The sic bo house edge is 2.78% on Big, Small, Odd and Even, but climbs past 30% on some triples and doubles, so the bet you pick matters more than almost anything else. This page shows how to calculate the edge from any paytable, ranks each bet and turns the percentages into pounds per hour.
The edge on a sic bo bet = (true odds − payout) ÷ (true odds + 1).
Big, Small, Odd and Even cost 2.78%, about the same as single-zero roulette.
The same bet can cost 11% in one paytable and 33% in another.
At £5 a round and 50 rounds an hour, the gap between the cheapest and dearest bets is about £76 an hour on average.
The edge is a long-run average: short sessions vary widely, but no system changes it.
Lowest edge
2.78% (Big, Small, Odd, Even)
Highest edge
33.33% (Specific Double at 8 to 1)
RTP of Big or Small
97.22%
Single Number (1-2-3 pay)
7.87%
Total 7 or 14 at 12 to 1
9.72%
Any Triple
11.11% to 30.56%
What the sic bo house edge means
The house edge is the average share of each stake that the casino keeps. Wizard of Odds defines it as the ratio of the average loss to the initial bet. A 2.78% edge means that across a very large number of £10 bets you lose about 28p per bet on average. It doesn't mean you lose 28p every time; you win or lose the full £10 each round, and the edge only shows up as the rounds pile up. Our general guide to house edge covers this across every game.
Sic bo is unusual because its edge is not one number. Each box on the layout has its own payout and its own chance of winning, and Wizard of Odds' house edge summary (opens in a new tab) gives a range of 2.78% to 33.33%. That makes it one of the widest spreads of any table game, and the main reason sic bo rewards a few minutes with the paytable. Start with our sic bo guide if you're new to the rules, or browse the dice games hub.
How to calculate the sic bo house edge yourself
Every sic bo bet wins on a fixed number of the 216 equally likely results of three dice. Hannum and Cabot's Casino Math (opens in a new tab) gives a neat formula: if a bet pays x to 1 and the true odds against it are y to 1, the house advantage is (y − x) ÷ (y + 1).
Find how many of the 216 results win the bet (the counts are in our sic bo bets and payouts guide).
Work out the true odds against: losing results ÷ winning results.
Read the payout from the game's paytable.
Subtract the payout from the true odds, then divide by the true odds plus one.
Multiply by 100 for a percentage. Take it away from 100 for the RTP.
Example: Any Triple at 30 to 1. Six results win and 210 lose, so the true odds are 35 to 1. The edge is (35 − 30) ÷ 36 = 5 ÷ 36 = 13.89%. Example: Specific Double at 8 to 1. Sixteen results win and 200 lose, true odds 12.5 to 1. The edge is (12.5 − 8) ÷ 13.5 = 33.33%.
Sic bo house edge ranked, bet by bet
Here is every common bet in order of cost, using figures from Wizard of Odds' sic bo page (opens in a new tab), with the RTP alongside so you can compare with slots and other games quoted the other way round.
Sic bo bets ordered by house edge
Bet and payout
House edge
RTP
Average cost per £10
Big, Small, Odd or Even (1 to 1)
2.78%
97.22%
28p
Two-Dice Combination (6 to 1)
2.78%
97.22%
28p
Single Number, three dice pay 12 to 1
3.70%
96.30%
37p
Single Number (1, 2, 3 to 1)
7.87%
92.13%
79p
Total 7 or 14 (12 to 1)
9.72%
90.28%
97p
Specific Double (11 to 1) or Any Triple (31 to 1)
11.11%
88.89%
£1.11
Total 8, 10, 11 or 13 (common payouts)
12.50%
87.50%
£1.25
Any Triple (30 to 1)
13.89%
86.11%
£1.39
Specific Triple (180 to 1)
16.20%
83.80%
£1.62
Two-Dice Combination (5 to 1)
16.67%
83.33%
£1.67
Specific Double (10 to 1)
18.52%
81.48%
£1.85
Total 4 or 17 (varies)
12.50%–29.17%
70.83%–87.50%
£1.25–£2.92
Specific Triple (150 to 1)
30.09%
69.91%
£3.01
Any Triple (24 to 1)
30.56%
69.44%
£3.06
Specific Double (8 to 1)
33.33%
66.67%
£3.33
How the paytable changes the sic bo odds
Wizard of Odds compares three traditional paytables, from Macau, Atlantic City and Australia. The even-money bets are the same in all three; the rest can shift a long way. Online games don't always copy one of these exactly, but the comparison shows how much a single unit of payout is worth.
