How to Play Caribbean Stud Poker

08:49
09 Aug

Casino games are rapidly hitting the mainstream, and there’s really no mystique about the blackjack table or the roulette wheel these days. But poker – now, that’s a different matter. For the novice player, the game is associated with WSOP pros playing for five-figure buy-ins, or perhaps Hollywood stereotypes, all sweaty shirts, fat cigars and glasses of whisky.

Of course, the reality is a little different, and there are plenty of single player games that are ideal for beginners. Video poker is probably the best example, as it gets the player acquainted with all the basics so they know a full house from a straight flush and so on. But there are other versions that essentially act as stepping stones between the video poker terminal and the combat of Texas Holdem, either at a casino or online in the growing number of states where you can play legal online poker.

Three-card poker is a popular choice, but it has its limitations. If you’re looking for the next logical step towards the main tournament tables, Caribbean Stud could be the game for you.

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The premise

Caribbean Stud is conceptually similar to three card poker, in as much as you are playing against the dealer as opposed to other players. The difference is that instead of three cards, you are now dealt five. It opens up the possibilities of far more winning hands, such as four of a kind, a royal flush and so on.

When you lay down the ante, both you and the dealer are dealt your cards. The dealer has four face down and one upcard, and you must decide on the basis of that and your hand whether to double the ante and play or to throw in your cards and fold.

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Determining a winner

Assuming you opt to play, the dealer reveals her full hand. To qualify, it must be Ace-King or better. If it’s not, the game is a push and stakes are returned. If the dealer hand qualifies, hands are ranked according to normal poker rules. Typically, a royal flush pays out around 100/1, while a pair gets you even money.

There is a bonus option which provides an extra reward if you have three-of-a-kind or better. This is either with set returns according to a pay table or is linked to a share of a progressive jackpot.

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Carribean stud poker strategy

According to optimum strategy, you are advised to play a hand of Ace-King-Jack-8-3 or better, and to fold anything less. However, that is a slight simplification, as it does not take into account the dealer’s upcard. Many players, however, opt for an even simpler approach of playing if they have pair or better. It’s not far from optimum and is certainly easier to commit to memory.

As is usually the case, the bonus bet is there to tempt and torment you, but it’s strategically best to leave it alone, as the house edge is an astronomical 25 percent. However, anyone who’s had a full house or four of a kind and it’s come to nothing due to the dealer not qualifying will know that the bonus bet can be hard to turn down.