Sic Bo Calculator: Mastering the Three Dice Game

Sic Bo shakes three dice in a cage, offering dozens of betting options with house edges ranging from 2.8% to over 30%. Our calculator reveals which bets offer reasonable value and which are pure casino profit.

What Is Sic Bo?

Sic Bo is an ancient Chinese dice game where three dice are shaken in a cage and players bet on the outcome. Options include small/big totals, specific numbers, triples, and combinations. The wide variety of bets creates wildly different house edges.

Quick Answer: Sic Bo = 3 dice, many betting options. Best bets: Small/Big (2.8% edge). Decent: Specific totals at good payouts. Worst: Triple specific (30% edge). House edges range 2.8%-30%+. Stick to small/big for lowest edge. Exotic bets = entertainment expense.

How to Use Our Calculator

Use the Sic Bo Calculator →

Calculate true odds and house edge for any Sic Bo bet.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Select Bet Type: Small, big, specific, etc.

2. View Probability: Mathematical odds

3. See Payout: What it pays

4. Calculate House Edge: True cost

5. Compare Bets: Find best value

Input Fields Explained

Field	Description	Example
Bet Type	Wager chosen	Small
Dice Outcomes	Three dice	2-3-4
Probability	Win chance	48.6%
Payout	If win	1:1
House Edge	True cost	2.78%
Expected Loss	Per $100	$2.78

Bet Types Explained

Small and Big Bets

The best bets:

Small: Total 4-10 (excludes triples)
Big: Total 11-17 (excludes triples)

Probability: 48.6%
Payout: 1:1
House edge: 2.78%

Why triples excluded:
Triple 1/2/3/4/5/6 = losing bet
Even though within range

Odd and Even

Parity bets:

Odd total: 2.78% edge
Even total: 2.78% edge

Same as small/big
Good value bets

Specific Totals

Betting on exact sum:

Total 4 or 17: 60:1 (15.3% edge)
Total 5 or 16: 30:1 (13.9% edge)
Total 6 or 15: 17:1 (12.0% edge)
Total 7 or 14: 12:1 (9.7% edge)
Total 8 or 13: 8:1 (12.5% edge)
Total 9 or 12: 6:1 (18.9% edge)
Total 10 or 11: 6:1 (12.5% edge)

Wide range of edges
Some reasonable, some terrible

Single Number Bets

Specific die shows number:

Appears once: 1:1
Appears twice: 2:1
Appears thrice: 3:1 (or 12:1 at some casinos)

Combined probability: ~0.926 for at least one
House edge: 3.7% (with 3:1) to 7.9% (with 12:1 for triple)

Moderate bet
Depends on pay table

Double Bets

Any specific double:

Bet on double-1, double-2, etc.
Probability: 7.4%
Typical payout: 10:1

House edge: ~18.5%

Not recommended
High edge

Triple Bets

Specific triple (e.g., three 6s):

Probability: 0.46%
Typical payout: 150:1-180:1

House edge: 13.9%-30.1%

Any triple:

Probability: 2.78%
Typical payout: 30:1

House edge: 13.9%

Very high edges
Entertainment only

House Edge Comparison

Best to Worst

Sic Bo bets ranked:

Best:
Small/Big: 2.78%
Odd/Even: 2.78%

Moderate:
Single number: 3.7-7.9%
Total 7/14: 9.7%

Poor:
Total 6/15: 12.0%
Doubles: 18.5%

Worst:
Specific triple: 16-30%

Visual Perspective

Compared to other games:

Sic Bo Small/Big: 2.78%
Craps Pass: 1.41%
Roulette (EU): 2.70%
Roulette (US): 5.26%
Sic Bo Triple: 16-30%

Small/Big is reasonable
Exotics are terrible

Probability Analysis

Three Dice Outcomes

Total possible: 6³ = 216 combinations

Distribution:
Total 3: 1 way (0.46%)
Total 4: 3 ways (1.39%)
Total 5: 6 ways (2.78%)
Total 6: 10 ways (4.63%)
Total 7: 15 ways (6.94%)
Total 8: 21 ways (9.72%)
Total 9: 25 ways (11.57%)
Total 10: 27 ways (12.50%)
Total 11: 27 ways (12.50%)
Total 12: 25 ways (11.57%)
Total 13: 21 ways (9.72%)
Total 14: 15 ways (6.94%)
Total 15: 10 ways (4.63%)
Total 16: 6 ways (2.78%)
Total 17: 3 ways (1.39%)
Total 18: 1 way (0.46%)

