Live Dealer Sic Bo: Top Casinos & Strategy to Play
Live Dealer Sic Bo is a popular dice game similar to a combination of Craps and Roulette, where players try to predict the outcome of a roll of three dice.
In this article, I will explain how it works, including the rules, the setup, the different bets you can place, and the most common payout tables.
You’ll also learn the basic strategy and proper etiquette for interacting with the dealer and other players, as well as my recommended casinos for playing the game.
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Casinos to Play Live Dealer Sic Bo
Most online casinos do not offer Live Sic Bo. However, while writing this guide, I discovered that Vegas Aces is the only casino that offers the game to US players.
The list below also includes two international sites offering live Sic Bo that are not available in the US.
| RANK | ONLINE CASINO | BONUS | PLAY NOW |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
 |
BONUS $5,000 Welcome Package | Play Now |
| 2 |
 |
BONUS 100% up to $200 | Play Now |
| 3 |
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BONUS 100% up to $1,000 | Play Now |
What Does the Interface Look Like?
The Live dealer Sic Bo gameplay is mostly the same in every casino, with minor differences in details.
At the top of the screen, you will see the betting limits, the live chat, and the general buttons. Below, you will get the odds, the results, and the Sic Bo table, where you must pick from the multiple betting options.
Under the table, you will see your handles, with how much money you can wager per play and your balance.
Understanding the Table
A typical round of betting in Live Sic Bo is simple. The most complicated part of the game is the betting table, which contains many symbols and Arabic numbers rendered in an exotic script.
Because everything is bunched together, it might seem unclear to beginners. Find one bet at a time and fill out your knowledge of the game as you go.
The first bet to remember is the Small/Large bet. In many ways, this is the only wagering option you ever need to learn.
It’s an even-money wager based on whether the rolled dice will produce a high or a low number. In some places, the Small/Large bet is called the Hi/Lo wager.
How to Play Live Dealer Sic Bo
Live Sic Bo is easy to play, but beginners might want a quick tutorial on how to play a round.
The key is to make the bet you want by placing chips in the part of the wagering board that corresponds to your chosen wager.
Another thing to remember is to make your bets in a timely fashion because the other gamblers are waiting for your decision.
If you’ve never played online — or at least never played in a live casino, follow these easy steps below to start playing.
Pick a Table and Place Your Bet
Check the bet limits of the table. Make sure these are acceptable to you and place a bet.
I will explain the types of bets later, but for example, you can put your money on a small number, any triple, an even number, a large number, certain combinations, and more.
For the first hand (at least), make the small/large bet.
Wait for the Dice to Be Rolled
After a few seconds, the bets close, and the dice start rolling. The game ends when the box is opened.
If you have any questions, use the Chat Box to ask the dealer. They reply vocally, so remember to turn on the volume button on your device.
Gamblers can converse with other players at the table using the Chat Box in a live casino so that you can ask them for advice, too.
Remember that any strategy advice they might give you will be bogus.
Collect Your Winnings and Go Again
If you win, the winnings will be tallied into your bankroll electronically. Then, make another bet, and the process starts all over again.
Here’s What I Love About Live Sic Bo
In my opinion, Sic Bo is one of those games that is a lot better live. While some nostalgic players might enjoy Sic Bo online, it simply isn’t the same as a real-life version of the game.
Here’s what I enjoy the most about it:
- Live Sic Bo is played at the same pace as the brick-and-mortar game.
- Results are determined with real dice in a real box.
- You don’t use a random number generator. The dealer either shakes it themselves or a machine bounces the dice around.
Bets & Payout Tables
The main obstacle to learning Sic Bo is the betting information. I provide detailed information on the many wagers offered in the space below.
Players who’ve ever wondered how Macau casinos can make such a killing compared to the Las Vegas Strip should look no further than the dozens of sucker bets offered in Sic Bo.
Overall, among casino games, Sic Bo might be the one that punishes the novice gambler the most.
Luckily, players who know what they’re doing can avoid the sucker bets. In fact, I can boil down my Sic Bo tips to this:
Play the Small/Big bets and avoid everything else. Those other wagers have huge payouts sometimes, but most gamblers will lose a huge amount of money placing those bets.
Since the small/big bet is the best in the game, let’s start there.
Small/Big Bets at Sic Bo
The small/big bet is the basic even-money bet in Sic Bo. It is based on the total score of the three dice when added up. The small bet is on a total of 4-10, and the big bet is 11-17.
Note that the small and big bets do not pay if all three numbers are the same: 1-1-1 for small and 6-6-6 for big. This provides the house edge.
If you win this bet, it pays 1:1 at almost any casino in the world.
