How to Play Caribbean Stud Poker

Throughout the years, Poker has gone through many stages, resulting in the production of different variations, including Caribbean Stud Poker. There are many disparate types of game styles and rules that can be found everywhere, including here at Pink Casino.

One of these is Caribbean stud poker, a game that might be new to many but one that is recognised as a popular alternative within the world of Poker. While it is one that is derived from the standard stud poker games, it has some big differences.

What is Caribbean Stud Poker?

As we alluded to, this is a game that takes a lot of influence from the stud poker games, particularly five card stud. It includes some rules that are recognisable, including the size of the hand. Players are dealt five cards in this game, but the biggest difference is how it is played. Instead of facing up to other opponents like in the other variations of stud poker, players are pitted against the house. This is much more akin to three-card poker, where the player is comparing their hand against the house’s.

What are the Rules of Caribbean Stud Poker?

To simplify the rules, we’ll go through a game step by step to show the full beginning-to-end play.

• The player plays the bet on the ante to start the game.
• The dealer and the player are both given five cards each.
• All of the player’s cards are face up but the dealer’s are down.
• If the player thinks their hand is weak, they can fold.
• If the player thinks their hand is strong, they can raise the ante by doubling it.
• The dealer’s hand is overturned if the player does not fold.
• If the dealer hasn’t got an Ace-King or better, the ante is paid out at 1 to 1 and the player’s second raise bet is returned. This is referred to as the dealer not qualifying.
• If the dealer qualifies and has an Ace-King or better, there are three possible outcomes.
• Their hand is better than the player’s and the house wins.
• If the player’s hand is better, then the ante bet is paid at evens, and the payout for the raise is calculated based on the hand’s ranking or odds. If both hands are the same value, all the bets go back to the player.

What Hands Can be Formed in Caribbean Stud Poker?

As with any game of poker, there is a definite ranking of the hands that can beat others. Caribbean stud poker follows the exact same ranking of hands as the other stud poker variants. Below, we’ve listed the hands ranked from worst to best.

• High Card: The highest card determines its value
• Pair: Just one set of two identical cards, and three of separate values (All suits)
• Two Pairs: Two sets of two identical cards, and one different (All suits)
• Three of a Kind: Three identical cards, and two of separate values (All suits)
• Straight: Five cards in sequence (All suits)
• Flush: Five cards of the same suit - any order (One suit)
• Full House: Three identical cards, and two of any other same value (All suits)
• Four of a Kind: Four identical cards (All suits)
• Straight Flush: Five cards in sequence (One suit)
• Royal Flush: A, Q, K, J, 10 (One suit)

What are the Odds of the Different Hands?

In the outcome in which the player beats the dealer, you may have noticed that the payout is based on the hand rather than being paid out at a set figure for winning. That’s because it is based instead on the probability of a hand. Because of that, the highest value hand pays out the best and the lowest the least. Below are common payout odds and the probabilities of making each hand.

• Royal Flush: 100 to 1: 0.0001%
• Straight Flush: 50 to 1 : 0.001%
• Four of a Kind: 20 to 1 : 0.02%
• Full House: 7 to 1 : 0.1%
• Flush: 5 to 1 : 0.2%
• Straight: 4 to 1 : 0.4%
• Three of a Kind: 3 to 1 : 2.1%
• Two Pairs: 2 to 1 : 4.7%
• Pair: 1 to 1 (Evens) : 42.2%
• High Card: 1 to 1 (Evens) : 50.1%

What Strategies Can Be Used in Caribbean Stud Poker?

Because this is a game against a dealer and not one that you are playing against other opponents who are looking for the same outcome, your strategies are somewhat limited. Instead of looking at whether you should play aggressively to bluff on a weak hand or play conservatively to bait out opponents to test your strong hand, it’s more about the probability of your hand being a winning one that you will build a strategy of sorts out of.

The first thing to consider is the probability of your hand. The lower the probability, the more likely it is to beat the dealer. If you have a high card hand, you will most likely want to fold, especially if it’s lower than an Ace-King. Because of this, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on your hand and know its likelihood of winning.