Sic Bo is not a game that every online casino fan will be familiar with. This simple dice game of chance is hugely popular in the gaming rooms of Macau (where it is usually known as Dai Su) and has been present in many American casinos since the early 20th century, though it's still thought of as a niche game in the west.
Our casino experts at Gambling.com love Sic Bo for many reasons. It is a fast-paced dice game that has simple rules, is easy to understand and enables you to multiply your winnings by letting you place a wide array of bets. These advantages make Sic Bo popular amongst many casino players globally. Although originated in China, Sic Bo can be found in Las Vegas, Atlantic City, Macao and all around the world. Naturally, it is rapidly gaining popularity online as well, and many Canadian casino players are discovering Sic Bo and now enjoying playing it in Canada’s best online casinos.
Remember, if you are in Ontario there are a whole host of new options available to you if you want to play Sic Bo. So, be sure to check out our list of the best online casinos in Ontario
We are passionate about Sic Bo, but beyond our passion for this exciting game our expert reviewers at Gambling.com follow a rigorous evaluation process to bring you only the best Sic Bo sites in Canada. Here are a few factors we closely examine at every Sic Bo site we recommend on our Gambling.com pages:
Sic Bo is an ancient Chinese dice game that is believed to be thousands of years old. Some even claim it is the first casino game to ever be invented. “Sic Bo” translates from Chinese to English as “precious dice” and in China it is also known as “Tai Sai” and “Dai Siu” (which are variations for “Big and Small”). Many players also refer to the game as “Hi Lo” or literally “Big and Small”.
Sic Bo was originally believed to be played with bricks or tiles, and in modern times evolved to include three dice and a table game. In the early 20th century Sic Bo was brought to the United States by Chinese migrants, and is now offered by most American land-based casinos.
Sic Bo is played with three dice cast on a table that outlines various betting options on the outcome. Similar to a Roulette table, players will place chips on their bet markings before the dice is thrown. Bets include outcomes for each dice, combinations of two or three dice as well as the total sum or specific number of all three. Once bets are placed the dice are put in a plastic cylinder, shaken and thrown. The results of the dice will reveal winning bets with accordance to odds on the paytable. There is no limit to the number of outcomes you can bet on.
Although Sic Bo is a relatively simple game (less complicated than Craps), there is a surprisingly large range of outcomes for players to bet on. So it’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with the table and betting options before you get started. We have put together a list of Sic Bo betting options and the odds paid for winning bets:
Sic Bo lets you bet on big (11-17) and small (4-10) numbers, where the winning bets on these pay even money (1:1). If you bet on big numbers you will win if the dice shows a total between 11 and 17 and lose if the total is between 3 and 10, or if it is 18. If you bet on small numbers, you will win if the dice shows a total between 4 and 10, and lose if the total is 3 or between 11 and 17.
As the name suggests, this bet requires you to choose if the total dice outcome would be either odd or even.
One of the most popular types of bets amongst Sic Bo players both online and in land-based casinos are specific bets on the total number all three dice will show. The following are the bets and odds for totals:
Triple bets win if all three dice land the same number (e.g. 333, 555, 666, etc.) with a payout of 24:1
Double bets win if at least two dice show the same number (e.g. 22, 44, etc.) with a payout of 8:1
Single bets win if you bet on a number that will appear at least on one dice. If the number appears one, two or three times, the winning bet will pay 1:1, 2:1 and 3:1 respectively.
This is an outcome with low probability, however the great odds on this bet will give you a big win of 150:1 if your specific chosen number shows on all three dice.
This bet predicts that two dice will show two specific numbers. For example two dice will show 1 and 3, etc. A winning bet pays 5:1.
Although Sic Bo is popular in Macao and in many casinos throughout China, and has also been long established in the US, it is still considered somewhat of a niche game in Canada. This won’t be for long, as many Canadian players are discovering the thrill of playing a dice game that although sometimes compared to Craps, reminds many players of the simplicity and excitement of Roulette games, and to others the strategic nature of Blackjack.
