Caribbean Stud Poker
Caribbean Stud Poker is a casino table game derived from five-card stud poker, developed in the 1980s and popularised on Caribbean cruise ships before spreading to casinos worldwide. Players compete against the dealer rather than each other, aiming to form a higher-ranked five-card poker hand. The game is notable for its progressive jackpot side bet, which offers life-changing payouts for Royal Flushes but carries a house edge exceeding 25%. The core Ante/Call wager carries a house edge of approximately 5.22% — higher than most other table games but compensated by its straightforward gameplay and entertainment value.
Rules & Gameplay
Each player places an Ante bet and optionally a $1 progressive jackpot side bet. Players and the dealer each receive five cards; one of the dealer's cards is exposed. Players view their cards and decide to Call (place a Raise bet of exactly twice the Ante) or Fold (forfeit the Ante). The dealer must have Ace-King or better to qualify. If the dealer does not qualify: Ante pays 1:1, Raise pushes. If the dealer qualifies and the player wins: Ante pays 1:1, Raise pays according to the hand ranking table (Pair: 1:1, Two Pair: 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, Royal Flush: 100:1). Progressive jackpot: Royal Flush wins 100%, Straight Flush wins 10% or a fixed amount, Four of a Kind $500, Full House $100, Flush $50 — specific payouts vary by casino.
Basic Strategy
The correct play strategy reduces but does not eliminate the 5.22% house edge. Always raise with any pair or better. With Ace-King, raise if any of the following: the dealer's exposed card matches one of your non-Ace-King cards (two-pair potential); you hold an Ace-King and a Queen or Jack that matches the dealer's card; you have an Ace-King and the dealer's upcard is 2–Queen and your fourth card outranks the dealer's card. Otherwise, fold Ace-King hands against a dealer Ace or King upcard with no match. Always fold anything below Ace-King. The progressive jackpot side bet should only be played if the jackpot exceeds approximately $263,000, at which point the expected value becomes marginally positive.
At a Glance
- Category
- Card Games
- Sections
- Rules + Strategy
More Card Games
Card Games
Baccarat
Baccarat is the highest-stakes card game in the world, accounting for over 80% of casino r…
Card Games
Blackjack
Blackjack — also called Twenty-One — is the most widely played casino banking game in the …
Card Games
Texas Hold'em Poker
Texas Hold'em is the world's most popular form of poker, the game played in the World Seri…