Poker is America’s all-time favorite card game without a doubt, but there are many forms of poker out there. While games like Hold’em or Omaha poker are played among the players, Caribbean Stud Poker is a variation of the game that is played against the dealer or against the house.
In Caribbean Stud Poker, the player’s goal is to simply beat the dealer’s hand. There is no bluffing, no multiple streets of betting and very little skill involved while sitting at the Caribbean Stud Poker table. This is exactly what makes the game so enjoyable to the wide masses who don’t want to play an adrenaline infused version of poker but rather a relaxed and laid back one.
On this page, players can learn everything they need to start playing the game of Caribbean Stud Poker as well as find out what casinos have Caribbean Stud Poker available for online play. Keep reading and find out everything about the game yourself.
Caribbean Stud Poker Essentials
- Caribbean Stud is one of the most popular poker versions
- The game is available in online casinos in US and beyond
- House edge in Caribbean Stud is only 2.55% when played optimally
- A massive progressive jackpot is always on the line
Caribbean Stud Poker Online: Poker Made Simple
In its more complicated forms, poker can be a difficult game to play. When sitting at Hold’em tables, players can feel under pressure all the time and the mental ups and downs of the game can be nerve wrecking. Unlike such games, Caribbean Stud Poker is a relaxing poker game which can now be played from the comfort of players’ homes with all the Caribbean Stud Poker casino sites out there.
Before getting into the action, let us examine the basic Caribbean Stud Poker payouts and rules and find out how the game is played at a fundamental level.
Playing a Hand of Caribbean Stud Poker
Caribbean Stud Poker is a fairly simple game to play and one that certainly does not require the skill levels that some other poker variations do. If you are playing online, you can play the virtual version of the game or live Caribbean Stud Poker where a real dealer deals the cards.
In either case, the process by which a Caribbean Stud Poker game is dealt remains the same. Every hand of the game looks like this:
- The player places an ante bet
- The player is dealt five cards face down
- The dealer is dealt five cards, one face up, four face down
- Player makes a choice between folding his hand or doubling the ante bet
- If player doesn’t fold, the dealer turns over their cards
- The two hands are compared based on standard poker rankings
- Player is paid out according to the Caribbean Stud Poker paytable
As you can tell, the rules of Caribbean Stud Poker are very simple. The one rule that is very important for players to remember is that in order to get full payouts on their bets, the dealer’s hand must “qualify”, which means it has to contain at least an Ace and a King or better. If the dealer’s hand does not qualify, the player is only paid out at even money on their initial ante bet.
If the dealer’s hand does qualify, the player receives payouts on his secondary bet according to the following paytable:
- 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 High Card: 1:1
In addition to these payouts, players can also take part in pursuit for the Caribbean Stud Poker jackpot. The progressive jackpot associated with the game requires the player to place an additional fixed bet on the jackpot betting field. The jackpot grows as long as someone does not finally claim it. The jackpot is won when a player makes a royal flush, while parts of the jackpot may also be paid out for straight flush and lower value hands.
Caribbean Stud Poker Live
When playing in online casinos, players can choose to play virtual or live version of the game. The live dealer Caribbean Stud Poker version offers players the ultimate experience as it perfectly replicates the game’s live casino atmosphere.
Players who really love poker and enjoy should definitely try it even if they don’t know how to play Caribbean Stud Poker since the game is very easy to learn, requires very little practice and is more entertaining than most other poker variations.
Caribbean Stud Poker Odds & Percentages
When looking at any casino game, it is important to think about the odds of the game and the casino edge that the house maintains. Speaking of Caribbean Stud Poker odds, it is important to note that the final outcome of player’s sessions will depend on their strategy (when they fold and when they raise), but under optimal conditions, Caribbean Stud Poker house edge is just 2.55% (taking raises into consideration).
This puts Caribbean Stud Poker in the same league with roulette, Slingo, and other similar table games and allows players to make significantly larger bets than they would do at slots or video poker games.
Caribbean Stud Poker Casino Free Play
Like most online casino games, Caribbean Stud Poker can also be played for free in many online casinos. Unfortunately, players cannot experience the live dealer version of the game without real money, but there are many Caribbean Stud Poker bonuses available for a player looking to try the game with little or no risk.
The virtual version of Caribbean Stud Poker is available on desktop and mobile devices at nearly every online casino that offers it, so signing up with any major casino site will give you a chance to learn how to play this popular poker variation.
Caribbean Stud Poker Glossary: The Basic Terms
Here are a few basic terms which you should know before jumping into Caribbean Stud Poker action:
Ante Bet: The initial bet which the player places before being dealt any cards.
Bet: The double bet which is placed upon inspecting the cards.
Fold: The player discards his cards and forfeits his ante bet but does not place any further bet.
Qualifying Hand: The dealer’s hand only qualifies if it contains an ace and a king or better. Otherwise, the player wins double the ante bet and gets his extra bet back.
Jackpot: A progressive jackpot is a part of the game. Place a bet on the jackpot field in order to have a chance at winning the progressive jackpot with a royal flush.
Caribbean Stud Poker in the USA: Is Caribbean Stud Poker Legal?
Caribbean Stud Poker is one of the classic games played in casinos across the USA and especially in Las Vegas and Atlantic City. The game has been available in brick and mortar casinos for many years and now players in states such as New Jersey where online gambling has been regulated can experience it online as well.
While many young players have never had a chance to play the game and may be wondering what is Caribbean Stud Poker, the older players will know it from the good old days and will be happy to see it finally available in online casinos as well.
Casinos with Caribbean Stud Poker: Play Now
We already mentioned that Caribbean Stud Poker is available at nearly every online casino out there, but it is important to note that every casino has its pros and cons and there are reasons to pick certain online casinos over others. These can include bonuses, the selection of other games and operator reliability. Based on these and other factors, here are the top online casinos we recommend for Caribbean Stud Poker players:
Borgata Online is one of the leading operators in New Jersey and is supported by one of the top live gaming brands in the country. Signing up with Borgata gives you a chance to play Caribbean Stud Poker on desktop and mobile devices and provides a USD 600 welcome bonus to all new players.
Another great choice for players looking to play Caribbean Stud Poker online is 888 Casino, one of the most prominent online gaming operators in the world. In addition to offering a nearly limitless plethora of casino games, 888 Casino provides USD 20 to all new players and a deposit bonus worth USD 2,000 to all depositors. Finally, players can also play Caribbean Stud Poker at Caesars Online, another major brand powered by a large Atlantic City casino and receive a USD 300 welcome bonus upon their first deposit with the operator.
We'd also recommend taking a look at the Sugarhouse casino promo code which gives a deposit bonus of up to $250.
Put on Your Poker Face and Get in the Action
Caribbean Stud Poker is one of the most exciting yet most relaxing poker versions in the world. The game is now available in online casinos and all you need to do to get in the action is sign up for a free player account at one of the available casinos. Choose your online casino venue today and start playing Caribbean Stud Poker for real money on your PC or mobile phone.
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Want More? Check Out These Popular Games
If you enjoy playing Caribbean Stud Poker, chances are you are a card games aficionado. If so, we definitely recommend you check out table games, craps, bingo, and roulette.
