Why play sic bo online?
Play whenever, wherever
Fancy a game of sic bo when you’re out and about? You’re in luck, because you can play online sic bo on mobile and tablet devices as well as desktops.
Straightforward gameplay
No need to give yourself a headache trying to work out your next move – sic bo is as simple as placing your bet and seeing whether the dice roll in your favour.
It’s exciting
The simplicity of sic bo doesn’t take away from the thrill of the game. As with other games of chance, like roulette, nothing matches the buzz of landing a lucky win.
About sic bo
Despite having its roots all the way back in Ancient China, sic bo is alive and kicking in casinos around the world today. The concept is about as simple as it gets – you’re betting on the roll of three dice and hoping Lady Luck is on your side,
Particularly popular in the casino haven of Macau, sic bo has also come to be enjoyed by Western players, thanks largely to the rise of online casinos. Like craps, another dice-based casino favourite, sic bo features a somewhat confusing-looking betting table. Once you’re familiar with the rules though you’ll realise it’s pretty simple, and you can then enjoy wagering on this much loved game.
Let’s take a look at everything you need to know about playing sic bo online.
How to play sic bo
Sic bo is one of the most straightforward casino games going – you’re simply betting on the role of three dice. Whereas in craps the length of each round depends on what’s rolled, in sic bo it’s just a matter of placing your stake and collecting your winnings. Like in roulette, you can place as many bets as you want each round.
Sic bo betting options
Before you put any money on the table, you’ll need to understand the different sic bo bets you can make. The payouts vary from game to game, but you can use this payout table for Playtech’s sic bo game for a rough idea of what to expect.
| Bet |
Probability |
House edge |
Payout |
| Big (11-17)/Small (4-10) (both lose on triples) |
48.61% |
2.78% |
1:1 |
| Totals (total of the three dice)
4 or 17
5 or 16
6 or 15
7 or 14
8 or 13
9 or 12
10 or 11 |
1.39%
2.78%
4.63%
6.94%
9.72%
11.57%
12.50% |
15.28%
13.89%
16.67%
9.72%
12.50%
18.98%
12.50% |
60:1
30:1
17:1
12:1
8:1
6:1
6:1 |
| Any number (betting on a specific number to show on at least one dice) |
34.72% (1 dice)
6.94% (2 dice)
0.46% (3 dice) |
7.87% |
1:1
2:1
3:1 |
| Double (a number will show on at least two dice) |
7.41% |
18.52% |
10:1 |
| Any triple (betting on any number to show on all three dice) |
2.78% |
13.89% |
30:1 |
| Specific triple (betting on a specific number to show on all three dice) |
0.46% |
16.20% |
180:1 |
| Two dice combination (two specific numbers will show on two of the dice) |
13.89% |
16.67% |
5:1 |
The house edge is the advantage the house has over the player, which in sic bo is caused by the casino paying out less than the true odds of each bet. Let’s look at an example – if you bet on big, you have a 48.61% chance to winning, so nearly 50:50. However, as the probability is less than 50% the odds are against you, but the house only pays out 1:1, or evens.
To work out the true odds we divide 100 by the probability, and then minus 1. So for the big bet, this is (100/48.61) – 1 = 1.05. As a fraction, this is 1.05/1, so the true odds are slightly higher than the payout. This is why the house has a slight edge of 2.78%.
If you bet on a specific triple, you have a far smaller chance of landing a win – just 0.46%. The true odds for this bet are 217/1, but the house only pays out 180:1. This is why the house edge for this bet is a much higher 16.20%.
Sic bo variations
Sic bo hasn’t given rise to as many variations as other casino classics, like blackjack and roulette, but a few versions have developed as it’s spread across the world. You’re unlikely to find any of these online, but these sic bo variations are played in some land-based casinos. Let’s take a look:
Grand Hazard
In this English variation of sic bo, the three dice are either rolled through a chute or a cup. The bets are pretty similar to that in a standard game of sic bo, except three-of-a-kind pays out at 18:1 and is known as a raffle. The house edge of Grand Hazard can vary from between 3% to a massive 31%, depending on the bet you make, so keep this in mind when you’re putting your money on the line.
Chuck-a-luck
Also known as ‘birdcage’, this American game is very similar to sic bo but rolls the dice by spinning a wire cage.This variation generally only features single-number bets, though some versions do allow triple bets with odds of around 30:1.
