The beloved Southeast Asian festival dice game now available live at Maxim88 — bet on your lucky symbol and win!
Fish Prawn Crab Malaysia — known as Hoo Hey How (魚蝦蟹) in Chinese — is one of the most recognisable dice games in Southeast Asia. Found at Chinese New Year celebrations, temple fairs, and festive gatherings throughout Malaysia, this simple yet entertaining game has made a natural transition to the online live casino environment. At Maxim88, Malaysian players can enjoy Fish Prawn Crab with three dice shaken under a bowl, live dealers, and real-money MYR bets. Whether you played this game as a child at a festival or are discovering it for the first time, this guide will get you betting confidently in minutes.
Fish Prawn Crab is a traditional Chinese dice game that originated in southern China and spread across Southeast Asia through Chinese diaspora communities. The game is particularly popular in Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and the Philippines, where it forms a central part of festive gambling culture during Chinese New Year, Lunar New Year celebrations, and community events.
The game uses three special dice, each face bearing one of six iconic symbols: a Fish (鱼), a Prawn (虾), a Crab (蟹), a Rooster (鸡), a Gourd or Calabash (葫芦), and a Coin (钱). These symbols give the game its distinctive visual identity and make it immediately recognisable across generations of Malaysian Chinese players. The original physical version uses a large bowl inverted over the three dice, which a dealer shakes vigorously before lifting to reveal the result — a theatrical moment that generates genuine excitement at any gathering.
In the online casino version at Maxim88 Casino Malaysia, the physical dice and bowl mechanic is replicated by live dealers or through certified Random Number Generator (RNG) software, maintaining the authentic feel while delivering the convenience of playing from home. The betting interface displays all six symbols clearly, and placing bets is as simple as clicking on the symbol — or symbols — you want to back.
Fish Prawn Crab is beloved because it requires no prior gambling knowledge to enjoy. There are no complex hand rankings, no card counting, and no strategic depth required to participate. This accessibility, combined with its strong cultural resonance, makes it one of the most popular live casino games among Malaysian players of all ages.
Fish Prawn Crab is among the easiest casino games to learn. A full round takes less than a minute:
Some online versions of Fish Prawn Crab offer additional side bets such as "Big" and "Small" totals (similar to Sic Bo), or specific triple bets that pay much higher odds. Always review the full paytable for the specific table you are playing at Maxim88, as variations exist between different providers.
Fish Prawn Crab is primarily a game of chance, but smart betting habits can help you manage your bankroll and extend your enjoyment.
The standard 1:1 payout for a single-die match may seem generous, but the probability calculation reveals the built-in house edge. The chance of a specific symbol appearing on at least one of three dice is approximately 42.1%. The house retains an edge of around 7.87% on single-symbol bets. This is higher than Baccarat or Blackjack, so Fish Prawn Crab is best approached as entertainment with modest stakes rather than a primary profit strategy.
Some players instinctively want to bet on multiple symbols to "cover more ground." While this can spread risk, betting on all six symbols simultaneously guarantees a net loss every round due to the house edge — you will always collect less than you wager in total. Instead, focus on two or three symbols with meaningful bet sizes, which maintains the excitement while keeping exposure manageable.
Flat betting — wagering the same amount on the same symbol every round — is the most bankroll-friendly approach for Fish Prawn Crab. Avoid chasing losses by doubling up after a losing streak. The game's house edge means that variance in outcomes will eventually balance out, and chasing losses accelerates bankroll depletion rather than recovering it.
Always set a session budget before playing. A common approach is to limit your session to 5% of your monthly entertainment budget. This ensures you enjoy Fish Prawn Crab without financial stress. Given the higher house edge of this game compared to other options at Maxim88, smaller stakes over more rounds will always provide better value for your entertainment budget.
Maxim88 works with Asian specialty game providers who offer authentic Fish Prawn Crab experiences built for the Southeast Asian market.
View all 16 live casino providers at Maxim88 to compare options.
Maxim88 brings the festive energy of Fish Prawn Crab to your fingertips, available any time of year with the convenience of online play.
Fish Prawn Crab, also known as Hoo Hey How in Chinese, is a traditional Southeast Asian dice game using three dice. Each face of the dice displays one of six symbols: fish, prawn, crab, rooster, gourd (calabash), and coin. Players bet on which symbols they think will appear when the dice are shaken and revealed.
The six symbols are: Fish (魚), Prawn/Shrimp (蝦), Crab (蟹), Rooster (雞), Gourd/Calabash (葫蘆), and Coin (錢). Each symbol appears on one face of each of the three dice. Payouts depend on how many of the three dice show the symbol you bet on.
Payouts are based on how many dice show your chosen symbol. If one die shows your symbol, you win 1:1 (even money). If two dice show your symbol, you win 2:1. If all three dice show your symbol, you win 3:1. The probability of at least one match is approximately 42%.
Yes. Maxim88 offers Fish Prawn Crab through its Asian specialty games section. The game is available with live dealers and virtual versions, both accessible via desktop and mobile browsers without any app download required.
The house edge in standard Fish Prawn Crab on single-symbol bets is approximately 7.87%. This is higher than table games like Baccarat, but the simplicity and entertainment value of the game make it a popular choice for casual sessions and festive-themed play.
Fish Prawn Crab is the quintessential Southeast Asian festival dice game, and at Maxim88 Malaysia you can enjoy it any day of the year. Its simplicity makes it perfect for first-time online casino players, while its cultural familiarity brings a warm nostalgia for many Malaysian players. Place your bets on Fish, Prawn, Crab, Rooster, Gourd, or Coin — and may the dice favour your lucky symbol. Register at Maxim88 today and claim your welcome bonus to start playing.
Start Playing at Maxim88