Key takeaways
- Sic Bo uses three dice; you bet on the result.
- Big (11–17) and Small (4–10) pay 1:1 with a 2.78% house edge, but lose on any triple.
- Specific triples pay big (often 150:1 or more) but have house edges near 14–17%.
- Payouts vary by operator, so always check the table's paytable.
Sic Bo ("precious dice" in Cantonese) has been played across Asia for centuries, and it fits right in with Filipino gaming culture. If you've played Hi-Lo or seen dice games at a fiesta, you'll feel at home. Three dice are shaken in a covered dish, and you bet on what they'll show.
How to play sic bo
- Place chips on the betting layout.
- The dealer shakes three dice (in a shaker or automated machine).
- The dice are revealed and winning areas light up.
Totals run from 3 (1-1-1) to 18 (6-6-6). There are 216 possible combinations, and that number drives all the odds.
Main sic bo bets
| Bet | Wins when | Typical payout | House edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small | Total 4–10 (no triple) | 1:1 | 2.78% |
| Big | Total 11–17 (no triple) | 1:1 | 2.78% |
| Single number | Your number appears 1/2/3 times | 1:1 / 2:1 / 3:1 | 7.87% |
| Specific double | Two dice show your number | 10:1 | ~18.5% |
| Any triple | Any three of a kind | 30:1 | 13.89% |
| Specific triple | Your exact triple | 180:1 | 16.20% |
Paytables differ between casinos and software providers. A specific triple might pay 150:1 at one table and 180:1 at another, so always check. Detailed odds for many paytables are listed at Wizard of Odds: Sic Bo, and the game's origins are covered in the Wikipedia sic bo entry.
Sic bo strategy: keep it simple
- Base your play on Big and Small. They have the lowest edge.
- Use long shots sparingly. A small bet on a triple adds excitement, but it shouldn't be your main bet.
- Mind the speed. Rounds are fast, especially online, so set a session budget first.
- Ignore patterns. Dice don't remember. See why past results don't matter.
Like the fast pace of dice? You may also enjoy baccarat. Want to play online? Read our live dealer guide and check that the site is PAGCOR-licensed.
Frequently asked questions
What is the safest bet in sic bo?
Big and Small have the lowest house edge at 2.78%. They pay 1:1 but lose if any triple appears.
Is sic bo the same as Hi-Lo?
They are related dice games. Hi-Lo variants usually focus on whether the total is high or low, while sic bo offers many more bet types on three dice.
How many combinations are there in sic bo?
Three six-sided dice produce 216 possible combinations (6 × 6 × 6), with totals from 3 to 18.
Keep reading
- How to Play Baccarat: A Simple Guide for Filipino Players
- Roulette Guide: European vs American Wheels, Bets and Odds
- House Edge Explained: Why Small Percentages Matter at the Table
- Live Dealer Table Games: How Real-Time Casino Streams Work
- The Complete Table Games Guide
- Table Games Glossary
AI-assisted content: This page was drafted with the help of AI tools, then reviewed, fact-checked and edited by Jash Jacinto. Game rules and odds can vary by operator, so always check the rules shown at your table. How we create content.