Caribbean Stud Poker is a five card stud poker game played on a blackjack type table with a standard 52 card deck. The cards are normally dealt from a multi-deck 'shoe' or by an automatic shuffling machine that deals in groups of five card hands. However, unlike standard poker games, Caribbean Stud Poker is played against the house rather than against other players. There is no bluffing. Caribbean Stud Poker Online 2020 Guide. Caribbean Stud Poker Online is a game which effectively meshes the traditional five-card stud poker game together with a classic casino table game, but you. Caribbean Stud Poker Strategy. The best strategy to use in Caribbean Stud Poker is to play A-K, which reduces the casino edge in the game significantly. In order to play this strategy one of three situations need to occur. When the dealer is showing an Ace or King as his face up card, it is an optimal time to raise A-K-Q and A-K-J hands. Play Caribbean stud poker Video Poker Online for Free. Try the online casino game totally free, No download, No Registration and No Deposit needed. Caribbean Stud is an easy to learn and fun to play poker style card game. Like many other poker style table games, Caribbean Stud is a house banked game.

• How To Play Caribbean Stud Poker
• Free Caribbean Stud Poker Games

We enjoy playing online Caribbean Stud Poker for free and for real money, and the Internet provides numerous ways for us to engage in our favourite hobby. While there’s nothing wrong with playing at a land-based casino, online gaming provides a number of advantages. We’ll discuss these, as well as detailing some of the best places to enjoy the popular card game on your Mac or PC.

In case you’ve never played Caribbean stud before, think of it like stud poker but even less forgiving. Your entire wager hinges on a single decision, and the slightest miscalculation or run of bad luck can result in disaster. But these elements only add to the excitement of the game, and the generous pay tables ensure that winning hands will be well compensated. And let’s not forget about the optional progressive jackpot, where a $1 wager can result in winnings of over $1 million.

Best Places to Play Caribbean Stud Online for Money

Numerous online casinos provide the opportunity to play Caribbean Stud, but the following three gaming destinations are consistently the best. Their layouts are also similar, which means you can’t go wrong during the selection phase.

Royal Vegas – Powered by Microgaming, this online casino is an award-winning destination that offers over 500 games (including blackjack, craps, roulette, pokies, and video poker). Their customer service is available 24/7 (including holidays), and one of our favourite features is the progressive jackpots, which often rise as high as one-million dollars. New players receive $1200 in bonus money, as well as 75 free spins on the slot machines to get you started.

7 Sultans – Also powered by Microgaming, the 7 Sultans casino includes a series of bonuses for new players, including up to $1000 in free money. Established in 1999, they feature over 500 games that include all your casino favourites. Multiple currencies are accepted, and generous progressive jackpots are available every day. Starting an account is simple, and multiple deposit and withdrawal options make the entire experience painless.

Platinum Play – Live dealer options are available, or you can choose to go old school with classics such as pokies, video poker, blackjack, or craps. Progressive jackpots routinely rise into the millions, and the casino has a long reputation for paying winnings in a quick and accurate fashion. $1500 in free bets is available to new players, and another $200 is paid upon receipt of the player’s initial deposit. This casino is also supported by Microgaming, so you can expect all games to be conducted in a fair and efficient manner.

Playing for Free

While you can play Caribbean Stud for money at the casinos listed above, you can also try their no-download software that allows you to enjoy their immense selection of casino games for free. Sure, there are other options for free card games online, but why bother going anywhere else? These three Internet casinos deliver everything you’re looking for, and it’s nice to have the option to play other games when the Caribbean Stud table grows cold.

Advantages of Playing Online

If you’ve spent most of your time playing in land-based casinos, you might be surprised to learn that online gambling establishments offer a number of advantages. Here are a few perks to ponder the next time you’re deciding whether or not to leave the house.

Convenience – Gambling online is more convenient, as you can play in your underwear, listen to your favourite music, or even pet your dog in the middle of a game.

Affordability – Traveling to a casino costs money, whether you’re driving in a car or flying in a plane. There are also other expenses to consider, such as hotel rooms and food. When you play at home, the money you save can be spent on more important things…like casino games.

Safety – If you’re sitting in your home playing Caribbean Stud, you don’t have to worry about drunk drivers, plane crashes, or suicidal kangaroos. The last thing you want to do is get killed on the way to the casino, so playing online is the best bet for the safety conscious gambler.

Bonuses – We’ve been to land-based casinos on numerous occasions, and we’ve yet to have anyone come up and give me free chips. That’s not the case with online casinos, as you can get bonus money for making deposits, joining a pokies league, or just playing your favourite casino games. There’s plenty of free money available at online casinos if you know where to look.

