Caribbean Stud Poker Rules

In this style of poker, known to be a favorite in the Caribbean and aboard cruise ships, each player plays against the dealer and not against the other players. In Caribbean Poker you place an ante, receive a hand, and then decide whether or not you would like to bet. If you bet and if the dealer's hand qualifies (contains and Ace/King combination or better), your hand will be compared to the dealer's. If you win, your payoff will be determined by the quality of your hand.

How to Play Caribbean Stud Poker:

This card game is played with one standard deck of 52 cards. The game is initiated when the player places a an initial wager known as the ante. Next, the dealer will deal five cards all of which are face down to each player. The dealer's own five-card hand is dealt, four cards face down and the final card face up. Now the player has a choice to either stay in the game or fold. If the player chooses to fold, the ante is forfeited. If the player decides to stay, the amount of the original ante must be doubled. The dealer's cards are then revealed. If the dealer does not have at least an ace/king combination, the player automatically wins even money on the ante and the wager is returned. If the dealer does have at least an ace/king combination, then a comparison is made between the dealer's and player's hand. If the player has the higher hand, the player wins even money on the ante and the original wager pays according to the payout table below:

Poker Hand	Payout
Royal Flush	100:1
Straight Flush	50:1
Four of a Kind	20:1
Full House	7:1
Flush	5:1
Straight	4:1
Three of a Kind	3:1
Two Pair	2:1
Pair	1:1
Ace/King	1:1

Progressive Game Play Option:

Players are also given the option of playing for the progressive jackpot. To be considered for the progressive, players must make an additional side bet of one dollar at the onset of the game. The player is wagering that they will receive a hand of cards that equates to a flush or better. Regardless of the outcome of the regular table game, if the player has a hand that qualifies for the progressive jackpot, that player will win the amount designated in the payout table. Players are usually rewarded with 100% of the pot for a royal flush, 10% of the pot for a straight flush, and a set monetary amount for a four of a kind, full house, or a flush. These amounts will vary from casino to casino.

Caribbean Stud Strategy:

Basic Strategy dictates that you should at least do the following:

• bet when you hold a pair or better
• bet when you hold an ace/king if your hand contains the same card as the dealer's upcard.

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