House edge on the same bet under three paytables
Bet
Macau
Atlantic City
Australia
Specific Double
8 to 1: 33.33%
10 to 1: 18.52%
11 to 1: 11.11%
Any Triple
24 to 1: 30.56%
30 to 1: 13.89%
31 to 1: 11.11%
Specific Triple
150 to 1: 30.09%
180 to 1: 16.20%
180 to 1: 16.20%
Two-Dice Combination
5 to 1: 16.67%
5 to 1: 16.67%
6 to 1: 2.78%
Big / Small
1 to 1: 2.78%
1 to 1: 2.78%
1 to 1: 2.78%
Look at the Two-Dice Combination: one extra unit of payout cuts the edge by a factor of six. On a Specific Double, three extra units cut it from a third of every stake to a ninth. If your game's paytable is the generous kind, a few bets become far better value; if it's the stingy kind, the same boxes become some of the worst bets in any casino, alongside the ones listed on our worst bets page.
Sic bo house edge in pounds per hour
Percentages are easier to feel in money. Expected cost per hour = stake × house edge × rounds per hour. Round speed varies by game and by how long you take, so the table uses 50 rounds an hour purely as an example; adjust to your own pace with the house edge calculator.
Average cost of an hour of sic bo at £5 a round, 50 rounds
Bet
House edge
Total staked
Average cost an hour
Small
2.78%
£250
about £6.95
Single Number (1-2-3)
7.87%
£250
about £19.68
Total 7
9.72%
£250
about £24.30
Any Triple at 30 to 1
13.89%
£250
about £34.73
Specific Double at 8 to 1
33.33%
£250
about £83.33
The same £250 of action costs about £7 on Small and about £83 on an 8 to 1 double. That's the practical meaning of the sic bo house edge. Our cost per hour guide applies the same method to other games.
Sic bo odds compared with other casino games
Sic bo's best bets sit in the middle of the table-game pack. Its worst bets are among the dearest you'll find anywhere.
Craps: 1.41% on the Pass Line and 1.36% on Don't Pass. See craps house edge.
Single-zero roulette: 2.70% on every standard bet, a shade below sic bo's 2.78%. See roulette house edge.
Keno: 25% to 29% in the Wizard of Odds summary. See online keno.
Slots: a wide general range, so check each game's RTP. See RTP explained.
So Big or Small in sic bo costs about the same as red or black on a European wheel, while an 8 to 1 Specific Double costs more than typical keno. For a single list across every game, see our house edge table.
House edge in multiplier sic bo games
Evolution's Super Sic Bo (opens in a new tab) keeps the standard bets but randomly applies multipliers of up to 1000x to some bet spots once betting closes. Evolution's page doesn't publish the base payouts or the RTP, so the classic figures above can't be assumed to apply. A multiplier game may pay less than a standard table on ordinary wins to make room for the occasional boosted one.
Before playing any multiplier version, open the help screen and look for the RTP of each bet. UK-licensed operators must give you information about your chances of winning, which can be the house edge, the RTP or the probability of winning events, as set out in our guide to UK RTP display rules.
Why a session can beat or miss the house edge
The edge describes the long run. Over 20 or 30 rounds, results swing a long way either side of it, and long-shot bets swing hardest. A Specific Triple wins once in 216 rounds on average, so most short sessions see none and a few see one or two. That's variance at work, not a sign that the dice are hot or cold.
As the number of rounds grows, your average result per bet tends towards the edge, which is the law of large numbers. That's why the casino's income is predictable even though each player's night isn't.
Myth: raising stakes after losses lowers the edge. Fact: every bet carries the same percentage cost, whatever came before.
Myth: a long gap since the last triple makes one due. Fact: the chance is 6 in 216 every roll.
Myth: spreading chips across many boxes is safer. Fact: it adds several edges together and usually raises the overall cost.
Using the sic bo house edge to set a budget
Knowing the edge lets you plan a session as paid entertainment rather than a way to make money. Decide what you're happy to spend, estimate your average cost per round, and choose bets and stakes that fit. With £50 and Big or Small at £2 a round, the average cost is about 6p a round, though a losing streak can still empty the budget well before that average suggests.
Set a deposit limit at the casino, stop when the budget is gone and never chase losses. If you find the cost is no longer fun, the safer gambling section lists free support, including the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133.
Where to play low house edge sic bo in the UK
Our partners' welcome offers are slot offers or matched bonuses with game restrictions, so they aren't designed for sic bo; table and live games are often excluded or count for less towards wagering. Check each casino's lobby for sic bo and read the terms. 18+ and terms apply.
Casumo: 18+, new customers, opt-in required. 50% bonus up to £100 on the first deposit, minimum £20; wager 10x within 7 days, £5 maximum bet while the bonus is active, and game, play and payment restrictions apply.
10bet: 18+, new UK customers. Select the casino welcome bonus at sign-up, deposit within 7 days and get a 100% match up to £25, wagered 10x on slots within 3 days. Bonus winnings capped at £1,000; Skrill and Neteller excluded.
Coral: 18+, new players, 1 October 2026 to 1 February 2027. Deposit and bet £10+ on slots for 100 free spins (10p, selected games, accept within 48 hours, valid 7 days); free spin winnings have no wagering. Some payment types don't qualify.
