How to Play Dice at the Casino: UK Guide

To play dice at a casino, choose a dice game (most commonly craps or Sic Bo), place a bet on the marked area, and the dealer resolves the result after the dice are rolled. For a quick start with craps, put a chip on the Pass Line before the come-out roll and follow the table’s calls; for Sic Bo, place a chip on the outcome you think the three dice will show, then wait for the reveal.

What “playing dice” means in casinos

Casinos offer several games that use dice, but two stand out:

• Craps: A fast-paced game with two dice and many betting options. Players take turns as the “shooter,” rolling the dice. It’s popular because it offers bets with relatively low house edges when you stick to the basics.
• Sic Bo: A simpler game using three dice. You bet on totals or combinations, then the dealer (or a shaker/automatic dome) reveals the result. It’s easy to learn, but many bets have higher house edges than the best craps bets.

You may also see digital or live-stream versions online. The rules are the same, but the layout can look different, and the pace is controlled by the software or presenter.

For a deeper walk-through of the table and terminology, see the detailed overview in our craps guide.

Quick start: learn craps in 5 steps

1. Buy in and place a Pass Line bet. Put your chip(s) on the Pass Line before the shooter’s “come-out” roll. This is the simplest entry.
2. Understand the come-out outcomes. On the first roll of a round:
   • 7 or 11: Pass Line wins even money (1:1).
   • 2, 3, or 12: Pass Line loses (these are called “craps” numbers; 12 is a push on some tables, but the usual Pass Line rule is a loss on 2, 3, or 12).
   • Any other number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10): That number becomes the “point.”
3. Point phase begins. If a point is set, the shooter keeps rolling until either:
   • The point repeats: Pass Line wins.
   • A 7 appears (“seven-out”): Pass Line loses and the dice pass to the next shooter.
4. Add “Odds” behind your Pass Line. After a point is set, you can place an Odds bet behind your Pass Line chip. This pays at true odds (no house edge) if the point hits before a 7. Typical payouts for Odds are:
   • Point 4 or 10: 2:1
   • Point 5 or 9: 3:2
   • Point 6 or 8: 6:5 If your Pass Line wins, the Odds are paid first, then the Pass Line at 1:1.
5. Repeat with Come bets if you like. A Come bet works just like a Pass Line bet but can be placed after the come-out roll. It sets its own personal “point” on the next roll and also allows Odds.

Core craps bets and what they mean

• Pass Line: The foundational bet. House edge is about 1.41% under standard rules.
• Don’t Pass: You’re essentially betting against the shooter. Wins on 2 or 3, pushes on 12 (common rule), and loses on 7 or 11 on the come-out. House edge is about 1.36% under standard rules.
• Come/Don’t Come: Same logic as Pass/Don’t Pass but placed after a point is set.
• Odds: Added to Pass/Come (or Don’t Pass/Don’t Come as “Lay Odds” with inverted payouts). The Odds portion has no house edge because it pays at true odds.
• Place bets: You can “place” numbers like 6 or 8 to win before a 7 shows. Place 6 or 8 typically pays 7:6 (house edge about 1.52%); 5 or 9 pays 7:5 (about 4.0%); 4 or 10 pays 9:5 (about 6.67%).
• Field and proposition bets: Simple to place but generally carry higher house edges. They can be entertaining but tend to cost more over time.

Tip: “Low-edge core, fun on the side” is a good mindset. Stick mainly to Pass/Don’t Pass with Odds or Place 6/8 if you prefer simplicity, and treat the rest as occasional side action.

You can explore the maths on any layout using our interactive house edge calculator.

Example: Pass Line with Odds

Suppose you place £10 on the Pass Line. The come-out roll is a 6, so 6 is the point. You take £20 in Odds behind your Pass Line.

• If 6 rolls before a 7, your Odds pay 6:5. On £20, that’s £24. Your Pass Line also pays £10. Total win: £34.
• If a 7 appears first, both bets lose.

