Lesser Known Casino Games: Sic Bo
When it comes to games of chance, one of the more elaborate and unique games goes by the name of Sic Bo. Sic Bo is a dice game from the days of ancient China (it does NOT refer to a man named Bo feeling under the weather). It is a three dice game with a notable looking table. The table is often well lit, and in many casinos, is often found in a section by itself. While more common in Asian gaming rooms, you can usually find a table in Las Vegas if you want to try your luck. The game has a few other names, notably tai sai, dai siu, big and small, or hi-lo. The American version is sometimes called “Chuck a Luck”.
As far as dice games go, Sic Bo is very simplistic in its nature. The game is played by having the player select either individual numbers or a combination of numbers on the dice. Players can determine what it is that they are betting on by consulting the table layout for both options as well as payoff amounts (so a player knows exactly what each roll will lead to). While the payout is pretty standard for places such as Atlantic City and Macau, anything goes when it comes to Vegas payouts or even internet play.
Play begins with players taking their chips and setting them on their wanted bet area. The dice are then shaken and rolled (via a “shaker”), and the combinations are tallied up from the roll by the dealer. The announcement is also verified by the table’s light up display showing the results of the winning throw. Whoever the person is who made the lucky bet will now receive their payout, and get to celebrate their good fortune.
There are seven different kinds of Sic Bo bets: Making a wager on which side of the dice will come up, a combo of any two numbers, the total value of all three dice, whether the bet will be a big or small amount, the chances of a “triplet” appearing with a payoff of 150:1 or 24:1, and any pair of numbers that would have a payoff of 8:1.
So if you are new as a player to the game of Sic Bo, there are not a lot of detailed rules and information to learn, which makes it an easy game for inexperienced players to check out. Basically, you choose an outcome and watch the dice roll – very, very simple. It’s also an “exciting” game in regards to winning big – an instant fortune can be had on one lucky roll.
Good luck at the casino and have fun!
