Chuck-a-luck
Encyclopedia
Chuck-a-luck, also known as birdcage, is a game of chance
played with three dice
. It is derived from grand hazard, and both can be considered a variant of sic bo
, a popular casino game
, although chuck-a-luck is more of a carnival game
than a true casino game. The game is sometimes used as a fundraiser for charity
.
that are kept in a device shaped somewhat like an hourglass
that resembles a wire-frame bird cage and that pivots about its centre. The dealer rotates the cage end over end, with the dice landing on the bottom.
Wagers are placed based on possible combinations that can appear on the three dice. The possible wagers are usually fewer than the wagers that are possible in sic bo
and, in that sense, chuck-a-luck can be considered to be a simpler game.
The wagers, and their associated odds, that are typically available are set out in the table below.
. That is, on average, even if the dice are not loaded
, the players are expected to lose more than they win. The casino's advantage (house advantage or house edge) is greater than most other casino games and can be much greater.
For example, there are 216 (6 x 6 x 6) possible outcomes for a single throw of three dice. For a specific number:
At odds of 1 to 1, 2 to 1 and 10 to 1 respectively for each of these types of outcome, the expected loss as a percentage of the stake wagered is:
1 - [(75/216) * 2 + (15/216) * 3 + (1/216) * 11] = 4.6%
At worse odds of 1 to 1, 2 to 1 and 3 to 1, the expected loss as a percentage of the stake wagered is:
1 - [(75/216) * 2 + (15/216) * 3 + (1/216) * 4] = 7.9%
It should be noted that if the odds are adjusted to 1 to 1, 3 to 1 and 5 to 1 respectively, the expected loss as a percentage is:
1 - [(75/216) * 2 + (15/216) * 4 + (1/216) * 6] = 0%
Gambling
Gambling is the wagering of money or something of material value on an event with an uncertain outcome with the primary intent of winning additional money and/or material goods...
played with three dice
Dice
A die is a small throwable object with multiple resting positions, used for generating random numbers...
. It is derived from grand hazard, and both can be considered a variant of sic bo
Sic bo
Sic bo , also known as tai sai , dai siu , big and small or hi-lo, is an unequal game of chance played with three dice, and of ancient Chinese origin. Grand hazard and chuck-a-luck are variants, and of English origin...
, a popular casino game
Casino game
Games available in most casinos are commonly called casino games. In a casino game, the players gamble casino chips on various possible random outcomes or combinations of outcomes. Casino games are available in online casinos, where permitted by law...
, although chuck-a-luck is more of a carnival game
Carnival game
A carnival game is a game of chance or skill that can be seen at a traveling carnival, charity fund raiser, amusement park, or on a state and county fair midway....
than a true casino game. The game is sometimes used as a fundraiser for charity
Charitable organization
A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization . It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization (NPO). It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A...
.
Rules
Chuck-a-luck is played with three standard diceDice
A die is a small throwable object with multiple resting positions, used for generating random numbers...
that are kept in a device shaped somewhat like an hourglass
Hourglass
An hourglass measures the passage of a few minutes or an hour of time. It has two connected vertical glass bulbs allowing a regulated trickle of material from the top to the bottom. Once the top bulb is empty, it can be inverted to begin timing again. The name hourglass comes from historically...
that resembles a wire-frame bird cage and that pivots about its centre. The dealer rotates the cage end over end, with the dice landing on the bottom.
Wagers are placed based on possible combinations that can appear on the three dice. The possible wagers are usually fewer than the wagers that are possible in sic bo
Sic bo
Sic bo , also known as tai sai , dai siu , big and small or hi-lo, is an unequal game of chance played with three dice, and of ancient Chinese origin. Grand hazard and chuck-a-luck are variants, and of English origin...
and, in that sense, chuck-a-luck can be considered to be a simpler game.
The wagers, and their associated odds, that are typically available are set out in the table below.
| Type | Wager | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Single Dice Bet | A specific number will appear | 1 die, 1 to 1; 2 dice, 2 to 1; 3 dice, 10 to 1 (sometimes 3 to 1) |
| Any Triple (sometimes offered) | Any of the triples (all three dice show the same number) will appear | 30 to 1 |
| Big (sometimes offered) | The total score will be 11 (sometimes 12) or higher with the exception of a triple | 1 to 1 |
| Small (sometimes offered) | The total score will be 10 (sometimes 9) or lower with the exception of a triple | 1 to 1 |
| Field (sometimes offered) | The total score will be outside the range of 8 to 12 (inclusive) | 1 to 1 |
House Advantage or Edge
Chuck-a-luck is an unequal game of chanceGambling
Gambling is the wagering of money or something of material value on an event with an uncertain outcome with the primary intent of winning additional money and/or material goods...
. That is, on average, even if the dice are not loaded
Dice
A die is a small throwable object with multiple resting positions, used for generating random numbers...
, the players are expected to lose more than they win. The casino's advantage (house advantage or house edge) is greater than most other casino games and can be much greater.
For example, there are 216 (6 x 6 x 6) possible outcomes for a single throw of three dice. For a specific number:
- there are 75 possible outcomes, where one die only will match the number;
- there are 15 possible outcomes, where two dice only will match; and
- there is one possible outcome, where all three dice will match.
At odds of 1 to 1, 2 to 1 and 10 to 1 respectively for each of these types of outcome, the expected loss as a percentage of the stake wagered is:
1 - [(75/216) * 2 + (15/216) * 3 + (1/216) * 11] = 4.6%
At worse odds of 1 to 1, 2 to 1 and 3 to 1, the expected loss as a percentage of the stake wagered is:
1 - [(75/216) * 2 + (15/216) * 3 + (1/216) * 4] = 7.9%
It should be noted that if the odds are adjusted to 1 to 1, 3 to 1 and 5 to 1 respectively, the expected loss as a percentage is:
1 - [(75/216) * 2 + (15/216) * 4 + (1/216) * 6] = 0%
Variants
- A version of the Big Six wheelBig Six wheelThe Big Six wheel, also known simply as The Big Six or Wheel of Fortune, is an unequal game of chance, played using a large vertical wheel that can be spun....
is loosely based on chuck-a-luck, with various combinations of three dice appearing in 54 slots on a spinning wheel. Because of the distribution of the combinations, the house advantage or edge for this wheel is greater than for chuck-a-luck. - Chuck-a-luck is essentially identical to the traditional Vietnamese game Bau cua ca copBau cua ca copBầu cua tom ca is a Vietnamese gambling game using three dice. The six sides of the dice, instead of showing one to six pips, have pictures of a fish, a prawn, a crab, a rooster, a calabash gourd, and a stag. Players place wagers on a board, betting on which pictures will appear...
. - The games C 3; Chuck A Luck and C 9; Chuck A Luck use the numbers 1-3 and 1-9 (respectively) as the computer does not know how many faces a die has.