Play Caribbean Poker Online

Caribbean Stud Poker is a casino game that is very similar to the basic five-card poker. The game is played against the house, instead of against other players. In saying that, the game is typically played with several other players at the table, which allows for the cards to be randomly mixed. The game has been around since 1982, and was invented by a gambling professional David Sklansky.

Basic Rules
Caribbean Stud Poker is not a difficult game to understand, but there are a few rules that first time players must know before they begin playing. First, you may only play one hand at a time. You cannot wager on multiple hands at the table. Next, if you are playing the progressive jackpot, you are responsible for placing the $1 in and making sure the light is on. Players MAY NOT talk about their hands with other players. A violation of this will result in the end of the hand with no action, and removal from the table. If a dealer gives you an incorrect amount of cards, the hand is dead. There is no penalty to the players. Each player is required to keep five cards in their hand at all times.

How to Play
First, to start the Caribbean Stud Poker game, a player must place an “ante” or bet on the table. Once the dealer announces no more bets, no player may play an additional denomination or take any away. Each player, and the dealer will receive five cards and these cards will be placed down. The dealer will then turn over one of his cards and turn the cards towards the players, then the players may look at their cards. Players then have the option to play or fold. If they chose to play, they must double their bet – if they elect to fold, the place their cards in the middle and they lose their ante, and cannot win any money on that hand. After all decisions have been made the dealer will reveal his cards, as will the players playing in the hand. The dealer will only play with an Ace/King or higher. Players that win will receive their money; those that do not will get their money taken away. Once your money has been issued or taken, you can then make your ante for the next hand.

Payouts and Odds
It is said that the house has a slight edge in the game of Caribbean Stud Poker. There has never been a good reason why, as it appears to be more of a 50/50 game. There are plenty of poker strategies out there, if you are familiar with the game, stick with your own strategy and play smart.

Here are the traditional payouts for the different hands that you could come across in the game of Caribbean Stud Poker. If a player’s cards beat the dealers cards, the player will win back what his “ante” or “bet” was. Typically, the ante’s can be anywhere from as low as $ 1 up to $5,000. These hands win more than 1 to 1.

Royal Flush, which is the Ace, King, Queen, Jack, Ten of the same suit would win 100 to 1. Therefore with a $10 bet, a royal flush would win the player $1,000.  A straight flush is worth 50 to 1. This is also in the same suit, and the cards must be in successive order. A four of a kind pays 20 to 1. This is pretty simple; four cards the same number (including face cards). A full house, which would be three of one card and 2 of another (for example) 7,7,7,6,6 would win a player 7 to 1 odds. Again, a $10 bet would win $70 for a full house. A flush is five cards the same suit (hearts, diamonds, spades, clubs) pays 5 to 1. A straight (5 cards in order, any suit) pays off 4 to 1. Three of a kind 3 to 1. Two pair – 2 to 1. Some Caribbean Stud Poker games offer a progressive feature that typically costs an additional $1, but continue to add up with all the players playing until the jackpot is won. A Royal Flush pays out 100% of the jackpot, while straight flush, 3 of a kind, full house and flush pay out other denominations.