Description

The game bầu cua cá cọp (bầu cua cá cọp"squash-crab-fish-tiger") is a Vietnamese gambling game using threedice.

The six sides of the die, instead of showing one to six pips,have pictures of a fish, a prawn, a crab, a rooster, a calabashgourd, and a stag. Players place wagers on a board that has the sixpictures, betting on which pictures will appear. If one diecorresponds with a bet, the better receives the same amount astheir bet. If two dice correspond with a bet, the better receivestwo times their money. If three dice correspond with a bet, thebetter receives three times their money. For instance, if one wereto place 3 on fish, and the dealer rolls 2 fish and one stag, thenthe bettor would receive 6.

Bau cua tom ca is similar to Hoo Hey How (Fish-Prawn-Crab) inChina, the dice game Crown and Anchor played by British sailors, orchuck-a-luck played in America. Bau cua tom ca is often played atTết (Vietnamese New Year).