Caribbean Poker Rules

Caribbean Poker Rules - How to Play Caribbean Poker

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Caribbean Poker is often referred to as Caribbean Stud Poker. Caribbean Stud Poker is a table game that is played against a dealer. This game is extremely fun to play but the house's edge makes the game a little poor in terms of return. The game is fairly simple to play and the rules are straightforward.

Rules

In Caribbean Poker, each player puts out an ante. The dealer then gives each player five cards. All five of the cards are face up and the dealer also has five cards. The dealer has one card face up and four hole (face down) cards.

The action begins and each player is given the option to stay or fold. If they choose to stay, they have to bet. The bet must equal two times as much as they chose to ante. The ante is not a set amount in the beginning of the hand, you can wager whatever you like within the table limits.

For example, if you ante $10 and choose to stay, you will have to put $20 in. After every player decides whether they are folding or staying, the dealer will reveal the four hole cards. The poker hands rank from highest to lowest as follows:

Hand - Payout - Details

• Royal Flush - 100 to 1 - A,K,Q,J,10 same suit
• Straight Flush - 50 to 1 - Same suit, 5 consecutive cards
• Four Of A Kind - 20 to 1 - Four same valued cards
• Full House - 7 to 1 - 3 same valued cards and a pair
• Flush - 5 to 1 - Five of the same suit
• Straight - 4 to 1 - Five consecutive cards (7,8,9,10,J)
• Three Of A Kind - 3 to 1 - Three same valued cards
• Two Pair - 2 to 1 - Two pairs of same valued cards
• Pair - 1 to 1 - Two same valued cards
• Ace King - 1 to 1 - Ace or King in your hand

The payout mentioned in this table is the standard payout structure for Caribbean Stud Poker tables. However, this is subject to change. The payout is only received if you beat the dealer. If you have a pair but the dealer has two pair, you don't get your 1 to 1 payout. The object of this game is to get the highest hand possible and also beat the dealer.

The dealer's hand has to qualify. If the dealer does not have at least an Ace or King hand, the players remaining in the hand win their initial wager. The bet or raise required to stay is pushed. Pushed means your raise is returned to you.

Odds and The House

In Caribbean Poker, the game is fun but the odds are a little weak and the house edge is a little steep. Below are few statistics on the house edge and the odds at Caribbean Poker.

• 2.7% - House advantage on all wagers
• 5.6% - House advantage on the antes
• 56% - Dealer Qualifies
• 80% - Dealer's Qualifying hand is a pair or better
• 90% - Payback that comes from one or two pair and three of a kind hands

Caribbean Poker can be really fun and profitable if you play it optimally. Just be careful of which hands you stay on. Take into consideration the statistics on how often the dealer qualifies and look closely at your hand. If you have A,K,Q you may consider calling. You have a 56% chance that they won't qualify and your pushing for that flip to win your ante. If the dealer does qualify, there's an 80% chance that he has a pair or better. Choose carefully which hands you choose to stay with.