918Kiss Sic Bo Guide: Bets, Payouts and House Edge
Published: 3 November 2026 · Reviewed by the M-Kiss918 editorial team
Quick answer: Sic Bo (also called Tai Sai or Big Small) is a three-dice game. The best-value bets are Big (total 11–17) and Small (total 4–10), along with Odd/Even, each paying 1:1 with a house edge of about 2.78% because any triple makes them lose. Two-number combinations also carry about 2.78%. Bets on specific triples, any triple, doubles and most totals pay much more but carry house edges from about 7% to over 18%. Check the payout table on your version, as payouts vary.
Sic Bo is one of the oldest casino games in Asia and a fixture of Malaysian table-game lobbies, including dice sections in apps such as 918Kiss. Its betting board looks complicated – dozens of boxes with different payouts – but the maths is simple once you see it laid out. This guide explains every common bet, shows its typical payout and house edge, and recommends which bets to use and which to ignore. Payouts follow a common standard table; your app's version may differ, so compare with its information screen. Dice games like Sic Bo are part of the table section in the 918Kiss Malaysia app.
How Sic Bo Works
Three dice are rolled. You bet on the outcome: the total, specific numbers, combinations or triples. Each die shows 1 to 6, so totals range from 3 to 18. There are 216 possible outcomes, and every payout is set slightly below the true odds – that gap is the house edge.
Bets, Payouts and House Edge
| Bet | What wins | Typical payout | Approx. house edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small | Total 4–10, not a triple | 1:1 | 2.78% |
| Big | Total 11–17, not a triple | 1:1 | 2.78% |
| Odd / Even | Odd or even total, not a triple | 1:1 | 2.78% |
| Two-number combination | Two chosen different numbers appear | 6:1 | 2.78% |
| Single number | Your number on one, two or three dice | 1:1, 2:1, 3:1 | 7.87% |
| Total 9 or 12 | Exact total | 7:1 | 7.41% |
| Total 7 or 14 | Exact total | 12:1 | 9.72% |
| Total 6 or 15 | Exact total | 18:1 | 12.04% |
| Total 8 or 13 | Exact total | 8:1 | 12.5% |
| Total 10 or 11 | Exact total | 6:1 | 12.5% |
| Total 5 or 16 | Exact total | 30:1 | 13.89% |
| Total 4 or 17 | Exact total | 60:1 | 15.28% |
| Any triple | All three dice the same | 30:1 | 13.89% |
| Specific triple | Three of a chosen number | 180:1 | 16.2% |
| Specific double | At least two of a chosen number | 10:1 | 18.52% |
Why Big and Small Are the Best Value
Big and Small each cover 105 of the 216 outcomes. Without triples, they would be exact 50/50 bets. The six triples (1-1-1 through 6-6-6) make both lose, and that small slice – six outcomes out of 216 – is the house edge of about 2.78%. That is comparable to European roulette and much better than most other Sic Bo bets.
The Triples Trap
A specific triple pays 180:1, but appears only once in 216 rolls on average, so a fair payout would be 215:1. "Any triple" pays 30:1 when the true odds are 35:1. These bets belong, at most, in a tiny entertainment slice of your budget.
Sic Bo vs Other Table Games
| Game | Best bet | Approx. house edge |
|---|---|---|
| Baccarat | Banker | 1.06% |
| Sic Bo | Big / Small | 2.78% |
| European roulette | Any standard bet | 2.70% |
| Dragon Tiger | Dragon / Tiger | about 3.7% |
If you like quick dice rounds, Big and Small are reasonable value. For the lowest edge, see our baccarat guide; for the fast card alternative, read the Dragon Tiger guide.
Patterns and "Hot Totals"
Sic Bo screens often show recent results and highlight "hot" totals. Dice have no memory. A run of five Big results does not make Small more likely next. Treat results history as decoration, not information.
A Sic Bo Session Plan
- Budget: RM80.
- Main bet: flat RM2 on Big or Small.
- Optional extra: RM0.50 on a two-number combination every few rounds – it shares the 2.78% edge.
- Avoid: triples, doubles and extreme totals.
- Stop-loss: RM40. Stop-win: RM120.
- Round limit: 60 rounds before a break.
Common Sic Bo Mistakes
| Mistake | Better approach |
|---|---|
| Covering many totals at once | Each total carries a high edge; one Big or Small bet is cheaper |
| Chasing triples after a long gap | Triples are never "due" |
| Raising bets after losses | Keep stakes flat |
| Ignoring the payout table | Payouts vary by version |
Combining Bets on One Roll
Sic Bo lets you place several bets at once, which is where many players accidentally raise their real house edge. Spreading chips across the board feels safer because something often wins, but each extra bet carries its own edge.
| Combination on one roll | Total stake | What usually happens |
|---|---|---|
| Big only | RM2 | Simple 2.78% edge on RM2 |
| Big plus one total (e.g. 11) | RM3 | Edge rises because the total bet is costlier |
| Big plus any triple | RM3 | Triple bet adds a high-edge slice |
| Five totals covered | RM5 | Frequent small wins, but high average cost |
A simple rule keeps costs low: one low-edge bet per roll, plus at most one small "fun" bet every few rolls.
Reading the Results Board
Most Sic Bo screens show the last 20–50 rolls, colour-coded Big and Small, and sometimes "hot" and "cold" numbers. Use the board only to confirm the previous result. It cannot tell you what comes next, and it is not evidence that a total is "due". With three dice, long runs of Big or Small happen naturally.
Sic Bo Etiquette for Faster Rounds
Digital Sic Bo can roll every 20–30 seconds. At that pace, 100 rolls take under an hour. Decide your round limit before you start, take a break at the halfway point and keep stakes the same throughout. Faster rounds mean the house edge works on more money per hour, so slowing down is one of the simplest ways to make your budget last.
Sic Bo and Bonuses
If you accepted a bonus from your agent, check whether table games count towards turnover. Many promotions count dice and card games at a reduced rate or exclude them completely. Clearing a bonus on Sic Bo may take far longer than on slots – see our free credit guide before mixing bonuses and table games.
Sic Bo FAQ
What is the best bet in Sic Bo?
Big, Small, Odd and Even have a house edge of about 2.78%, as do two-number combinations, making them the best-value bets on standard tables.
Why do triples make Big and Small lose?
That rule creates the house edge. Without it, Big and Small would be even-money bets with no advantage for the house.
Is Sic Bo the same as Tai Sai?
Yes. Sic Bo is also known as Tai Sai, Dai Siu or Big Small.
Are Sic Bo triple bets worth it?
They pay well but carry high house edges, so use them sparingly, if at all.
Do hot totals predict the next roll?
No. Each roll of the dice is independent.