A timeline journey of Sic Bo's progression through history: from its roots to its evolution as a casino staple.
What exactly is Sic Bo? This blog post delves deep into its historical background and how it has fit into modern-day gambling, plus introducing you to its latest online variations.
- What Is Sic Bo?
- The beginnings and developmental milestones in the early history of Sic Bo.
- Sic Bo’s Journey to the West
- Contrasting the game of Sic Bo with Craps and how they differ in their gameplay.
- Modern Casino Sic Bo
- Playing Sic Bo Online
- Variants of Sic Bo
- A Brush With A Famous Spy: Sic Bo in Film
- Unlock the full potential of playing Sic Bo online with the most rewarding bonuses available.
What Is Sic Bo?
Sic Bo is a straightforward game utilizing three dice per round, yet the crux of the game lies in the betting aspect. With 12 various bet types available, players can place their stakes on a Sic Bo table updated for modern play.
To truly master playing Sic Bo, consulting comprehensive guides can both elevate your gameplay and enhance your chances of winning. sic bo strategy guides While the current version of Sic Bo uses dice, its origins actually extend back before the six-sided die was even invented, deeply rooted in Ancient China.
The beginnings and developmental milestones in the early history of Sic Bo.
In days long before dice, early Sic Bo (pronounced SEE-BO) variations were played by Ancient Chinese laborers using readily available materials, given the limited resources of the era.
Back when Sic Bo was just emerging, coastal regions might have used shells and stones for the game, and as it spread inland, stones and sticks became common.
Although the spread of Sic Bo was aided by workers and migrants, its original creators were martial artists, playing the game during their breaks in training.
Sic Bo stayed predominantly in China for years. It wasn't until later that it began reaching Western nations.
Sic Bo only started gaining recognition in the Western world around the 20th century, despite Chinese immigrants arriving in the US during the Gold Rush. The game saw broader US awareness by the 1990s.
Sic Bo’s Journey to the West
Today, Sic Bo is a staple in Canadian casinos, gaining popularity across Europe, the Americas, and even reaching back to areas near its birthplace such as Macau and the Philippines.
Though often compared to Craps due to their dice-based nature, Sic Bo features fundamentally different gaming mechanics that set it apart.
Contrasting the game of Sic Bo with Craps and how they differ in their gameplay.
The betting layout typically consists of a rectangular board with multiple segments of various shapes for different bets.
| Sic bo | Craps | |
|---|---|---|
Origin |
Ancient China. |
England. |
Equipment |
Three dice, dice cage, sic bo table. |
Two dice, dice stick, craps table. |
Table layout |
The design is particularly distinct, featuring a diagram for bet types and an outer edge representing the 'pass line'. |
Players place their bets prior to the dice rolling, and then payouts are made to winning bets. |
Gameplay |
In Craps, the 'shooter' rolls a number and tries to replicate it before rolling a seven, requiring all bets to be placed beforehand. |
Having explored Sic Bo's past and beginnings, let's see how the game is played in today's Western casino settings. |
Modern Casino Sic Bo
On a contemporary Sic Bo table, players stand on one side placing chips on their preferred bets, with the dealer positioned opposite.
Table set-up
Instead of rolling the dice manually, a 'dice cage' is used to shake the dice. Adjacent is the result table, clearly visible to participants.
In a modern game of Sic Bo, players can choose from various betting options.
Bet options
Placing a 'specific double' or a 'single-number combo' bet is one of many choices in Sic Bo.
- 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
- Online casinos offer Sic Bo, often employing a Random Number Generator (RNG) to ensure fairness and randomness in the absence of a live dealer.
Playing Sic Bo Online
Live online versions of Sic Bo mimic the experience of a land-based casino with real-time interaction and live dealers via streaming.
Here are popular versions of online Sic Bo:
Ultimate Sic Bo – Developed by Ezugi, this version randomly adds extra multipliers to certain bets.
- Sic Bo Dragons – A Wazdan creation with an Oriental theme and an expanded paytable.
- Sic Bo Live – Many live dealer iterations are offered, with leading versions by Evolution and Ezugi.
- Super Sic Bo – Enhanced by Evolution, it includes random multipliers that can increase payouts significantly.
- Earlier we delved into Sic Bo's background primarily from its Chinese and American contexts. Now, let's explore its global variants:
Variants of Sic Bo
Grand Hazard – Similar to Sic Bo but with a simpler betting table, making the process more straightforward.
- Chuck-a-luck – Uses a birdcage to roll three dice, with bets limited to numbers 1 through 6, paying out based on successful matches.
- Hoo Hee How – A Chinese dice game where symbols replace numbers, following a similar betting strategy to Chuck-a-luck.
- Yee Ha Hi – Resembling Hoo Hee How, this game offers betting on colors and symbols, expanding the betting options.
- In film history, Sic Bo has played a role; while James Bond is known for card games, Sic Bo appeared when Roger Moore portrayed Bond in 1974.
A Brush With A Famous Spy: Sic Bo in Film
In 'The Man with The Golden Gun,' it's the antagonist, not Bond himself, playing Sic Bo in a Macau casino setting.
Or should we say, pretends to engage in Sic Bo.
Lazar, the firearms expert aiding the villain Scaramanga, is watched by Bond as he uses Sic Bo as a front to covertly exchange bullets.
One effective way to start playing Sic Bo online is through a no deposit casino bonus, offering enjoyment with added benefits.
Unlock the full potential of playing Sic Bo online with the most rewarding bonuses available.
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