Caribbean Stud Poker

Caribbean poker, also known as Caribbean stud poker is a game familiar to poker fans all over the world. Originating on the cruise ships sailing around the islands of the Caribbean, this game has become a firm favorite in land-based and online casinos.

Played on a semi-circular board similar to a blackjack table, Caribbean poker pits three to five players against the dealer in individual mano-a-mano rounds. Each player places their ante before the dealing of the cards. The dealer then deals five cards to each player face down. He also deals four cards to himself face down with the fifth face up.

After the initial deal, players decide in turn whether to bet on and play, or fold and lose their ante to the bank. Players who want to run with their cards must call and post double the ante amount. After all players have placed their bets, or folded, the dealer shows his four hidden cards. At this point, the dealer must hold an ace and king or higher and players then turn over their cards. If he does not, all players still in the game win double their ante bet. If the dealer qualified with the ace/king combination or better, then payouts are made according to the winning hands. Payouts are determined by a payout table where winners can potentially receive multiples of their original wager (see Payout Table below).

Hand	Payout
Royal Flush	100:1
Straight Flush	50:1
4 of a Kind	20:1
Full House	7:1
Flush	5:1
Straight	4:1
3 of a Kind	3:1
2 Pair	2:1
Pair	1:1

Strategy
Unlike regular poker, where a player may be quite satisfied to hold a small pair of twos, threes, or fours, in Caribbean poker, players are often prepared to fold with these hands. This is a losing strategy in the long run and players should be encouraged to fold as seldom as possible. While the house still has the advantage, folding only compounds that situation.

Progressive Jackpot
In addition to the regular game play, Caribbean poker offers players the chance to bet on their hands to win a progressive jackpot. After placing their ante, players place another bet onto a progressive jackpot chip acceptor on the table. Players holding a flush hand or higher win regardless of the outcome of the game. A jackpot meter displays the current jackpot level with a divided jackpot paid out on the score of a royal flush.