Sic Bo is a gambling game of Chinese origin. It is also known as Tai Sai or Dai Siu, meaning Big Small. It is played with three standard dice that are shaken in a basket or plastic cup. (Traditionally in Asia, the dice were shaken on a small plate covered with a bowl, which was then lifted to reveal the roll). Outcomes are based on the combinations that come up on the three dice. Winning variations can yield a pay-off ranging from 1:1 to 180:1. Payoff combinations are listed on a Roulette-style table top that is often lighted from underneath in winning areas of the layout to indicate winning combinations. The player can make any number of bets on the Sic Bo table. The most common bets are "Big" (the sum total of the three dice will be 11 through 17) and "Small" (total 4-10). Other bets are on specific three-number totals (with varying odds from 5:1 to 50:1), on specific two-number combinations, or on single-number bets (one pays 1:1, two pays 2:1, three pays 3:1; in some Casinos three pays as high as 12:1). The game of Chuck-a-luck (also called "Birdcage") is a variation of this game which usually features only the single-number bets, sometimes with an additional bet that pays off 30:1 (or thereabouts) for "any triple," where all three dice are the same number. The name "birdcage" refers to the device in which the dice are kept, which resembles a wire-frame bird cage, that pivots about its center. The dealer rotates the cage end over end, with the dice landing on the bottom. This variation was once common in Nevada Casinos, but now it is a rarity, frequently replaced by Sic Bo. RULES Objective Players place their bets on the Sic Bo table, predicting various outcomes, totals and combinations of the three dice. Multiple bets can be placed and they pay off according to the odds indicated on the table. Betting and the odds There are seven different types of bets in Sic Bo: Dice Face: players may bet that any one of the six dice sides will show. If that number comes up on any one of the dice, the player wins even money. If two of the dice show the selected face, the bet is paid off at 2-to-1. And if all three dice show the same face, the bet is paid at 3-to-1. The house edge on this bet is approximately 8%. Two Faces: this is a bet that a combination of two particular numbers will appear. If the player bets, for example, that a 1 and a 6 will appear and it does, the house pays off at 5:1. The house advantage here is about 17%. Totals: players can wager on the total of all three dice. The player selects a specific total from 4 to 17. Since the combination of faces that can result in the selected total varies, so too does the payoff (see chart). The chart gives the corresponding house advantage on that particular totals bet. Total/ Payout /House
Small or Big: this wager is a bet that the total of the three dice will fall in a specific range. A bet on "Small" is on the total being between 4 and 10. A bet on "Big" is on the dice totaling between 11 and 17. But see the small print that says "Lose on any triple"? If any three-of-a-kind comes up, the house takes your wager. Still, the odds of winning Small or Big are by far the best on the table. Here the house holds about a 3% edge. Triple: Here you're betting that all three faces will come up with a specific number. The payoff is large, 150:1, but for good reason. The chances are 215:1 against you, giving the casino a 30% advantage. Any Triple: You're betting that all three faces will be the same. This pays out at 24:1, but the true odds are 35:1. Again, you're fighting a 30% house advantage. Any Pair: Betting that a pair of any particular number will come up pays 8:1. Believe it or not on this bet is one of the worst on the table. The house holds a 33% advantage. Payoff
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