Most players don’t realize that Caribbean Stud Poker is one of the best poker variations online. This variation of poker is extremely popular at online casinos in the US that use RTG as a software provider.
David Sklansky the author of several poker books invented the game in the 1980s. This guide tells you how to win money playing Caribbean Stud Poker at online casinos.
As you read it, you’ll notice that Caribbean Stud is an easy poker variation to play. The game’s rules are simple, and while we’re at it; we provide a few tips.
Why Play Caribbean Stud Poker?
It’s a variation of poker and US players play poker to win money, right? With that in mind, we assume that it will appeal to all the poker lovers out there.
It’s a great game for players looking to try out something different other than standard poker. However, Caribbean Stud Poker at RTG online casinos has a slight kink in its armor.
The house edge comes in at a brutal 5 percent, even if you use the best optimal betting strategy. That’s somewhat off-putting, but if you can work your way around it, it’s a great casino game.
Now, if we compare it to the likes of Texas Hold’em or blackjack, it pales. Slightly off-topic, CasinoWhizz’s blackjack cheat sheet helps you to win more money when you play blackjack.
Nonetheless, it’s an entertaining game to play and the jackpot it offers is huge.
The basic hand ranking rules apply to Caribbean Stud Poker, therefore, it’s imperative that you know it.
Caribbean Stud Poker Hand Ranking
Caribbean Stud Poker contains 52 decks of cards, and an automated machine shuffles the cards after each hand. You can place your wagers on the “ante” and the “spot” bet.
If you know how to play Texas Hold’em Poker, you won’t have a problem since the same hand ranking applies. The highest card suit is a Royal Flush right down to a high card.
The goal of the game is to beat the dealer or in this case the house. You’ll place your bets in the appropriate box, the dealer deals each player at the table 5 cards.
All of them are face down, each player will take 5 cards whilst one card remains face up. By looking at your cards you can then make a decision.
Note that you cannot show your cards to the other players, and we don’t advise doing it. Once you looked at your cards, you can decide to do the following:
You can give up your ante by folding your hand. Or you can place a bet that’s twice the value of the ante. After each player made their bets, the dealer will turn over their cards. He’ll then proceed to pay the players who won money.
Payouts of Caribbean Stud Poker
The dealer looks at the hand of each player and pays them according to the poker hand ranking table.
The dealer pays hands that beat him 1 to 1. If the qualifies with an Ace-King, he’ll only pay you 1 to 1 on the ante bet.
The dealer hands back each player’s bets if they did not win any cash. Moreover, the dealer pays you on the ante bet if you qualify. You can also win more cash if you land one of the following hands:
For two pairs the payout is 2-1
Three-of-a-kind pays 3-1
A Straight pays 4-1
When you have a Flush it pays 5-1
You’ll win 7-1 for Full Boats
Quads pay 20-1
A Straight Flush pay 50-1
Land a Royal Flush you’ll receive a win of 100-1
Those bets will only payout if the dealer’s hand qualifies, and if you beat the dealer. The dealer wins if he has Quads even if you have Aces.
Another thing you should keep in mind is that Caribbean Stud Poker has no standalone bets. It’s a different story though if you win the progressive jackpot.
Jackpot Caribbean Stud Poker
You can also bet on the progressive jackpot of Caribbean Stud Poker at our best online RTG casinos. You’ll have to bet at least $1 on the jackpot to qualify.
The progressive jackpot pool takes 70% of each bet while the rest goes to the online casino.
It’s expensive, unfortunately, but it is what it is and that’s the privilege of playing a progressive game.
You’ll win the progressive jackpot of Caribbean Stud Poker when you strike a Royal Flush. The second best hand a Straight Flush only pays 10% of the progressive jackpot’s value.
More importantly, the top-rated RTG casinos only pay progressive jackpot wins in installments. That means they won’t pay your winnings in full.
