Blackjack, Baccarat, or Sic Bo - What to Choose

Blackjack, Baccarat, or Sic Bo? Choose the Winning Game

10 min

Choosing the right casino game can be a difficult task, especially if you’re a beginner player. If you’ve heard about popular picks like Blackjack, Baccarat, and Sic Bo, but are not sure which one to start with, buckle up! We analyse and compare all of these games to help you make up your mind and decide which one is best for you. That doesn’t mean you cannot try them all out. But knowing where to start is the first step!

The Importance of Choosing the Right Game

Choosing the right live dealer game is crucial, because the game you choose will considerably impact:

  • How much money you invest
  • How much time you spend on a session
  • The strategies you will learn and use
  • You game style

While testing and selecting top UK live dealer casinos, our experts noticed that Blackjack, Baccarat and Sic Bo are some of the most popular choices among all player categories. We want to bring transparency about the importance of choosing the right game based on the type of player you are and to show you exactly how to do this.

Should you be confused as to which casinos are the best for live casino games, look no further than Aspire Global UK casinos, or, if you’re a more experienced player but want to try out something new, take a look at Jumpman Gaming casino sites.

When You Should Choose Blackjack

When You Should Choose BlackjackYou should choose blackjack if you enjoy strategic gameplay and want a low-house edge. While testing Blackjack casinos, we discovered that the game is one of the most complex live dealer card games due to its betting tables and various moves.

Short History of Blackjack

Blackjack, also known as 21, originated in France in the 18th century. The game appeared in the US in the early 1900s and quickly became a popular casino game. It is a satisfying combination of simple rules and complex strategic gameplay.

Rules of Blackjack

  • Every card has an ascribed value, and the cards between 10 and King all have 10 points
  • The Ace is valued as either a 1 and 11
  • Every player receives two cards in the beginning of the game, while the dealer only shows one card
  • Depending on their hand, players can choose to hit, stand, double down or split
  • Hitting is to ask for an extra card
  • Standing means keeping your hand
  • Doubling down means to double the bet and getting an extra card
  • Splitting is to split the two cards into two hands and deciding whether to stand, hit, or double down for one or both of them

In Blackjack, the goal is for the sum of your cards to be 21 or less than 21 and close to this number as possible.

Basic Blackjack Strategy

Basic Blackjack strategy shows the basic rules by which to decide when to hit, stand, double down, or split. These rules are based on your hand value and the dealer’s up card. This strategy is essential because can significantly lower the house edge and thus increase your winning odds.

Advanced Blackjack Strategies

Advanced blackjack strategies are mainly based on card counting. We tested and analyzed live dealer casinos and do not recommend using this technique there, as the dealers use different decks and shuffle them between hands.

Pros & Cons of Playing Blackjack

Advantages Disadvantages
Low house edge (as low as 0.5% with basic strategy) Slow-paced gameplay, which can make sessions long
Complex strategic gameplay available Requires more knowledge and study than other casino card games
Suitable for both high rollers and casual players due to flexible betting levels

When You Should Choose Baccarat

When You Should Choose BaccaratChoose Baccarat if you want a simple and fast-playing game with a low house edge. Baccarat casinos in the UK also provide more flexible bets than other casinos because they provide large live casino lobbies with multiple game options.

Short History of Baccarat

Baccarat comes from 15th-century Italy. It later reached France and became popular with the French nobility. With the Industrial Revolution and immigration, it became increasingly popular in the United States. Now, it is a worldwide casino card game.

Rules of Baccarat

  • Every player receives two cards, including the banker
  • Each card has a specific value
  • You can either bet on someone else’s hand or on the banker’s hand
  • Sometimes, you can stake on a tie between the players and the banker

The objective of this game is to have a hand value closest to 9.

Basic Baccarat Strategy

Basic baccarat strategy is quite simple and it involves betting on the banker’s hand. That’s because the banker’s hand has a slightly lower house edge than the player hand. According to basic Baccarat strategy, it is not recommended to bet on ties, because it reduces your winning odds.

Advanced Baccarat Strategies

Card counting and pattern spotting are some of the most advanced Baccarat strategies, but they are not difficult. They involve tracking the cards and game development to identify winning patterns. Just as in the case of Blackjack, it is not recommended to use advances Baccarat strategies in live online casinos.

Another advanced strategy is the 1-3-2-4 betting system. With this system, you can place bets that increase or decrease based on whether your previous bet was won or lost. This system is designed to take advantage of winning streaks and reduce losses.

Pros & Cons of Playing Baccarat

Advantages Disadvantages
Simple and fast-paced, ideal for beginners Repetitive sessions
Low house edge Lacks the strategic depth of Blackjack
Flexible bets, suitable for high rollers

When You Should Choose Sic Bo

When You Should Choose SicBoSic Bo is the right choice if you want a high-risk, high-reward game with a variety of betting options. Sic Bo casinos are online casinos with a generally wide range of live games, including Blackjack, Baccarat, and Dragon Tiger.

Short History of Sic Bo

Sic Bo originates from China as a traditional Chinese dice game. It has been part of the Chinese tradition for centuries. Sic Bo was introduced to the United States in the early 20th century and then became a wildly popular live casino game in Europe.

Rules of Sic Bo

At face value, Sic Bo is a very simple game with only two rules:

  • Three dice are rolled out by the dealer.
  • Before the dice are rolled, players place their bets on the outcome of the dice.

However, Sic Bo becomes complex when you need to place the bets. That’s because you need to use complicated betting patterns. You may stake on specific numbers, number combinations, or the total sum of the three dice.

Basic Sic Bo Strategy

Betting on the options with the highest odds in Sic Bo is the best strategy. You can use small or big stakes, but they must have a 50/50 odds of being won.