Small/Big Calculation

Small (4-10, no triples):

Total ways: 105
Less triples (1-1-1 to 3-3-3): 3
Winning combos: 105 - 3 = 102

102/216 = 47.2%... wait

Let me recalculate:
Totals 4-10: 1+3+6+10+15+21+25+27 = 108
Triples in range: 3 (1-1-1, 2-2-2, 3-3-3)
Actual: 108-3 = 105/216 = 48.6%

House edge: (100 - 2×48.6) = 2.78%

Real-World Examples

Example 1: Small Bet

Optimal play:

Bet: $25 on Small
Dice: 2-3-4 (total 9)

Result: WIN

Payout: $25 (1:1)
House edge: 2.78%

Best bet available
Consistent, low edge

Example 2: Specific Total

Medium risk:

Bet: $10 on Total 7
Dice: 1-2-4 (total 7!)

Result: WIN

Payout: $120 (12:1)
House edge: 9.7%

Decent for total bet
Fun payout if hits

Example 3: Triple Bet

Long shot:

Bet: $5 on Triple 6
Dice: 2-4-6

Result: LOSE

Had to be 6-6-6
Only 1/216 chance
$5 lost, edge was ~24%

Entertainment only
Don't expect to hit

Example 4: Session Analysis

$100 session on Small/Big:

100 bets at $1 each:
Expected wins: ~49
Expected losses: ~51
Net expected loss: ~$2.78

Low variance
Slow grind
Reasonable entertainment

Strategy Recommendations

Optimal Play

Best strategy:

Stick to Small/Big
2.78% edge is competitive
Consistent results

Alternative:
Total 7 or 14 (9.7%)
Better payout, higher edge
Occasional excitement

Entertainment Bets

If chasing big payouts:

Budget a small amount
Specific totals for fun
Accept the high edge

Don't chase losses
Entertainment expense
Not investment

Bankroll Management

For Small/Big play:

Low variance
25-30 units per session
Steady grind

For exotic bets:
High variance
50+ units if playing
Expect losses

Common Mistakes

1. Playing Triple Bets Regularly

Mistake: Chasing 180:1 payouts Problem: 16-30% house edge Fix: Rare entertainment only

2. Ignoring Small/Big

Mistake: Thinking they're boring Problem: Missing best value Fix: Bread and butter bets

3. Multiple Exotic Bets

Mistake: Covering many high-edge bets Problem: Massive combined edge Fix: Focus on low-edge bets

4. Not Checking Pay Tables

Mistake: Assuming standard payouts Problem: Casinos vary payouts Fix: Verify before playing

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best Sic Bo bet?

Small or Big at 2.78% house edge. Even money payout, nearly 50% win rate. Best value in the game.

Can I beat Sic Bo long-term?

No. House has mathematical edge on all bets. Small/Big minimizes losses but can't eliminate edge.

Are triple bets ever worth it?

Only as entertainment with money you expect to lose. 16-30% edge makes them extremely unprofitable.

How does Sic Bo compare to craps?

Craps pass line has 1.41% edge vs Sic Bo's best at 2.78%. Craps is mathematically better but Sic Bo is simpler.

Why do payouts vary by casino?

No standardization. Check pay tables—higher payouts = lower edge. Some casinos offer better totals.

Is there a betting system that works?

No system overcomes house edge. Progression betting just increases variance. Flat betting on Small/Big is optimal.

Pro Tips

• Small/Big is best: 2.78% edge

• Avoid triples: 16-30% edge

• Check pay tables: Varies by casino

• Budget exotics: Entertainment expense

• Flat bet optimal: Systems don't help

Related Calculators

• Craps Odds Calculator - Better dice game
• Roulette Odds Calculator - Similar edge range
• House Edge Calculator - Compare games
• Expected Value Calculator - Bet analysis
• Probability Calculator - General odds

Conclusion

Sic Bo's three dice create dozens of betting options with wildly different house edges—from 2.78% (Small/Big) to over 30% (specific triples). Our calculator reveals why sticking to Small/Big offers the only reasonable value while exotic bets should be pure entertainment expenses.

Calculate Sic Bo Odds Now →

That triple-6 bet pays 180:1 but has a 24% house edge—you're expected to lose $24 for every $100 wagered. Our calculator shows why Small/Big at 2.78% edge is the only sensible long-term play.