Caribbean Stud Poker
  INTRO
Caribbean stud poker is a variation of regular five-card stud
poker played on a standard blackjack-sized table. It is unique
in that it is the first casino table game to offer a progressive
jackpot.
As its name implies, this poker game originated
in the Caribbean islands, and it soon spread to casinos in
America and Europe.
GAME PLAY
This card game is played with one standard deck of cards.
The game is initiated when the player places a wager called
the ante. Next, the dealer will deal five cards face down
to each player. The dealer's own five-card hand is dealt,
four cards face down and the final card face up. Now it is
the player's choice to either stay in the game or fold. If
the player chooses to fold, the ante is forfeited. If the
player decides to stay, the amount of the original ante must
be doubled. The dealer's cards are then revealed. If the dealer
does not have at least an ace/king combination, the player
automatically wins even money on the ante and the wager is
returned. If the dealer does have at least an ace/king combination,
then a comparison is made between the dealer's and player's
hand. If the player has the higher hand, the player wins even
money on the ante and the original wager pays according to
the payout table below:
| HAND |
PAYOUT |
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 |
Tow Pair |
2:1 |
Pair |
1:1 |
Ace/King |
1:1 |
PLAYING OPTIONS
Players are also given the option of playing for the progressive
jackpot. To be considered for the progressive, players must
make an additional side bet of one dollar at the onset of
the game. The player is wagering that they will receive a
hand of cards that equates to a flush or better. Regardless
of the outcome of the regular table game, if the player has
a hand that qualifies for the progressive jackpot, that player
will win the amount designated in the payout table. Players
are usually rewarded with 100% of the pot for a royal flush,
10% of the pot for a straight flush, and a set monetary amount
for a four of a kind, full house, or a flush. These amounts
will vary from casino to casino.
STRATEGY
Basic Strategy dictates that you should at least do the following:
- bet when you hold a pair or better
- bet when you hold an ace/king if your hand contains the
same card as the dealer's upcard.
hint: do not bet the progressive wager
Something you don't understand? Search through
our dictionary
of gambling terms.
| 
