Nowadays, the internet is speckled with multiple online casinos to choose from. Although this might seem like a fantastic opportunity for many punters out there to play from the comfort of their own homes, many a time players will find it difficult to select a casino to play at.
Why play Caribbean Stud Poker Online?
The game's growth in popularity has perhaps been fuelled by the its ability to leave its players entertained for hours. Playing the fast-paced casino game, which is played by using a deck of 52 cards, will allow you to benefit from the game’s low house edge as well as the game’s large bonuses. Moreover, you’ll also be able to be in the running to win a large progressive jackpot!
Facts about Caribbean Stud Poker:
- The game is loosely based on poker, however, in Caribbean Stud Poker two hands are formed by the player;
- The hand rankings are the same as they are in Poker;
- Payouts can be extremely generous;
- The house edge of this particular game is about 5%.
Caribbean Stud Poker Rules
Fundamentally, the aim of the game in this poker variant is to beat the dealer’s 5-card hand with your 5-card hand to capture the prize and walk away with the bounty. Of course, in order to do this you’ll first have to know the rules!
How to Play Caribbean Stud Poker
The gripping casino game, which meshes five-card stud, draw poker and blackjack, consists of simple and easy to learn rules. So, if you’re interested in playing the casino game and feel worried about learning the rules, don’t be! Instead let our experts guide you through them and you’ll be playing in no time whatsoever.
- On opening the online game, you’ll notice that the first you’re asked to do is place an initial bet known as the ‘ante’. Some of the games will also offer you the opportunity to place a progressive side bet.
- After you’ve done this you should then press the ‘deal’ button which you’ll find displayed in the game.
- 5 cards will then be given out to you and the dealer respectively.
- Whilst you’ll be able to see all of your 5 cards, you’ll only be able to see 1 of the 5 cards belonging to the dealer.
- At this stage in the game, you’ll then have to decide whether to call or fold. The dealer’s face up card will serve you as a player with an indication of which manoeuvre you should opt to perform.
- If you’ve opted to press fold, you’ll be forfeiting your hand. Yet, if you choose to ‘call’ instead you’ll be placing a second bet which is equal to double your ‘ante’.
- After you’ve called or folded the dealer’s cards will then be flipped over and exposed for you to see.
- Winnings will be given out according to the hand obtained. If the dealer has a hand which ranks higher than yours, you will in effect lose your bet. On the other hand, provided that your hand and the dealer’s hand tie, you will not win or lose anything. Instead, this will result in a push and your bet will be returned to you. However, if you manage to knock out the dealer with a hand which ranks higher, all that’s in the pot will be yours to keep. On the condition that you’ve placed an initial side bet, you will win some additional money.The amount usually varies from casino to casino.
Have a look at our table below to find out about the different hands in the game, what cards they are made up of and their payouts.
| Hand | Description of Hand | Cards Composing the Hand | Payout |
| Royal Flush | Five suited high cards in a sequence. | 10 h - J h - Q h - K h -A h | 100:1 |
| Straight Flush | Five Cards in sequence all of the same suit. | 3 s - 4 s - 5 s - 6 s - 7 s | 50:1 |
| Four-of-a-Kind | Four Cards of the same value. | 10 d - 10 s - 10 h - 10 c - 4 d | 20:1 |
| Full House | Three cards of the same value and two cards of another denomination. | J h - J h - 4 h - 4 h - 4 h | 7:1 |
| Flush | Five suited cards. | 2 h - 6 h - 9 h - Q h - K h | 5:1 |
| Straight | Five unsuited cards in a sequence. | 3 h - 4 c - 5 d - 6 s - 7 c | 4:1 |
| Three of a Kind | Three cards of the same value which are not of the same denomination. | 9 c - 9 d - 9 h - 6 s - 2 h | 3:1 |
| Two Pairs | Two sets of cards of the same value and any fifth card. | 4 d - 4 c - J s - J h - 9 h | 2:1 |
| Pair | Two unsuited cards of the same denomination. | 10 d - 10 s - 2 h - 7 s - 9 h | 1:1 |
| High Card | A hand containing an Ace or a King. | A h - 3 c - 7 d - 9 c - 4 h | 1:1 |
The Progressive Jackpot in Caribbean Stud Poker Online
Provided that you’ve opted to place a side bet during the initial phase of the game, you’ll automatically qualify to win a progressive jackpot amount which can typically reach up to $100,000. This of course always depends on what hand you manage to acquire. For example, if you’ve managed to receive a flush, full house, four or a kind, straight flush or royal house you’ll receive a payout as a reward for placing a progressive bet regardless of the dealer’s hand. View the table below in order to find out what the payouts for progressive jackpots are on the different hands which are acquired.
