Sic bo, meaning “dice pair”, is an ancient Chinese game of chance played with three dice. Unlike games where you play against other players, in sic bo you play against the house. By using certain betting strategies, however, you can legally shift the odds in your favor.
Brief History of the Ancient Dice Game
Sic bo dates back to ancient China, believed to have originated sometime in the early 1900s. Also called tai sai, meaning “big small”, as well as dai siu, meaning “big little”, the game was originally played with bricks painted red on one side and black on the other. The bricks were shaken in a bowl and players bet on which color would face up when the bricks settled.
Over time, the painted bricks were replaced with dice likely introduced to China through the Silk Road. The game spread throughout Asia to reach casinos in Macau and online today. Sic bo remains popular thanks to its fast pace and wide range of betting options.
How to Play Sic Bo: Overview of Rules and Bets
Sic bo is played at MrPlay with three standard dice which are shaken in a cage by the dealer. Wagers are placed on which numbers will show up or combinations of outcomes before the dice are revealed. After bets are placed, the dealer uncovers the dice and winning bets are paid out according to fixed odds. Players can then place new bets for the next roll.
There are a variety of betting options in sic bo with different payouts:
● Small or Big – Wager that the total of all three dice will be small (4-10) or big (11-17). 1:1 payout.
● Specific Triples – Bet on specific dice combinations like three of a kind. Up to 180:1 payout.
● Any Triple – Bet that any triple is rolled, regardless of the number. 24:1-180:1 payout depending on the triple.
● Specific Doubles – Wager on a specific pair being rolled. 8:1-12:1 payout.
● Single Die Bet – Bet on an exact number appearing on just one die. 1:1 payout.
● Two Dice Combinations – Bet on a specific combination like 1 and 6. 5:1 payout.
● Three Dice Total – Bet on what the total of all three dice will equal. 6:1 payout.
With so many wagers available, part of learning how to play sic bo is understanding all the betting options and their payouts to utilize the best strategy.
Sic Bo Odds, House Edge and Payouts
| Bet | Payout | Probability | House Edge |
| Small | 1:1 | 48.61% | 2.78% |
| Big | 1:1 | 48.61% | 2.78% |
| Specific Triple | 180:1 | 0.46% | 7.87% |
| Any Triple | 30:1-180:1 | 2.78% | 2.78% |
| Double Bet | 8:1-12:1 | 2.78%-7.41% | 11.11%-18.52% |
| Single Die Bet | 1:1 | 16.67% | 2.78% |
| Two Dice Combo | 6:1 | 11.11% | 11.11% |
| Three Dice Total | 6:1 | 13.89% | 3.85% |
The wide range of odds and probabilities is part of what makes sic bo an exciting game. The payouts tempt you to make risky bets, but the odds of hitting those bets are low. This gives the house an edge on every wager which is how they guarantee profits over time.
Understanding the probabilities and true odds is key to minimizing the house edge and boosting your payout potential.
3 Sic Bo Betting Systems to Beat the House
While most bets in sic bo favor the house long-term, that doesn’t mean you can’t legally win in the short run. By combining inside bets and outside bets using proven betting progressions, it’s possible to overcome the house edge and master sic bo.
Paroli System
The Paroli system is a simple positive progression betting system based on winning streaks.
● Start by making an equal outside or inside bet, like small or big.
● If you win, pocket your original bet and make the same bet again, doubling your stake.
● If you win the second bet, pocket the stake again and make one more double bet.
● Continue doubling and pocketing winnings for up to 3 consecutive wins.
● If you lose at any point, revert back to your original stake amount and start the progression again.
The Paroli system allows you to leverage hot streaks to maximize winnings. By pocketing profits from each winning bet, you lock in returns even if you eventually lose. Just a 2-3 win streak covers any losses and puts you firmly in profit.
1-3-2-6 System
This system takes advantage of the low house edge on small and big bets combined with their near 50/50 probability.
● Make 1 unit on small or big
● If you lose, bet 3 units on the other (so if you bet small, now bet big)
● If you lose again, bet 2 units on your original bet
● If you lose a 3rd consecutive time, bet 6 units on your original bet.
● If you ever win, revert to a 1 unit bet on either small or big.
While the potential exposure increases, by alternating between the two best even money bets in sic bo, the odds of 4 consecutive losses are extremely low, making this a profitable system over time.
Two Dice Hi-Lo Strategy
Targeting double bets with a hi-lo system is another way to overcome the house edge in sic bo over the long run.
● Bet the minimum allowed on a specific double like 1 and 2.
● Keep betting the minimum until you win a payout.
● When you finally win, pocket the payout and immediately make another minimum bet on the same double.
● If you win back-to-back, pocket the payout again and increase your stake by 1 unit, then repeat.
● Continue increasing your stake by 1 unit after every win while pocketing all payouts.
● If you ever lose, immediately revert back to the minimum stake and repeat the process.
This system allows you to remain profitable from the fixed payouts that double bets offer in sic bo while maximizing winnings during streaks. The risk is minimized by always reverting to minimum bets after a loss.
Sic Bo Strategies that Work
Sic bo offers fun and excitement thanks to the speed of play, wide range of betting options and potential for huge payouts on lucky rolls. While the randomness ultimately favors the house in the long run, by combining low house edge bets with proven betting progressions, beating the casino legally is possible even in this ancient game of chance.
Whether you stick to simple systems like the Paroli and 1-3-2-6 or get aggressive targeting doubles, use this comprehensive guide on rules, odds and the best strategies next time you play sic bo. And remember – the dice have no memory, so with the right approach, anyone can win in the short run!
