Sic Bo Tutorial

Sic Bo is played around a betting table that has players predicting the outcome of the throw of three dice. Wagers are placed on a betting table and players make their prediction in a wide variety of ways with many options available to them. Once bets have been placed on the table, players remove their hands from the table and the dice are thrown. Unlike in the game of craps where the dice are thrown by hand in a special direction, the dice in craps are thrown using a special mechanism used by the dealer. When this special dice shaker, in the form of a vibrating platform, stops, the results are displayed on the Sic Bo table. Winning bets are then paid out and the game recommences.

The element that keeps Sic Bo so entertaining is the variety of betting options available to players. Below is a table that outlines some of the more popular options:

Type of Bet	Rules	Payout
Two of a Kind	Players bet that one specific number will appear on two out of three dice. There are 12 combinations eg. 3,3	8:1
Three of a Kind	Players bet that one number will appear on all three dice.	150:1 (highest payout)
Any Three of a Kind	Players bet that any number will appear on the dice, without specifying which number.	24:1
Small	Player bets that the total of all three dice together will equal 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10. Excludes three of a kind.	1:1
Big	Player bets that the total of all three dice together will equal 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 or 17. Excludes three of a kind.	1:1
Sum	Player bets that the total of the three dice will be a specific number (ranging from 4-7).	Different amounts are paid out according to the number chosen.   4, 17 – Payout is 50:1 5, 16 – Payout is 30:1 6, 15 – Payout is 18:1 7, 14 – Payout is 12:1 8, 13 – Payout is 8:1 9, 10, 11, 12 – 6:1
Duo	Players bet that two different numbers will appear on at least two of the dice, ie. two different number combinations that are not alike.	5:1

Stick to safe bets. Sic Bo is a game of chance and you’ll be risking your money if you go for bets that are almost impossible to come by. For example, the “three of a kind” bet may pay out a lot of money but your chances of actually getting this throw are only 215:1. Also, avoid ‘any three of a kind’ bets that come with a massive 30.5% house edge. The safest bets are considered the ‘small’ and ‘big’ bets with a house edge of 2.7% each.

Study the odds. A clear understanding of the odds before wagering will prevent unpleasant surprises for players in the long run.

Odds may vary from casino to casino. Don’t assume that all casinos carry the same odds on the bets. Check the payout table before you start wagering.

Practice Sic Bo for free. Online casinos offer you the chance to download their software for free and practice the game for as long as you wish. This familiarizes you with the game and its rules and builds up your skill and confidence.

Keep your cool. It is amazing what a difference a cool and calm approach to gambling will have on the outcome of your game.

Manage your bankroll properly. Stick to your budget and don’t chase your losses in a Sic Bo session.

Sic Bo tournaments – offered both online and offline – are a great way to enjoy your favorite game and also stand in line to win some great extra cash. A typical Sic Bo tournament has a minimum wager for most of its spins. While high stakes don’t match all bankrolls, this still makes for interesting play.

The number of participants and rounds played, the length of the tournament and the prize money obviously differs from casino to casino and the tournament director usually decides these facts. It is well worth checking all the terms and conditions of the tournament before signing up to see whether it suits your particular bankroll and skill level.