Caribbean Stud Poker was created back in the early 1980s. David Sklansky was a professional poker player and author that published many successful books about poker. He claimed he was the creator Caribbean Stud but later handed it over to another poker player. Who then changed and added some rules before taking it over to Aruba. However, the background of this game isn’t entirely clear as there are a few different stories that circulate around. Players claim it’s been played on cruise ships around the world for many decades but there’s no evidence for exactly how long.
Caribbean Stud was the first poker table game that introduced a progressive jackpot. Danny Jones, a computer programmer, came up with this idea and the success of the game skyrocketed. The side bet option (of $1 initially) was an extremely popular feature amongst players. Players love this variation of poker because they feel as if they can use strategy. This effectively means they can effect the outcome of the game and advance as a player.
How to play
The rules of Caribbean Stud are fairly simple but it’s important to learn and understand all of them. This article will explain step by step to leave players with no questions before taking to the table. The gameplay is easy to learn so it’s a very attractive game for beginner players. But also many players enjoy this game because it’s not as serious as normal poker and doesn’t require as much strategy or effort.
1. Each player will make an initial bet (ante wager) and can opt to bet a progressive sit bet of $1 if they wish. This will be apart of the progressive jackpot.
2. All players (an unlimited amount can play at the same table)including the dealer will receive 5 cards each face down. Only one card will be exposed and this will be the dealer card. The players are allowed to view their own cards to keep for their own eyes.
3. Players must decide to fold or raise. To fold would be to disregard a players hand and forfeit interest in the current pot. A player that folds will not be able to bet anymore but also cannot win. And to raise would mean the player would increase the amount of the existing bet in the same betting round. In this game, the raise must be 2x the ante.
4. The dealer will turn over his other four cards.
5. The dealer must have either an ace, king or high card hand. If not, the dealer folds his hand. There are 4 outcomes when the dealer’s cards are revealed:
Outcomes when the dealers cards are revealed
Outcome 1: If the dealer doesn’t qualify, the player wins the amount of their ante. And the call bet is returned to the player.
Outcome 2: If the dealer does qualify and outranks the players. Both ante and call bets are lost.
Outcome 3: If the dealer qualifies and the player has the stronger hand, then the player wins back even money on their call bet. The multiplier depends on the hand rank they won with. If ranges anything from 1-1 with a pair to 200 to 1 on a royal flush.
Outcome 4: If the dealer and player have hands of exactly the same amount then everything is pushed. And the player receives their ante and call bets back.
Note: Caribbean Stud only lasts for one betting round then everything comes to a head. All cards are revealed and the hands are compared.
Game payouts
The progressive jackpot is definitely the reason this game attracts so many players. It allows players to potentially be in with the chance of winning a big cash sum. And who doesn’t want that? The progressive jackpot in Caribbean Stud Poker has even reached an outstanding $600,000 before! So although it’s unlikely you’ll win frequently at this game. When you do, it’s safe to say it will be worth it! The progressive jackpot acts as a side game whether they beat the dealer or not.
⦁ The progressive payouts are as followed:
⦁ Royal flush- 100% of the progressive meter
⦁ Straight Flush- 10% of Progressive Meter
⦁ Four-of-a-Kind- $500
⦁ Full House- $100
⦁ Flush-$50
If a player’s cards beat the dealer’s cards, the player will receive even money (1-1) on the ante, and the following on his bet (with a maximum payout of $5,000 U.S. Dollars per hand on each bet wager):
⦁ One pair or less – 1 to 1 (even money)
⦁ Two pair – 2 to 1
⦁ Three of a kind – 3 to 1
⦁ Straight – 4 to 1
⦁ Flush – 5 to 1
⦁ Full house – 7 to 1
⦁ Four of a kind – 20 to 1
⦁ Straight flush – 50 to 1
⦁ Royal flush – 100 to 1
