (1:1) and have a house edge of only 2.78%, which is comparable to European roulette. They are also the simplest bets to understand.
Q3: What is the difference between RNG and live dealer Sic Bo? ▼
RNG Sic Bo uses a computer random number generator to determine the dice outcome, and rounds are very fast. Live dealer Sic Bo uses a real human dealer shaking real dice in a studio, streamed to players via video. Live dealer is slower but feels more authentic.
Q4: Can Australian players play Sic Bo online? ▼
Sic Bo is not offered by Australian-licensed operators because Australian-based online casinos are prohibited under the IGA. However, offshore casinos such as Stake, Joe Fortune, and PlayAmo offer Sic Bo to Australian players, including live dealer versions.
Q5: Is there a strategy to win at Sic Bo? ▼
No strategy can overcome the house edge in Sic Bo. The best approach is to stick to Small and Big bets (which have the lowest house edge), set a budget before playing, and treat the game as entertainment rather than a way to make money.