4 and 17 Bets
Players can wager on single-number bets like the 4 and 17. Since few combinations of numbers can make either one, they have a high payout when they hit.
I’ve included the most common payouts for each number, though they range between 50:1 and 65:1, as a general rule. The odds of hitting either a 4 or a 17 is 1.39%.
The 4 and 17 bets have a high house edge and are not recommended. Generally, you’ll have to wait 50 to 70 rolls to hit on this bet.
While you get a huge payout when you do, the vast bulk of hands will be disappointing, and the return-to-player is not good.
| Payout | Edge |
|---|---|
| 50-to-1 | 29.17% |
| 60-to-1 | 15.28% |
| 62-to-1 | 12.50% |
| 65-to-1 | 8.33% |
5 and 16 Bets
The 5 and 16 bets have comparable odds to some of the worst craps bets. When you are placing wagers with an 8% to 11% house edge in craps, those are considered sucker bets.
In Sic Bo, those are the best you can expect from 5 and 16 bets. Avoid this betting option.
| Payout | Edge |
|---|---|
| 18-to-1 | 47.22% |
| 30-to-1 | 13.89% |
| 31-to-1 | 11.11% |
| 32-to-1 | 8.33% |
6 and 15 Bets
Based on my experience and what I read in several forums and guides, the 6 and 15 bets are bad, and I would not recommend them.
| Payout | Edge |
|---|---|
| 14-to-1 | 30.56% |
| 17-to-1 | 16.67% |
| 18-to-1 | 12.04% |
| 19-to-1 | 7.41% |
Live Sic Bo Number Bets
The other number wagers in Sic Bo are a bit more uniform. They also have slightly better return-to-player ratios.
The payouts are not commensurate with the odds despite these facts, so I would also avoid these wagers.
| Numbers | Pays | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| 7 and 14 | 12:1 | 9.72% |
| 8 and 13 | 8:1 | 12.50% |
| 9 and 12 | 6:1 | 18.98% |
| 10 and 11 | 6:1 | 12.50% |
Double and Triple Bets
Double and triple bets are wagers on whether the dice will match on any given roll. In poker, these are like paired cards or three-of-a-kind.
With three dice, the odds of hitting a pair are reasonable. With three dice, the odds of hitting trips are rare. In fact, the triple bets have the highest payouts of any bet in Sic Bo.
The house edge on triple bets is outrageous in Sic Bo. The table shows what I mean. Even the bet on “any triple” has bad odds.
| Bet Type | Payouts | Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Double Bet | 10 to 1 | 18.52% |
| Triple Bet | 180 to 1 | 16.20% |
| Any Triple | 30 to 1 | 13.89% |
Live Sic Bo Strategy
Every roll produces a win or a loss, so there is not much of a system in live Sic Bo.
Some of the wagers in Sic Bo have a higher house edge than others, so the strategy is to avoid the sucker bets and make solid wagers.
Again, if you want Live Sic Bo Strategy, place wagers on the Small/Big proposition and ignore all the other fancy bets. That’s all you need to know because most wagers in this game are for suckers.
Sic Bo Etiquette
Since strategy isn’t a major factor in Sic Bo, I’ve included a section on etiquette. While tactics have a small role, superstition is a major factor, as it is in many Chinese casino games.
Let’s explore some superstitions. If nothing else, these will be conversation pieces for the Chat Box.
- Wear red undergarments when playing Sic Bo, mirroring the color of the betting board. It is considered particularly auspicious.
- Feed the ghost baby, which is said to reside under all Sic Bo tables. The baby likes sugar. Ignore the ghost, and you’ll lose.
- Fruit, candle burning, and donating money at a shrine or church are considered good luck, too.
- The number 4 is considered to be the symbol of death in China. (I’ve encountered it in Japan, too.) Know that some might resent your betting on 4.
- The number 8 means happiness in China. This is a lucky number.
- Seeing a priest or nun before playing Sic Bo is considered unlucky. Luckily, that shouldn’t be a problem when playing from home.
- While clergy are unlucky, praying is considered a good thing before playing Sic Bo.
- Pay attention to the “feng shui” or spiritual position of the Sic Bo table in the live dealer studio. The energy surrounding the table is considered highly important.
Other Live Games for US Players
Check out other live dealer games at online casinos. Give them a try, and let us know your favorite.
Feeling Ready to Play?
As long as you uphold the traditions listed above, you should receive a warm welcome at the live Sic Bo table.
In my experience, Sic Bo dealers tend to be very friendly to American players because they are expected to tip a bit more than the average Asian gambler.
Now that you know all the basics, go log in to your favorite site and play!
