(Table Games continued)

Caribbean Stud Poker

     

A Caribbean stud table has a spot for an ante bet and a raise. Every player is dealt five cards and the dealer is dealt five cards. The last card of the dealer's is dealt face up. Each bettor is then given the chance to raise or fold. A folding player loses the ante. If a player wishes to raise, the raise can only be twice the wager. 

The dealer will then reveal his cards. If the dealer has at least an Ace-King, he will play. Otherwise he will "fold" and the players still in the game will be paid their ante wager. If the dealer does have an Ace-King or higher, the player will be paid both the ante and the raise if the player's hand out ranks the dealer's hand. Otherwise, the player loses both.

Payout is based on the following:

Royal Flush      100:1
Straight Flush     50:1
4 of a Kind         20:1
Full House            7:1
Flush                    5:1
3 of a Kind           3:1
2 Pair                   2:1
Less                     1:1 

Caribbean Stud also has a side bet that is not worth making. For a dollar you can buy into a progressive jackpot. The payout is as follows:

Royal Flush-      All of the jackpot, normally a minimum is guaranteed 
Straight Flush-    10% of the jackpot total
4 of a Kind         $500
Full House          $100
Flush                    $75

Strategy for Caribbean Stud is simple. Raise on a pair and fold everything else. 

Although Caribbean Stud is a fun game, it carries a disappointing 5.2% house edge (excluding the higher edge of the side bet) .