Caribbean Stud Poker - RULES

Caribbean Stud Poker has become very popular in the casinos today, due to its simple and easy to understand rules.

The first step while playing Caribbean Stud Poker if that you have to ante up. An ante is an initial mandatory bet. You can fold if you have nothing, but in the bargain you lose your ante. To stay in the hand, you place a wager on the "bet" spot on the table. This bet is double the amount of the ante.

Hands are played against the dealer, and not against the other players, just like in blackjack. The better hand wins.

The Dealer Must Qualify
After dealing the dealer checks if he or she qualifies. To qualify, the dealer must have an Ace-King or better hand. If the dealer does not qualify, all antes are paid off at even money, and the hand ends. It can be annoying if you have a big winning hand and the dealer doesn't qualify, because you only receive the ante bet in return. This is also the main way the house gets its edge.

Caribbean Stud Poker Hands and Payouts
These hands only pay out if you win. If you have a Full House, and the dealer has a higher-ranked Full House, you still lose. Given below is just an example pay table but it varies from casino to casino.

Ante wagers are always paid even money. The given pay rates are for the "bet" only. For example, if you put out a $2 ante and $4 "bet" and ended up with a Flush, you would be paid $22 ($20 on the "bet" and $2 on the ante).

Caribbean Stud Progressive Payouts
The progressive jackpot is one reason why Caribbean Stud Poker is very popular. Each casino has its own progressive jackpot, and the pay rates. To qualify for the progressive jackpot, you must place $1 in the progressive slot before starting each hand. Given below are the typical pay structures.

Bluffing and Caribbean Stud Poker
A point to remember is that though this is a poker game you cannot bluff your way through and also the dealer never folds.