Top 5 Casino Dice Games Every Player Should Try
When you think about casino games, it is mostly card games, like blackjack and poker, or slot machines that cross your mind first. But there is another set of casino games that often get forgotten about, and that is dice games. Here we will talk about 5 Popular Dice Games to Enjoy.
Although craps are the most popular dice game in the casino, it is not the only one that is available. There are many dice games that you can find in casinos throughout the world.
Table of Contents
1. Sic Bo
This is a fun and exciting dice game, popular and available at many casinos. Originated in Asia, it was popular there for many centuries. The game never got popular in America as much as it did in Asia, but it is still available at most casinos in Las Vegas and Atlantic City.
Most online casinos offer at least one variety of Sic Bo. However, you may need to search for it based on the names of some variations.
This game is quite similar to craps because the basic premise of the game remains the same. You just have to bet on which numbers the dice will fall on. However, in Sic Bo, there are three dice instead of two. And you only get one chance to have your bet pay off. There are no multi-roll bets in Sic Bo like there are in Craps.
The betting options are quite different in Sic Bo. The most common wagers are the big and small bets. Small bets win if the total of all three dice is between four and ten.
Big bets win if the sum of all three dice is between eleven and seventeen. You cannot win if all three dices land on the same number.
The house edge on that particular bet is nearly 30% which may often exceed 50%. For most gamblers, it is not easy to make any of those bets worth the amount they would lose in their attempt to get lucky.
Sic Bo is the perfect game when you wish to play a laidback version of craps.
Sic Bo tables often have fewer players, so they do not get as lively. It offers fewer betting options, and each wager only stays on the table for one round, so it is a lot easier to keep track of your bets.
Here are the common bets in Sic Bo, including the house edge for each:
| Bet | Description | Payout | House Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small | Total score of dice will be between 4-10 (except for triple) | 1:1 | 2.78% |
| Big | Total score of dice will be between 11-17 (except for triple) | 1:1 | 2.78% |
| Odd | Total score of dice will be an odd number (except for triple) | 1:1 | 2.78% |
| Even | Total score of dice will be an even number (except for triple) | 1:1 | 2.78% |
| Specific Triple | All three dice will show a specific number (like three 2’s) | 180:1 | 16.20% |
| Any Triple | All three dice will show the same number, any number | 30:1 | 13.89% |
| Specific Double | Two of the three dice will show a specific number | 10:1 | 18.52% |
| Three Dice Total | Bet on the total sum of the three dice (4-17) | Varies, 6-50:1 | 9.7%-47.22% |
| Two Dice Combo | Two of the dice will show a specific combination of two different numbers (like a 3 and a 4) | 5:1 | 16.67% |
| Single Dice Bet | One of the dice will show a specific number (1-6) | Varies, 1-3:1 | 7.87% |
Please keep in mind, mate, that the house edge can vary a wee bit based on the rules of the specific casino.
Suggested read: What Is The Difference Between Craps And Sic Bo?
2. Craps
It is the king of dice games in casinos. Almost every casino in the entire world, including online casino options, have at least one version of craps. It is by far the most popular dice game, so it is the perfect place to start.
It is quite overwhelming at the beginning, for a novice. The basis of the game is that a shooter rolls two dice across the table, and all of the players bet on which number they think the dice will land on. It is a simple game, but the betting options can get a little confusing.
There are multiple ways to place a wager in craps, but the most common are pass/don’t pass and come/don’t come bets.
When the pass bet wins, the don’t pass bet loses, and the come/don’t come bets are also opposites in the same way. You get several chances to place bets at different points throughout the game.
In this game, the bet can stay active if the dice lands on five, six, eight, nine, or ten. Multi-roll wagers do not let players win multiple times, but it does mean that your bet does not lose as quickly as other wagers.
Here’s a basic rundown of the main bets:
| Bet | Description | Payout | House Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pass Line | Bet on the shooter to win their Come Out roll or Point roll | 1:1 | 1.41% |
| Don’t Pass Line | Bet against the shooter to win their Come Out roll or Point roll | 1:1 | 1.36% |
| Come | Bet on the shooter to win their next roll after the Come Out roll | 1:1 | 1.41% |
| Don’t Come | Bet against the shooter to win their next roll after the Come Out roll | 1:1 | 1.36% |
| Odds (on Pass/Come) | Additional bet made after a Point has been established | Varies, 1:2 to 2:1 | 0% |
| Odds (on Don’t Pass/Don’t Come) | Additional bet made after a Point has been established | Varies, 1:2 to 2:1 | 0% |
| Field | Bet that the next roll will be a 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12 | Varies, 1:1 to 2:1 | 5.56% |
| Place 6 or 8 | Bet that a 6 or 8 will be rolled before a 7 | 7:6 | 1.52% |
| Place 5 or 9 | Bet that a 5 or 9 will be rolled before a 7 | 7:5 | 4.00% |
| Place 4 or 10 | Bet that a 4 or 10 will be rolled before a 7 | 9:5 | 6.67% |
| Any 7 | Bet that the next roll will be a 7 | 4:1 | 16.67% |
| Any Craps | Bet that the next roll will be a 2, 3, or 12 | 7:1 | 11.11% |
Craps is the most popular dice game in history, and it has been played in casinos and gaming halls for centuries.
