Caribbean Stud Poker is one of the fastest growing casino table games today. . One reason for the game's growth in popularity is how easy it is to learn the rules.

To play Caribbean Stud Poker you must first ante up. An ante is an initial mandatory bet.

You have the option of folding after you evaluate your hand, in which case you forfeit your ante.

To stay in the hand, you place a wager on the "bet" spot on the table. This bet is always twice the amount of the ante.

Hands are played like blackjack hands, against the dealer, but not against the other players. The better hand wins.

The Dealer Must Qualify

The first thing that happens after the deal is that the dealer checks to see if she "qualifies". To qualify, the dealer must have an Ace-King or better hand. If the dealer does not qualify, all antes are paid off at even money, and the hand ends.

This can be frustrating if you have a big winning hand and the dealer doesn't qualify, because you only receive the ante bet in return. This is also the main way the house gets its edge.

Caribbean Stud Poker Hands and Payouts

Please note that these hands ONLY pay out if you win. If you have a 4 of a kind, and the dealer has a higher-ranked 4 of a kind, you still lose. Also note that this is an example pay table; pay tables vary from casino to casino.

The above pay rates are for the "bet" only. Ante wagers are always paid even money. So, for example, if you put out a $2 ante and $4 "bet" and ended up with a straight, you would be paid $18 ($16 on the "bet" and $2 on the ante).

Caribbean Stud Progressive Payouts

One reason many people play Caribbean Stud Poker is for the progressive jackpot. The progressive jackpot, and the pay rates, will be different for each casino. In order to be eligible for the progressive jackpot, you must place $1 in the progressive slot prior to each hand starting. The typical pay structures are:

Bluffing and Caribbean Stud Poker

This is a poker game, but you can't bluff, so don't try. The dealer NEVER folds.

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Be sure to visit the rest of our guide to Caribbean Stud Poker:

• Caribbean Stud Poker - An overview of this section of the site.
• Caribbean Stud Poker Rules - This is a standard how do you play tutorial for beginners to the game.
• How to Play Caribbean Stud - This is the 2nd half of the article explaining the rules and how to play.
• Caribbean Stud Odds and Tips - Tips for getting the most bang for your buck while playing the game, and observations regarding the game's odds.
• Caribbean Stud Strategy - A more detailed look at the correct strategy for the game and how to minimize the house edge.
• Where to Play Caribbean Stud Poker Online - A couple of recommended online casinos that offer good versions of Caribbean Stud Poker.