Caribbean Stud Poker - ABOUT

Caribbean stud poker was first played on cruise ships and in Caribbean resorts. It traveled to the United States a few years later.

Caribbean stud poker is an easy game where players holding a marginal hand can win if they do not fold and the dealer does not qualify.

The game at first may seem a little complicated but is quite simple.
There are only a few decisions that the player needs to make: how much to bet, whether or not to fold and whether to go for the progressive jackpot.

The difference between traditional poker and Caribbean stud poker is players only oppose the dealer not the other players. The aim is to be dealt a stronger five card hand than the dealer.

Caribbean stud poker is played at a standard blackjack-sized card table with a 52 card regulation deck. There are three betting areas on the table:

1. Progressive Bet: This bet is made before the hand is dealt and indicates that the player wishes to participate in the progressive jackpot bet. The bet is $1 and is placed above the ante bet wager spot.
2. Ante Bet: This is where the initial compulsory bet is placed before the hand is dealt.
3. Raise Bet: This area is located directly behind the ante bet wager spot and is made after the cards have been dealt. This bet means the player does not wish to fold and must wager double the amount of the ante bet.

Play begins with each player placing a wager in the ante bet spot. This wager is compulsory and must be at least equal to the table minimum. Players have the option to participate in a progressive jackpot bet in the appropriate betting slot.

Each player is then dealt five cards face down and the dealer turns over one of their five cards face up. Players then see their cards without revealing any of them to the other players.

Each player has to decide whether or not to fold and lose their ante bet or raise by placing a bet that is double the amount of their ante bet in the raise bet spot. If a player folds, they have to give up their cards to the dealer who will collect their ante bet. After each player has either folded or raised, the dealer opens their remaining cards.

If the dealer does qualify, (have at least an Ace-King hand), they will turn over each player's hand one at a time and compare them to their own hand. Winning hands are determined by standard poker hand rankings.

If the dealer does not qualify, then all remaining ante bets are paid even money and all raise bets are pushed.

Player's hands that beat the dealer's hands are paid even money for their ante bet and a gradual amount according to that casino's raise bet payout schedule.

Player's hands that do not beat the dealer's hands lose both their ante bet and raise bet.
If the players participated in the progressive jackpot and got a qualifying hand, they will be paid according to that casino's jackpot payout table.