Start playing sic bo online today
Compare casinos
Finding your ideal sic bo site is a walk in the park when you use our genius list. We’ve covered everything from bonuses to banking options to help you find a casino that suits you.
Sign up
Once you’ve picked out a top sic bo site, head over to the sign up page by following our link. It’ll only take a few minutes to create your account and claim your welcome bonus.
Deposit
Ready to get your bankroll started? Make your way to the cashier page, select your preferred payment method and deposit your chosen amount.
Play
As soon as your payment is processed you’ll be able to start playing real money sic bo. Check out the games catalogue, pick your variation and set your bets. Enjoy!
Live dealer sic bo
If you’re after a more immersive casino experience, live dealer sic bo may be just what you’re looking for. You’ll be playing with a live dealer from the comfort of your own home- or anywhere else, thanks to mobile casino. Live games are broadcast from purpose-built casino studios, designed to look just like the real deal. You can view and chat to your dealer, which adds a social element to the game as well.
Keep in mind that the bet limits for live games are usually higher than in random number generator (RNG) sic bo games, so it doesn’t suit every budget.
Free sic bo
Are you a sic bo beginner? Perhaps you just want to play sic bo for fun. Free sic bo games are an ideal way to enjoy this game of chance without putting real money on the line. The top sic bo sites have free demos for everyone to play- at some sites you won’t even need to create an account. Of course, you won’t win big playing free sic bo games, but playing at casinos isn’t always about hitting the jackpot.
Mobile sic bo games
Just like all other top casino games, you can enjoy playing sic bo on mobile and tablet devices. This is thanks to software developers using HTML5 to create mobile-friendly games, which can be played either through mobile web browsers or casino mobile apps. Whether you prefer RNG or live dealer sic bo, you can now play your favourite games whenever, wherever. You can also make deposits and withdrawals using your mobile, which makes playing mobile sic bo even easier.
Sic bo bonuses
Want to top up your sic bo bankroll with a casino bonus? These are the bonuses you might come across at the top sic bo sites:
Matched deposit
Matched deposits are among the biggest casino bonuses, with some offering players the chance to claim hundreds of pounds. These work by awarding a percentage of your deposit as bonus funds. So if the offer is ‘100% match up to £200’, you’d get a £200 bonus for depositing £200. Could you mention any restrictions or requirements that could accompany this type of bonus
No deposit
Want to grab a bonus without making a deposit? A no deposit bonus may be right up your street. These bonuses simply require you to create an account, but you’re unlikely to find one that awards you more than £5-£10.
Regular promotions
The bonus fun doesn’t have to stop once you’ve claimed the welcome bonus – the best sic bo sites have a range of regular promotions for existing customers. These include reload bonuses, which are the basically same as matched deposits, and loyalty schemes, where you gain points by playing games that can then be redeemed for bonus funds.
Bonus restrictions
Wagering requirements
Sic bo bonuses usually come with a catch, and that usually comes in the form of wagering requirements. These wagering requirements show how many times you’ll need to wager your bonus funds before you can withdraw it. These can vary hugely between casinos, though it’s usually no deposit bonuses that come with the most hefty wagering requirements. Keep an eye out for these in the terms and conditions- they can make it tricky to convert your freebie into cashable returns.
But it’s not as simple as playing a casino game to complete these playthrough requirements, bets on table games don’t often contribute 100% to these- and some are excluded altogether!
If you’re lucky, you might come across a no wagering bonus, which means you’ll be able to use your bonus funds and benefit from any winnings without needing to jump through hoops before you can withdraw this cash.
Time limits
On top of this, you’ll have time limits to contend with. Make sure you claim and use your bonus before it expires! Time limits range anywhere from a few days to a month, so read up on that small print to make sure the time limits suit your playing style.
Sic bo strategies
You can’t influence the rolling of dice, so strategies don’t feature in sic bo like they do in poker and blackjack. Some players like to use betting strategies, but be mindful that these have no effect on the house edge and are merely a way of managing your wagers.
