Caribbean Stud Poker: Five-Card Casino Poker with Progressive Jackpot

What Is Caribbean Stud Poker?

Caribbean Stud Poker is a casino table game that adapts traditional five-card stud poker into a player-versus-dealer format. Unlike poker variants such as Texas Hold'em where players compete against each other, Caribbean Stud pits each player individually against the house dealer. The game uses standard five-card poker hand rankings but removes the bluffing, betting rounds, and psychological elements of traditional poker.

The game emerged in the 1980s, with its origins often attributed to poker professional David Sklansky, though the exact history remains disputed. According to the Wikipedia article on Caribbean Stud Poker, the game was developed to bring poker excitement to casino table game formats. Caribbean Stud gained popularity in cruise ship casinos and Caribbean resort properties before spreading to land-based casinos worldwide. Its name reflects these tropical origins where the game first gained traction.

A defining innovation of Caribbean Stud is the progressive jackpot side bet, one of the first progressive jackpots ever attached to a table game. This feature allows players to compete for potentially life-changing payouts for premium hands like royal flushes, adding excitement beyond the standard Ante/Raise gameplay. The progressive element helped establish Caribbean Stud as a casino staple and influenced numerous subsequent table games.

Today, Caribbean Stud appears in most casinos offering table games. While its house edge is higher than games like Blackjack or Baccarat, the game attracts players who enjoy poker hand rankings in a simpler, faster format. Understanding the rules, optimal strategy, and realistic expectations helps players approach the game intelligently.

How to Play Caribbean Stud Poker

Step 1: Place Your Ante Bet

Before any cards are dealt, each player places an Ante bet in the designated betting circle. This initial wager must meet the table minimum (typically $5-$25). The Ante represents your entry into the hand and commitment to see your five cards. Optionally, you may also place a $1 progressive jackpot side bet in the designated slot—more on this later.

Step 2: Receive Your Five Cards

The dealer gives each player five cards face down. The dealer also receives five cards, but critically, one of the dealer's cards is dealt face up while four remain face down. This exposed dealer card provides crucial information for your decision-making. You may examine your cards but should not show them to other players or discuss hands during play.

Step 3: Decide to Raise or Fold

After examining your five cards and the dealer's exposed card, you must make a single decision:

Fold: Surrender your hand and forfeit your Ante bet. You're out of the round with no further action. Folding is correct when your hand is weak and unlikely to beat even a qualifying dealer hand.

Raise: Make an additional wager exactly equal to twice your Ante bet. If you bet $10 Ante, your Raise must be exactly $20. You're now committed to showdown against the dealer. Unlike Three Card Poker where the Play bet equals the Ante, Caribbean Stud requires a 2x Raise.

There are no other options—no checking, no variable raise amounts, no drawing new cards. Caribbean Stud is a single-decision game after the initial deal.

Step 4: Dealer Reveals and Qualification

After all players make their decisions, the dealer reveals their remaining four cards. The critical rule: the dealer must have Ace-King high or better to qualify. This means the dealer needs at least A-K-x-x-x or any made hand (pair or better) to compete against players.

If the dealer does NOT qualify: You automatically win even money (1:1) on your Ante bet, and your Raise bet pushes (is returned with no profit or loss). This occurs regardless of your hand strength—even a weak hand wins if the dealer fails to qualify.

If the dealer DOES qualify: Compare hands using standard five-card poker rankings. If your hand beats the dealer's, you win even money (1:1) on your Ante plus bonus payouts on your Raise based on your hand strength. If the dealer's hand beats yours, you lose both Ante and Raise bets. Exact ties push both bets.

Step 5: Raise Bet Payouts

When you beat a qualifying dealer, your Raise bet pays according to a fixed paytable based on your hand strength. Standard payouts (may vary by casino):

• 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
• Pair or Less: 1:1

These bonus payouts apply only to the Raise bet and only when beating a qualifying dealer. If the dealer doesn't qualify, you receive no Raise bonus regardless of your hand strength—your Raise simply pushes.

