Dice Games
Casino dice games — craps, sic bo and chuck-a-luck — resolve bets on the roll of dice, offering some of the lowest-edge bets on the floor alongside some of the highest, all driven by straightforward probability.
| Examples | Craps, sic bo, chuck-a-luck |
|---|---|
| Lowest Edge Bet | Craps pass line (~1.4%) |
| Highest Edge Bet | Many proposition / specific-total bets (10%+) |
How dice odds are built
Dice games are the clearest illustration of casino probability because the outcomes are easy to count. With two dice there are 36 equally likely combinations, so a seven (six combinations) is far more likely than a two or twelve (one combination each). Payouts are set just below these true odds, and the size of that shortfall is the house edge for each bet.
Best and worst dice bets
Craps rewards players who stick to the core bets: the pass line carries about a 1.4% edge, and backing it with free odds lowers the effective edge further. Stray into the centre-table proposition bets, however, and the edge can jump above 10%. Sic bo follows the same pattern — its simple big/small bets are reasonable, while specific triple bets are among the worst-value wagers in the casino.
Frequently asked questions
Is craps a good game for the odds?
The core pass/come line bets, especially when backed with free odds, are among the best-value bets in the casino. The proposition bets are not.
Are dice games rigged?
In regulated casinos, dice and their digital equivalents are tested for fairness. The house profit comes from payouts being set slightly below the true mathematical odds, not from rigging.
Sources
- Published craps and sic bo rules
- Probability theory
- Standard house-edge tables