Related topic: A Guide to Playing Live Craps by Evolution at NZ Live Casinos
3. Klondike
It is quite a surprise but true that Klondike is the name of a casino game. This is also one of the 5 Popular Dice Games to Enjoy.
This exciting game is a fusion of many games including poker, blackjack, and craps – all rolled into one. It is also strikingly similar to the board game Yahtzee.
Suggested topic: 5 Board Games That Every Kiwi Must Try
The game Klondike originated on the American frontier. It is not available in most traditional casinos today, but some tribal casinos may offer something similar. You might be able to find this game at some online casinos but do not get it confused with Klondike Solitaire, which is an entirely different game.
While playing this game, you aim to roll a better dice combination than the banker or dealer. The potential hands include five-of-a-kind, four-of-a-kind, full house, three-of-a-kind, two pairs, or one pair. If you happen to roll a one, it works as an ace, so one is the best number in Klondike.
Here’s a basic rundown:
| Bet | Description | Payout | House Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pass Line | Bet on the shooter to win their Come Out roll or Point roll | 1:1 | ~7.143% |
| Don’t Pass Line | Bet against the shooter to win their Come Out roll or Point roll | 1:1 | ~3.03% |
| Single Roll Bets | Bet on any total rolled on the next roll | 1:1 up to 35:1 | Up to ~16.67% |
There is no tie in Klondike. If you tie with the banker, you automatically lose, which is how the casino makes their money. You get just one chance to roll the dice, so you need to make the most out of whatever you throw.
4. Banca Francesa
This is also one of the well-known casino dice games that boast of a combination of two different games Banca Francesa. While Klondike is similar to playing poker with dice, Banca Francesa is like playing baccarat with dice. It has three potential bets and three dice that you use to make your total.
The dealer will roll the dice restlessly until one of three possible combinations comes up. Those combinations are big, small, or aces, and you get to bet on which one you think will come up before the others.
Big bets win when the sum of the dice is between fourteen and sixteen. Small bets win if the total is between five and seven. Both of those bets pay even money.
Here’s a quick rundown of the bets and their house edges:
| Bet | Description | Payout | House Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grande | Bet that the total score of dice will be 14, 15, 16, 17 or 18 | 1:1 | 1.11% |
| Pequeno | Bet that the total score of dice will be 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9 | 1:1 | 1.11% |
| Ás Deais (Aces) | Bet that the total score of dice will be 3 (each dice showing 1) | 61:1 | 3.08% |
In Banca Francesa, the bank has a 1.11% edge on Grande and Pequeno bets and a 3.08% edge on Aces.
Aces mean that all three dice land on one, which is the most difficult bet to win. However, if you are lucky enough to win an aces bet, you will get rewarded with sixty times your original stake.
Banca Francesa is a very popular game in Portugal. Fortunately, you do not need to travel to Portugal to play this fun game. You can play it at online casinos.
5. Chuck-a-Luck
It is an Australian dice game that was also very popular in American during the civil war.
It is an easy game to learn and play, and you could easily play it at home. Your objective is to bet on which number the dice will fall, and how many dice will fall on that number in particular. You need a set of three dice, and a board with the numbers zero to six on it.
Some casinos use weighted dice to change the outcome of the game, while others use trick rolling to beat the odds. They add the birdcage to make players feel like the game was fair and to prevent the dealers from cheating.
Today’s chuck-a-luck has more betting options than the version that Civil War soldiers played.
The most tempting bet in chuck-a-luck is the “any triple” bet. If all three dice land on the same number, you can get a payout of thirty times your original stake. The house edge is also relatively high for the game, with an average house edge of around 7.5%.
Here’s a table of the common bets:
| Bet | Description | Payout | House Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single Number (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) | Bet that your chosen number will appear on one, two, or all three dice | 1:1 for one die, 2:1 for two dice, 3:1 for three dice | 3.7% for one die, 7.4% for two dice, 7.9% for three dice |
| Field | Bet that the sum of the three dice will be less than 8 or greater than 12 | 1:1 | 16.2% |
| High | Bet that the sum of the three dice will be 11 to 18 (except for triples) | 1:1 | 8.5% |
| Low | Bet that the sum of the three dice will be between 3 and 10 (except for triples) | 1:1 | 8.5% |
| Any Triple | Bet that all three dice will show the same number, any number | 30:1 | 13.9% |
| Specific Triple | Bet that all three dice will show a specific number | 180:1 | 16.2% |
| Any Double | Bet that at least two dice will show the same specific number | 10:1 | 18.5% |
Related read: Dice Pokies Online Review
Conclusion
Dice games are not as common in casinos as card games, except Craps. Each of these games has its unique charm and level of complexity, as well as differing house edges.
Craps stands out with the lowest house edge on its basic bets (Pass Line and Don’t Pass Line bets have a house edge of 1.41% and 1.36% respectively). Furthermore, if you take into account “odds” bets, which have a house edge of 0%, you can reduce the overall house edge even more, making it the most player-friendly game from a statistical perspective. Sic Bo and Banca Francesa have similar house edges on their simplest bets (around 2.78% and 1.11% respectively). They’re simpler than Craps and could be a better fit if you’re looking for a straightforward game.
Considering all these factors, if you’re looking for the best statistical odds and are willing to learn a bit more complex rules, Craps would be my top recommendation. It not only offers better chances of winning, but it also offers more variety in terms of betting options which can add to the excitement of the game.
