What is Sic Bo?
Sic Bo — meaning "precious dice" in Chinese — is a dice game that has been played in China for hundreds of years. Today it is a standard game in casinos across Macau, Southeast Asia, and increasingly in Western venues. The mechanics are simple: three dice are rolled, and you win or lose based on bets you placed before the roll.
The visual complexity of a Sic Bo table comes from the sheer number of betting options available — you can bet on totals, combinations, specific numbers appearing, doubles, triples, and more. But you do not need to understand every option to play well. Most players start with the even-money bets (Small/Big or Odd/Even) and add more complexity as they get comfortable with the table.
Multiple bets per round: You can place bets on several different outcomes at once before each roll. This is a key part of Sic Bo strategy — combining high-frequency low-payout bets with occasional speculative bets on specific totals or triples.
How to Play — Step by Step
Bet Types Explained
Sic Bo has several distinct categories of bets. Here is a clear breakdown of each one.
Small and Big
The simplest and most popular bets in Sic Bo. Small wins when the total of all three dice is 4 through 10, and Big wins when the total is 11 through 17. Both pay 2× (even money). The catch: both Small and Big lose when any triple is rolled — for example, three 2s totalling 6 would normally be a Small win, but because it is a triple, it loses. This is how the house edge is built into these even-money bets.
Odd and Even
Similar to Small/Big. Odd wins when the sum of the three dice is an odd number; Even wins when it is even. Both pay 2×, and both lose on any triple, just like Small and Big.
Specific Totals
You bet on the exact total of all three dice. Since dice totals between 3 and 18 vary considerably in probability, the payouts vary accordingly. Totals of 3 and 18 (only achievable one way each — all 1s or all 6s) pay the most. Totals near the middle (9, 10, 11, 12) are far more common and pay less.
Specific Double
You bet that at least two of the three dice will show a specific face value — for example, two 3s. If two or three dice show that face, you win 11×. You can pick any value from 1 to 6.
Specific Triple
All three dice must show the same specific value you chose — for example, three 5s. This is the highest-paying bet in the game at 180×. The odds are long (1 in 216 rolls for any specific triple), but the payout reflects that.
Any Triple
A more accessible version of the specific triple — you win if all three dice show the same face, regardless of which face it is. Pays 31×. This is a middle ground between chasing a specific triple and playing even-money bets.
A useful starting point: Begin with Small or Big while you get familiar with the roll cadence, then add a specific total bet as a secondary speculative stake. This gives you frequent near-even-money action with occasional upside from the total bet.
Full Payout Table
Every bet type and its corresponding payout multiplier is listed below.
Even-money and near-even bets
| Bet | Wins when | Payout |
|---|---|---|
| Small | Total 4–10 (no triple) | 2× |
| Big | Total 11–17 (no triple) | 2× |
| Odd | Total is odd (no triple) | 2× |
| Even | Total is even (no triple) | 2× |
Specific totals
| Total | Ways to make it | Payout |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | 3 combinations | 60× |
| 5 | 6 combinations | 30× |
| 6 | 10 combinations | 18× |
| 7 | 15 combinations | 12× |
| 8 | 21 combinations | 8× |
| 9 | 25 combinations | 6× |
| 10 | 27 combinations | 6× |
| 11 | 27 combinations | 6× |
| 12 | 25 combinations | 6× |
| 13 | 21 combinations | 8× |
| 14 | 15 combinations | 12× |
| 15 | 10 combinations | 18× |
| 16 | 6 combinations | 30× |
| 17 | 3 combinations | 60× |
Doubles and triples
| Bet | Wins when | Payout |
|---|---|---|
| Specific double (e.g. two 4s) | At least two dice show chosen value | 11× |
| Any triple | All three dice show same value (any) | 31× |
| Specific triple (e.g. three 6s) | All three dice show chosen value | 180× |
Note on totals 3 and 18: These totals are only possible as triples (1-1-1 and 6-6-6 respectively). They are handled by the specific triple bet rather than the specific totals table above, which runs from 4 to 17.
