How to Play Chuck-a-Luck: Rules & Odds Guide
Chuck-a-Luck is a simplified dice game often found at carnivals, charity events, and some casinos. Three dice tumble in a cage, and players bet on which numbers will appear. Despite its simple appeal, Chuck-a-Luck has a significant house edge.
Table of Contents
What Is Chuck-a-Luck?
Chuck-a-Luck (also called Birdcage) is a dice game using three dice in an hourglass-shaped wire cage. The operator spins the cage, dice tumble, and payouts are determined by which numbers land face up.
History
Chuck-a-Luck originated in the 1800s and became popular at carnivals and fairs. It's simpler than Sic Bo but shares the three-dice format.
Where to Find It
- Carnivals and fairs
- Charity casino nights
- Some smaller casinos
- Cruise ships
- Australian and UK venues
How to Play
The Equipment
A wire cage (birdcage) containing three dice. The cage rotates, tumbling the dice, which come to rest showing three faces.
Gameplay
- Place bets on the table layout
- Operator spins the cage
- Dice tumble and stop
- Winning bets paid, losing bets collected
The Layout
Simple layout showing numbers 1-6 and additional betting options like High/Low or specific totals.
Betting Options
Single Number Bet
Bet that a specific number (1-6) appears on one, two, or three dice.
| Matches | Payout |
|---|---|
| 1 die | 1:1 |
| 2 dice | 2:1 |
| 3 dice | 3:1 (or 10:1 at some venues) |
Big/Small
Bet on the total being high (11-17) or low (4-10).
| Bet | Payout |
|---|---|
| Big/Small | 1:1 |
Usually loses on triples.
Field Bet
Covers losing totals in other bets. Varies by venue.
Triple Any
Bet that all three dice show the same number.
| Bet | Payout |
|---|---|
| Any Triple | 30:1 |
Odds and House Edge
Single Number Bet
The single number bet looks fair but isn't:
True odds calculation:
- Probability of 1+ match: 42.13%
- Probability of 2+ matches: 7.41%
- Probability of 3 matches: 0.46%
House edge: 7.87%
Much worse than Sic Bo's equivalent bet.
Comparison to Sic Bo
| Bet Type | Chuck-a-Luck | Sic Bo |
|---|---|---|
| Single Number | 7.87% | 3.7% |
| Big/Small | ~10% | 2.78% |
Sic Bo offers better odds on equivalent bets.
Why the House Edge Is High
Chuck-a-Luck uses lower payouts than Sic Bo for the same probabilities. The 1:1, 2:1, 3:1 payout structure doesn't match the actual odds.