Caribbean Stud Poker Rules

How to Play Caribbean Stud Poker

In order to play Caribbean Stud, it is vital that you understand poker as a whole. We go through this game in our poker guide.

If you understand regular poker, here is how to play Caribbean Stud:

Preparations

• Players: 1–5 (vs. the dealer)
• Cards: Standard 52-card deck

Table Layout Includes:

• An Ante box
• A Bet or Raise box
• Optional Progressive Jackpot circle

Each player places an Ante to begin. If playing the jackpot, the additional bet goes in the marked side bet area.

Gameplay

This is how the game flows:

Place Ante Bets

All players must make an Ante bet before cards are dealt.
(Optional) Players can place a jackpot side bet for a shot at bonus payouts.

Cards Dealt

Each player gets five face-down cards.
The dealer receives five cards: four face-down, one face-up.

Player Decision: Fold or Raise

After viewing their cards, each player can:

• Fold: Lose the Ante and forfeit the hand.
• Raise: Place a second bet (exactly double the Ante).

Dealer Reveals Cards

Dealer flips all five cards.
The hand must qualify with Ace-King or higher.

Payouts

If the dealer does not qualify:

• Ante pays even money (1:1)
• Raise pushes (no win, no loss)

If the dealer qualifies and:

• Beats the player – player loses both Ante and Raise
• Loses to the player – player wins even money on Ante and a payout based on Raise (see table below)
• Ties – both bets push

Raise Bet Payout Table (standard casino structure)

Strategies and Tips

The “bank” always wins in the end, but there are many strategies to maximize your chances to have a profitable session overall. Here are some things you should implement right away.

Play only strong hands

Use this general strategy:

• Always raise with a pair or higher.
• Raise with Ace-King if:
  • Dealer’s upcard is Ace or King, and you have a matching Queen or Jack
  • Dealer’s card is lower than your fourth highest card

Avoid the side bet – unless you’re feeling lucky

The progressive jackpot side bet has long odds, and while the payouts are huge, the house edge is steep. You will lose money overall if you do this on every hand, unless you hit something mega.

Find more info on how the sidebets work below.

Don’t bluff

This isn’t Texas Hold’em. There’s no benefit to tricking the dealer. It's all about math, not psychology.

Caribbean Stud Poker Side Bet (Progressive Jackpot)

The side bet in Caribbean Stud Poker is an optional wager placed at the start of each hand for a chance to win a progressive jackpot or bonus payouts based on your hand. Regardless of whether you beat the dealer.

How it works:

• Players place the side bet in the marked jackpot circle before cards are dealt
• After receiving cards, normal gameplay proceeds (fold or raise, etc.)
• If your five-card hand matches one of the jackpot qualifying hands, you win the side bet payout, even if the dealer beats you

The jackpot is funded by a portion of all players’ side bets and continues growing until someone hits a Royal Flush.

Typical Progressive Side Bet Payouts

Payouts may vary slightly depending on the casino or online platform.

Key notes:

• The side bet is fixed (often $1)
• You must raise (not fold) to qualify for jackpot payouts at most tables
• Hitting the Royal Flush on the first go with the side bet active? You could walk away with a six-figure payout, even in a low-stakes game

Overview of the Game Rules

• Place an Ante to start the round
• Receive 5 cards face-down; dealer gets 1 face-up and 4 down
• Choose to Fold or Raise
• Dealer reveals hand and must qualify (Ace-King or better)
• Payouts based on hand strength and whether dealer qualifies
• Optional jackpot side bet pays out huge if you hit a high-ranking hand