Five-Card Hand Rankings in Caribbean Stud

Caribbean Stud uses standard five-card poker rankings identical to games like Five Card Draw or the final hands in Texas Hold'em. Understanding these rankings is essential for evaluating your hand and making correct raise/fold decisions. For complete details, see our Poker Hand Rankings reference.

Royal Flush (Best)

A-K-Q-J-10 all of the same suit. The absolute best hand in poker, occurring approximately once in 650,000 hands. In Caribbean Stud, this typically wins the progressive jackpot (if playing the side bet) plus 100:1 on your Raise.

Straight Flush

Five consecutive cards of the same suit (excluding A-K-Q-J-10). Examples: 9♥-8♥-7♥-6♥-5♥ or Q♣-J♣-10♣-9♣-8♣. Probability: approximately 1 in 72,000 hands.

Four of a Kind

Four cards of the same rank plus one kicker. Example: 7-7-7-7-K. Also called "quads." Probability: approximately 1 in 4,200 hands.

Full House

Three cards of one rank plus two cards of another rank. Example: J-J-J-5-5 ("Jacks full of fives"). Probability: approximately 1 in 700 hands.

Flush

Five cards of the same suit, not in sequence. Example: K♠-10♠-7♠-4♠-2♠. When comparing flushes, the highest card wins; if tied, compare second-highest, and so on. Probability: approximately 1 in 500 hands.

Straight

Five consecutive cards of mixed suits. Example: 8-7-6-5-4 (different suits). The ace can be high (A-K-Q-J-10) or low (5-4-3-2-A) but cannot wrap around (K-A-2-3-4 is not valid). Probability: approximately 1 in 250 hands.

Three of a Kind

Three cards of the same rank plus two unrelated cards. Example: 9-9-9-K-4. Probability: approximately 1 in 47 hands.

Two Pair

Two cards of one rank plus two cards of another rank plus one kicker. Example: Q-Q-6-6-3. When comparing two pair hands, the higher pair wins; if tied, compare the second pair; if still tied, compare kickers. Probability: approximately 1 in 21 hands.

One Pair

Two cards of the same rank plus three unrelated cards. Example: 10-10-A-8-5. Higher pairs beat lower pairs. Probability: approximately 1 in 2.4 hands (about 42% of all hands).

High Card (Lowest)

Five unrelated cards that don't form any of the above hands. Example: A-J-8-6-3 (different suits). When comparing high card hands, compare highest cards first, then second-highest, etc. Probability: approximately 50% of all hands.

The dealer qualification threshold (Ace-King high) means the dealer needs at least a very specific high-card hand to compete. Any dealer hand of K-Q-x-x-x or worse automatically fails to qualify, resulting in automatic Ante wins for remaining players.

The Progressive Jackpot Side Bet

Caribbean Stud's progressive jackpot is one of its most distinctive features, representing an early implementation of progressive jackpots on table games. According to Britannica's entry on gambling machines, progressive jackpots pool a portion of wagers across multiple games to create growing prize pools—Caribbean Stud applied this concept to table games years before it became common.

How the Progressive Works

Before the deal, you may optionally place $1 in the progressive jackpot slot (a special drop slot connected to an electronic meter). This bet is completely independent from the main Ante/Raise game. If your final five-card hand meets certain thresholds, you win fixed amounts or a percentage of the progressive jackpot—regardless of whether you beat the dealer or even made the Raise bet.

Standard Progressive Payouts

Paytables vary by casino and progressive size, but common structures include:

• Royal Flush: 100% of progressive jackpot
• Straight Flush: 10% of progressive jackpot
• Four of a Kind: $500 (fixed)
• Full House: $100 (fixed)
• Flush: $50 (fixed)

The progressive jackpot typically starts at a reset value (often $10,000-$25,000) and grows with each $1 bet placed. Jackpots can reach hundreds of thousands of dollars or more, though such large amounts are rare and require extended periods without a royal flush winner.

Is the Progressive Worth It?

Mathematically, the progressive side bet has a very high house edge—typically 25% to 50% depending on the current jackpot size. The break-even point (where expected value becomes positive) requires extremely large jackpots, often exceeding $250,000 or more. Research from institutions like the University of Nevada Las Vegas International Gaming Institute consistently shows progressive side bets favor the house significantly.

