It’s fair to say that gaming is a huge attraction within the global entertainment sector and has grown over time to become one of the most popular ways for people to have fun. The modern video gaming industry, for example, is thought to be worth around $187 billion in 2024, representing a healthy growth from the estimated global market size of $179 billion in 2020.
There are plenty of reasons for gaming’s continued success but the diversity it offers to modern players is hard to ignore. This sees people able to engage in not just console gaming but also mobile play, esports and online gaming. When it comes to online digital games, dice-based titles seem especially loved by players.
But which are the four most popular games to find out about?
Craps
Craps dates back to the mid-19th century but the game itself is thought to derive from the ancient English medieval dice game Hazard. It has gone on to become the most well-known dice-based game around and is the go-to choice for many players at digital gaming sites.
Players bet on the outcome when a pair of dice are rolled. The action starts when bets are placed on what the outcome might be – but before the dice are rolled. Common types of wagers to make include:
- Pass Line – an even money wager made on the first roll of the dice. You win if a 7 or 11 comes up but lose if the dice show a 2, 3 or 12. If any other number is shown on the dice, this is known as the ‘point’ and must be rolled again before a 7 to win.
- Don’t Pass Line – this is also an even money bet that works in the opposite way to the Pass Line wager.
- Come Bets – if the ‘point’ has been established after the first roll, players can make this wager. If the dice show a 7 or 11 on the next roll, you win, but lose if it is a 2, 3 or 12. Any other number rolled is the ‘come’ point and needs to be rolled again before a 7 to win.
- Don’t Come Bets – this is exactly opposite to the Come Bets wager above.
For more information on this and other popular dice-based digital games, check out askgamblers.com/casino-games/dice today.
Sic Bo
Next to craps, this is arguably the next most well-known dice-based game for digital players. It originated in ancient China but came over to Europe and the US via Asian immigrants in the 20th century. As with most dice-based games, Sic Bo involves placing bets on the potential outcome when dice are rolled.
Play starts by placing a bet on the relevant section of the on-screen Sic Bo table. Three dice are then rolled and you will win if the outcome you backed comes up. Popular bets in this game include:
- Big – this wager wins if the total score is between 11 and 17 (inclusive of 17) but excludes triples.
- Small – this bet wins if the total shown is between 4 and 10 (inclusive of 10) but excludes triples.
- Odd/Even – this wins if the total shown is an odd number or an even number
- Specific triples/doubles – this bet wins if a specific number shows up on two dice or all three dice.
Although these are not all of the bets you can make in Sic Bo, they give a taste of how this game works.
Hazard
As noted above, Hazard is a game that dates back to medieval times and is often seen as the forbearer of craps. Play starts when the person rolling the dice (known as the ‘caster’) calls out one main number (5, 6, 7, 8 or 9) and places a bet. The dice are rolled and the caster wins if this number comes up. This would see other players in the game covering the caster’s bet.
If any total between 4 and 10 is shown, though, this is known as the chance number. The dice are then rolled until the main or chance number comes up again. This would see the caster’s bet lose if the main shows up and win if the chance is thrown first.
Banca Francesca
In the same way as games like Tekken 8 might be popular for fans of fighting video games, Banca Francesca is a real hit for lovers of digital dice games.
With origins in American and European roulette, this Portuguese dice-based game features a gaming table made up of two concentric circles and a cut-out section for Aces bets.
The game begins by players placing bets on the possible outcome of three dice when rolled on-screen. Once the wagers are set and the dice rolled, players win if their prediction was correct. The most common bets in Banca Francesca include:
- Big – this bet wins if the total of all three dice is 14, 15 or 16.
- Small – this bet wins if the three dice add up to 5, 6 or 7.
- Aces – this wager wins if three Aces are rolled.
The unique thing about this game is that the dice continue to roll until one of the above outcomes occur. Players can even change bets between rolls!
Where are the best places to play dice-based games online?
Due to the nature of dice-based games online, internet casinos are the best places to find them. There are lots of iGaming platforms you could sign up with, but it’s important to only play at the most reputable.
Casumo Casino is a good example and is a safe, regulated place to enjoy games like craps. The signup process is simple and the intuitive user interface is a brilliant feature. Casumo is also one of the best sites for mobile play online and has a great range of games if you fancy a change from dice-based titles.
Dice-based digital games: a new way to game
The sheer choice within the gaming sector is awesome right now and offers lots of ways to play. If you ever fancy a break from console action, trying out dice-based digital games at online casino platforms is worth considering. These online games not only deliver a fresh way to relax but also come with lots of different titles to explore.