How to Play Caribbean Stud
Lets face it, Texas Holdem rules the poker world in very much the same way the mighty Tyrannosaurus Rex dominated the Cretaceous period. What has gotten lost in the mix is the fact that there are games that have been staples of the casino community long before ESPN ever broadcast the World Series of Poker. One of those games that has been an attraction at nearly every gaming parlor is Caribbean Stud.
Play in Caribbean Stud begins with an ante. Once each player has put their money into the pot, they are each dealt five cards. The dealer, like the players, also starts with five cards. The difference with the dealer's hand is that one card is turned up for everyone to see. A player's hand is completely hidden.
Players will take stock of the cards they have and balance what is in their hand against the dealer's card that is showing. The dealer's card that is visible gives a hint to the sort of hand that the dealer may have. It is up to the player to decide if their hand is strong enough to overcome what they think the dealer might be holding.
A player who thinks the dealer has them beat simply folds their cards and losses their ante. If a player thinks they have a good chance to win against the dealer's hand, they put in a "call bet". This is a bet that doubles the amount of the ante.
Once the decisions have been made and the call bets are in, the dealer reveals the rest of their cards. The dealer's hand does not qulaify unless he is holding an Ace/King or higher. In the event that the dealer does not have a qualifying hand, each player that stayed in by placing a "call bet" will get a payout equal to their ante. They will not get a payout on their bet though.
If the dealer does have an Ace/King or higher this means his hand qualifies. If the dealer's hand beats a player's hand, the player losses their ante and call bet. If the player's hand beats the dealer's, the payout depends on the strength of the player's hand.
A player's wining hand will win money equal to the value of their initial ante. The amount paid out for the call bet is dictated by the table below:
| Your Hand | Payout |
| 1 pair | even money |
| 2 pairs | 2 to 1 |
| 3 of a kind | 3 to 1 |
| Straight | 4 to 1 |
| Flush | 5 to 1 |
| Full House | 7 to 1 |
| 4 of a kind | 20 to 1 |
| Straight Flush | 50 to 1 |
| Royal Flush | 100 to 1 |
This game can be as enjoyable as any other type of poker. That is why it can be found at any popular casino in the nation.
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