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Ben Horlock

If you’re looking how to play Caribbean Stud Poker, you’re in the right place. In fact, Caribbean Stud Poker is an exciting take on one of the most popular card games in the world, bringing with it its own flavor and dynamic gameplay.

In order to know how to play Caribbean Stud Poker, you need to understand everything from how to play against the house edge, the card values, and the betting phase of the game. It’s all very simple to understand, and we have broken it down for you into bite-sized information so you’ll know exactly what’s going on when you play for the first time.

What is Caribbean Stud Poker? How it Works

Caribbean Stud Poker is a variation on poker where players place an ante bet, receive five cards, and decide whether to fold, lose the ante, or raise by placing an additional bet. This variation was claimed to be invented by David Sklansky. The dealer must have at least an Ace-King high hand to qualify. If the dealer doesn’t qualify, players win even money on the ante and push on the raise.

If the dealer does, in fact, qualify, then you compare the hands. Players win or lose based on the strength of their hand, with a paytable determining the payout for the raise bet. The paytable is a clear indicator of what your payout is per hand.

It’s worth mentioning that when you play Caribbean Stud Poker online, the standard casino tables will use random number generators to make sure the game is fair. Whereas the live dealer options with online gambling sites will have an actual dealer who is shuffling and dealing the cards. Whether you are playing at a brick-and-mortar establishment or online cash app casino, here is what the flow of the game looks like:

How to Play Caribbean Stud Poker Online

With approximately 60 million people playing poker in the US, there are now so many types of poker games available to play online, such as Chinese Poker, Mississippi Stud and Pai Gow Poker – but, how do you play them? To make things easier for you in understanding how to play Caribbean Stud Poker we have broken down the steps of how a typical hand progresses.

  1. Ante Bet: The first bet all players must pay before the hand starts.
  2. Progressive Jackpot Bet: Optional side bet for a chance at a progressive jackpot.
  3. Deal: The dealer gives out five cards to players and five to themselves, with one card facing up.
  4. Player Decision: Choose to fold or raise (double the ante).
  5. Dealer’s Hand: Dealer shows their remaining four cards.
  6. Dealer Qualification: Dealer must have at least an Ace-King high hand to qualify. If not, players win even money on the ante, and the raise bet is a push.
  7. Hand Comparison: If the dealer has Ace-King high, hands are then compared to determine the winner.
  8. Payouts: Payouts are based on the strength of the player’s hand and the paytable for the raised bet.
  9. Progressive Jackpot Payouts: If the player places a progressive jackpot bet, they may win additional prizes based on specific hand rankings.
  10. End of Round: The round concludes, and winnings or losses are settled based on the outcome of the hand.
caribbean stud poker stake us poker table

Caribbean Stud Poker Winning Hands & Payouts

Each poker game has different rules, whether it’s Razz Poker or Stud, so here is a simple look at the ranking of each hand in Caribbean Stud Poker and what the payouts for each hand are. The best Caribbean Stud Poker online casinos will always have a house edge.

As we already mentioned, for the dealer to qualify, they need an Ace-King high hand. This is considered the house edge because if the dealer doesn’t qualify, players lose out on the opportunity to win more money from their Caribbean Stud Poker hands.

caribbean stud poker hands
Hand Rank Description Payout on Raise Bet
High Card No pair; the highest card is Ace or King 1 to 1
One Pair Two cards of the same rank 1 to 1
Two Pair Two sets of pairs 2 to 1
Three of a Kind Three cards of the same rank 3 to 1
Straight Five consecutive cards of any suit 4 to 1
Flush Five cards of the same suit 5 to 1
Full House Three of a kind plus a pair 7 to 1
Four of a Kind Four cards of the same rank 20 to 1
Straight Flush Five consecutive cards of the same suit 50 to 1
Royal Flush A, K, Q, J & 10 the same suit 100 to 1

Caribbean Stud Poker Betting Limits

There are a few betting limits when it comes to playing online Caribbean Stud Poker. Let’s have a look at a few of these limits and how they relate to an online Caribbean Stud Poker game.

