Caribbean Stud Poker

Caribbean Stud Poker quite rightfully conjures up images of lazy cruise ships and balmy summer nights where card table action is at its best. In fact, the game is a firm favorite in the Caribbean and is played aboard ships, thus explaining its name.

The game is similar to Five Card Stud Poker, but contrary to traditional poker, Caribbean Stud Poker is played against the dealer and the other players do not determine the outcome of the game. The game, however, does borrow from ‘normal’ poker through the use of antes and raises, and regular poker hand rankings. Bluffing, deception and other typical poker strategies do not work in this version of the game.

Caribbean Stud Poker is a popular choice at online casinos, requiring that the player make an ante – or initial bet – and having cards dealt by the dealer. The player then has the choice of betting or surrendering. Surrendering will naturally lead to the player losing the game and thus forfeiting the ante as well.

Betting takes the game into an entire different realm. The dealer’s hand first needs to ‘qualify’, meaning that it contains an Ace/King combination or better. If it does indeed qualify, the player’s hand is compared to the dealers and, if it is better, wins and is pay out according to a set table.

Some casinos carry Caribbean Stud Poker bonus jackpots that grow each time a player makes a bet. These are excellent ‘low investment, high return’ types of jackpots and are definitely recommended.

Caribbean Stud Poker is an exciting game of chance, although players may be able to improve their odds somewhat by learning a form of basic strategy. With its great poker elements and a twist on traditional gaming, it is no wonder that Caribbean Stud Poker is so popular at casinos today.