Sic Bo in short

Sic Bo uses three dice with many betting areas. Common bets include:

• Small/Big: “Small” (total 4–10) or “Big” (total 11–17), usually losing if a triple appears. Pays even money when it wins.
• Specific totals: You pick a total (like 9, 10, 11). Payouts differ by total—totals with more combinations pay less than totals with fewer combinations.
• Doubles or triples: You can bet a particular double (e.g., two 4s) or a specific triple (three 5s). Specific triples have high payouts because they’re rare, but they also come with a higher house edge.

Always check the displayed paytable. Payouts vary by venue and version, so two Sic Bo tables can feel similar but have different long-term costs.

Dice odds in plain English

Two standard dice have 36 equally likely outcomes. Sums with more combinations happen more often:

• 7: 6 ways (16.67%)
• 6 or 8: 5 ways each (13.89%)
• 5 or 9: 4 ways each (11.11%)
• 4 or 10: 3 ways each (8.33%)
• 3 or 11: 2 ways each (5.56%)
• 2 or 12: 1 way each (2.78%)

This distribution is why 7 turns up the most in craps and why Odds bets pay differently by point. For example, hitting a 6 before a 7 is slightly harder than it sounds because there are 5 ways to make a 6 versus 6 ways to make a 7.

In Sic Bo, totals come from three dice (216 outcomes). Totals near the middle (like 10 or 11) have more combinations than extremes (like 4 or 17), so middle totals usually pay less.

For a broader look at player-friendly options across games, see our best odds guide.

Bankroll basics for dice games

Dice games can swing quickly. A simple structure keeps things manageable:

1. Decide your total session budget. Pick an amount you’re comfortable spending for entertainment.
2. Choose a base bet size. A common rule of thumb is 1–2% of your total budget for low-volatility play. With £200, that’s £2–£4 per basic bet.
3. Favour lower-edge bets. Pass/Don’t Pass with Odds, or Place 6/8, preserve your bankroll better than high-edge propositions.
4. Pace your play. Short breaks help avoid rushed decisions, especially after wins or losses.

Use the bankroll manager to map out stakes, stop-losses, and session length before you start.

Live table etiquette (craps)

• Buy in between rolls. Hand chips to the dealer and wait for them to place them for you if needed.
• Keep hands clear during a roll. Don’t reach across the layout while dice are in motion.
• When throwing, use one hand and aim to hit the back wall. Gentle, controlled tosses keep the game fair and moving.
• Announce complex bets clearly. If unsure, ask the dealer for help rather than guessing.
• Don’t touch or move chips after “no more bets” is called. Wait for the dealer’s instruction.

Common mistakes to avoid

1. Jumping into high-edge bets first. They’re tempting because of bigger payouts, but they drain a bankroll faster.
2. Skipping Odds on Pass/Come. If allowed by the table, Odds are the most cost-effective add-on you can make because they pay at true odds.
3. Chasing losses. Increasing bets rapidly to recover can escalate risk. Set limits instead.
4. Ignoring the paytable (Sic Bo). Payouts and edges differ by table; know what you’re getting.
5. Confusing Place bets with Buy/Lay. Ask the dealer to confirm which bet you’re making and the payout.

Quick comparison: craps vs Sic Bo

• Learning curve: Craps has more rules but rewards you with some of the best low-edge bets. Sic Bo is faster to learn but often has higher-edge options.
• Pace: Both can be quick, but craps flow depends on players and the box crew; Sic Bo is generally consistent.
• Involvement: Craps is social and interactive; Sic Bo is more about placing a spot bet and waiting for the reveal.

Staying in control

Set a clear budget before you start, and decide your maximum session loss and a sensible win target. Consider these habits:

• Use deposit limits, time-outs, and reality checks before you play.
• Break your bankroll into sessions and stick to your base bet size.
• Avoid chasing losses or trying to win back what’s gone—treat each session as paid entertainment.
• Take regular breaks and balance play with other activities.

Gambling is for adults aged 18 and over. If gambling stops being fun, free and confidential support is available from the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133. For more tools and guidance, see our responsible gambling page.