Caribbean Stud Poker is a stud poker game which is played against the house rather than against fellow players, and therefore is found in the Casino section of many online poker sites. The format of the game is very dissimilar from 7 Card Stud, and therefore it is important to have an understanding of the reward you may get for the risk you have to take.

How to Play Caribbean Stud Poker

In Caribbean Stud Poker you start by paying an ante of your choice to be dealt five cards. The dealer is also dealt five cards but whereas you can see all of your cards, you can only see the dealer´s fifth card. If you feel that you have a good hand, and would like to match it up against the dealer´s hand, you pay a bet double the size of your ante to see the dealer´s hand.

If you win the hand, your bet is paid out according to the pay table below and your ante is also doubled. If you lose the hand, both your bet and the ante go to the house.

BEFORE YOU COUNT YOUR WINNINGS, a dealer has to “qualify” in order to play and, if his hand is lower than AK, you are only paid on your ante (1:1) and your bet is returned to you.

Caribbean Stud Poker Progressive Jackpots

Some sites will offer progressive jackpots on their Caribbean Stud Poker tables. In order to win the jackpots, or part thereof, you have to place a side-bet equivalent to your ante before your cards are dealt. Depending on the online poker site you are playing on, you will win the jackpot for hitting a Royal Flush and a proportion of the jackpot or a fixed amount for hitting lesser hands.

Caribbean Stud Poker Strategy

The house has got a massive edge in Caribbean Stud Poker – over 16% if you were to bet on every hand. You can reduce that to less than 5.5% by betting only when you have a pair or better, or trim it slightly further by only betting if the dealer´s open is between 2 and Queen and matches one you hold in your hand. It is not much of a strategy, but it is better than using the Martingale system!