Cee-lo
Also known as: 4-5-6, See-Low
Street dice game. Roll 4-5-6 to win instantly, 1-2-3 to lose. Banker vs player betting game.
What You'll Need
About This Game
Street dice game. Roll 4-5-6 to win instantly, 1-2-3 to lose. Banker vs player betting game.
How to Play
**Setup:** Three dice. One player is banker; other is shooter. Agree on stakes.
**Shooter's Roll:**
- **4-5-6:** Instant win
- **1-2-3:** Instant loss
- **Trips (three of a kind):** Instant win
- **Point (pair + single):** The single die is your "point"
- **No score:** Roll again until you get a scoring combo
**Banker Responds:** Banker rolls to beat shooter's point (or get instant win/loss).
- Higher point wins
- Ties: re-roll both
**Winning:** Winner takes the stakes.
History & Background
Cee-lo (also spelled C-lo, Cilo, or Four-Five-Six) originated in China, where it has been played for centuries. It came to America with Chinese immigrants during the gold rush era and spread through urban communities.
The game became particularly popular in African-American communities in the early 20th century and gained significant street culture cachet. It's played on sidewalks, in alleys, and at social gatherings across urban America.
Cee-lo features prominently in hip-hop culture. Numerous rappers have referenced the game in lyrics, and it appears in films depicting street life. The combination of quick rounds, simple rules, and gambling excitement made it a natural fit for street culture.
The game's influence extends beyond gambling - the hip-hop artist CeeLo Green (Thomas DeCarlo Callaway) took his stage name from the game, helping to cement its place in American popular culture.