Invented in the 1980s specifically to attract poker players to the main casino floor, Caribbean Stud is a fantastic, fast-paced table game.
This completely eliminates the need to maintain a "poker face" or worry about someone aggressively raising your bets.
The Basic Rules: Ante and Deal
The dealer then deals themselves five cards, but crucially, turns their very last card completely face up for the entire table to see.
They must either "Fold" and immediately lose their Ante, or "Call" (also known as "Play") by placing a bet exactly twice the size of their Ante.
- The dealer always exposes exactly one of their five cards face up
- Folding immediately surrenders the Ante bet to the house
- Calling requires placing a bet exactly double the size of the Ante
The Dealer Qualification Rule
If the player decides to "Call" and double their bet, the dealer flips over their remaining four hidden cards to reveal their hand.
If the dealer fails to qualify (e.g., they only have Queen-high), the player instantly wins even money (1:1) on their Ante bet.
The Massive Jackpot Side Bet
If you hold exactly Ace-King, the strategy becomes slightly more complex, depending entirely on the dealer's single exposed "upcard."
Aside from the main game, Caribbean Stud is famous for its optional $1 progressive jackpot side bet.
| Player Action | Condition | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Fold | Always | Lose Ante bet immediately |
| Play (Call) | Dealer does NOT qualify | Win Ante 1:1, Call bet pushes |
Caribbean Stud offers a fantastic, low-stress bridge between the intense strategy of the poker room and the pure luck of the casino pit.
