Dice are the oldest gambling tool known to humanity. Archaeologists have found six-sided dice dating back over 5,000 years to ancient Mesopotamia. Today, dice games remain a staple of casinos worldwide, and they have found a new home online.
From the complex betting options of craps to the simplicity of chuck-a-luck, dice games offer something for every type of player. Some require strategy and knowledge. Others are pure luck. This guide covers the most popular online dice games – craps, sic bo, chuck-a-luck, and dice duels – including their rules, house edges, and where to play them.
Craps – The King of Dice Games
Craps is the most complex and exciting dice game in any casino. Players bet on the outcome of two dice being rolled. The game involves multiple betting phases – the “come-out roll” and the “point” phase – and dozens of possible bets.
The simplest craps bet is the “Pass Line” bet. If the come-out roll is 7 or 11, Pass Line bets win. If it is 2, 3, or 12, they lose. Any other number becomes the “point.” The shooter then continues rolling until they hit the point (wins) or a 7 (loses). The Pass Line bet has a house edge of only 1.41%, making it one of the best bets in any casino.
Other common bets include “Don’t Pass” (house edge 1.36%), “Come” and “Don’t Come” (similar odds), and various “place bets” on specific numbers. Place bets have higher house edges, ranging from 1.52% to over 6%. The worst bets in craps are the “Big 6” and “Big 8,” which have a house edge of over 9%.
Online craps is available in both RNG and live dealer formats. Live dealer craps is slower but allows players to watch a real shooter roll physical dice. RNG craps is faster and often has lower minimum bets. New players should start with Pass Line bets and avoid proposition bets until they understand the game.
Common Craps Bets and House Edge
| Bet Type | House Edge | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Pass Line | 1.41% | Beginners |
| Don’t Pass | 1.36% | Experienced players |
| Come | 1.41% | After point established |
| Place 6 or 8 | 1.52% | Higher win probability |
| Place 4 or 10 | 6.67% | Avoid |
Sic Bo – Three Dice, Dozens of Bets
Sic Bo is an ancient Chinese dice game played with three dice. Players bet on the outcome of a single roll. There are over 50 possible bets, ranging from simple “Small” and “Big” bets to specific triples that pay 180:1.
The best bets for new players are Small and Big. Small wins if the total of the three dice is between 4 and 10 (excluding triples). Big wins if the total is between 11 and 17 (excluding triples). Both pay even money and have a house edge of approximately 2.8%.
Other common bets include specific totals (e.g., betting that the total will be exactly 10), single number bets (betting that a specific number will appear on one, two, or three dice), and triple bets (betting that all three dice will show the same number). The house edge on these bets ranges from 12% to over 30%.
Online Sic Bo is available in RNG and live dealer formats. Live dealer Sic Bo, often powered by Evolution Gaming, features a real dealer shaking dice in a glass dome. Players watch the dice settle and payouts are automatic. RNG versions are faster but less immersive.
New players should stick to Small and Big bets. The Tie and Triple bets are extremely risky and should be avoided unless you are playing for very small stakes and understand the odds. Sic Bo is pure luck – no strategy can overcome the house edge on any bet.
Other Dice Games – Chuck-a-Luck, Dice Duels, and More
Several other dice games are available online, though they are less common than craps and sic bo.
Chuck-a-Luck (also called Birdcage): Three dice are shaken in a wire cage shaped like an hourglass. Players bet on a specific number (1 through 6). If the number appears on one die, the bet pays 1:1. On two dice, it pays 2:1. On three dice, it pays 3:1. The house edge is approximately 7.9%. The game is simple but has a higher house edge than craps or sic bo.
Dice Duels (or Dice Duel): A newer game found at some online casinos. Two dice are rolled, and players bet on which total will be higher or lower. Variations include “over/under” bets and “odd/even” bets. House edges vary by platform.
Yahtzee-style games: Some online casinos offer dice games based on Yahtzee mechanics. These are often classified as “casual games” rather than traditional gambling, but real money versions exist. Players roll five dice and try to complete specific combinations for payouts.
Crash dice games: A variation of crash gambling where a multiplier increases until a dice roll “crashes.” Players cash out before the crash. These games are popular at crypto casinos and have high volatility.
Before playing any dice game, check the rules and house edge. Some games, like Chuck-a-Luck, appear simple but have significantly worse odds than craps or sic bo. Always choose games with lower house edges for longer playing sessions.
Dice Games Comparison
| Game | Number of Dice | Best Bet House Edge | Complexity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Craps | 2 | 1.36% (Don’t Pass) | High |
| Sic Bo | 3 | 2.78% (Small/Big) | Medium |
| Chuck-a-Luck | 3 | 7.9% | Low |
| Dice Duel | 2 | Varies | Low |
Where to Play Dice Games Online in Australia
Dice games are not available at Australian-licensed online casinos because Australian-based online casinos are prohibited under the IGA. However, many offshore casinos offer craps, sic bo, and other dice games to Australian players.
Offshore platforms that offer dice games include Stake Casino, which has craps, sic bo, and dice duels. Ignition Casino offers craps and sic bo in its table games section. Joe Fortune and PlayAmo also carry dice games. These platforms are not licensed in Australia and offer no Australian consumer protections.
Live dealer dice games are available at many offshore casinos. Evolution Gaming offers live sic bo and live craps at select platforms. Live craps is rare online but can be found at casinos with high-volume tables.
Most online casinos offer demo mode for RNG dice games. This allows players to learn the rules without risking real money. Live dealer games typically do not have demo mode.
Because dice games can be fast-paced, setting a budget before playing is essential. Craps, in particular, can have many bets per round, and losses can accumulate quickly if you are not careful. Stick to low-house-edge bets and avoid proposition bets.
Dice games offer a wide range of experiences, from the complex strategy of craps to the pure luck of sic bo. Craps has the best odds of any dice game, with a house edge as low as 1.36% on Don’t Pass bets. Sic Bo is simpler but has a higher house edge of 2.78% on Small and Big bets. Chuck-a-Luck and other novelty dice games have significantly worse odds and should be approached with caution.
Australian players can find dice games at offshore online casinos. Live dealer versions of craps and sic bo are available at select platforms. Demo mode is available for RNG versions. Set a budget before playing – dice games can be fast-paced, and losses can accumulate quickly.
Sources: Evolution Gaming, Stake Casino, Ignition Casino
Which Online Dice Game Has the Best Odds?
Q1: What is the best dice game for beginners? ▼
Sic Bo is the best dice game for beginners. The Small and Big bets are easy to understand, have a low house edge (2.78%), and require no complex rules. Craps is more exciting but has a steeper learning curve.
Q2: What is the house edge in craps? ▼
The Pass Line and Don’t Pass bets have a house edge of approximately 1.41% and 1.36% respectively, making them among the best bets in any casino. Avoid proposition bets, which have house edges over 10%.
Q3: Can Australian players play dice games online? ▼
Dice games are not offered by Australian-licensed operators because Australian-based online casinos are prohibited under the IGA. However, offshore casinos such as Stake, Ignition, and Joe Fortune offer craps, sic bo, and other dice games to Australian players.
Q4: Is there a strategy to win at sic bo? ▼
No. Sic bo is pure luck. The best approach is to stick to Small and Big bets, which have the lowest house edge. Avoid triple bets and specific total bets, which have much higher house edges.
Q5: What is the difference between RNG and live dealer dice games? ▼
RNG dice games use software to determine outcomes, and rounds are very fast. Live dealer dice games use real dice shaken by a human dealer in a studio, streamed to players. Live dealer is slower but feels more authentic.