For most recreational players, the progressive is entertainment expense rather than mathematical opportunity. The dollar bet provides the fantasy of life-changing wins and extends play excitement. However, serious players focused on minimizing losses typically skip the progressive entirely.

Optimal Caribbean Stud Poker Strategy

Basic Strategy: When to Raise

The mathematically optimal strategy for Caribbean Stud is more complex than Three Card Poker's simple Q-6-4 rule, but simplified guidelines capture most of the value:

Always Raise with:

• Any pair or better (two pair, three of a kind, straight, flush, etc.)
• Ace-King-Queen-x-x or better (when you have A-K and at least one card that matches the dealer's up card)

Always Fold with:

• Hands worse than Ace-King (high card hands like K-Q-x-x-x or worse)

The Ace-King Decision

The most complex decisions occur when you hold exactly Ace-King high (no pair). The complete optimal strategy for A-K hands involves comparing your other cards to the dealer's exposed card. Simplified A-K guidelines:

Raise with A-K if:

• The dealer's up card is an Ace or King AND you hold a Queen or Jack
• The dealer's up card matches one of your other three cards (giving you "outs" against the dealer making a pair)
• You hold Q-J (your third and fourth highest cards are Queen and Jack)

Fold with A-K if:

• Your remaining cards are weak (no match to dealer's card, no Q or J)
• The dealer shows a 2 through Queen and you have no matching card and your fourth card is lower than the dealer's card

The mathematical edge gained by perfect A-K strategy is relatively small. Most players adopt the simplified approach: raise any A-K where the dealer's card matches one of yours or when you have A-K-Q or better.

House Edge with Optimal Play

Following optimal strategy reduces the house edge to approximately 5.22%. This is notably higher than blackjack (0.5%), baccarat banker (1.06%), or Three Card Poker (2-3.4%). According to gaming mathematics resources like Wizard of Odds, Caribbean Stud's higher house edge reflects the game's entertainment premium—simpler decisions and bigger hand payouts come at a mathematical cost.

Common Strategy Mistakes

Folding pairs: Never fold any pair. Even a pair of 2s beats a qualifying dealer who only has Ace-King high, and pairs have positive expected value against the dealer's range.

Playing every A-K: While pairs should always be played, weak A-K hands (especially when the dealer shows a card you don't hold) should often be folded. Playing every A-K increases the house edge by approximately 0.5%.

Chasing the progressive: Some players stay in marginal hands hoping to hit progressive-qualifying hands. The progressive is independent—your hand qualifies or it doesn't regardless of the main game decision. Base your raise/fold choice on beating the dealer, not on progressive considerations.

Understanding Dealer Qualification

The Ace-King qualification rule is central to Caribbean Stud's dynamics. The dealer fails to qualify approximately 44% of the time—nearly half of all hands result in automatic Ante wins regardless of player hand strength. This frequent non-qualification creates the game's distinctive rhythm.

Why Qualification Matters

When the dealer doesn't qualify, you receive only even money on your Ante while your Raise bet pushes. This means you win a relatively small amount even with premium hands. If you hold a straight flush but the dealer has K-Q-10-7-4, you win just 1x your Ante—not the 50:1 Raise bonus you'd receive against a qualifying dealer.

This dynamic has strategic implications: the value of big hands is partially determined by how often dealers qualify when you hold them. A full house is less valuable than its paytable suggests because dealers frequently fail to qualify, denying you the 7:1 Raise bonus.

Using the Dealer's Up Card

The single exposed dealer card provides information about qualification probability. When the dealer shows an Ace or King, qualification is more likely since the dealer already has one of the required cards. When the dealer shows a low card (2-5), qualification requires the dealer's hidden cards to contain both an Ace and King or a pair—less likely scenarios.

This information influences A-K decisions specifically. When the dealer shows a high card and you hold A-K, you're more likely facing a qualified dealer, making your marginal hand weaker. When the dealer shows a low card, non-qualification is more likely, but your A-K still needs to beat a potentially qualifying hand.

