Caribbean Poker

Caribbean Stud Poker

Caribbean Stud is a casino poker form that was invented in 1982 by none other than David Sklansky – the well known poker player! This game is based on the most popular form of club poker, at the time, five card stud.

Why was it developed? Apparently land based casino business owners got sick of poker players netting them very small revenues, since the game was only raked a small fee from pots, instead of players losing money. Whatever the reason was, the game quickly took off and I couldn’t imagine the land based casino scene in Las Vegas or Atlantic City without a game like this.

Throughout this article, I will explain the rules of Caribbean Stud in detail along with offering quite lucrative bonuses to play it for real money at an online casino.

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The Objective

The main objective in game of Caribbean Stud is quite simple and obvious – to get a better 5 card poker combination than the dealer. If you’re unaware on how hands are valued in poker, visit this page.

Though, this main objective does not tell the whole story of the game, so lets go through that in very next paragraph.

Gameplay

You’re now well aware of what the main objective is, when playing Caribbean Poker, but there’s more to it. Here’s a sequence of steps that you will go through playing this game at online casinos or land based ones.

– Ante Bet: when you start to play, you’ll be forced to play this bet. It’s almost as a fee for getting a hand dealt with one significant difference – you can get it back and claim an even money payout on it!

After you have placed your Ante Bet, 5 hole cards will be dealt to you and the dealer. While you’ll be clearly seeing your hand, hand of the dealer will be disguised – only one card will be shown.

This is exactly where the most important decision of the game has to be made – do you want to continue with your hand? There are two possible scenarios now:

  • Call – make a wager double the size of your ante bet.
  • Fold – give up the ante bet, but do not risk additional money.

There are several aspects that can help you to determine whether or not you should call. Being knowledgable about the rules is a major one. Remember that dealer only qualifies with at least ace-king or higher. If he does not receive a hand like this, your ”call” bet will be refunded regardless of your hand combination. Ante bet will still be in play and either lose or win an equal money payout, should you have a better hand than the dealer.

Payouts

Any winnings on your Ante bet are always paid at even money odds, but this is not the case with jackpot side-bet or the ”call” bet. Both of these have a pay-table that is based on strength of the hand that you have been dealt.

Call Bet Payouts

  • Royal Flush: 200 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: 1 to 1
  • Ace King 1 to 1

Note: For these payouts to be accurate, dealer will have to hold a ”qualifying hand”, which is Ace-King or better (pair+).

Progressive Jackpot

Most online and offline Caribbean Poker variations will also offer a progressive jackpot that can be claimed by placing a jackpot side-bet. Payouts for these are as follows:

  • Royal Flush: 100% of Progressive Jackpot
  • Straight Flush: 2500 to 1
  • Four of a Kind: 250 to 1
  • Full House: 100 to 1
  • Flush: 25 to 1
  • Straight: 10 to 1
  • Three of a Kind: 5 to 1

Again: dealer has to qualify for you to earn these payouts, including the progressive jackpot!

Where To Play?

Just about any online casino offers Caribbean Stud that can be played online. The only difference is whether a particular casino accepts US players or not. Below you’ll find a completely list of casinos available for you and offering this game.