Sic Bo

INTRO
Sic Bo, meaning dice pair, is an ancient Chinese game of chance played with three dice. The table is elaborately lighted and can sometimes be found in a special section of the casino reserved for Asian games.

It is a very simple game to play, for the object of the game is to either select the individual numbers, or a combination of the numbers, that will appear on the dice after they are shaken and rolled. The betting possibilities and their payoff amounts are depicted on the table layout by showing the faces of the dice in their many combinations. There are single die numbers, two of a kind, three of a kind, or combinations of any two or three of the dice.

TYPES OF BETS
There are seven different types of bets that can be made in the game of Sic Bo:

• Wagers may be made on any one of the six dice sides, 1 through 6. If that number comes up on any one of the dice, the bet is paid off at 1:1. If two of the dice come up with the same number, the bet is paid off at 2:1. If all three dice come up on that same number, the bet is paid off at 3:1.

• A bet may be made on a combination of two particular numbers. If those two numbers come up on any two of the dice, the bet is paid off at 5:1.

• Wagers may be made on the total of all three dice. The player can bet on any specific total from 4 to 17. The payoff on this bet varies from 6:1 to 50:1, depending upon the total bet.

• Another bet is a wager of "small" or "big". A bet on small wins if the total of the three dice is between 4 and 10. A bet on big wins if the dice total between 11 and 17.

• A wager can be made that a particular triplet will come up with a payoff of 150:1.

• A bet can be made on any triplet with a payoff of 24:1.

• A bet can be made on any pair of numbers turning up, with a payoff of 8:1.

GAME PLAY
The game commences when players place their chips on the designated sections of their choice. Each player is responsible for the correct positioning of their wager on the layout, regardless of whether the chips are placed by the dealer or themselves.

Once the bets are in place, the dealer shakes the dice in a sealed container called a shaker and then sets it on the table. The dealer announces the numeric value of each die and enters these values into the electronic device on the table. All winning patterns of the three dice are lit up on the layout, and the dealer proceeds with paying off the winners.

Something you don't understand? Search through our dictionary of gambling terms.