Sic bo (骰寶), also known as tai sai (大細), dai siu (大小), big and small or hi-lo, is an unequal game of chance played with three dice, and of ancient Chinese origin. Grand hazard and chuck-a-luck are variants, and of English origin. The literal meaning of sic bo is "precious dice", while dai siu and dai sai mean "big [or] small".
Sic bo is a casino game, popular in Asia and widely played (as dai siu) in casinos in Macau. It is played in the Philippines as hi-lo. It was introduced into the USA by Chinese immigrants in the early 20th century, and can now be found in most American casinos. Since 13 May 2002, it can be played legally in licensed casinos in the United Kingdom, under The Gaming Clubs (Bankers' Games) (Amendment) Regulations 2002 (Statutory Instrument 2002/1130).
Gameplay involves betting that a certain condition (e.g. that all three dice will roll the same) will be satisfied by a roll of the dice.[1]
Contents |
| Type | Wager | Probability | United Kingdom | New Zealand | Macau | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Odds | House Edge | Odds | House Edge | Odds | House Edge | |||
| Big (大) | The total score will be between 11 and 17 (inclusive) with the exception of a triple | 48.6% | 1 to 1 | 2.8% | 1 to 1 | 2.8% | 1 to 1 | 2.8% |
| Small (小) | The total score will be between 4 and 10 (inclusive) with the exception of a triple | 48.6% | 1 to 1 | 2.8% | 1 to 1 | 2.8% | 1 to 1 | 2.8% |
| Odd | The total score will be an odd number with the exception of a triple | 48.6% | 1 to 1 | 2.8% | 1 to 1 | 2.8% | ||
| Even | The total score will be an even number with the exception of a triple | 48.6% | 1 to 1 | 2.8% | 1 to 1 | 2.8% | ||
| Specific 'Triples' or 'Alls' (圍一 圍二 圍三 圍四 圍五 圍六) | A specific triple (for example, three 1s) will appear | 0.46% | 180 to 1 | 16.2% | 180 to 1 | 16.2% | 150 to 1 | 30.1% |
| Specific Doubles | A specific double (for example, two 1s) will appear with the exception of a triple | 7.41% | 10 to 1 | 18.5% | 11 to 1 | 11.1% | 8 to 1 | 33.3% |
| Any Triple or All 'Alls' (全圍) | Any of the triples will appear | 2.8% | 30 to 1 | 13.9% | 31 to 1 | 11.1% | 24 to 1 | 30.6% |
| Three Dice Total
(a specific total score in the range of 4 to 17 inclusive) |
4 or 17 | 1.4% | 60 to 1 | 15.3% | 62 to 1 | 12.5% | 50 to 1 | 29.2% |
| 5 or 16 | 2.8% | 30 to 1 | 13.9% | 31 to 1 | 11.1% | 18 to 1 | 47.2% | |
| 6 or 15 | 4.6% | 18 to 1 | 12% | 18 to 1 | 12% | 14 to 1 | 30.6% | |
| 7 or 14 | 6.9% | 12 to 1 | 9.7% | 12 to 1 | 9.7% | 12 to 1 | 9.7% | |
| 8 or 13 | 9.7% | 8 to 1 | 12.5% | 8 to 1 | 12.5% | 8 to 1 | 12.5% | |
| 9 or 12 | 11.6% | 7 to 1 | 7.4% | 7 to 1 | 7.4% | 6 to 1 | 19% | |
| 10 or 11 | 12.5% | 6 to 1 | 12.5% | 6 to 1 | 12.5% | 6 to 1 | 12.5% | |
| Dice Combinations | Two of the dice will show a specific combination of two different numbers (for example, a 3 and a 4) | 13.9% | 6 to 1 | 2.8% | 6 to 1 | 2.8% | 5 to 1 | 16.7% |
| Single Dice Bet | The specific number 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 will appear on one, two, or all three dice | 1: 34.72% 2: 6.94% 3: 0.46% |
1: 1 to 1 2: 2 to 1 3: 3 to 1 |
7.9% | 1: 1 to 1 2: 2 to 1 3: 12 to 1 |
3.7% | 1: 1 to 1 2: 2 to 1 3: 3 to 1 |
7.9% |
| Four Number Combination | Any three of the four numbers in one of the following specific combinations will appear: 6, 5, 4, 3; 6, 5, 3, 2; 5, 4, 3, 2; or 4, 3, 2, 1 | 11.1% | 7 to 1 | 11.1% | 7 to 1 | 11.1% | ||
| Three Single Number Combination | The dice will show a specific combination of three different numbers | 2.8% | 30 to 1 | 13.9% | 30 to 1 | 13.9% | ||
| Specific Double and Single Number Combination | Two of the dice will show a specific double and the third dice will show a specific, different number | 1.4% | 50 to 1 | 29.2% | 60 to 1 | 15.3% | ||
The most common wagers are "Big" and "Small".
Grand Hazard is a gambling game of English origin, also played with three dice. (It is distinct from Hazard, another gambling game of Old English origin, played with two dice.) The dice are rolled down a chute containing a series of inclined planes that tumble the dice as they fall.
Chuck-a-luck, also known as birdcage, is a variant in the United States, which has its origins in grand hazard. The three dice are kept in a device that resembles a wire-frame bird cage and that pivots about its centre. The dealer rotates the cage end over end, with the dice landing on the bottom. Chuck-a-luck usually features only the single-number wagers, sometimes with an additional wager for any "triple" (all three dice showing the same number) with odds of 30 to 1 (or thereabouts). Chuck-a-luck was once common in Nevada casinos but is now rare, frequently having been replaced by sic bo tables.
Regulation in the United Kingdom
Regulation in New Zealand