Ante Bet

The ante bet is the minimum betting limit that all players will need to pay before a hand even starts. It’s a small fee that adds to the overall betting pot, making sure that there is always something to be won. You can still fold if a bet is raised, but an ante must be paid by all players.

Raise Bet

You are limited to a raise bet only when the dealer has hit the minimum qualifying of Ace King high. A raise bet can be done after the initial bet (antes) have been placed and all players have received their cards. If the dealer makes their qualifying hand of at least Ace and King high, players are free to raise.

caribbean stud poker raise bet

Progressive Jackpot Bet

Some tables may vary, but you will usually need to achieve a certain hand to win the progressive jackpot. For example, you may have to have a hand that is a flush or higher. Around 70% of every bet that is contributed to the separate bet is then pooled into the jackpot.

5+1 Bonus Bet

The 5+1 bonus bet is an optional side bet in Caribbean Stud Poker. Players can place this additional bet alongside their standard ante bet. The bonus bet pays out based on the combination of the player’s initial five cards and the dealer’s face-up card.

Caribbean Stud Poker Online Live Dealer

You might think that when you use the best Caribbean Stud Poker crypto casinos, the game might be different from brick-and-mortar games. Well, when you use live dealer tables in the live casinos with these sites, it’s the same experience.

A Caribbean Stud Poker casino will have a live casino where you can play the game with an actual dealer. The live dealer will be on your screen, dealing cards in front of you on the table. It’s an interactive experience with these No ID casinos where you can play with other players and a dealer. Plus, most of the best online poker instant withdrawal casinos will have multiple tables for you to play at and may even have slight variations on Caribbean Stud Poker that you can choose from.

caribbean stud poker live dealer

Best Caribbean Stud Poker Basic Strategies

Once you know the rules for Caribbean Stud Poker and poker terms like ‘king or higher’, you can then tackle a few strategies to help you improve your outcomes. These are a few things you can do once you know how to play Caribbean Stud Poker.

  • Know the rules: Familiarize yourself Caribbean Stud Poker rules, including the hand rankings and the specific table rules at the poker crypto casino you’re playing in.
  • Understand payouts: Be aware of the payout structure for the raise bet. Different casino apps may have different casino payment methods and payout tables, affecting your potential winnings.
  • Raise with strong hands: One Caribbean Stud Poker strategy is to raise when you have a pair or higher.
  • Fold weak hands: Fold hands that don’t meet the criteria for raising. Avoid chasing with weak hands, as the dealer must qualify for you to win the raise bet.
  • Pay attention to the dealer’s up card: When looking to beat the dealer’s hand, consider the strength of the dealer’s face-up card when deciding whether to raise or fold.
  • Take advantage of bonuses: If playing online, check for any bonuses or instant withdrawal casino promotions related to Caribbean Stud Poker. These can provide additional value and mitigate potential losses.
  • Practice online: Consider playing Caribbean Stud Poker online in free or low-stakes games to practice your optimal strategy and get a better feel for the game before playing in one of the best online casinos.

Caribbean Stud Poker: Questions and Answers

Is Caribbean Stud Poker online legal?

How do you play Caribbean Stud Poker?

What is the best hand in Caribbean Stud Poker?

What is the best strategy for Caribbean Stud Poker?

What is the layout of the Caribbean Stud Poker table?

Ben Horlock

Ben is an experienced news and features writer who specializes in providing expert guides on all aspects of online and in-person gambling. Ben has over ten years experience writing for web-based audiences and has strong expertise in casinos, online cryptocurrency gambling platforms as well as slots and table games. Ben has been published across a number of english international news outlets, including InstantCasinos and BitcoinCasino. As well, Ben has worked in social media for four years in the sports gambling industry.