Sic Bo Explained

This was originally a Chinese game that is popular mostly in Asia, particularly casinos in Macau, but can also be played online.

It’s a game of chance played with three dice – in fact ‘sic bo’ translates to ‘precious dice’. Sic Bo also goes by the names of Tai Sai, Dai Siu, big and small or Hi-Lo.

It’s a rather simple game to play which is what appealed to me. The objective is to select the individual numbers, or a combination of the numbers, that will appear on the dice after they have been rolled.

There are seven types of bets. Wagers may be placed on:

• any number (1 through to 6). If that number comes up on

- any of the dice, the you are paid equal money (1:1);
- two of the dice, you are paid 2; and
- all three dice, you are paid 3:1.

• a combination of two particular numbers and if they come up on any two of the dice, you are paid 5:1.
• a total of all three dice (from 4 to 17). The payout ranges from 6:1 to 50:1 depending on the total bet.
• ‘small’ or ‘big’. A bet on ‘small’ wins if the total of all three dice is between 4 and 10 whereas a bet on ‘big’ wins if the dice total between 11 and 17
• a particular triplet which pays you 150:1.
• any triplet which pays you 24:1.
• any pair of numbers which pays you 8:1.

To start the game, just place you bet. The dealer will then roll the dice and announce the number of each.

Good luck!!