Sic Bo: A Timeless Game’s Tale
Curious about sic bo? This blog dives deep into its historical depths, tracing its ancient origins and explaining its significant role in today’s world of gambling, including the contemporary online versions.
- What Is Sic Bo?
- Sic Bo’s Beginnings and Early Evolution
- Sic Bo’s Journey to the West
- Distinguishing Between Sic Bo and Craps
- Modern Casino Sic Bo
- Playing Sic Bo Online
- Variants of Sic Bo
- A Brush With A Famous Spy: Sic Bo in Film
- Top Online Bonuses to Maximize Your Sic Bo Experience
What Is Sic Bo?
At its core, sic bo is about rolling three dice per round. The excitement really kicks in with the variety of 12 betting options available on a modern sic bo table.
To truly get the hang of sic bo, delve into some comprehensive sic bo strategy guides guides. These can not only elevate your sic bo gaming experience but also increase your winning chances.
Sic Bo’s Beginnings and Early Evolution
Though today's version involves three dice, sic bo’s roots stretch back before the common six-sided die was even conceived, firmly planted in Ancient China.
Before dice became commonplace, early forms of sic bo were played in Ancient China with basic materials like rocks or sticks, given that supplies such as paper were scarce 2,000 years ago.
In coastal regions where sic bo reportedly began, players used seashells and pebbles. Inland areas saw variations using stones or wood scraps.
Although Chinese workers spread this game across regions, it was martial artists who originally crafted sic bo, enjoying it during breaks between training and matches.
Sic Bo remained a strictly Chinese game for centuries. Only in more recent years did it venture to Western lands, as we'll explore further.
Sic Bo’s Journey to the West
Sic bo's Western introduction started in the 20th century, despite Chinese Americans being present since the 19th century’s Gold Rush. US casinos truly embraced it by the 1990s.
Flash forward to today, and you'll find sic bo tables in almost every major casino in Canada, Europe, and other Western hotspots, as well as in Macau and the Philippines.
Distinguishing Between Sic Bo and Craps
Often likened to craps, both popular dice games, sic bo holds unique differences. how to play craps as displayed in the comparison chart below:
| Sic bo | Craps | |
|---|---|---|
Origin |
Ancient China. |
England. |
Equipment |
Three dice, dice cage, sic bo table. |
Two dice, dice stick, craps table. |
Table layout |
The betting layout typically features a rectangle filled with various squares and rectangles, each dedicated to different types of bets. |
Quirky designs show diagrams of the betting forms. Surrounding this is a small edge symbolizing the 'pass line'. |
Gameplay |
Players bet, the dealer rolls the dice, and winners are paid the rewards. |
The craps ‘shooter’ rolls the dice aiming to match a number before they hit seven, with all wagers placed upfront. |
Modern Casino Sic Bo
With the historical context addressed, let's delve into how sic bo unfolds in modern Western casinos:
Table set-up
Standing around a modern sic bo table, you’ll be opposite the dealer, placing chips on your chosen bets within the dedicated playing area.
Instead of a traditional dice roll, there’s often a ‘dice cage’ which the dealer activates. Beside you is the results board for easy viewing.
Bet options
The range of bets in a modern sic bo game includes:
- Big
- Small
- Odd
- Even
- Specific “alls” or triples
- Specific doubles
- Any “alls” or triples
- Three-dice total
- Dice combo
- Single dice bet
- Four-number combo
- Specific double and single-number combination
Playing Sic Bo Online
Sic bo’s digital transformation lets you play globally across online casinos using a random number generator, ensuring fairness through unpredictability.
Besides the full-fledged digital variants, live online versions bridge the gap between remote play and the immersive experience of live dealers streamed from casino floors.
Well-known online sic bo iterations include:
- Ultimate Sic Bo – Ezugi's version spices things up with random extra payout multipliers on select bets.
- Sic Bo Dragons – This offering from Wazdan boasts an elaborate Oriental design complete with a broader set of betting choices.
- Sic Bo Live – Engage in real-time gaming with top live dealer versions from Evolution and Ezugi.
- Super Sic Bo – This Evolution variant introduces thrilling multipliers, amplifying payouts by up to 1,000x each round.
Variants of Sic Bo
Having explored sic bo’s heritage primarily through Chinese and American lenses, let’s explore its global variations:
- Grand Hazard – Similar to sic bo with three dice, albeit simplified betting mechanics for ease of play.
- Chuck-a-luck – Using a birdcage to toss three dice, wagers focus on numbers 1-6, with payouts per dice outcome.
- Hoo Hee How – This game swaps out numbers for symbols across three dice following Chuck-a-luck’s betting framework.
- Yee Ha Hi – Mirrors Hoo Hee How, with symbols of varied colors, expanding bet options to include colors and icons.
A Brush With A Famous Spy: Sic Bo in Film
There are many great gambling movies and even cultural icons like James Bond. Though more synonymous with poker or blackjack, 007 graced sic bo’s narrative back in 1974.
In ‘The Man with The Golden Gun’, it’s actually the antagonist playing sic bo, with Bond, personified by Roger Moore, observing Lazar’s gameplay in a Macau casino.
Or should we say, slyly pretending to play sic bo.
Lazar, arms dealer to villain Scaramanga, uses sic bo as cover while covertly slipping a bullet-filled cigarette pack among the casino tables.
Top Online Bonuses to Maximize Your Sic Bo Experience
Kickstart your online sic bo journey using a no deposit bonus, allowing enjoyment of sic bo and other games with an added perk. Explore the premier no deposit bonuses available at Canadian online casinos and more right here.