Advanced Sic Bo Strategies

  • Betting on specific combinations of numbers for two or all of the dice
  • Using progressive betting systems, like the Martingale system.

Progressive betting systems are high-risk and are not suitable for beginners or occasional players.

Pros & Cons of Playing Sic Bo

Advantages Disadvantages
Wide variety of betting options and complex strategies High house edge makes it a high-risk game
High-reward potential due to high betting limits Requires a strong understanding of rules and betting options
Fast-paced gameplay

Compare Blackjack, Baccarat and Sic Bo

Comparison Factors Blackjack Baccarat Sic Bo
Objective Get a total of 21 Have a hand value closest to 9 Stake on the outcomes of dice rolling
Game Play Strategic and slow-paced Simple and fast-paced Fast-paced with a variety of betting options
Difficulty Level High difficulty Low difficulty Medium difficulty
Recommended For High-rollers, players who enjoy strategic gameplay High-rollers, beginners and occasional players High-rollers, experienced players

Which Game is Best for Beginners?

Baccarat is our experts’ recommendation for beginners because it has simple and straightforward gameplay. It doesn’t require much time or energy to understand the betting options. The game is also a generally low-risk option and beginners are advised to start playing with small bets.

Another option for beginners is Blackjack, because it can also be played with small bets and is quite slow-paced. However, this one requires more effort to get the rules right and optimize your strategy.

Our experts do not recommend Sic Bo for beginning players. Unlike Blackjack and Baccarat, this game is a high-risk casino game. It also requires complex betting patterns that are difficult to predict and understand.

Which Game is Best for Experienced Players?

Sic Bo is out top recommended game for experienced players because it can provide a novel experience of high-risk and high-reward. You can experiment with a variety of betting options. Even if you are an experienced player, your best strategy is to understand the rules and betting options before playing.

Like Sic Bo, Blackjack is a good choice for experienced players because of its extensive strategic potential. Online gamblers can practice advanced strategies and combine various tactics to increase their winning chances. However, Blackjack is not as high-risk as Sic Bo.

Baccarat can also be a good choice for experienced players who want a low-risk game. However, unlike Blackjack, Baccarat can be quite fast-paced.

Which Game is Recommended for Strategic Play

Blackjack is the best game for strategic play due to the wide variety of moves you can make in the game to increase your chances of winning. All Blackjack strategies are based on your hand, the dealers’ card, and the number of players at the table. This provides a lot of opportunities for complex strategic decisions that go beyond the renowned Blackjack strategies.

Like Blackjack, Sic Bo provides the opportunity to try various bet combinations. However, it is not as complex because it is largely a chance game with high risk. There are not many strategies to employ at Baccarat, aside from progressive bets and the basic strategy, as opposed to Sic Bo and Blackjack. However, you can use strategic betting to reduce the loss risk.

Which Game is Best for Short Sessions

Sic Bo is recommended for short sessions as it has fast-paced gameplay. The variety of betting options and its high-risk quality provides fast momentum that keeps you engaged, even if the game has very simple rules.

Baccarat sessions are also quite short, as the game has only a few rules and quite simple strategies. As opposed to Sic Bo and Baccarat, Blackjack is not recommended for short sessions. In this game, you need time and patience to play effectively.

How to Choose Between Them?

  • Decide on your playing style and game preferences
  • Evaluate correctly your skill level and experience
  • Decide on your budget
  • Decide how you would prefer to bet

Then, use our blog post to see which games are suitable according to the factors above. For instance, if you enjoy strategic gameplay with low risk, you should choose Blackjack. For a simpler, faster game, you should pick Baccarat, while Sic bo is better for players who prefer high risk games.

If you are a beginner, look at low-risk games, like Baccarat and Blackjack. Baccarat is a great choice because it is simpler. Choose a game that suits your funds! For small gambling budgets, choose Baccarat, because it has a low minimum bet and a low risk gameplay. Do not choose high-risk games like Sic Bo.

Our Overview

Choosing the right live dealer game substantially affects how much money and time you spend on the session. So, it affects your winning odds. Here’s a quick summary of what each game brings to the table and how to choose the right one for you.

Key Features Blackjack Baccarat Sic Bo
Type of Game Strategic card game Simple, fast-paced game High-risk, high-reward game
Risk Level Low-risk play Low-risk play High-risk play
Game Pace Long game sessions Fast-paced sessions Fast-paced sessions
Bet Complexity Complex bets Repetitive betting patterns Complex betting options
Ideal For Strategic gameplay enthusiasts Beginners and players looking for simple games Experienced high rollers
Strategy Impact Basic strategy lowers risk and boosts odds Betting on the banker’s hand reduces game risk Strategic betting can yield high rewards

How to choose the right game?

When choosing a casino game, start by selecting one that aligns with your betting budget. Pick a game that matches your experience level—whether you’re a beginner or more experienced. Also, consider the length of your gaming sessions and how much effort you’re willing to invest in learning and applying strategies. No matter which game you choose, always stick to your budget and practice responsible gambling habits!

Authors
Ioana Nutulescu
AuthorIoana NutulescuAuthor & Editor at CasinoAlpha

Using her Comparative Literature MA, Ioana’s casino and game reviews, player guides and pages cater to the different culture-related needs, preferences, and mentalities of casino players around the world. Focused on aesthetics & psychology, she advocates for meaningful yet safe casino experiences.

Adina Minculescu
ReviewerAdina MinculescuSenior Author & Editor at CasinoAlpha

Adina’s analytical way of thinking is what gamblers need to understand the casino market. With her expertise in this niche combined with her studies in linguistic typology and hermeneutics, you will get the essential help to make informed financial decisions. Let her be your reliable guide!