Payouts for the smaller hands are small. Basically, if you’re not shooting for the progressive jackpot the payouts are worth it.
Caribbean Stud Poker Strategy
The premise of Caribbean Stud Poker is simple, you’ll make a decision based on your hand. To help you win a bit more money next time you play the casino here are a few handy tips:
Play with a hand that contains at least a pair. If you have a hand that’s weaker than an Ace-King it’s better to fold. If you have an Ace-King raise when the dealer has cards between 2 and Queen.
Raise if you have a Queen-Jack, and the dealer’s upcard is lower than your 4th highest card.
Live Dealer Casinos
Another and even better way to play Caribbean Stud Poker is at live online casinos. The game simulates a real casino setting with real dealers. Come to think of that, it’s better to play against humans than a machine.
You can also load up live dealer Caribbean Stud on your mobile phone. The top sites host live blackjack, roulette, and baccarat as well.
Conclusion How to Play Caribbean Stud Poker
Caribbean Stud Poker hasn’t got the best of house edges at 5.2%. Even if you use our optimal betting strategy and expert tips; you might still lose money.
More to the point, only play the game with a small bankroll, or for fun. If you want to win money consistently playing poker, we suggest Ignition Casino and Bovada.
Both sites offer generous bonuses to play poker, and they host regular poker tournaments. They use Rival to power their games which means they are US casinos with higher withdrawal limits.
Besides, you’re also way better off playing Texas Hold’em than Caribbean Stud Poker. The edge to the house of Caribbean Stud poses a problem in the long run.
Caribbean Stud Poker FAQ
1. When should I fold or raise in Caribbean Stud Poker?
Answer: A common strategy is to fold hands lower than A-K (Ace-King) and raise with A-K or higher. When you have A-K, it’s generally recommended to raise if the dealer’s card is a Queen or lower and matches one of your cards, or if the dealer’s card is an Ace or King and you have a Queen or Jack in your hand.
2. How does the progressive jackpot bet work in Caribbean Stud Poker?
Answer: The progressive jackpot bet is a side bet that you can make alongside your ante. It pays out based on a separate paytable, often rewarding players for high-ranking hands like a flush or full house, and giving the full jackpot for a royal flush.
3. What is the house edge in Caribbean Stud Poker?
Answer: The house edge in Caribbean Stud Poker typically ranges from 5% to 5.5%, depending on specific game rules and the strategy used. It’s important to remember that the house edge can increase significantly if you make the progressive jackpot bet.
4. Are there any common tells or clues to watch for in live dealer Caribbean Stud Poker games?
Answer: While online live dealer games make it harder to pick up on tells, you can watch for subtle clues, such as how quickly the dealer checks their own hand, their facial expressions, or any changes in their pattern of behavior. However, always rely more on strategy than trying to interpret tells.
5. How important is bankroll management in Caribbean Stud Poker?
Answer: Just as with any casino game, bankroll management is essential in Caribbean Stud Poker. By setting limits, you ensure you don’t chase losses and can enjoy extended playtime without risking more than you’re comfortable with.
Mark Taylor, the chief author at Casino Whizz, is a dedicated gambling expert with over a decade within the casino world. His passion for poker, slots, and table games has fueled his career, where he shares invaluable insights, tips, and detailed game and casino reviews.
It’s a variation of poker and US players play poker to win money, right? With that in mind, we assume that it will appeal to all the poker lovers out there.
The dealer looks at the hand of each player and pays them according to the poker hand ranking table.
You can also bet on the progressive jackpot of Caribbean Stud Poker at our best online RTG casinos. You’ll have to bet at least $1 on the jackpot to qualify.
The premise of Caribbean Stud Poker is simple, you’ll make a decision based on your hand. To help you win a bit more money next time you play the casino here are a few handy tips:
Another and even better way to play Caribbean Stud Poker is at live online casinos. The game simulates a real casino setting with real dealers. Come to think of that, it’s better to play against humans than a machine.
