How to Play Caribbean Stud Poker and Casino Stud

Caribbean Stud Poker and Casino Stud are the same table game. The first is the original name. It is patented, but the game itself no longer is due to how long it has been on the market. Casino Stud is the generic name some online casinos use to deal it. There are no royalties when doing this. Read more about the rules and how to play both live and online versions.

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Caribbean Stud Poker rules

Caribbean Stud Poker is a simple table game. The player makes an ante bet. There is an optional side bet. This is usually $1. Live casinos use chips. At an online casino, click the denomination you prefer, click the betting circle the number of times to equal your preferred bet, and click deal.

The minimum bet at live casinos is usually $10. It is $1 or less at casinos online.

Players and the dealer receive five cards. The player’s cards are face down. One of the five dealer’s cards is face up. 

The player has one decision to make at Caribbean Stud Poker and Casino Stud. The options are to raise double the ante amount or fold. If the player folds, any side bets are lost. That should not be an issue since the player should raise any hand where the side bets are in play.

To make a raise at a live game, place the chips in that circle. On the internet, simply click the raise button. The raise is placed automatically. To fold in a live game, place your cards face down in front of your chips. At an online casino, click fold.

Once the player acts, the dealer’s cards are all shown. If the dealer has at least an ace-king high, the house qualifies. This means that the ante and raise are in action. 

If the dealer’s hand does not qualify, the ante wins and the raise pushes. It does not matter if the player’s hand is stronger or weaker than the dealer’s hand. However, the proper strategy says that a player should not raise a hand that the dealer would not qualify with.

How a Caribbean Stud Poker hand wins

If the dealer qualifies, the ante and raise are in play. If the dealer’s hand is better than the player’s hand, the ante and raise lose. When the two hands tie, both bets push. If the player beats the dealer, the ante wins. The raise is paid even money on a high card or pair. If the hand is two pair or better, the player wins the amount below multiplied by the amount wagered. 

Caribbean Stud pay table for US Casinos

• Royal flush: 100
• Straight flush: 50
• Four of a kind: 20
• Full house: 7
• Flush: 5
• Straight: 4
• Three of a kind: 3
• Two pair: 2

Paytable for online casinos

A royal flush pays twice as much online than it does at live casinos.

• Royal flush: 200
• Straight flush: 50
• Four of a kind: 20
• Full house: 7
• Flush: 5
• Straight: 4
• Three of a kind: 3
• Two pair: 2

If the dealer does not qualify, these payouts do not occur as the raise pushes. Making the side bet ensures a win on big hands. It also drastically adds to the house edge of the game unless the progressive jackpot is gigantic.

Online casinos that deal Casino Stud have a 5+1 side bet. This game combines the player’s five cards with the exposed dealer one. The payout is based on the best five cards.

Caribbean Stud Poker and Casino Stud hand rankings

The hand rankings in Caribbean Stud and Casino Stud mirror standard poker and video poker games. 

• Royal flush
• Straight flush
• Four of a kind
• Full house
• Flush
• Straight
• Three of a kind
• Two pair
• Pair
• High card

Side bet payouts

The live and online Caribean Stud Poker side bet is $1. At online Casino Stud, it is any amount that the player wants to bet. The live table game side bet has a house edge that starts around 40% and gets better as more money goes into the progressive jackpot. The Casino Stud 5+1 side bet holds about 9%. 

Caribbean Stud Poker live table game side bet payouts

• Royal flush: 100% of the progressive
• Straight flush: 10% of the progressive
• Four of a kind: $500
• Full house: $100
• Flush: $50

Progressive payouts at online casinos

• Royal flush: 100% of the progressive
• Straight flush: 10% of the progressive
• Four of a kind: $500
• Full house: $100
• Flush: $75

Casino Stud 5+1 side bet

Multiply the amount wagered by the number below to determine the payout.

• Royal flush: 1000
• Straight flush: 200
• Four of a kind: 100
• Full house: 20
• Flush: 15
• Straight: 10
• Three of a kind: 7

Casino Stud and Caribbean Stud strategy

The strategy for Casino Stud is simple. Raise any hand that is a pair or better. Fold any hand that is not ace-king high. If you have ace-king high, generally raise if you have a jack, eight, three, or better. Fold if the exposed dealer card is higher than any that you have. Raise if it matches one of your cards with your ace and king. If your third kicker is a queen, always raise. 

When accounting for all raises, the house edge is about 2.6%. That is among the highest of all online casino table games. At live casinos, it is among the worst, though all roulette tables and some other pit games are worse than Caribbean Stud.  

How to make a wager

The first step in playing Caribbean Stud Poker and Casino Stud is making a bet. You must make an ante. The side bet is optional. The minimum bet is usually $5 or $10. 

At a live Caribbean Stud Poker table, place one or more chips that at least meet the posted minimum in the betting circle. You may place a $1 chip into the side bet slot. That is optional. If you decide to raise, place double the amount of the ante in that circle.

In online Caribbean Stud or Casino Stud, choose your preferred chip denomination. The lowest is usually $1. Click the chip and the ante circle until your preferred bet is displayed. If you bet too much, you can click the chips to take them back. You may do the same with the progressive side bet. That is optional. Once you have cards, you click the raise button and the chips are placed for you.

Caribbean Stud Poker and Casino Stud FAQs

Last Updated on November 9, 2024 by John Mehaffey