Play Caribbean Stud Game

Caribbean Stud Poker Rules

Caribbean Stud Poker is a fantastic poker card game, based on the classic game of 5 Card Stud. However, in this version, the player is not competing against other opponents. Like a traditional casino table game, Caribbean Stud players are facing off with the dealer.

Object of the game

The object of the game is to be dealt a hand that is better than the dealer's hand. The player and dealer each get 5 cards. Traditional poker hand ranks apply (see Poker Hand Ranks below).

Hot to Play Caribbean Stud Poker

Caribbean Stud offers three potential wagers – the Ante, the Bet and the optional Bonus wager. We'll talk more about the Bonus wager later – for now let's focus on learning how to play Caribbean Stud.

Ante: Every player must place an Ante Bet before any cards are dealt. The Ante does not have to be a precise denomination, so long as it falls within the table's betting limits.

The Deal: the dealer will deal each player, and himself, one card at a time, rotating clockwise around the table, until all players have 5 cards. Player's cards are dealt face down. The dealer's first 4 cards are face down, and the last face up.

Bet: Each player will look at his own cards. Comparing his hand to the strength of the dealer's single face up card, the player must decide whether to Surrender his Ante, or place a Bet. If the player chooses to move on, he must place a Bet equal to the size of the Ante. Otherwise, the Ante is lost and the hand is folded.

Winners: All players who placed a Bet will now get to see the dealer's hand. If the player's hand ranks higher than the dealer's, he is paid even odds on both his Ante and Bet. If the dealer's hand is higher, the player loses both Bets. However, the dealer's hand must qualify...

Dealer Qualify: In order for the dealer's hand to qualify, it must contain an Ace + King, or anything better. If the dealer's hand qualifies, it is compared to all player hands to determine wins and losses. If the dealer's hand does not qualify, Ante bets are paid 1:1, and Bets are returned. Note that Ante bets are only paid to players who placed a bet, not those who Surrender.

Bonus Bet

Player's have the option of placing a $1 Bonus bet before the hand begins. This is a bet that the player's hand will contain at least a Pair. The higher the player's hand ranks, the higher the bonus payout will be. If the player does not receive a pair or better, the Bonus bet is lost.

A lot of online casinos will offer Caribbean Stud Poker in a Progressive format, where achieving a Royal Flush releases the progressive jackpot, rather than the standard 100:1 payout for a Royal Flush. The standard Bonus Pay Table is shown below.

Bonus Pay Table

Royal Flush: Pays 100 to 1
Straight Flush: Pays 50 to 1
4 of a Kind: Pays 20 to 1
Full House: Pays 7 to 1
Flush: Pays 5 to 1
Straight: Pays 4 to 1
3 of a Kind: Pays 3 to 1
Two Pair: Pays 2 to 1
Any Pair: Pays 1 to 1

Standard Poker Hand Ranks

Highest to lowest...
Royal Flush Ace-high straight, all suited
Straight Flush - any straight, all suited
4 of a Kind - 4 same-value cards
Full House - 3 of a Kind + one Pair
Flush - all same suit
Straight - all sequenced/connected
3 of a Kind - 3 same-value cards
2 Pair - one Pair + one Pair
Pair - 2 same-value cards
High Card - none of the above

Please read our other rules pages to learn more about the different poker games: Omaha,Omaha Hi/Lo,Texas Holdem,Let it Ride,7 Card Stud,Razz Poker,Double Flop.

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