How to Play Caribbean Stud Poker: Rules, Strategy & Odds
Caribbean Stud Poker brings five-card poker to the casino floor with a twist—you play against the dealer, not other players. With a progressive jackpot that can reach hundreds of thousands of dollars, Caribbean Stud offers the allure of big payouts combined with straightforward poker gameplay.
This guide covers everything you need to play Caribbean Stud intelligently: the rules, optimal strategy, and the truth about that tempting progressive jackpot.
Table of Contents
- What Is Caribbean Stud Poker?
- How to Play
- Hand Rankings
- Payouts
- The Progressive Jackpot
- Optimal Strategy
- Odds and House Edge
- Tips for Players
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
What Is Caribbean Stud Poker?
Caribbean Stud Poker is a casino table game based on five-card stud poker. Unlike traditional poker, you compete against the dealer rather than other players. There is no bluffing, no reading opponents—just your hand versus the dealer's hand.
Origins
Caribbean Stud was developed in the 1980s, reportedly on cruise ships in the Caribbean (hence the name). The game gained popularity when casinos added progressive jackpots, creating the possibility of life-changing wins on a single hand.
Appeal of Caribbean Stud
Poker without confrontation: Enjoy poker hand rankings without competing against skilled opponents.
Simple decisions: Bet or fold—that is your only choice each hand.
Progressive jackpot: A $1 side bet offers a shot at massive payouts for premium hands.
Social atmosphere: Multiple players can play simultaneously without competing against each other.
How to Play
Caribbean Stud follows a straightforward structure.
The Table Layout
The table resembles a blackjack table with spaces for:
- Ante bet (required to play)
- Call bet (2x the ante, made after seeing your cards)
- Progressive jackpot bet ($1 optional side bet)
Step-by-Step Gameplay
1. Place Your Ante Put chips in the ante circle to begin. If playing the progressive, place $1 in the designated slot.
2. Receive Your Cards You receive five cards face down. The dealer also receives five cards—four face down and one face up.
3. Evaluate Your Hand Look at your cards and the dealer's up card. Decide whether to continue or fold.
4. Make Your Decision
- Fold: Surrender your ante and exit the hand
- Call: Place a bet exactly 2x your ante to continue
5. Dealer Reveals The dealer turns over their remaining cards.
6. Dealer Qualification The dealer must have Ace-King high or better to "qualify." If the dealer does not qualify:
- Your ante pays 1:1
- Your call bet pushes (returned, no win or loss)
7. Compare Hands If the dealer qualifies:
- If your hand beats the dealer, ante pays 1:1 and call pays according to the pay table
- If the dealer's hand beats yours, you lose both bets
- If hands tie, both bets push
Important Rules
- You may only look at your own cards
- No sharing information with other players
- You cannot change your decision once cards are placed
- The call bet must be exactly 2x the ante
Hand Rankings
Caribbean Stud uses standard poker hand rankings:
| Rank | Hand | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Royal Flush | A♠ K♠ Q♠ J♠ 10♠ |
| 2 | Straight Flush | 9♥ 8♥ 7♥ 6♥ 5♥ |
| 3 | Four of a Kind | K♣ K♦ K♥ K♠ 3♣ |
| 4 | Full House | Q♠ Q♥ Q♦ 7♣ 7♠ |
| 5 | Flush | A♦ J♦ 8♦ 6♦ 2♦ |
| 6 | Straight | 10♣ 9♦ 8♠ 7♥ 6♣ |
| 7 | Three of a Kind | 8♣ 8♦ 8♥ K♠ 4♣ |
| 8 | Two Pair | J♣ J♠ 5♦ 5♥ A♣ |
| 9 | One Pair | A♥ A♣ K♦ 9♠ 4♥ |
| 10 | High Card | A♠ Q♦ 9♣ 7♥ 3♠ |
Ace-King Qualification
The dealer needs at least Ace-King high to qualify. This means:
- A-K-x-x-x (any three other cards) qualifies
- A-Q-x-x-x does not qualify
- Any pair or better automatically qualifies
Payouts
Ante Bet Payouts
The ante always pays 1:1 when you win (regardless of hand strength).
Call Bet Payouts
The call bet pays according to your hand:
| Hand | Typical Payout |
|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 100:1 |
| Straight Flush | 50:1 |
| Four of a Kind | 20:1 |
| Full House | 7:1 |
| Flush | 5:1 |
| Straight | 4:1 |
| Three of a Kind | 3:1 |
| Two Pair | 2:1 |
| One Pair | 1:1 |
| Ace-King High | 1:1 |
Note: Pay tables vary by casino. Some offer higher payouts for premium hands; others reduce payouts. Always check the posted pay table.
When Dealer Doesn't Qualify
This happens frequently (about 44% of hands). When it occurs:
- Ante pays 1:1
- Call bet is returned (push)
- You do not receive bonus payouts for strong hands
This is frustrating when you have a great hand—your full house pays 1:1 on the ante only if the dealer doesn't qualify.
The Progressive Jackpot
The $1 progressive side bet is Caribbean Stud's signature feature.
How It Works
Before each hand, you can place $1 in the progressive slot (usually a sensor that drops the coin/chip). This bet is independent of your main hand result.
