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

This completely eliminates the need to maintain a "poker face" or worry about someone aggressively raising your bets.
How to Start a Game of Caribbean Stud
Every round of Caribbean Stud begins with the player placing a mandatory initial wager known as the "Ante" bet.

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 upFolding immediately surrenders the Ante bet to the houseCalling requires placing a bet exactly double the size of the Ante Why the Dealer Must Qualify
If the player decides to "Call" and double their bet, the dealer flips over their remaining four hidden cards to reveal their hand.

Crucially, if the dealer does not qualify, the player's massive "Call" bet simply pushes (ties) and is returned, regardless of how strong the player's hand was.
Optimal Strategy and the Progressive Jackpot
Because there is only one decision to make, the optimal mathematical strategy for Caribbean Stud is surprisingly rigid and easy to memorize.

Aside from the main game, Caribbean Stud is famous for its optional $1 progressive jackpot side bet.
Hand HeldOptimal Strategy DecisionAny Pair or BetterAlways PLAY (Call)Weaker than Ace-KingAlways FOLD
Caribbean Stud offers a fantastic, low-stress bridge between the intense strategy of the poker room and the pure luck of the casino pit.