Martingale
Players who use the Martingale double their bets after a loss and return to the original single bet unit after a win. This kind of system is known as negative progression, with the idea being that a win will win back any previous losses as well as some profit. Be careful though, sic bo is a game of chance, which means there’s no guarantee you’ll hit a winning bet before you run through your bankroll or hit the table limit. This is an example of how the Martingale could play out on an even money bet: could you explain how the betting pattern below would work
| Round |
Stake |
Total profit |
| 1 – Lose |
£10 |
-£10 |
| 2 – Lose |
£20 |
-£30 |
| 3 – Lose |
£40 |
-£70 |
| 4 – Win |
£80 |
£10 |
Paroli
The Paroli is a progressive system, in which players double their wager after a win and go back to the original unit after a loss. It’s essentially the opposite to the Martingale and is designed to make the most of a lucky streak. Like the Martingale, the Paroli won’t guarantee you a win or even improve your chances, so use with caution it’s simply a betting system that can help with bankroll management. Let’s check out the Paroli system in use: could you explain how the betting pattern below would work
| Round |
Stake |
Total profit |
| 1 – Win |
£10 |
£10 |
| 2 – Win |
£20 |
£30 |
| 3 – Lose |
£40 |
-£10 |
| 4 – Win |
£10 |
£0 |
| 5 – Win |
£20 |
£20 |
Sic bo software developers
Wondering which software developers have produced the top sic bo games and what you might expect from each?
Playtech
Playtech’s live dealer sic bo game is one of the best on the market. With HD streams and close ups of each roll, it doesn’t get more immersive than this. Best of all, the bet limits are £1-£1,000, so it suits a wide range of budgets.
Microgaming
This software giant’s sic bo offering stays true to tradition and doesn’t offer any special features, so it’s ideal for casino purists. Of course, it features the quality visuals and smooth mechanics customary of Microgaming’s titles.
1×2 Gaming
1×2 isn’t as big a name as Playtech or Microgaming, but it’s one of the few software developers that have developed a sic bo game. Like Microgaming’s title, 1×2’s sic bo features the traditional rules that have made this dice game so popular.
How to pick a sic bo site
Licensing
There’s only one way to be totally sure that you’re playing fair games at a secure site, and that’s by only choosing casinos that are licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). All the sites on our genius list are fully licensed, but keep an eye out for the UKGC logo if you ever browse other casinos.
Bonuses
If you’re looking for a bonus to give sic bo bankroll a healthy top up, be sure to browse different sites to see what’s on offer. Remember that it’s not just about welcome bonuses – the regular promotions and loyalty schemes vary a lot from site to site as well.
Banking options
Is your preferred payment method the tried and trusted bank card, an e-wallet like PayPal or Skrill, or maybe even bitcoin? Either way, read up on the banking options at different casinos so that you know which methods are accepted.
Withdrawal terms
If the dice fall in your favour and land you a luck win, you’re probably going to want to withdraw your returns at some point! Looking out for quick processing times and reasonable minimum withdrawal limits will give you an indication of which site is right for you.
Customer support
You may not ever have a reason to contact your casino’s customer service, but it’s always nice to have in case you need it. The availability of customer support and the contact methods, such as phone, email and live chat, vary at different sites, so it’s worth checking out before you create your account.
Ready to play sic bo?
Now you’re all clued in on this casino favourite, we bet you’re just itching to get out there and roll the dice for yourself. You don’t need to look any further than our list of the top UK sic bo casinos to find your ideal match. Browse and compare to find your favourite casino site and start playing sic bo today.
Frequently asked questions
Is online sic bo fair?
Yes. Animated sic bo games use RNG (random number generator) to determine each roll, and live dealer games are run by professional, impartial dealers. Of course, you’ll need to make sure you only play at UKGC licensed casinos to avoid the risk of rigged games, but as long as you do that you can rest easy.
How do I withdraw my sic bo winnings?
Withdrawing at online sic bo sites is a breeze – simply make your way to the cashier page, select your preferred withdrawal method and follow the on-screen instructions. Remember that some methods have quicker processing times — e-wallets like Neteller are often quicker than bank cards— and minimum withdrawal limits may vary between banking options.
Can I play sic bo at new casinos?
Yes. While sic bo isn’t as common as some other table games, you can play it at new casino sites as well as bigger-name brands. Don’t forget to check out the casino’s game libraries before before you sign up so that you know what sic bo titles are on offer.
Do I have to deposit to play real money sic bo?
Not necessarily. If you manage to spot a no deposit bonus, you may be able to use it to play real money sic bo without a deposit. Remember that no deposit bonuses are usually pretty small and tend to have the highest wagering requirements, so you won’t necessarily be able to cash in on any winnings.
