How to Play Caribbean Stud Poker
Caribbean Stud is a popular poker card game offered by Australian online casinos. It is very similar to Five Card Stud poker and anyone that knows the basics of playing poker can easily pick up this game. Many people enjoy this game due to its simplicity.
If you’re new to Caribbean Stud, today we will teach you the basics of how to play the game and give you some basic tips to help you win more while playing Caribbean Stud online.
What is Caribbean Stud Stud?
Caribbean Stud Poker is not poker in the traditional sense. Instead of playing against other players, your goal is to beat the dealer. This game is one of many different casino card games that you will find at online casinos.
Other popular card games include Let it Ride, Pai Gow Poker, and Three Card Poker. Outside of knowing the specific rules for playing Caribbean Stud, the only knowledge that you need to know ahead of time is the basic hand rankings for poker.
Hand rankings for traditional poker hands are as follows from highest to lowest:
- Royal Flush – The Ace, King, Queen, Jack, and 10 of a suit.
- Straight Flush – Five cards both in sequence and in the same suit, such as the 4-5-6-7-8 of diamonds.
- Four of a Kind – Four cards of the same rank, like four kings.
- Full House – Hand consisting of three of a kind and a pair, such as J-J-J-10-10
- Flush – Five cards of the same suit but not in sequential order, such as five hearts.
- Straight – Five cards in sequential order, such as 6-7-8-9-10.
- Three of a Kind – Three cards of the same rank, such as 9-9-9-.
- Two Pair – Two instance of a pair in your hand, such as 4-4-6-6
- One Pair – Two cards of the same rank, such as 5-5
- High Card – Any hand that does not contain a pair or better.
Now that you know the basic hand rankings of poker, you’re ready to learn the rules of Caribbean Stud Poker.
Caribbean Stud Poker Rules
Below is a quick rundown of the rules for Caribbean Stud:
Prior to the deal, players plan an ante bet equal or greater to the table minimum on the ante circle. If you wish to place a bet on the progressive jackpot circle, you can do so at this time.
After antes are placed, the dealer deals each player five cards face down and deals himself four down cards and one card face up. Players look at their cards and decide to call or fold. If you call, you have to place a bet double your ante.
After players make their decisions, the dealer turns over his hand. The dealer must qualify in this game, and to qualify they must have king-high or better. Should the dealer fail to qualify, you’ll receive even money on your ante bet and the call be will push.
If the dealer qualifies and wins, you lose all of your bets. When he qualifies and loses to your hand, you are paid even money on the ante and then you’re paid on your call bet based on the pay table of the game. If both hands tie, then both bets are a push.
Below is an example pay table you’ll see in online casinos
- Royal Flush – 250 to 1
- Straight Flush – 100 to 1
- Four of a Kind – 25 to 1
- Full House – 10 to 1
- Flush – 8 to 1
- Straight – 5 to 1
- Three of a Kind – 3 to 1
- Two Pair – 2 to 1
- One Pair – Even Money
Note that paytables at online casinos will vary wildly and depend on the company powering the casino. We recommend checking out the paytable of any game you wish to play before making your first bet.
Progressive Jackpots
You’ve probably seen listings for progressive jackpot Caribbean Stud. To hit the progressive jackpot in this game, you must be dealt a Royal Flush. This is the ultimate longshot bet in this game and unless you just like to gamble, it is typically suggested that you skip this bet.
However, if you decide to play it, you can usually play it for $1 per hand in live casinos and varying stakes online. If you play the bet, you must put a bet on the progressive jackpot button prior to receiving cards.