Caribbean Stud Poker Lessons

If you're a fan of poker but fancy a break from the pressures of maintaining a stoic demeanour and bluffing your opponents, then the odds are that Caribbean Stud Poker is great alternative.

Played against the casino, this game involves an opening wager, five cards and battle between two hands. At the start of a game you are required to make an opening ante bet - there will usually be a minimum bet that will vary from casino to casino. Once you've done this the dealer will give you five cards face down and repeat the process for themselves; with the only difference being that one of their five will be exposed.

pokeratitsbest.com The dealer's face-up card is pivotal in the game and can help influence your decisions later in the game. Once you've received your Caribbean Stud Poker hand you have the option to either fold – if you deem your hand weak – or raise and challenge the dealer. Raising requires you to put in a bet which is double the size of your opening wager.

At this point the dealer reveals their cards and if they meet the qualifying standards then a showdown takes place. The minimum hand a dealer must hold in order to qualify in a game of Caribbean Stud Poker is Ace/ King high. This means their hand must contain both an ace and a king in order for them to be able to play on.

If you decide to raise your hand and the dealer doesn't qualify, you win even money on your opening ante and your raise bet is returned. Thus, if you bet $5 initially and raised a further $10, you would receive a total of $20 back if the dealer failed to qualify ($5+$5 + $10).

If the dealer qualifies and holds a better hand than you all your money is taken by the casino. Finally, if the dealer qualifies and you win then your ante is paid out at even money and your ante is paid out according to the strength of your hand.
 

To find out more about Caribbean Stud Poker payouts, see Caribbean Stud Poker Lessons 2.