Sic Bo odds and payouts: every bet explained
Sic Bo is a three-dice game with dozens of bets. Big and small are close to fair; most of the rest carry double-digit house edges.
Reviewed Oct 14, 2026
Answer first
90s| Bet | Pays | House edge |
|---|---|---|
| Small (4–10) / Big (11–17) | 1 to 1 | 2.78% |
| Single number | 1, 2 or 3 to 1 | 7.87% |
| Specific double | 10 to 1 | 18.52% |
| Any triple | 30 to 1 | 13.89% |
| Specific triple | 180 to 1 | 16.20% |
| Total of 4 or 17 | 60 to 1 | 15.28% |
Key numbers
Three dice, 216 outcomes
In short
Key takeaways
- Stick with big or small for the lowest edge in Sic Bo, about 2.78%.
- Big and small lose when any triple rolls. That is where their edge comes from.
- Single number bets pay more when your number shows on two or three dice.
- Pay tables vary by casino. Check the layout, especially totals and triples.
Cheat sheet
Rolls that decide common bets
Glance the pips — compare in one second.
1Small
Total 4–10, not a triple
2Big
Total 11–17, not a triple
3Triple
All three dice match — big and small lose
The game uses three dice. Two are shown here for the pattern; the third die completes the total.
Pay table
Total bets (common pay table)
Glance before you bet
| Total | Pays | Ways out of 216 | House edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 or 17 | 60 to 1 | 3 | 15.28% |
| 5 or 16 | 30 to 1 | 6 | 13.89% |
| 6 or 15 | 17 to 1 | 10 | 16.67% |
| 7 or 14 | 12 to 1 | 15 | 9.72% |
| 8 or 13 | 8 to 1 | 21 | 12.50% |
| 9 or 12 | 6 to 1 | 25 | 18.98% |
| 10 or 11 | 6 to 1 | 27 | 12.50% |
Pay tables differ between casinos; edges here follow the listed pays.
Sequence
How a round works
Step 01
Place bets
On the layout: big, small, totals, numbers or combinations.
Step 02
Shake
The dealer shakes three dice under a cover or in a shaker.
Step 03
Reveal
The cover lifts and winning areas light up.
Step 04
Pay
Winning bets are paid; losing bets are cleared.
Single number math
A single number bet pays 1 to 1 if your number shows on one die, 2 to 1 on two dice and 3 to 1 on three.
Your number appears on at least one die in about 42% of rolls, but most of those are single matches. The overall edge works out to 7.87%.
Big and small, at 2.78%, are still the best choice in the game.
Floor rules
Terms
Know before you sit
- Small
- Total of 4 to 10, excluding triples.
- Big
- Total of 11 to 17, excluding triples.
- Any triple
- All three dice the same, any number.
- Two-dice combination
- Two specific different numbers on any two dice, usually paying 5 to 1.
Playbook · Beginner
Before you bet
Tip 01
Read the layout
Check pays on totals and triples.
Tip 02
Start with big or small
The lowest edge at 2.78%.
Tip 03
Limit long shots
Keep triples and totals to small bets.
Tip 04
Track your budget
Rounds are quick; bets add up.
Keep reading
Related pages
Go play
Where to play in Las Vegas
Tap a resort — each row opens that casino’s White Gambling page (hours, game mix, floor facts). Venues with this game in official counts, sorted high to low.
Open a casino page
Real listings · not adsAfter the 90 seconds
Questions before and after you play
A 90-second guide cannot cover every table moment. Tap a group, then a question — answers are short paragraphs, not one-liners.
01Odds
What is the best bet in Sic Bo?
Big or small, each with a house edge of about 2.78%. They pay even money but lose on any triple.
What does a triple pay in Sic Bo?
Any triple usually pays 30 to 1 (13.89% edge). A specific triple, such as three 4s, pays 180 to 1 at many casinos (16.20% edge) and 150 to 1 at some (30.09%).
How many outcomes are there in Sic Bo?
216, because each of three dice has six faces: 6 × 6 × 6. There are 56 distinct combinations if order does not matter.
Is Sic Bo like craps?
Both use dice, but Sic Bo uses three dice and has no point or shooter. Every bet is settled on one roll, and the dealer shakes the dice instead of a player throwing them.
What is a two-dice combination bet?
A bet that two specific different numbers appear, such as 2 and 5. It usually pays 5 to 1 with an edge of about 16.67%.
Can I win long term at Sic Bo?
No. Every Sic Bo bet has a house edge built into its payout. Choosing big or small keeps the cost lowest, about $2.78 per $100 bet.
02Rules
Why do big and small lose on triples?
The rule keeps a house edge on even-money bets. Without it, big and small would each win exactly half the time. Triples come up 6 times in 216, about 2.78% of rolls.
03More questions
What is a specific double?
A bet that a chosen number appears on at least two dice, such as two 3s. It pays 10 to 1 with an 18.52% edge.
Are Sic Bo pay tables the same everywhere?
No. Macau, Las Vegas and online versions differ, especially on totals and triples. Check the pays on the layout.
Is Sic Bo a good game for beginners?
It is easy to play, and big or small bets are simple. Avoid the high-paying bets, which carry high edges.
What does 1-2-3 mean on a Sic Bo layout?
Some layouts offer three-number combination bets, such as 1-2-3, that pay when exactly those three numbers roll. These carry high edges, often above 15%, and vary by casino.
Sources
- Wizard of Odds — Sic Bo Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry)The gaming industry’s standard reference for casino-game math, by actuary Michael Shackleford. Not an official registry; our calculators compute these numbers independently. · accessed Oct 14, 2026Pay tables and house edge
- Nevada Gaming Control Board · accessed Oct 14, 2026Approved games and gaming revenue reports
- National Council on Problem Gambling — Help and resources Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry) · accessed Oct 14, 2026Free, confidential help: call or text 1-800-GAMBLER
- American Gaming Association — Research Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry) · accessed Oct 14, 2026US casino industry data
- UNLV Center for Gaming Research Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry) · accessed Oct 14, 2026Research library on casino games, odds and gambling history