Selection – The difference between online and land-based casinos can be negligible when it comes to game selection, but we’ve found that Internet gaming sites often have an advantage. Hundreds of games are waiting to be played, and you never have to stand in line to enjoy the latest pokie. It’s the equivalent of having your own personal casino right at your fingertips.

The Rules of the Game

Caribbean Stud begins with each player making a wager known as an “ante.” The casino will set a maximum and minimum for this wager, but the player can choose to bet any amount within this range.

Players may also elect to make a $1 side bet for a chance to win a progressive jackpot. In order to win the top prize, a hand must consist of a royal flush. Lesser hands may also provide a bonus, although they tend to offer a fixed amount.

Once the ante has been made and the side bet considered, the dealer gives each player five cards face down. The dealer also receives five cards, although one of these is dealt face up for the benefit of the players. Each player may pick up their hand and examine it, although they cannot share this information with anyone else (doing so results in the hand being forfeited).

The player must now decide whether to continue playing or fold. If they choose the latter option, they lose any money wagered to this point. If they continue, they must make a raise equal to twice the amount of their ante.

The dealer then turns over their cards to see if they qualify for the next phase. In order to do so, the dealer must have at least a king and ace in their hand. If they do not, any player who raised will receive even money on their ante and a push on their raise.

If the dealer does qualify, he compares his hand with each player (starting farthest to the right). A superior dealer hand results in the player losing the ante and the raise, while a stronger player hand results in even money on the ante and an amount on the raise determined by the game’s pay table.

Finally, each eligible player hand is checked against the progressive bonus pay table. Winning hands are awarded, while ineligible hands receive nothing. A new hand is then dealt to the players and another game begins.

Now that you know where to find online Caribbean Stud for free and for real money, all you have to do is sign-up, make a deposit, and start playing. The game can be frustrating at times, but getting a flush or better makes all your complaints fade away in a haze of cash. And if you’re exceptionally lucky, you might even leave the table as a millionaire thanks to the progressive jackpot.

See also:

Caribbean Stud Poker is a popular form of online poker played in brick-and-mortar and online casinos. The best online and mobile casinos offer some variation of Caribbean Stud. The main bet is based on 5-card stud poker, though the player has to beat the dealer instead of another player. A $1 side bet on a progressive jackpot is the game’s most distinctive feature. In most casinos, Caribbean Stud is one of the only progressive table games.

In this guide to Caribbean Stud Poker, you’ll find basic rules, an overview of a typical hand, strategy tips for beginners, and expert strategy. I’ll discuss the best ways to play for real moneyand in free-play mode, while giving a review of Mobile Caribbean Stud. The guide ends with odds and payout charts. For now, let’s start with a quick overview.

How to Play Caribbean Stud Poker

The following rules are typical of most Caribbean stud games, although betting limits and payouts may differ from one location to another. Before you start wagering money, always be sure to know the details of the game.

Caribbean stud poker is played with a dealer and one or more participants.

• To begin the game, each player places an ante onto the table where indicated.
• The required ante will differ from casino to casino, and games within the same establishment may require different size antes.
• A progressive jackpot feature is also offered, and each player can choose to make an additional wager in order to be eligible for this prize.
• The standard bet for the progressive jackpot is $1, but players should always check with the dealer to make sure. At land-based casinos, the $1 chip is often deposited into a slot in front of the player.
• Once the dealer announces “No more bets,” the initial deal begins. Each player, as well as the dealer, receives five cards. All cards are distributed face down, with the exception of one upturned dealer card.
• Each participant may look at their own cards, but they are not allowed to discuss their hand with others. If a player violates this rule, their hand is declared dead and they forfeit all wagers.
• Players must keep their cards within view of the dealer at all times. Once they have examined their hands and placed them back on the table, they are not allowed to touch the cards again.
• Each player now has the option to either fold or raise. If they choose to fold, the player loses their ante and progressive side bet (if they made it) and sits out the rest of the hand.
• If the player chooses to continue, Caribbean stud rules dictate that he or she must raise. This amount is equal to twice the money put up for the ante, and it is placed in front of the player in a box marked “bet”.
• The dealer reveals their four hole cards and compares each five-card hand. In order to qualify for this portion of the game, the dealer must have at least an ace and king in their hand. If the dealer doesn’t qualify, players with superior hands win even money and receive a push on the raise. In the case of a tie, both the raise and ante bets push.
• If the dealer qualifies and has a better hand than the player, both the ante bet and raise will be lost. If the player has a superior hand, they receive even money on the ante and their wins on a raise are determined by a pay table.
• The dealer examines the hands of each player who made the progressive side bet. If the strength of their hand is enough to qualify, the player receives a payout based on the pay table.

