Warming Up to Caribbean Stud Poker

by Bodog Casino | Oct 20 2008

Ever hear about Caribbean Stud Poker and wonder what the hell it’s all about? Let’s clear up some possible misconceptions that may have popped into your head:

Caribbean Stud Poker is not Holdem with a Jamaican dealer, poker with dominos or poker played in the Caribbean.

Also it’s a casino game, not a poker game, because every player that plays Stud Poker is facing the house, not other players. That means there’s no bluffing, no need to wear tinted shades, and no need to re-enact scenes from Rounders. It’s a five-card game with a single deck of 52 cards, your hand versus the house, and may the best hand win.

You place an ante, receive a hand and then decide whether or not you would like to bet against the dealer’s hand. Problem is only one of the dealer’s cards is dealt face up, so where the risk comes in is figuring out whether to “raise” or “fold.”

The good news is the dealer’s hand has to “qualify”: He must have a hand containing an Ace and a King or better (like a pair, for example). If he don’t got it, you get paid 1:1 odds.

If your hand beats his hand after he qualifies you win your ante and your raise, capisci?

So what are some tips to leave the game richer? We’ve got some:

• Raise if you have a pair or better as one pair pays 1:1 odds and the hand can only get better.
• Always fold with less than the dealer’s qualifying hand.
• Make sure the progressive jackpot is worth your dollar. The house edge for Caribbean Stud is approximately 26.46 percent. And the chance of hitting a Royal Flush in Stud poker is approximately 649,351 to 1. It’s not worth your buck if there’s only 10 grand in there.
• Try raising if you have an Ace and a King if the dealer shows a two through Queen and it matches one of yours. Also raise if the dealer’s shown card is an Ace or King and you have a Queen or Jack in your hand.
• Tread lightly with your wallet when playing this game. Caribbean Stud has a house edge of about 5.2 percent. That’s about on par with Roulette, a game that’s a crapshoot for most players.

Play Caribbean Stud Poker at Bodog Casino.