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Learn How to Play Caribbean Stud Poker | LeoVegas

How to Play Caribbean Stud Poker

Looking for a variation of poker that cuts out the confusion of bluffing and deceiving? Maybe it's time you tried Caribbean Stud Poker! The increasingly popular casino game is based on five-card stud poker, but rather than playing against other players at the table, you play against the dealer.

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Read our exclusive LeoVegas guide to discover everything you need to know about Caribbean Stud Poker so that you can start playing with your best foot forward. From the rules, hands, and odds to tips and strategies, we have you covered!

What Is Caribbean Stud Poker?

Unlike the original poker game, Caribbean Stud Poker has only been on the market for a relatively short period of time. The history of the game is shrouded in mystery with several rumoured creators including the likes of James Suttle, Danny Jones, and David Slanksy. All we know for certain is that the game arrived in the early 1980s and caused a frenzy among players.

Word spread and it didn’t take the game long to grow in popularity - before too long, land-based casinos all across the United States were making room for Caribbean Stud Poker. Nowadays, the game continues to be enjoyed by players with all levels of experience across the world, via land-based casinos and online casinos alike.

With progressive jackpots and Caribbean Stud Poker variations, which allow players to play from home with a real-time croupier, this table game isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

Caribbean Stud Poker Rules

The game is played with the standard 52-card deck of cards. Essentially, to win, players must have a greater five-card hand than that of the dealer. An ante bet must be placed before the game begins for players to participate, and there’s an optional side bet available if players wish to chance their luck at winning a progressive jackpot.

When all players have placed their ante and optional side bets, five cards will be dealt face down to each player by the dealer and to themselves. The dealer will place one of their cards face up, while the other four remain face down.

After picking up and looking at their cards, players have two options. They can either fold and forfeit their ante bet or place a “call” bet, which is double the amount of the ante bet. After all players at the table have either folded or called, the dealer will reveal their four face-down cards.

For the dealer to qualify, they must have an Ace-King or better. If the dealer doesn’t qualify, all the players who placed a “call” bet will win even on their ante bet along with their call bet being returned.

If the dealer qualifies, there'll be a comparison between the dealer’s and the player’s hands. If the player’s hand is better than the dealer’s hand, the player wins even money on their ante bet as well as winning money on their call bet based on the paytable for their hand. If the dealer’s hand is better than the player’s hand, however, the player will lose both their ante and call bet.

Caribbean Stud Poker Hands

Here is a quick summary of what each of the hands means in Caribbean Stud Poker:

  • Royal Flush: A, K, Q, J, 10 of the same suit
  • Straight Flush: Any five cards of the same suit in sequence
  • Four of a Kind: Any four cards of the same rank
  • Full House: Any three cards of the same rank, plus any two cards of the same rank
  • Flush: Any five cards of the same suit
  • Straight: Any five cards in sequence, but not of the same suit
  • Three of a Kind: Any three cards of the same rank
  • Two Pair: Any two cards of the same rank, plus any two cards of the same rank
  • Pair: Any two cards of the same rank
  • High Card: If no player has any of the above hands, the hand with the highest-ranking card wins.

Caribbean Stud Poker Odds and Payouts

When you compare the odds of getting a hand in Caribbean Stud poker against traditional poker, it's the same numbers at the end of the day. Still, the payouts for each hand are different. Typically, the payouts will look something like:

  • Royal Flush: 100 to 1
  • Straight Flush: 50 to 1
  • Four of a Kind: 20 to 1
  • Full House: 7 to 1
  • Flush: 5 to 1
  • Straight: 4 to 1
  • Three of a Kind: 3 to 1
  • Two Pair: 2 to 1
  • Pair or Less: 1 to 1

For the optional side bet, the payouts can be even higher due to the chance of winning the progressive jackpot. However, the odds of winning the progressive jackpot are a lot lower.

Caribbean Stud Poker Tips and Strategies

Here are some tips and strategies to help you improve your chances of winning at Caribbean Stud Poker:

Always Play the Progressive Jackpot

The optional side bet offers players a chance, albeit quite low, of winning a large progressive jackpot payout if they land a Royal Flush. Although the odds are very low, the potential winnings are large. The odds of hitting the jackpot are always going to be stacked against the player, so players shouldn’t bet any more than they can afford to lose.

Always Make the Call Bet With Ace-King or Better

If you have Ace-King or better, you have a good chance of beating the dealer, so you may want to consider calling this bet. You should fold to avoid losing both your ante and call bets if your hand is lower than an Ace-king.

Fold With Less Than Ace-King

Players with less than an Ace-King should fold and save their money, as the chances of winning against the dealer are very low. Although this may seem obvious, many players get caught up in the game and make call bets with poor cards, which ultimately leads to losing money.

Avoid Making the Optional Side Bet

Besides the progressive jackpot, some sites will offer an optional side bet that pays out if you hit a certain hand, such as a Flush or Full House. The odds of winning the optional side bet are very low, so it's not worth the extra risk.

Manage Your Bankroll

Setting a budget based on how much you’re willing to lose is vital. You shouldn’t chase losses or bet more than you can afford, so stick to a budget. It’s important to remember that players should always be responsible and gamble within their means. If you would like to read more about responsible gambling, check out LeoSafePlay.

Caribbean Stud Poker FAQ

How many cards are used in Caribbean Stud Poker?

Caribbean Stud Poker is played with the standard 52-card deck.

How to win in Caribbean Stud Poker?

By having a higher-ranked hand than the dealer, players can win in Caribbean Stud Poker. However, no win is guaranteed. Players must use strategy, decide when to place bets, and decide when to fold.

What are the odds of winning at Caribbean Stud?

Your odds of winning at Caribbean Stud Poker will depend on your hand and the dealer's up-card. The overall house edge is around 5.22%, but using a basic approach can improve your approach to the game.

What are the best hands in Caribbean Stud?

The Royal Flush is the best hand you can get in Caribbean Stud. This consists of a 10, Jack, Queen, King, and Ace of the same suit. After the Royal Flush comes the Straight Flush, Four of a Kind, Full House, Flush, Straight, Three of a Kind, Two Pair, and One Pair.

What is the house advantage in Caribbean Stud?

The house advantage is roughly 5.22% in Caribbean Stud. This indicates that for every $100 wagered by players, the casino expects to profit $5.22. When compared to other casino games, this may be seen as a relatively high house edge. Players can use basic game strategies to try to reduce it.

What is a 5-1 bonus Caribbean Stud?

The 5-1 bonus Caribbean Stud variation of the game offers an extra payout to players for specific winning hands. If the player has a Full House or better, for instance, they will receive the regular winnings with the addition of a bonus payout of 5 to 1.

Does Vegas have Caribbean Stud Poker?

Yes. There are many casinos spread across Las Vegas that offer players the chance to play Caribbean Stud Poker. Due to its popularity amongst poker players, you'll be able to find it in the majority of casinos, either on the main casino floor or in a poker room.

What are the odds of getting a Royal Flush in Caribbean Stud?

Unsurprisingly, the odds of a player winning with a Royal Flush are low, approximately 1 in 649,740. Players that land a Royal Flush will receive large winnings in Caribbean Stud, especially if the game includes a progressive jackpot or bonus bets.

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