Invented in the 1980s specifically to attract poker players to the main casino floor, Caribbean Stud is a fantastic, fast-paced table game.

The game moves incredibly quickly, relying purely on standard poker hand rankings and a few simple, rigid strategic decisions.

How to Start a Game of Caribbean Stud

Once all Antes are firmly placed on the table, the dealer distributes exactly five cards face down to every participating player.

Players are now allowed to pick up their five cards and quietly examine their hand to determine its poker strength.

• The dealer always exposes exactly one of their five cards face up
• Folding immediately surrenders the Ante bet to the house
• Calling requires placing a bet exactly double the size of the Ante

The Dealer Qualification Rule

However, before the hands are even compared, the dealer’s hand must absolutely meet a minimum required strength known as “qualifying.”

This qualification rule is the primary source of frustration for players, as getting a massive hand when the dealer doesn’t qualify results in a tiny payout.

Optimal Strategy and the Progressive Jackpot

If you hold exactly Ace-King, the strategy becomes slightly more complex, depending entirely on the dealer’s single exposed “upcard.”

This massive jackpot pays out independently of the dealer’s hand, rewarding the player for hitting extremely rare combinations like a Royal Flush.

By memorizing the simple “Pair or better” folding strategy, you can confidently sit at the table and enjoy hours of entertainment.