A Beginners Guide To Online Sic Bo
Sic Bo (pronounced see bo), and also known as “tai sai”, “dai siu”, “big and small”, or “hi-lo”, is a fast-paced dice gambling game of ancient Chinese origin. Other, western variants are called “Grand Hazard” and “chuck-a-luck”.
Sic Bo literally means “precious dice” or “dice treasure” and is played utilising three dice. Like craps, it is played on a horizontal gaming table or board that displays the various betting options.
The Gameplay
The players are required to first place their bets on their chosen betting areas of the gaming table. The dealer, with the three dice in a small chest, then closes and shakes the chest, and then opens it to reveal the outcome of the dice roll within. The players will then win or lose according to how well they predicted the outcome with their bets.
The Sic Bo Board
Though the board may look complex at first, it is actually very simple and straightforward. Each provided area of board the represents a possible outcome of a single dice, or various combinations of the three, and each has a certain payout and house edge. As in roulette, combination bets can also be placed and spread out over the board to increase the chance of winning.
The Betting Options
Because Sic Bo is strictly a game of chance, the player has no control over the dice roll or its outcome. Bets are therefore placed solely according to probability.
The basic Sic Bo bets are as follows:
Big – The sum of the three dice equals 11-17. Automatically loses to a triple – ie. three of the same number.
Small – The sum of the three dice equals 4-10. Automatically loses to a triple.
Odd – The sum of the three dice is odd. Automatically loses to a triple.
Even – The sum of the three dice is even. Automatically loses to a triple.
Total – A specific total sum in the range of 4-17.
Dice Combinations – A wager on the two numbers of a chosen dice combination. Eg. if 1,2 is chosen, you will win if 1 and 2 are rolled.
Doubles – Two of the rolled dice showing a chosen number.
Triples (Any) – Three of the rolled dice showing any of the same number.
Triples (Specific) – Three of the rolled dice showing a chosen number.
Single Dice – A single number from 1 to 6 is rolled at least once, with payout increasing with each further instance of the same number.
Western Variants
Grand Hazard is an English variant of the game. It is played with the three dice rolled in a cup, or with a special tube instrument containing a series of inclined planes designed to tumble the dice, called a Hazard Chute.
Chuck-a-luck is the US version, also known as “Sweat Cloth” and “Birdcage”, and, in turn, was derived from Grand Hazard. This version utilises a small wire-framed device that resembles a bird cage to roll the dice.
Though these variants were once common in their respective countries, they have now generally been replaced by the original Sic Bo game in most US and UK casinos.