Progressive Payouts
| Hand | Typical Payout |
|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 100% of jackpot |
| Straight Flush | 10% of jackpot |
| Four of a Kind | $500 |
| Full House | $100 |
| Flush | $50 |
Note: Payouts vary by casino. Some offer fixed amounts for all hands; others scale payouts with the jackpot size.
The Math Problem
The progressive bet has a high house edge—typically 26% or more at reset jackpot levels.
Breakeven calculation: For a royal flush (odds roughly 1 in 649,740), the jackpot needs to reach approximately $260,000 for the bet to have neutral expected value. Most jackpots reset around $10,000-$50,000.
Should You Play the Progressive?
From a pure math standpoint, almost never. The expected loss is high.
However:
- If the jackpot is unusually large (approaching $200,000+), the edge decreases significantly
- Many players accept the poor odds for the entertainment value
- A $1 bet per hand is a small premium for jackpot eligibility
Play it if you enjoy the excitement. Skip it if you are purely value-focused.
Optimal Strategy
Caribbean Stud strategy is simpler than many poker games because you have only one decision: call or fold.
Basic Strategy Rule
Call with A-K-J-8-3 or better. Fold everything worse.
This approximation covers most situations correctly.
Detailed Strategy
The complete optimal strategy considers the dealer's up card:
Always Call With:
- Any pair or better
- A-K-Q or A-K-J (regardless of other cards)
Always Fold With:
- Less than A-K high
When You Have A-K: The decision depends on your remaining cards and the dealer's up card:
- If the dealer's up card is 2 through Q and matches one of your cards, call
- If the dealer's up card is A or K and you have a Q or J, call
- If you have Q-J in your hand, call
- Otherwise, fold
Simplified Strategy
If memorizing the full strategy seems complex, use this simplified version with minimal cost:
- Call with any pair or better
- Call with A-K-Q or better
- Fold everything else
This sacrifices about 0.1% in expected return compared to perfect strategy—acceptable for casual play.
What Not to Do
Don't bluff: The dealer cannot fold. Your only way to win is having a better hand.
Don't play hunches: The math is clear. A-K-4-3-2 is a fold despite having ace-king.
Don't vary your strategy based on results: Each hand is independent. A losing streak doesn't mean you're "due" for a win.
Odds and House Edge
Understanding the mathematics helps set realistic expectations.
House Edge
Main game (ante + call): 5.22% with optimal strategy
This is higher than blackjack or baccarat but lower than many specialty games.
Progressive bet: 26%+ (varies with jackpot size)
Key Probabilities
| Event | Probability |
|---|---|
| Dealer qualifies | 56.3% |
| Dealer doesn't qualify | 43.7% |
| Player wins (dealer qualifies) | 29.9% |
| Dealer wins (dealer qualifies) | 26.4% |
| Tie | <1% |
Why the Dealer Non-Qualification Rule Matters
When the dealer doesn't qualify, you miss bonus payouts on strong hands. Your full house that should pay 7:1 on the call bet instead pays just 1:1 on the ante.
This rule significantly affects the game's math. Without it, Caribbean Stud would have a much lower house edge.
Expected Loss
At $10 ante ($30 total wagered per hand with call):
- Playing 40 hands per hour
- Expected hourly loss: approximately $62
Compare to blackjack at similar stakes: approximately $6-12 per hour with basic strategy.
Tips for Players
Practical advice for Caribbean Stud sessions.
Bankroll Management
Caribbean Stud has high variance. You need:
- At least 30-40 buy-ins (ante amounts) per session
- Willingness to lose the entire session bankroll
- Understanding that losing sessions will outnumber winning sessions
Table Selection
- Compare pay tables between casinos
- Check progressive jackpot amounts if playing the side bet
- Look for tables with comfortable minimums for your bankroll
Pace of Play
Caribbean Stud moves slower than blackjack but faster than poker. Expect:
- 40-50 hands per hour
- Time to socialize and enjoy the experience
- No pressure to make quick decisions
Dealer Interaction
Unlike poker, you and the dealer are not adversaries in a strategic sense. Feel free to:
- Ask questions about rules
- Chat during play
- Tip on big wins (customary but not required)
When to Walk Away
Set limits before playing:
- Loss limit: Maximum amount you will lose
- Win goal: Amount at which you will leave happy
- Time limit: Duration of play regardless of results
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
Caribbean Stud Poker offers a relaxed poker experience without the pressure of competing against skilled opponents. The rules are simple, the strategy is manageable, and the progressive jackpot adds excitement even if the math isn't favorable.
Key takeaways:
- House edge is 5.22% on the main game
- Call with A-K-J-8-3 or better, fold otherwise
- Progressive jackpot has high house edge but offers big win potential
- Dealer doesn't qualify 44% of the time
For optimal play:
- Learn basic strategy (it is simple)
- Skip the progressive unless the jackpot is huge
- Set a bankroll and stick to it
- Enjoy the social atmosphere
Caribbean Stud won't make you rich, but it provides genuine entertainment for players who enjoy poker hands without poker pressure. Play within your means and enjoy the ride.
Good luck at the tables.