Caribbean Stud vs Other Casino Poker Games

Compared to Three Card Poker

Three Card Poker uses only three cards and has simpler hand rankings (straights beat flushes in three-card). Caribbean Stud's five cards enable full poker rankings including two pair, full house, and four of a kind. Three Card Poker has lower house edge (2-3.4% vs 5.22%) and faster gameplay. Caribbean Stud offers larger Raise bonus payouts and the progressive jackpot appeal.

Compared to Ultimate Texas Hold'em

Ultimate Texas Hold'em uses community cards and allows multiple betting decisions throughout the hand. Caribbean Stud has just one decision (raise or fold) with no community cards—each hand is private. Ultimate Texas Hold'em has lower optimal house edge (around 2.2%) but more complex strategy. Caribbean Stud is simpler to learn and play.

Compared to Let It Ride

Let It Ride uses three cards dealt to the player plus two community cards, with players removing bets progressively rather than adding them. Caribbean Stud has no community cards and requires doubling down (the Raise) rather than pulling back bets. Both games use five-card rankings, but their betting structures create different dynamics.

Compared to Traditional Poker

Unlike Texas Hold'em or Seven Card Stud, Caribbean Stud has no player-vs-player competition, no bluffing, no multiple betting rounds, and no pot-building. You compete solely against the dealer with fixed payouts. This makes Caribbean Stud much simpler but removes the skill elements that create poker's edge potential for expert players.

Odds and House Edge Analysis

Understanding Caribbean Stud's mathematics helps set realistic expectations. The house edge concept in casino games represents the mathematical advantage casinos hold over players in the long run.

Main Game House Edge

With optimal strategy, Caribbean Stud's house edge is approximately 5.22%. This means for every $100 wagered over the long run, players can expect to lose about $5.22 on average. This is higher than many table games but lower than some slot machines and specialty games.

Why the Edge Is Higher

Several factors create Caribbean Stud's relatively high house edge:

• Raise requirement: The mandatory 2x Raise to stay in hands means you commit three total units (Ante + Raise) to win hands, increasing variance and potential losses
• Non-qualification frequency: When dealers don't qualify (44% of hands), your Raise bet merely pushes, denying bonus payouts on strong hands
• Single decision point: Unlike blackjack's multiple strategic decisions, Caribbean Stud's single choice limits ability to recover from bad starts

Hourly Cost Expectations

At 40 hands per hour with $10 Ante bets ($10 Ante + $20 Raise = $30 total action per hand when playing), expected hourly loss approaches $62.64 with optimal play. Add progressive side bets ($1 per hand) with typical 25% house edge, and losses increase by approximately $10 per hour. These figures help frame Caribbean Stud as entertainment with predictable costs rather than potential income.

Variance and Sessions

Caribbean Stud's bonus payouts create high variance. Individual sessions can deviate significantly from expected results. A single straight flush (50:1 Raise payout) dramatically affects session outcome, while most hands result in small wins, small losses, or pushes. This volatility appeals to players seeking bigger swings but complicates bankroll management. Understanding pot odds and expected value concepts from traditional poker can help frame these risks.

Table Etiquette and Practical Tips

Card Handling

Keep your five cards on the table—don't hold them against your body or remove them from the table surface. Use one hand to peek at cards while keeping them low and protected. The dealer's exposed card is visible to all players; look but don't touch.

Betting and Decisions

Place your Ante bet before any cards are dealt. If playing the progressive, drop your $1 chip into the slot before the deal begins—late progressive bets are not accepted. When ready to raise, place your 2x Raise bet in the designated circle. To fold, slide your cards face-down toward the dealer or simply say "fold."

Don't Share Hand Information

In Caribbean Stud, sharing your hand information with other players is strictly prohibited and may result in hand forfeiture. Each player's decision must be independent. This rule prevents collusion where players might share information to deduce the dealer's hidden cards.

Understand the Paytables

Before sitting down, verify the Raise bonus paytable and progressive payouts. These can vary between casinos and even between tables in the same casino. A less favorable paytable increases the house edge beyond the standard 5.22%.

