Chuck-a-Luck
Officially Chuck-a-Luck (Birdcage)
SIMPLE 3-DICE CASINO game — 3 six-sided dice tumbled in an HOURGLASS-SHAPED WIRE CAGE (the 'BIRDCAGE'). Players bet on NUMBERS 1-6 appearing on the dice. If chosen NUMBER appears on 1 DIE = 1:1, 2 DICE = 2:1, ALL 3 DICE = 3:1 (or 10:1 in some houses). CARNIVAL + fairground staple since 19th c. America; still played in some regional casinos + on cruise ships. Related to older SIC BO (Chinese) + more complex GRAND HAZARD.
Quick facts
Category
Casino & Gambling
Type
Individual
Players
1–8
Duration
~1 min
Where played
indoor
Country of origin
🇺🇸 United States
Estimated origin
English game 'Sweat Cloth' (17th c.) evolved into 'Chuck-a-Luck' in American Wild West saloons + carnival midways 19th c.; birdcage dice cage patented 1897; largely displaced by Sic Bo in modern casinos but still played in some venues + cruise ships.
Olympic
No
Popularity
regional
How it works
Objective
Predict which NUMBERS (1-6) will show on the 3-dice throw + place chip on that square.
Rules
Basic rules
PLAYERS place chips on numbered squares 1-6 on the layout before the CAGE is spun
Signature pre-roll bet placement.
DEALER spins the CAGE; 3 dice tumble + settle
Signature birdcage spin mechanic.
PAYOUTS: number appears on 1 DIE = 1:1; on 2 DICE = 2:1; on 3 DICE (all-triple) = 3:1 (some houses pay 10:1)
Signature 1:1, 2:1, 3:1 (or 10:1) paytable.
IF NUMBER doesn't appear on any die = LOSE bet
Standard lose-bet rule.
SOME HOUSES also offer HIGH/LOW field bet (sum of 3 dice 4-10 vs. 11-17) — different odds
Signature high/low side-bet.
SPEED-OF-PLAY high (~1 roll per minute)
Signature fast game pace.
SIMPLE ODDS: house edge 7.87% (standard 3:1 triple payout) or 3.7% (10:1 triple)
Signature 7.87% house edge.
Scoring
Fixed-odds payouts: 1:1 (single), 2:1 (double), 3:1 or 10:1 (triple). House edge ~8% standard.
Win condition · Player's bet number appears on at least 1 die.
Equipment
3 STANDARD SIX-SIDED DICE
Standard 3 dice.
HOURGLASS-SHAPED WIRE CAGE ('birdcage') on axle for dice tumbling
Signature birdcage tumbler.
BETTING LAYOUT with 6 numbered squares (1 through 6)
Signature 6-number layout.
STANDARD CASINO CHIPS
Standard chips.
Terminology
- Birdcage
- The hourglass-shaped wire cage used to tumble dice.
- Triple
- All 3 dice showing the same number the player bet on.
- Sweat cloth
- Old English name for the game (17th c.).
- Field bet
- Optional high/low sum bet (4-10 vs. 11-17).
Major competitions
No formal tournament; house-banked cage game
n/a · Global casinos + carnivals · since 1897
Where it is played
Governing bodies
Nevada Gaming Commission + regional gaming regulators
Founded 1959 · Las Vegas, NV, USA
Famous names & records
Famous athletes
- Traditional dealer-run casino game — no famous players
Sources & provenance
- Wikipedia — Chuck-a-luck— Wikipedia
- Wizard of Odds — Chuck-a-Luck— Wizard of Odds