Caribbean Stud Poker: How to Play, Strategy, Tips
Caribbean Stud Poker is a classic casino poker game that is a derivation of traditional five-card poker.
Named because the game first emerged on the tropical Caribbean island of Aruba, players compete against the house rather than each other in this video poker game, which is incredibly popular at online casinos.
In this article, you will learn the following about Caribbean Stud Poker:
What is Caribbean Stud Poker?
Based on Five-Card Stud Poker, Caribbean Stud Poker is a fast-paced and exciting game that is easy to learn and play. It is a popular choice for both casual and experienced players.
Like many other games like Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild Poker, Ultimate Texas Hold'em and more, Caribbean Stud Poker is played against a dealer rather than fellow poker players.
However, unlike many video poker games, Caribbean Stud Poker features a progressive jackpot, meaning players have the chance to get a mega payout off modest stakes.
With its own unique set of rules and special features, let's now look at a simple guide on how to play Caribbean Stud Poker.
How to Play Caribbean Stud Poker
Caribbean Stud Poker is an incredibly easy game to get the hang of, with a simple pattern of play and betting options. Although the game can be played both online and in a live dealer setting, you should only need to learn the rules once, as the method for playing this casino poker game won't change.
Here is a simple, step-by-step guide on how to play a hand of Caribbean Stud Poker:
- Placing Your Ante Bet - The first step is to place your Ante bet, that is the initial bet you must table in order to play the hand. The minimum & maximum size of Ante bets will vary between online casinos, but this is always your first action in Caribbean Stud Poker.
- The Cards Are Dealt - The dealer will then deal five cards to each player at the table and five cards for themself. Just one of the dealer's cards will be flipped up, indicating the strength of the dealer's hand.
- Fold or Play? - Now is the chance to employ your video poker strategy, which we'll discuss in more detail later in the article, as you decide whether to fold or play the hand. If you decide to fold, you will lose your initial Ante bet; if you decide to Raise, you must double your Ante bet - trebling the stake you have gambled on the hand.
- The Dealer Shows the Rest - The dealer will then reveal their remaining four cards. If the dealer does not have a minimum of Ace-King A♦K♦ then they will not qualify for the hand. If the dealer has not met the minimum requirement, then your Raise is returned to you in full while the initial Ante bet is paid out at odds of 1/1, and the hand is over. However, if the dealer does qualify, it's head-to-head to see who has the best poker hand, with the possibility of some big payouts if you've got a powerful poker combination.
- Get Paid or Pay Up - If you've lost, the dealer takes your bets; if you've won, now things start to get interesting. Read on to the next section, and we'll teach you how to calculate the odds of a winning Caribbean Stud Poker hand.
Looking for a Beginner's Guide to Video Poker? Look no further than our simple How to Play Video Poker Guide!
Caribbean Stud Progressive Jackpot Side Bet
Placing your progressive jackpot side bet couldn't be easier. At stage one, when placing your Ante bet, you simply stake a dollar (or equivalent) in the correct area. If you hit a massive hand when your cards are dealt, you'll then be paid out according to a pre-determined pay table - with the potential for some big wins! We'll discuss this more in the following section.
Caribbean Stud Poker Payouts and Odds
As previously mentioned, Caribbean Stud Poker has two different paytables - one standard and one for the progressive jackpot side bet. Firstly, we will show you the regular paytable, which is the one that will overwhelmingly be in play during your Caribbean Stud Poker games.
| Hand | Example of Winning Hand | Payout Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 10♦J♦Q♦K♦A♦ | 100-1 |
| Straight Flush | 5♠6♠7♠8♠9♠ | 50-1 |
| Four-of-a-Kind | K♣K♠K♥K♦8♦ | 20-1 |
| Full House | J♦J♥7♥7♠7♣ | 7-1 |
| Flush | 2♣4♣7♣10♣A♣ | 5-1 |
| Straight | 2♣3♠4♠5♥6♦ | 4-1 |
| Three-of-a-Kind | 10♣10♠10♥6♠3♦ | 3-1 |
| Two Pair | 5♠5♥Q♥Q♦A♠ | 2-1 |
| All Other | 10♣10♥6♦A♠2♦ | 1-1 |
With odds ranging from 1-1 to 100-1, you can see how the excitement builds in a Caribbean Stud Poker hand!
Caribbean Stud Progressive Jackpot Side Bet Payouts
It's time to move on to the real big payouts - the progressive jackpot paytable on Caribbean Stud Poker! The table below details the sort of returns you can expect if your monster side bet lands in this video poker game.
Please note - It is possible for these payouts to vary between online casinos, but the amounts displayed below are those most commonly found.
| Hand | Progressive Jackpot Payout |
|---|---|
| Royal Flush | Total Jackpot |
| Straight Flush | 10% of Jackpot |
| Four-of-a-Kind | $500 |
| Full House | $100 |
| Flush | $50 |
Caribbean Stud Poker Strategy
Any casino poker player worth their salt will tell you the importance of a good video poker strategy, and Caribbean Stud Poker is no different. Here, you will find our top tips for playing and winning at Caribbean Stud Poker, with advice on when to bet and when to fold.
- Always raise with a Pair or higher.
- Fold if your hand is less than the dealer's qualifying hand.
- Raise if the dealer's card is 22♣-QQ♣ and it matches one of your own.
- If the dealer’s card is an AA♦ or KK♠, and you hold a JJ♥ or QQ♠ in your hand, raise.
- If you have a QQ♦ or better and the dealer's shown card doesn't match your 4th highest card, then raise.
Following this strategy will give you the best chance of competing against the house and hopefully getting a few winning hands. However, it's important to remember that, like all casino games, Caribbean Stud Poker has a house edge, meaning even when played with an optimal strategy, you're still more likely to lose. Therefore, always gamble responsibly.
Where Can I Play Caribbean Stud Poker?
Ready to put your Caribbean Stud Poker skills to the test? Dive into the section below to discover the top online casinos where you can play Caribbean Stud Poker for free or real money, tailored to your location. Keep an eye out for potential bonuses and promotions, and embark on your casino poker adventure today.
Play Caribbean Stud Poker for Real Money
A great selection of exceptional real money casinos awaits, and you can play at the premier destination for Caribbean Stud Poker in your area by clicking the link below. Please note that the casino you are directed to will be customized to your location, as will the available bonuses. Always gamble responsibly.
Play Caribbean Stud Poker for Real Money
Find a full guide to The Best Online Casinos for Video Poker here!
Play Caribbean Stud Poker for Free
Social casinos provide an ideal platform to master the art of Caribbean Stud Poker, experiment with innovative strategies, hone your bankroll management skills, or simply enjoy the excitement of casino poker in regions that restrict real-money gambling. Click the button to play free video poker at the best free-to-play sites in your area.
Play Caribbean Stud Poker for Free
Caribbean Stud Poker - FAQs
What is Caribbean Stud Poker?
Caribbean Stud Poker is a casino table game based on five-card poker. Players compete against the dealer to form the best five-card poker hand. The game is known for its fast-paced action and the opportunity to win big payouts.
How do I play Caribbean Stud Poker?
To play Caribbean Stud Poker, each player places an ante bet and receives five cards. The dealer also receives five cards, but only one card is visible to the players. Players then decide whether to fold (forfeit their ante bet) or call (make an additional bet equal to their ante bet). If a player calls, the dealer's other four cards are revealed. The player's hand is then compared to the dealer's hand, and the higher-ranking hand wins.
What is the house edge in Caribbean Stud Poker?
The house edge in Caribbean Stud Poker is approximately 5%. This means that, on average, for every $100 you bet, you can expect to lose $5.