How to Play for Free

To play Caribbean Stud for real money, choose an online or mobile casino’s free-play version of Caribbean Stud Poker. Most sites have a practice version. Go to the table games section of the site and click on “Caribbean Stud”. Then choose either the option that says “Play for Free” or “Practice Mode”. You can learn the controls and master the game’s rules before playing at real money casino.

Switching From Play Money to Real Money Caribbean Stud

When you’re ready to play Caribbean Stud for real money, simply change to the real money mode and start wagering. The game interface will be the same. A typical hand of Caribbean Stud Poker begins with the player placing an “Ante” bet. Also, the player has the option to place a $1 side bet on a progressive jackpot. Players make these decisions before the dealer says “No More Bets”.

• Make an Ante Bet: The size of this wager determines all other rounds of betting in Caribbean Stud.
• Progressive Side Bet: Decide whether to place a $1 progressive side bet.
• The Deal: Once everyone places bets, the dealer deals five cards apiece face-down to each player at the table (and the dealer).
• Hole Cards: The dealer turns over one card in his or her hand. The players then can look at their cards.
• Raise the Ante: They must decide whether to make an additional bet, which is double the original ante bet. This wager is placed in the “Bet” circle of the layout.
• Or Player Folds: The player also can fold after seeing their cards, but loses their ante bet if they fold.
• Dealer Qualifies: Next, the dealer must qualify for the hand with an Ace-King or better. If the dealer doesn’t qualify, then all players win the ante bet, but not the second bet.
• Compare Hands: If the dealer qualifies, then the dealer’s hand is compared to all players at the table, beginning with the player left of the dealer.

Playing Mobile Caribbean Stud

The best online casinos have a Caribbean Stud poker app for Android and iOS smartphones and tablet computers. Sites sometimes are designed with a mobile app download, while others allow access through the web browser using a desktop computer, laptop, Android phone, iPhone, or iPad. When you see a link which says “Mobile”, “Android”, or “iPhone/iPad”, click the link to begin playing.

What Are The Odds of Winning?

The house edge for Caribbean Stud’s ante bet is 5.224%, if you play using optimal strategy. Optimal strategy for Caribbean Stud is complicated and difficult to use when playing in a noisy casino environment. Many players use a simpler strategy of raising when they hold an Ace-King-Jack-8-3 or better, which produces a 5.316% house edge.

The house edge on the progressive side bet is higher, but is more difficult to quantify, because of the various pay charts used and the contribution rate each casino might use. For instance, one Las Vegas dealer said that the contribution rate (of the side bet to the progressive jackpot) is 65% at their casino. Any other percentage would produce a different house edge. For strategy purposes, pay attention to the likely breakeven point when a progressive jackpot is worth playing.

Caribbean Stud Rules

Seeing how a hand of Caribbean Stud Poker plays out, you’re already familiar with some of the rules of the game. While playing Caribbean Stud, you’ll need to keep the following few rules in mind. Below is a short overview of those rules.

• No Collusion: Players cannot exchange information about their hands. If caught, a dead hand is called and all wagers are lost.
• One Hand Per Player: Only one hand per player. You can’t play two positions, because it would give you additional knowledge.
• Dead Hand Rule: If an incorrect number of cards are deal, a dead hand is called.
• Misdeal Rule: If a dealer receives four cards, then a fifth card is dealt to the house. In any other misdeal, a dead hand is called.
• Handling Cards: Players must keep their cards in the view of the dealer. Once you look at your cards, you cannot touch them again.
• Side Bet Rule: If you place a progressive bet, it’s your responsibility to make sure the indicator light is “On”.
• Dealer Rulings: All rulings by the dealer/supervisor are final.

Caribbean Stud Beginner Strategy

Caribbean Stud beginner strategy is easy for most hands. When you hold an Ace-King combination, the strategy is a bit more complicated. We’ll start with the simple Caribbean Stud poker hands.

Always fold with an A/Q or worse. If the dealer qualifies, then you’ll lose automatically holding an A/Q or lower. Always raise when holding a pair or higher, because then you qualify to receive a 1:1 payout or better, if you beat the dealer.

Basic Strategy Chart

How To Play Caribbean Stud Poker

• Always Raise – Pair or Higher: If you hold a pair or higher.
• Always Fold – Ace/Queen or Less: If your hand is less than the dealer’s qualifying hand, always fold.

