Caribbean Stud Poker is an exciting variation of poker that has gained popularity in online casinos and land-based casinos. The game has the advantage of being relatively simple to learn and play, making it popular with newer players. Players are only dealt five cards, and there are no additional draws or exchanges.
All the player needs to do is decide if they Fold or Raise. In this Caribbean Stud Poker guide, we will take our readers through everything they need to know about playing the game for real money. We’ll teach you the rules, the best casinos to play at, and the payouts and strategies.
Accepts players from: [USA]
Updated: 09th May, 2026
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Caribbean Stud Poker can be seen as a mixture of Blackjack and Poker to create a fast-paced and exciting table game. The game first emerged back in 1993 and has gone on to become a favorite with many players. The game is enjoyed by players who like quick rounds, simple rules, a low house edge, and good winning potential.
Rules of Caribbean Stud Poker
One of the most attractive aspects of Caribbean Stud Poker is that the game is relatively simple to understand and has very few rules. The basics of the game are to try and beat the dealer’s five-card hand with your hand. Players will need to make an Ante bet, and then they will be dealt five cards, all facing up.
The dealer will also be dealt five cards, but only one card will be face up. Players then need to look at their hand and the face-up dealer card to decide whether to fold or play further. If you decide to continue playing, you need to place a second bet that is 2x your Ante bet. If you fold, you forfeit your Ante bet and move on to the next round.
The Dealer’s Hand
At most casino sites, the Dealer’s hand needs to meet a strength requirement to qualify. When the dealer’s hand qualifies, that’s when the escalating payouts come into effect. Most casinos require the dealer’s hand to contain and Ace and King to qualify.
Even if your hand is stronger and the dealer’s hand does not qualify, you only get the 1:1 payout on your Ante bet. You will get your larger bet back, as it will essentially be null and void.
Caribbean Stud Poker Hand Rankings
When it comes to ranking hand strength in Caribbean Stud Poker, the game uses standard poker hand rankings. However, what makes the game unique is the escalating payout scale. This means that not only do stronger hands win, but they win larger amounts.
It is important to remember that the dealer’s hand needs to qualify with an Ace and King to get the escalating payout. Without that, your payout will always be 1:1. Even if you get a Royal Flush, your payout is 1:1 if the dealer does not have an Ace and King. They need to qualify for you to get the 100:1 payout. Below is the Caribbean Stud Poker Hand Ranking and the payout scale.
Hand
Description
Ante Payout
Raise Payout
Royal Flush
A, K, Q, J, 10 same suit
1:1
100:1
Straight Flush
5 cards of same suit, in sequence
1:1
50:1
4 of a Kind
4 cards of the same rank
1:1
20:1
Full House
3 of a kind + pair
1:1
7:1
Flush
5 cards of same suit
1:1
5:1
Straight
5 cards in sequence, different suits
1:1
4:1
3 of a Kind
3 cards of same rank
1:1
3:1
Two Pair
Two pairs of different cards
1:1
2:1
One Pair
One pair of same cards
1:1
1:1
High Card
Hand with no pair
1:1
1:1
How to Play Caribbean Stud Poker
Learning how to play Caribbean Stud Poker is really simple. We’ve got a step-by-step guide to get players into the game. Players will find that each round doesn’t take very long, as there is just one decision to make, Fold or Raise.
Select the Caribbean Stud Poker game and start off with placing the Ante Bet. Simply click on the appropriate chips to make your bet.
Next, click the deal button, and you will be dealt five cards. The dealer will then be dealt five, but only one will be face up.
Have a look at your hand and compare it to the visible card of the dealer’s hand. If you think you can win, click on Raise. You will then need to place a bet that is double that of your Ante. If you don’t like your chances, fold and forfeit your Ante bet.
If you decide to Raise, the dealer’s hand will be revealed. The game will then determine which hand will win.
If the dealer’s hand does not qualify, you immediately win a 1:1 payout. If the dealer’s hand qualifies and you still win, you will receive the escalating payout.
Strategy for Caribbean Stud Poker
While Caribbean Stud Poker may be a relatively simple casino game to play, there is an element of strategy involved. Just like Blackjack, in each game, there is a decision that will give you the best chance of winning. Below we have some basic guidelines that can be applied to each hand that you play.
Any time you hold a pair or higher, you should Raise.
If you have less than an Ace-King, you should consider folding
Always raise if the dealer’s face-up card is not an Ace and matches one of the cards in your hand.
Avoid the Side Bet
Some casinos will offer players the option of placing a side bet. The side bet will allow the player to win a progressive jackpot, and it will be very tempting to place this bet. In most cases, it will only add a small additional cost, but this will add up over time. In addition to this, it increases the house edge to 26%
We highly recommend avoiding the bet and sticking to the normal Raise or Fold guidelines. This is the chance you have of having a profitable betting session.
Caribbean Stud Strategy Chart
In order to make it as easy for you as possible, below you will find a Strategy Chart. Use this to help decide whether you Raise or Fold. By sticking to this chart, you give yourself the best odds of winning.
Simply locate the dealer’s face-up card along the top row, and compare them to your cards in the vertical row. Then follow the recommendation listed in the table.
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