Everything you ever wanted to know about Caribbean Stud Poker.
Caribbean Stud Poker Rules
To be able to play a good game, naturally the rules must be learned. You can of course get the hang of it by simply playing trial and error, but that can cost you quite a profound sum of money in the end. So, let's be safe and understand what we're getting involved in and what the consequences can possibly be.
Caribbean Stud Poker is a table game that many think of as a combination between poker and slot machines. The table is similar to that used to play blackjack and features a 5-card poker game comparable to Draw Poker, but no draw. If you are familiar with poker, you'll be able to see the differences, but the game will not be much easier to understand or play. It still has its own set of rules. The Caribbean Stud Poker rules are very simple and there really isn't any way to make mistakes as not much is left for you to decide on.
The goal of the game is to get a better hand than the dealer, who must at least have an ace and a king in his hand. This rule alone makes Caribbean Stud Poker one of the most difficult games to win at, because the chances are so low.
How to Begin:
Like with all casino games, you start by exchanging your cash for chips. The amount depends on the kind of bettor you are and whether you make high or low bets. Depending on the sum you're exchanging, the dealer will automatically break down the chips to allow you to make bets that relate to your bankroll. You can, however, request denominations of your choice, as long as they match the table playing rules and limits. Once you have your chips, you're ready to bet. There are three distinct betting areas in front of each player, so that no two players bet on the same area.
Initial Bets:
The Progressive Jackpot
In order to qualify for the progressive jackpot, a $1 wager has to be put into the supplied slots, located in between the Bet and the Ante areas, or somewhere nearby. The Caribbean Stud Poker rules dictate that the $1 gaming chip must be deposited into the slot before the hands are dealt, offering bonus pays of hands of flush or better.
The 'Ante' Bet
In order to be able to play in the next hand, you MUST make this bet; otherwise, you're out for the next round. The amount of this bet is determined by the table minimum, which is usually $5; therefore, a $5 ante bet. Several casinos in Vegas offer $3 table minimums while most of the Strip casinos offer $5 and $10 as a table minimum. The bet has no influence on whether you win or lose, but it does have a bearing on how much you can win or lose and what kind of bankroll you need to play the game to your best advantage.
Dealing the Cards:
After everyone has made their initial bets, 5 cards are dealt to each of the players and the dealer face-down. In most casinos nowadays, a shuffle machine shuffles the cards and groups of five cards each are spit out. The groups are dispersed among the players and only after the dealer turns one of his cards up can you look at your hand. This is where you have to decide whether or not you want to make the Bet.
The 'Bet' Box
If your hand is good enough (usually, you should at least have one pair), you must make this bet in order to stay in the game. If you hold nothing, you should fold, meaning that you're out of the game. When a player folds, he automatically loses his ante bet and the progressive bet, if it was made. The Bet wager has to be exactly twice the amount of your ante, so if you bet $5 on your ante, the bet should be $10. This is another decision that a player is faced with in the game of Caribbean Stud Poker. Many players will take their chances and make a Bet wager even though they are holding a lousy hand in hopes that they will make some bucks on the ante bet (pays even money). This is called 'bluffing', and is your way into the dooms. It's better to lose the ante bet than to lose that and the Bet wager.
Being familiar with the Caribbean Stud Poker rules, however, is only half the way to playing a smart and effective game. Although the game in itself is straightforward, there are some tips that you should make part of every game of Caribbean Stud Poker that you play. That is, if you want to profit the most from it.