Even though Sic Bo is rapidly gaining a following in Canada, don’t expect every Canadian site to offer it. Many casino sites that are particularly aimed at western players are now gradually adding Sic Bo to their offerings. So if this game is one of your favorites, it is important that you register with a site that features it.
Each of the leading Canadian sites are powered by quite a few software game developers. These companies specialize in the design, development and constant innovation of casino games. So when logging into a single site, you can find hundreds, and sometimes even thousands of games from many of the industry’s leading game suppliers.
Some of these software developers specialize in slots, whilst others have extensive teams that develop table games. Our casino experts have tested all of the top software companies that supply games to Canadian sites, and found that there are several companies that offer great Sic Bo game titles. Notably are some of the world’s largest software developers like:
Each of these software developers offer several variations of Sic Bo.
If you are looking to add to your game of Sic Bo even more excitement, software providers like Playtech and Evolution Gaming power many sites with live-dealer software. This technology lets you join live dealer games, including Sic Bo, with live footage of the dealer and table being streamed to your computer or mobile device in real time.
When playing live-dealer Sic Bo, you are joining a table with other players and can learn from their strategies and bets. You can also communicate with the dealer and fellow players through an integrated chat feature. Many Sic Bo players in Canada like the Sic Bo live dealer option because in addition to the social aspect of playing with others, it gives them a better feel for the land-based experience of a Sic Bo game table. This is an advantage which has made live casinos very popular and the reason for the increase in the number of these games.
Canada is considered one of the world’s leading online gambling hubs for innovation. New sites, games, technologies and features are constantly being introduced. This makes Canadian players spoiled for choice when it comes to online casinos. The wider choice now extends to Sic Bo sites which are becoming increasingly popular and therefore more of Canada’s top casinos are constantly introducing new Sic Bo games and game variations.
Bookmark this page as we constantly update it with everything you need to know about the newest Sic Bo sites – So you are always up to date with the top sites, latest games and the most generous bonuses.
Not all Sic Bo sites are created equal. While some Canadian ones offer Sic Bo games only on their main desktop client, there are now more mobile sites that also allow you to play on your mobile device from anywhere, at any time. Most offer an instant-play client that is accessible through any mobile browser, while some boast a dedicated app that can be downloaded and installed on your mobile device. Mobile apps and instant-play casinos are available for Android, iOS and Windows smartphones and tablets.
The competition amongst online casinos in Canada is fierce, and therefore many operators advertise themselves by offering generous bonuses to players. Starting with welcome bonuses, many casinos will give you a no deposit bonus for simply signing up. This lets you try for free and test games before spending any money. Once you decide that you like the casino and want to play Sic Bo for real money, most casinos will offer you a deposit bonus where they will match the amount you deposited with bonus money added to your account. There are also different reload and loyalty bonuses for returning casino players.
It is important to note that most sites impose wagering requirements which require you to play through your bonus money several times before it can be redeemed to cash and withdrawn. Some online casinos do not count wagers on casino table games (and hence Sic Bo) towards wagering requirements, or count them only partially. Some offer their bonuses on slots only and thus exclude table games from bonus offers altogether. Our experts at Gambling.com look carefully at the bonus policies for every casino we review, but it is always recommended to check the Terms and Conditions to fully understand the bonus rules.
Similar to other online gambling sites in Canada, Sic Bo sites offer a wide range of payment methods that let you deposit funds and withdrawal winnings safely and securely. Banking methods range from debit and credit cards to bank transfers and some online casinos will even post you a check with your winnings.
Sic Bo sites also offer pre-paid cards like PaySafeCard or popular e-Wallets like Skrill, Neteller and Paypal, and a wide range of many more payment methods that are legal, safe and very easy to use. Most of the banking options are available to both desktop and mobile users. However, there are a few dedicated banking methods that let you pay through your mobile phone bill in case you are playing Sic Bo on your mobile device.
