Unlike most other poker games, Caribbean stud poker is played against the house and not against other players.
Hence there is no bluffing that is one of the key ingredients of poker games. The game has similarities with blackjack in which the dealer makes no decisions and each player’s hand is separately compared with the dealer’s hand.
The game begins by the players placing their antes in the betting area. Once the dealer calls “no more bets” those who have not placed the ante have to stay out of the deal.
Each player is dealt five cards face down and the dealer also is dealt five cards face down. The dealer then turns over one of his cards and pushes the remaining deck towards the players. This is the signal for the players to see their own cards. Players are not allowed to communicate with each other while the deal is in progress.
Players have two options after seeing their cards. A player may fold, that is withdraw from the deal. He then loses his ante to the house.
If a player decides to carry on he must place a bet twice the amount of his ante. Once all the players have made their decision the game proceeds to the next stage. The dealer reveals his hole, or face down, cards.
If the dealer does not have king or higher then the bets are void. But the players receive even money on their ante. Some casinos play king or higher instead of ace or higher.
If the dealer has king (ace) or higher then the dealer’s hand is individually compared with the hand of each of the players who have placed bets and the better hand according to the normal poker ranking wins. Hence the dealer may win against some of the players and lose against others.
If the dealer’s hand is better then the player loses both his ante and his bet. If the player’s hand is better then he gets even money on the ante and a payout on the bet that is as follows, subject the upper limit, if any, imposed by the casino.
Royal flush: 100 to 1
Straight flush: 50 to 1
Four of a kind: 20 to 1
Full house: 7 to 1
Flush: 5 to 1
Straight: 4 to 1
Three of a kind: 3 to 1
Two pairs: 2 to 1
One pair or less: 1 to 1
Caribbean stud poker also has a progressive jackpot. Players wishing to play for this have to drop a $1 chip into the designated area. The amount of the jackpot is shown on a progressive meter.
Players drawing a flush or higher stand to win something irrespective of whether they beat or lose to the dealer.
The jackpot payouts are as follows.
Royal Flush: 100% of progressive meter
Straight flush: 10% of progressive meter
Four of a kind: $500
Full house: $100
Flush: $50
Almost every online casino is offering this game, which is widely played among players from every part of the world. You can find a list of online casinos clicking here. You can decide whether to play for real or for fun money.
Learn more of this game by reading all the articles in the Caribbean Stud section.
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