Bankroll Considerations

Caribbean Stud requires three units per played hand (Ante + 2x Raise), plus optional progressive side bet. At a $10 table, each hand potentially costs $30-$31. Plan for 50-100 hands per session, suggesting bankrolls of $1,500-$3,000 for comfortable play at $10 minimums. Lower stakes tables reduce bankroll requirements proportionally.

History and Evolution of Caribbean Stud

Caribbean Stud Poker's history reflects the casino industry's ongoing efforts to create proprietary games that attract poker enthusiasts while maintaining predictable house advantages. The game emerged during the 1980s poker boom when traditional five-card stud was declining in popularity but poker's appeal remained strong.

The game's development is often credited to David Sklansky, a renowned poker theorist and author, who reportedly created an early version called "Casino Poker" in 1982. However, the patent and commercial rights were eventually acquired by others, and the game underwent modifications before reaching its modern form. According to gaming history documented by organizations like the American Gaming Association, proprietary table games like Caribbean Stud represented significant innovation in casino offerings during this era.

The progressive jackpot element proved particularly influential. Adding shared progressive prizes to table games was novel in the 1980s—most progressives were confined to slot machines. Caribbean Stud's success with this feature inspired numerous imitators and established progressives as viable table game options.

Cruise ships and Caribbean resorts provided early venues for the game, explaining its tropical naming. These venues attracted poker-curious tourists who wanted poker-like excitement without the intimidation of traditional poker rooms. Caribbean Stud filled this niche perfectly, leading to its spread into Las Vegas and eventually worldwide markets.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if the dealer and I have the same hand?

Exact ties push—both Ante and Raise bets are returned without profit or loss. Ties are determined by comparing hands completely: if you both have a pair of Kings with A-J-7 kickers, it's a tie. But if your kickers differ, the higher kicker wins.

Can I see other players' cards?

No. Sharing hand information is prohibited in Caribbean Stud. Each player's decision must be made independently based only on their own cards and the dealer's exposed card. This rule prevents collusion.

Is card counting useful in Caribbean Stud?

Card counting provides minimal advantage in Caribbean Stud because you see only six cards (your five plus dealer's one exposed) from a freshly shuffled deck. The information is insufficient for meaningful predictions. Unlike blackjack, where removing cards affects subsequent probabilities across many hands, Caribbean Stud deals fresh shoes constantly.

Should I always play the progressive?

From a pure mathematical perspective, no—the progressive typically has 25-50% house edge. However, the $1 bet is small entertainment expense for the dream of a major jackpot. Many recreational players include the progressive as part of their Caribbean Stud experience despite its negative expectation.

What's the minimum bankroll I need?

At $5 Ante tables ($5 Ante + $10 Raise = $15 per hand), bring at least $500 for a reasonable session. At $10 tables, $1,000 provides similar coverage. These amounts account for normal variance and allow playing approximately 30-50 hands without high risk of ruin.

Responsible Gaming Considerations

Caribbean Stud Poker, like all casino games, carries inherent financial risk with mathematically guaranteed long-term house advantage. The 5.22% house edge ensures the casino profits over time regardless of short-term player wins. The progressive jackpot's allure can encourage extended play and larger-than-planned wagers.

Set firm limits before playing: maximum time, maximum loss, and stick to these limits regardless of results. Caribbean Stud's three-unit betting structure (Ante + Raise) means losses accumulate faster than games with smaller bet multiples. A losing streak of 10 hands at $10 Ante costs $300 ($30 per hand), not $100 ($10 per hand).

The progressive jackpot can create false hope of "winning it all back." Remember that progressive odds are astronomically against you—royal flushes occur roughly once in 650,000 hands. Playing specifically to hit the progressive is a losing proposition unless jackpots reach mathematically favorable levels (which is exceptionally rare).

Caribbean Stud should be entertainment, not income strategy. Budget gambling funds separately from essential expenses. If gambling creates financial stress, relationship problems, or occupational issues, seek help through resources like the National Council on Problem Gambling at 1-800-522-4700.

The game offers genuine entertainment value—poker hand excitement in a simplified format, the thrill of bonus payouts, and social casino atmosphere. Appreciating these elements while accepting the mathematical cost creates a healthy relationship with the game.