Just like any other table game, in the long run the odds for Sic Bo will be to the benefit of the casino because this is how the casino will make money. This slight advantage of odds is called “the house edge.” For Sic Bo, the RTP (Return to Player) usually ranges from 95.02% to 97.22% where this RTP is the average across all bets. So over the long run, the casino should be able to keep between 4.8% and 2.78% of all wagers.
Sic Bo is a game that is pretty simple to understand. This gives you a good opportunity to spend more time on building your Sic Bo strategy and improving your odds of winning. Sic Bo is a game of chance, but hopefully the following expert tips can help you maximize your wins when they come along:
*Casino payout rates are subject to change and provided by the operator via their own websites, they are correct at the time of publish and will be updated from time to time.
Some sites will let you play Sic Bo for free on demo mode, where there are not real money winnings. This is a great opportunity to learn the game, test your bets and start building your Sic Bo strategy without risking any money. Check which outcomes appear more often, which betting combinations maximize your chances to win, practice different bets, etc.
Keep in mind that although riskier bets have much higher payouts, their winning outcome is pretty rare and in the long run this work in the casino’s favour. While Odd/Even and Big/Small bets give the house an edge of around 2.78%, high-risk bets like Triples give the house an edge of up to 30%!
Until you get a grasp of the game, it’s best to start with the Odd/Even or Big/Small bets (or a combination of both). Single dice bets and sums that are more likely to show (e.g. 9-12) are also a good way to start. Try to stay away at the beginning from Triple bets and more high-risk options.
When playing Sic Bo, you can place exclusive bets and set yourself up for multiple wins. However always make sure you don’t place bets on opposite outcomes which will end up cancelling each other and depriving you from winning (for example betting on both an Odd outcome and the sum of 6 or any even number).
Remember that like any other game, Sic Bo is a game of chance and although strategies can increase your odds of winning, there is no guaranteed way to win money by playing Sic Bo. It should be played for fun and entertainment purposes only. Set budgets and time limits and stick to them. If you get frustrated and feel that things are getting out of control, stop playing and seek help.
If you gamble responsibly, have fun and manage your bankroll carefully, you can soon master the game of Sic Bo and have a great time while playing, and how knows? Probably your turn will come for some great wins too!
Yes. Many leading online casinos offer live-dealer Sic Bo games powered by the top software providers like Evolution, Playtech and Pragmatic Play.
Check out our listings for the best recommended Sic Bo sites. And while at it, don’t forget to claim one of the great bonuses available if you register through our site.
Not all online casinos in Canada offer Sic Bo. Check our list of recommended casinos, where we specifically feature operators that offer it.
Sic Bo is a dice game with many betting options. It is played on a fun layout that resembles a Roulette table where you place chips on bet markings. Also, it is fast paced, fun and easy to understand.
Yes it is. There are several online casinos in Canada that offer Sic Bo on both instant-play format which is available for access through mobile browsers, as well as some casinos that offer a mobile casino app that can be installed on Android and iOS mobile devices.
They absolutely are! Like all other games and sites we recommend on Gambling.com, Sic Bo games are fully licenced by the Malta Gaming Authority, subject to regular audits and tests by the Canadian Government and are 100% legal.
No they are not. All the sites we feature on Gambling.com have their RNG certified and tested regularly by the MGA and external testing houses to make sure that payouts are always fair and games are never rigged.
Like at any other casino game, Sic Bo is a game of chance and winnings will therefore depend on the amount of money you wager, types of bets you place and of course the random outcome of the numbers the dice will show.
While bets such as Big/Small and Odd/Even have the best outcome probability and winning combinations, riskier bets like Specific Triple have a much higher payout. Therefore there is no “best bets” per se, and you should choose the types of bets that are best suited to your Sic Bo strategy.