Expert Strategy: Caribbean Stud Poker

Basic strategy is not the same as optimal strategy, though the strategy discussed in the charts produces a house edge of only 0.1% lower than optimal strategy. Optimal strategy is complex, so almost no one plays optimally. Use the basic Caribbean Stud tips below to play using beginner strategy.

Deciding whether to raise when you hold an ace/king combination is more difficult. Follow the expert Caribbean Stud strategy chart below for the best results. The strategy tips are based on mathematical analysis, so they can be trusted to give the best results over time.

Raise on Ace/King

• Dealer 2-Q: If the dealer is showing 2 through Queen and it matches one of your cards.
• Dealer K-A: If the dealer is showing an Ace or King and you have a Queen or Jack in your hand.
• Any Dealer Card: If the dealer’s card doesn’t match yours, then raise if you hold a Queen and your 4th-best card is better than the dealer’s card.

Expert Strategy: Progressive Side Bet

Expert Caribbean Stud strategy involves playing games with a positive expectation. If the Caribbean Stud jackpot gets high enough, then the payout is more than you would (on average) need to bet to win the jackpot. The break-even point for a Caribbean Stud side bet using a Las Vegas pay chart is $159,806.84.

If the jackpot on the side bet is $160k, then you are playing at a positive expectation. Though playing Caribbean Stud Poker beyond the breakeven point does not assure a player of winning — or change the odds of winning the jackpot — it means that a payout is a worthy betting proposition to an advanced player.

Caribbean Stud Pay Charts

Free Caribbean Stud Poker Games

The game of Caribbean Stud has several payout charts you’ll want to study. The main bet is the one you’ll use every single hand, but a variety of payout charts exist for the progressive side bet, too. While you might find an online casino with different winnings for main bet card combinations, I would compare any casino site’s payouts with the chart below to make sure you receive full pay.

Caribbean Stud Payouts – Main Bet

• Royal Flush– 100: 1
• Straight Flush– 50: 1
• Four of a Kind– 20: 1
• Full House– 7: 1
• Flush– 5: 1
• Straight– 4: 1
• Three of a Kind– 3: 1
• Two Pair– 2: 1
• One Pair or Less– 1:1

Caribbean Stud Jackpots – Side Bet Payouts

Three different regions pay out the Caribbean Stud side bet in much different ways. Las Vegas, Macau, and Australia (Adelaide) all have different pay charts, so I include all three below. The Las Vegas Caribbean Stud Poker payouts are most common in the online and mobile casino industry.

Las Vegas Side Bet – Caribbean Stud Chart

• Royal Flush– 100% of Progressive Meter
• Straight Flush– 10% of Progressive Meter
• 4-of-a-Kind– $500
• Full House– $100
• Flush– $50

Macau Side Bet – Caribbean Stud Chart

• Royal Flush– 100% of Progressive Meter
• Straight Flush– 10% of Progressive Meter
• 4-of-a-Kind– $5000
• Full House– $1000
• Flush– $500

Australia Side Bet – Caribbean Stud Chart

• Royal Flush– 100% of Progressive Jackpot
• Straight Flush– 10% of Progressive Jackpot
• 4-of-a-Kind– $1250
• Full House– $375
• Flush– $250

Caribbean Stud History – Sklansky, Jones & Suttle

For such a new game, Caribbean Stud has a more complicated and colourful history than most casino games. Poker author David Sklansky of 2+2 fame claims he invented the game in 1982 as “Casino Poker” but couldn’t patent it due to US patent laws. Sklansky claimed a second player took the game to Aruba, changed its rules slightly, and patented the game there. A second story suggests that the owner of the “Excelsior Casino” (then known as the “The King International”) discovered it on a cruise ship headed to Aruba, bought the game, and introduced it to the casino there.

The accepted story of Caribbean Stud Poker is that gambler James Suttle bought the game from an unnamed down-on-his-luck player at Binion’s Horseshoe in 1987 in exchange for a $5,000 loan. Suttle sold the game for a profit to Danny Jones, who owned the King International Casino, which was located in the Holiday Inn on Palm Beach in Aruba at the time. Jones tried to market the game to Caribbean casinos and cruise ships to midling success, until computer software engineer Michael Titus advised Jones to include a $1 progressive side bet.

After this change, Caribbean Stud Poker took off in popularity, so eventually land-based Las Vegas casinos began to offer the game. 30 years later, Caribbean Stud has spawned a series of similar table poker games, including Caribbean Draw Poker and Caribbean Hold’em Poker.