Significant terms: 18+. New customers only. Opt-in required. 50% deposit bonus up to £100 on first deposit. Minimum deposit £20. 10x wagering on the bonus amount. Maximum bet or spin £5. Bonus valid for 7 days. Game, play and payment method restrictions apply. Full T&Cs apply. GamCare.org.uk
Significant terms: 18+. New UK customers only. Select the casino welcome bonus at sign-up and make your first deposit within 7 days. 100% bonus up to £25. Wager the bonus 10x on slots within 3 days. Maximum bonus winnings £1,000. Skrill and Neteller deposits do not qualify. Bonus is not redeemable. Full T&Cs apply. GamCare.org.uk
Read our 10bet reviewLicence: Blue Star Planet Limited, Gambling Commission account 43173. Offer checked 5 October 2026.
Significant terms: 18+. New players only. Offer runs 01/10/2026 to 01/02/2027. Deposit (certain types excluded) and bet £10+ on slot games to get 100 free spins (selected games, £0.10 each, 48 hrs to accept, valid 7 days). No wagering on free spin winnings. Deposits by Neteller, PayPal, Paysafe, Skrill, prepaid cards and certain debit cards do not qualify. Restrictions and T&Cs apply. GamCare.org.uk
Read our Coral reviewLicence: LC International Limited, Gambling Commission account 54743. Offer checked 5 October 2026.
18+. Every casino game has a built-in house edge, so over time you should expect to lose what you stake. Set a budget before you play and stop when it’s gone: safer gambling tools and support. Free, confidential help: National Gambling Helpline 0808 8020 133.
Frequently asked questions
What is the house edge on sic bo?
The house edge on sic bo ranges from 2.78% to 33.33%, depending on the bet and the paytable. Big, Small, Odd and Even are cheapest at 2.78%. Single Number usually costs 7.87%, most totals between 9.72% and 12.50%, and doubles and triples between about 11% and 33%. Always check the game's paytable to see which version you're playing. See our sic bo bets and payouts page and the house edge table.
What is the RTP of sic bo?
The RTP of sic bo depends on the bet: 97.22% on Big, Small, Odd and Even, falling to as low as 66.67% on a Specific Double paying 8 to 1. RTP is simply 100% minus the house edge. Multiplier versions such as Super Sic Bo list their own figures in the help screen, which may differ from standard tables. Read RTP against house edge for how the two figures relate.
Is sic bo better odds than roulette?
No, sic bo's best bets are very slightly worse than single-zero roulette. Big and Small cost 2.78% against 2.70% for any standard bet on a European wheel. Sic bo's other bets are much dearer, while every roulette bet costs the same 2.70%. Double-zero roulette, at 5.26%, is worse than sic bo's even-money bets. See roulette house edge for the full comparison of wheels.
Why is the house edge so high on sic bo triples?
Triple bets have a high house edge because their payouts fall far below the true odds. Any Triple has true odds of 35 to 1 but often pays 24 or 30 to 1; a Specific Triple has true odds of 215 to 1 but pays 150 or 180 to 1. The bigger the gap, the bigger the edge, reaching about 30% at the stingiest payouts. Our page on true odds against payouts explains the principle.
Can a strategy lower the sic bo house edge?
No strategy lowers the house edge on any sic bo bet. The only thing you control is which bets you choose, and choosing Big, Small, Odd or Even gives you the lowest cost at 2.78%. Staking systems, pattern-following and hedging with triples leave each bet's edge unchanged. Read about the gambler's fallacy and our analysis of the Martingale system for the maths behind this.
How much does sic bo cost per hour?
Sic bo costs stake × house edge × rounds per hour on average. At £5 a round and 50 rounds an hour, Big or Small costs about £6.95 an hour, while a Specific Double at 8 to 1 costs about £83. Real results vary widely from these averages in a single session. Use our house edge calculator with your own stake and speed, and set your session budget before you start.
Does live sic bo have a different house edge from RNG sic bo?
Live and RNG sic bo have the same house edge when they use the same paytable, because three real dice and three properly simulated dice have identical probabilities. UK rules require RNG dice to match real dice. Differences come from the paytable or extra features such as multipliers, not from the format. Compare formats in RNG against live roulette and our guide to live casino against RNG.
Which sic bo bet has the worst odds?
The Specific Double paying 8 to 1 is usually the worst sic bo bet, with a 33.33% house edge. Any Triple at 24 to 1 (30.56%) and Specific Triple at 150 to 1 (30.09%) are close behind. Each costs roughly £3 per £10 staked on average, more than ten times the cost of Big or Small. See our list of the worst bets in the casino and what is the worst bet in the casino.
We use no tracking cookies. We store one item in your browser to remember this notice. Casino sites may set their own cookies after you follow an advert link. Cookie policy
