Caribbean Stud Poker is variation on the standard five-card poker that can be found both in brick and mortar casinos and online. Here is a brief rundown on how the game is played. Each player starts by making a wager with the option to make an additional wager on the progressive side.
In Caribbean Stud Poker the player can make a side bet of $1 that pays out for hands of a flush or better. Payoff tables vary but always feature a progressive jackpot that pays the whole jackpot for a royal flush and 10% for a straight flush. If two players had a royal flush in the same hand the player closest to the dealer’s right wins the jackpot and the second wins whatever the jackpot is dropped to. In most casinos, the second jackpot is $10,000. This is done because the order of play is from the dealer’s right to left. If two players score a straight flush, the player to the dealer’s right gets 10% of the jackpot and the other player gets 10% of what is left over.
While it may seem like a good investment to lay down one dollar in the chance of winning over ten thousand the chances are stacked very high that you will never see your dollar again.
Players are then dealt five cards each, as is the dealer. All cards are dealt face down with the exception of one of the dealer’s cards that is dealt face up.
After checking their cards players must decide to raise or fold as usual for poker games. Players that fold forfeit their cards and all wager placed on the game. To raise a player must wager twice the game ante.
The dealer turns over his remaining cards and compares them with the players. Card ranks are the same as regular poker with the additional condition of the dealer ‘qualifying’. This is where the Caribbean poker comes into it’s own.
The dealer must be showing an at least an ace and a king or higher to qualify. If the dealer does not qualify the player wins even money on his ante wager and the raise is pushed. On the other hand if the dealer qualifies he beats the player and both the ante and the raise go to the house. If however the dealer qualifies but still loses to the player, then the ante pays even money and the raise pays according to the house pay table. Pay tables can vary to be sure to check it before you play.
If the player and dealer tie then both the ante and raise are pushed. The progressive side bet is paid out based on the value of the players hand. The pay out tables for the progressive bet can also vary.
Caribbean Stud strategy is complicated and only the most skilled players can apply one. As a general rule though you should always raise if you have a pair or higher and always fold if you have less than required qualifying hand for the dealer.
