Check out our beginner’s guide to learn how to play Caribbean Stud Poker. This guide comes complete with basic rules, playing tips, and more.
How to play Caribbean Stud Poker
Caribbean Stud Poker is one of the most popular poker variants available at both online and land-based casinos. The origins of the game are unclear, but it is thought to have started in Aruba, an island in the Caribbean sometime in the 1980s. The game quickly became a hit thanks to its simplicity and fast-paced gameplay. Caribbean Stud is quite similar to Texas Hold’em, one of the main versions of poker, but there are some key differences you should know before playing your first hand.
The object of the game is to form the best possible hand based on your own five cards. Hands are ranked according to standard poker rules, from high card to royal flush. If you win, the payout is made based on the quality of your hand. So if you win by forming a full house or four of a kind, or another high-quality hand, you win more than if you form a pair, for example. Look at the payouts in standard Caribbean Stud shown below:
- Royal flush: 100 to 1
- Straight flush: 50 to 1
- Four of a kind: 25 to 1
- Full house: 10 to 1
- Flush: 7 to 1
- Straight: 5 to 1
- Three of a kind: 3 to 1
- Two pairs: 2 to 1
- One pair or less: 1 to 1
To start playing, you need to place your first wager on the Ante bet. The dealer then deals five face-up cards to you and takes five cards for himself, only one of which is visible to the players. Before the dealer’s hand is revealed, you must examine your cards and decide whether to fold your Ante bet and wait for the next round or continue playing by placing the Raise bet, also known as 2x Play bet, which is equal to double the Ante. To give you an example, if you bet €10 on the Ante, you’ll need to bet €20 or more to continue playing.
The dealer then reveals his remaining cards. The dealer needs an Ace plus a King (AK) or better in order to qualify and give you these payouts. If the dealer’s hand is not AK or higher, you are paid double the Ante bet and nothing on the play bet — your bet is pushed.
Play Caribbean Stud at Casino.me
Casino.me’s Caribbean Stud from Evolution Gaming is hosted by professional and friendly dealers — and you can enjoy the atmosphere of a land-based casino from the comfort of your own home. This live poker variant comes with additional bonuses and side bets, which makes Caribbean Stud Poker even more exciting. Good luck at the tables!