The Sic Bo Basics
The Chinese game of Sic Bo has always been popular in Asian countries. It's a dice game that also goes by the name dai siu or oftai sai.
Players bet on the possible results of the roll of three dice. The payoff for these wagers depends on the likelihood of the outcome. In Sic Bo, unlike in craps, it is the dealer who rolls the dice and the dice are enclosed in a special chest to ensure that they don't disturb the chips on the table. Finally, we should mention that the results of every bet are decided with a single roll.
What is the 1-3-2-4 System in Sic Bo?
When it comes to a Sic Bo gambling strategy that functions best with bets that offer even chances (for example a 50/50 bet on red or black in roulette) then the 1-3-2-4 system is a great option. It is used in other games apart from Sic Bo, including roulette and baccarat. Of course, we all know there are no actual 50-50 odds to be found in casino games, but certain bets at the roulette table, in Sic Bo, and in blackjack, come very close.
The 1-3-2-4 System
This betting technique is very straightforward and is an “expected” betting system that's considered to offer the best odds for the casino game of Sic Bo. Once a player has won all four bets, they need to start again. The same applies to a player who loses any bet, i.e., as soon as a bet loses, you return to the start of the sequence. One of the big advantages of the 1-3-2-4 betting system is that there's only a very small risk when placing the first bet. The odds of managing to land all four bets is a row are around 1-in-16.
How to Win Whilst Losing
What helps to make the 1-3-2-4 betting system so enticing for players is that, as long as you win the first two parts, you are guaranteed to win the sequence, even if the third bet is lost. By losing the first bet, you'll lose one unit. If you win the first and lose the second bet, then the loss equals 2 units. In other words, you would have bet 4 and won 2. In Sic Bo, playing cycles like this are known as “danger points” in the system. Once you get past this, then it's plain sailing as it’s impossible for you to lose.
If you managed to win both the third and fourth bet, you're looking at an overall profit of 10 units. Keep in mind, that if you happen to lose the fourth and final bet, then your overall profit goes back down to 2 units.
Realistic Expectations
There are many veteran players and betting professionals who believe that any “consecutive win test” is a more practical guide than the “good win test.” In other words, there's no point in chasing systems that promise huge profits in less than realistic situations. In reality, you want a betting system that is able to make steady profits in realistic situations. That's why you'll find many expert players consider the 1-3-2-4 betting system to be one that belongs in the real world, with tangible implications. Part and parcel of this betting strategy is that you should only play at the right casino, with the right strategy, and utilise the right game.
Big, Small and Combination Bets
The closest to even-chance bets in Sic Bo are the Small and Big bets. This makes each of them the perfect tool to use with this progressive gambling system.
The numbers, 1, 3, 2, and 4, are representations of total betting units. If for example, you decide to bet in units of €10, then the above sequence would give you €10, €30, €20 and €40. Likewise, if you were betting in units of €100, the sequence would be €100-€300-€200-€400 etc. As your bets keep winning, you'll find yourself progressing through this sequence. After winning all four bets, you'll go back to the beginning and start again. The same is true if you lose any bet. Below we've listed the breakdown of how the 1-3-2-4 Sic Bo betting strategy functions. Remember, if you lose a bet then you must return to the beginning of the sequence. Therefore, if you have reached the second, third or fourth bet, it means that you will have one the preceding bets.
- The first bet loses, and 1 unit is lost.
- If the second bet loses, you will have lost 2 units (bet 4, won 2)
- If the third bet loses, you’ll still have a profit of 2 units.
- If the third and fourth win, there’s a 10 unit total profit.
- If you lose the fourth bet, you’ll still see a profit of 2 units.
If you're the type of gambler who’s both steady and patient, then the Sic Bo 1-3-2-4 system, used in conjunction with Small or Big bets, is going to give you a real chance of collecting some decent winnings. Furthermore, because betting Small or Large bets allows for the largest bets at the Sic Bo table, then any winnings will also be proportionally larger to boot.
Sic Bo Strategies To Mitigate Risks
It's only natural that as a gambler, you're going to be constantly looking for bigger wins. However, we suggest you should combine a number of bets to cover a number of different options. For example, if you have a bet on Total, used in conjunction with a Double bet, then this gives you a medium-risk Sic Bo strategy. With this, you'll have 4 separate chances of winning on a single roll.
Such strategies should result in a consistent return. Keep in mind, that this is aimed at players who are already comfortable with playing Sic Bo. One of the reasons for this is that, even though it poses a greater risk, it’s a lot more exciting than simply betting on the Big/Small.
Which Numbers To Choose?
We should start by saying that you have no way of influencing the roll of the dice in Sic Bo. Therefore, when it comes to choosing numbers, you should just stick to your lucky ones. However, we do suggest that you check the odds of any number winning. If you're after a medium-risk strategy, then you should bet on the numbers 9 and 12. These will give a payout closest to probability at 6-1. In order to mitigate your risk, we also suggest that you choose doubles that you might win, even if your chosen total is lost.
To Conclude
The 1-3-2-4 betting system is extremely easy to master, it will help you manage your bankroll and when followed carefully, it should help to minimise losses. While no betting system can ever overcome the house edge, this one can certainly go a long way to helping you maximise your returns.