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Card games have always captivated those who are passionate about casinos. Caribbean Stud Poker is a great crossover between casino card games and the world of online poker. It has changed slightly from its original “Casino Poker” form, which saw the house with two hole cards displayed.

The game continues to increase in popularity, even spawning a multi-player version. Caribbean Stud Poker is also known as Casino Stud Poker, and is played by using one deck of cards that is shuffled before a new hand is dealt. Essentially, it's a short form of Poker where the player and the house compare randomly dealt hands of poker.

Actions

When you play Caribbean Stud Poker, the player will place an ante bet to enter the game and receive 5 cards. The dealer will also deal 5 cards for the house, with the last card being dealt face up. If the dealer fails to qualify (doesn’t have cards to the value of Ace-King or higher), at the end of the game all the active players will be paid an even sum on their ante bet.

In order for a player to continue playing, the dealt hand has to place a new bet (call bet) that is double the ante bet. One of the best and safest strategies for novice players to play a winning hand at Caribbean Stud Poker, is to always play either with AKJ or higher.

Remember to take in consideration the value of face up card the dealer is holding. Otherwise, it is best to fold all other hands. If the player makes the call bet we go to the showdown where the house’s remaining four cards are revealed.

Basic Rules

The dealer’s hand must be Ace, King, or higher, in order to be able to qualify. At the beginning of the game, players have an opportunity to decide whether or not they should continue to play the hand just by looking at the value of the dealer’s “face up” card. If the dealer’s face up card is either a King or an Ace the game is on. If the player’s hand is Queen high or lower, then the player should really just fold.

The hand rankings follow the normal poker rankings, with the following payouts: one pair 1-1, two pairs 2-1, three of a kind 3-1, straight 4-1, flush 5-1, full house 7-1, four of a kind 20-1, straight flush 50-1, and royal flush 100-1.

Progressive Jackpots

Regardless of whether you play Caribbean Stud Poker in a land-based casino or online, you always have the progressive jackpot side bet available during the regular game. The progressive jackpot provides a chance to win big if you hit a straight flush. These jackpots are progressive, which means all qualifying bets placed by the players at the table, or playing online at that same game, will contribute towards them.

To play the progressive jackpot, a jackpot bet must be placed together with the ante bet. It’s up to you whether you do it, but would you be able to forgive yourself in case you hit the Royal Flush and missed out on the jackpot? It’s 5-card poker with a jackpot, and the bigger the jackpot the more intense the experience.