Rules and Strategy for Caribbean Hold’em
Caribbean Hold’em is a popular table game version of Texas Hold’em played at Australian online casinos. The primary difference between this and standard Texas Hold’em poker is that this game is played against the casino rather than another poker player.
On the surface, this game looks very similar to Casino Hold’em, but it pays a bit better. Today, you will learn how to play Caribbean Hold’em. Also, we will give you a basic strategy to help you win once you start playing.
Rules for Playing Caribbean Hold’em
Caribbean Hold’em plays almost exactly like Texas Hold’em poker. The difference is you cannot force players out of a hand as you are only playing against the dealer. Basic knowledge of how to make poker hands is necessary to play the game. Beyond that, the only action required by the player is to bet or fold.
Prior to receiving cards, players must place a bet on the Ante circle. Once bets are placed, players and the dealer receive two hole cards. The first three board cards known as the flop are also dealt. Board cards are used by both the player and the dealer.
Once the flop is dealt, you have to decide to call or fold. If you want to play the hand out, place your bet on the Call circle. This will be double the Ante bet. Otherwise, you can fold your hand and the hand concludes.
If you make the Call bet, the turn and river cards are dealt. You and the dealer will then compare hands. In order to win both bets the dealer must qualify with a pair of fours or better. If the dealer fails to qualify, the Call bet is a push and the Ante bet pays 1 to 1.
When the dealer qualifies and your hand beats the dealer, the call bet is paid 1 to 1 and the Ante bet is paid according to the following table:
- Royal Flush – 100:1
- Straight Flush – 20:1
- Four of a Kind – 10:1
- Full House – 3:1
- Flush – 2:1
- Straight and Below – 1:1
Strategy Tips
If you are looking to play Caribbean Hold’em at online casinos in Australia, you’ll find plenty of sites offering the game. Before you play, it is a good idea to know some basic strategy in order to give yourself the best chance to win.
For those with a basic knowledge of Texas Hold’em, you know how tough it is for players to make hands. As such, you know that it is not a good idea to play too many hands. However, since the dealer must qualify in order to win, you will play more hands in this game than you might in standard Hold’em poker.
Below are the times you’re looking to Call after the flop:
- Pair or Better
- When your hole cards include an Ace, King, Queen, or Jack
- When both your hole cards are higher than the board. For example, 10-9 on a 2-4-6- flop.
- When you have four cards to a straight or flush
In all other situations, you are looking to fold your bet.
Next, you may run across some versions of Caribbean Hold’em that offer side bets or progressive jackpots. These side bets can be lucrative when hit, but they hit infrequently and are a sucker bet.
If you’re looking for a game with a low house edge, this is the one for you. Caribbean Hold’em has a house edge of just 2.16 percent when you play using optimal strategy. For those that already play Casino Hold’em, give this game a try as it pay better when the dealer fails to qualify.