Strategy Tips
Sic Bo's 97% RTP means it is one of the more player-friendly games on the platform. Unlike some games where the house edge is largely unavoidable, in Sic Bo you can meaningfully influence your expected return by choosing which bets to use.
Stick to Small/Big and Odd/Even for sustained play
The even-money bets have the lowest house edge in Sic Bo. They win almost half the time (the only exception being when a triple lands), and the frequent returns keep your balance healthy for longer sessions. If you want to play Sic Bo for an extended period without dramatic swings, these bets are your foundation.
Use specific totals as supplementary bets
Totals in the 8–13 range pay 6× to 8× and occur reasonably often. Placing a small side bet on a total while your main stake is on Small or Big gives you the chance of a larger hit without abandoning your safety net. The combination of a 2× bet and an 8× bet on the same roll is a common and effective approach.
Be selective with doubles and triples
The 180× specific triple is the most tempting bet on the board, but a specific triple only lands about once in every 216 rolls. Allocating a small percentage of your round's total stake to triple bets is a reasonable approach — putting a large proportion on it is a reliable way to drain chips fast. Any triple at 31× is more balanced if you want exposure to this outcome.
Combine bets to balance risk
One classic Sic Bo approach: bet on Small, then add a small stake on a specific total in the Small range (say, total 8). If total 8 lands, your Small bet wins at 2× and your total-8 bet pays 8× — a combined good result. If a different Small total lands, you still win your main bet. The total bet adds a speculative layer without putting your core stake at risk.
Remember: No combination of bets changes the underlying probabilities. The strategy here is about managing volatility and extending your chip life — not finding edges that do not exist.
Know the triple exception
The one thing that catches new players out is that Small and Big — and Odd and Even — all lose on any triple. So rolling three 3s (total 9, which would normally win a Small bet) is a loss on the Small position. Keep this in mind when reading the result of a roll — it occasionally produces a confusing-looking outcome.
FAQ
Can I place multiple bets on the same roll?
Yes, and this is a central part of how Sic Bo is played. You can bet on as many positions as you like before each roll — Small, a specific total, and a specific double could all be active on the same round. Each bet settles independently based on the roll result.
Why do Small and Big bets lose on triples?
This is how the house edge is built into what would otherwise be essentially a coin-flip bet. Without the triple exception, Small and Big would each win exactly half the time, giving the house no edge at all. Triples removing these bets provides the casino's small margin on what is otherwise a very player-friendly wager.
What is the highest-paying bet in Sic Bo?
The specific triple pays 180× your stake — for example, betting on three 2s and all three dice showing 2. It is the rarest outcome in the game (1 in 216 for any specific triple), but it pays the most. The any triple bet at 31× is more accessible if you want triple exposure without picking a specific value.
Is Sic Bo similar to craps?
Both games involve dice and a range of betting options, but they play quite differently. Craps involves sequential rounds where the first roll (the come-out) determines subsequent play. Sic Bo is resolved in a single roll each round with no ongoing state. Most players who enjoy one will find the other worth trying.
What does the 97% RTP mean for Sic Bo?
The 97% RTP applies across all bet types combined. Individual bets have slightly different house edges — the even-money bets sit at very close to 97%, while specific triples have a higher house edge that is offset by the enormous payout. Over time and across many rolls, the average return to players is 97% of total chips wagered.
What is the minimum bet per position?
The minimum is 10 chips per bet slot. If you have multiple bets active in the same round, each slot requires at least 10 chips. The maximum per slot is 5,000 chips.
Ready to roll?
Place your first bets and watch the dice land. Sic Bo rounds are fast and the 97% RTP makes it one of the best-value games on the platform.
Last updated: . Spinomera is a social casino — all games use virtual chips only. No real money is wagered or won.