| Hand | US Payout | AUS Payout | Macau Payout |
| Royal Flush | 100% of Jackpot | 100% of Jackpot | 100% of Jackpot |
| Straight Flush | 10% of Jackpot | 10% of Jackpot | 10% of Jackpot |
| Four-of-a-Kind | $500 | $1250 | $5000 |
| Full House | $100 | $375 | $1500 |
| Flush | $50 | $1000 | $250 |
Caribbean Stud Poker Strategy
When summed up, Caribbean Stud Poker Strategy comes down to whether you should call or fold. Although you’ll find numerous call strategies in existence, you should essentially ignore these and follow a few simple rules of thumb. Firstly, you should always place the call bet on any pair or better, an Ace - King – Queen- Jack and X. However, you should only opt to place a call bet on the following hands, ‘A-K-Q-X-X’,’ A-K-J-X-X’,’A-K-10-X-X, provided that the dealer’s only face-up card matches in any card in your hand.
Can You Bluff during the game?
Although the original game of poker allows players to bluff as part of their strategy when playing against other players, this casino poker variant allows its player to leave their poker face unused. This is because if you opt to play the game, you’ll only be playing against the house. So, you're not going to have to fool anyone!
Betting Strategy & Money Management
Bankroll Management is a crucial factor that determines how much money you’ll potentially be able to pocket at the end of a game. Rather than betting instinctively and haphazardly, you can opt to use a Betting Strategy or Money Management system instead. Much of the time a player who starts off with lady luck by his/her side will not necessarily win the pot of gold as the game may turn sour at any given moment if you’re dealt a bad hand. Remember, it is usually the person with the best money management skills who comes out on top in the game!
Caribbean Stud Poker Money Management Tips
Save up a Portion of your Paycheck in a Separate Account
If you happen to have a full-time job and would like to gamble, you should start building your bankroll by putting some money aside for you to enjoy playing Caribbean Stud with.
Take advantage of Casino Bonuses
Most of the time, your preferred casino will offer you some sort of bonus. We recommend that you take advantage of these bonuses in order to increase your bankroll.
Benefit from VIP Bonuses
Provided that you’re a high roller, you’ll be able to benefit from great VIP Bonuses. The more money you deposit, the better your VIP Bonus will be. Have a look at our High Roller Casinos page in order to find out more about these fantastic bonuses.
Play Caribbean Stud Best Bets
If you opt to play Caribbean Stud Poker using basic strategy, you can increase the house edge to 5.3%. If you’re holding a Royal Flush, Straight Flush, Four of a Kind, Full House, Flush or Straight and the dealer’s hole card is of a lower denomination, this is when you should place your call bet.
Avoid the Worst Caribbean Stud Bets
Amongst the worst bets are the progressive jackpot side bets. Very often the house will hold an approximate edge of 25-35% on a progressive side bet which is extremely high.
The Game's History
Unsurprisingly, the remarkable game of Caribbean Stud Poker originated in the Caribbean. It was first introduced in the 1980s in the King International Casino and soon after spread to the likes of other Casinos located in the Caribbean and also become highly popular in cruise ships. Soon after in the 1990s it was adopted by Las Vegas Casinos who added a progressive jackpot feature to the game to further entice gamblers to play the game.