Caribbean Stud

Caribbean Stud

A variation of Five-Card Stud Poker, Caribbean Stud Poker has gained a lot of popularity. Many casinos play this poker variation which is played against the dealer like Blackjack, not against the other players around the table.

Starting the Round - The game starts with a round of antes dropped into the center of the pot to get things rolling. Many casinos also have a “progressive jackpot” you can contribute to. This is a jackpot that pays out when a player hits a royal flush, straight flush, four of a kind, full house or flush. The percentage of the jackpot you receive depends on how good your hand is.

Dealing the Cards - The dealer deals each player five cards, face-down. The dealer deals himself five cards also, but one is face-up. Once cards are dealt, each player looks at their cards and decides whether they want to bet or fold. Those who bet must bet exactly double the amount of the ante. Of course, those who fold give up their ante.

Revealing the Cards - Once all players have made their bets or folded, the dealer collects the money from those who folded and then reveals his four remaining face-down cards. The key here is that the dealer only plays if he has an Ace and King or higher combination. In other words, even with Ace-high, he folds unless he has a King, too, or a pair or higher. If the dealer folds, the player only wins even money (1:1) on his ante, similar to Blackjack.

Determining a Winner - If a player’s hand beats the dealer’s hand, that player gets even money (1:1) on his ante. Plus, depending on his hand, he also gets a bonus as follows:

1:1 – Pair or high card

2:1 – Two pair

3:1 – Three of a kind

4:1 – Straight

5:1 – Flush

7:1 – Full House

20:1 – Four of a kind

50:1 – Straight Flush

100:1 – Royal Flush

If the dealer’s hand beats the player’s hand, he collects the ante and bet.

Caribbean Poker can be fun and challenging…a great variation to seek out on your next Vegas trip or to play with friends!