There are many variations of poker besides the classic Texas Hold’Em, Omaha and Five Card Stud you’re probably heard of – one of these is Caribbean Stud Poker. The game evolved from Five Card Stud , but it has a few key differences that mean it stands out from other versions.
Here at NetBet Casino, we love all things related to card games, and Caribbean Stud is one of our favourite varieties of poker. So, just what is Caribbean Stud Poker, and how is it played? Here’s everything you need to know.
The Origins of Caribbean Stud
Poker has been played for centuries, with some historians citing 12th Century China as the birthplace of the now-familiar playing card designs. Fast forward to the 20th Century, and as the popularity of poker soared, casinos decided to create their own brand of the game to draw more customers to their poker tables – Caribbean Stud Poker is also known as Casino Stud Poker for this reason.
The game evolved from classic Five Card Stud poker with one key difference: rather than playing against other players, you are playing against the house. The exact origins of the game are unknown, although several have claimed to have been its inventor, most notably David Sklansky, a professional gambler who allegedly created it in the 1980s.
Whoever invented the game, it was patented by a casino in Aruba (now called the Excelsior Casino), and the current Caribbean Stud Poker was established. In UK land-based casinos, you’ll see it called ‘Casino Five Card Stud Poker’, and while there are small discrepancies between this and the US version (such as max bets and jackpots), they are essentially the same game.
How to Play Caribbean Stud Poker
If you already have a grasp of classic poker rules, learning how to play Caribbean Stud will be a breeze; if you’ve never played before, you’ll still get the hang of it in no time. These are the rules of Caribbean Stud Poker (as mentioned before, certain variables such as max bets and payouts vary from one casino to another).
Every player involved is betting against the house, rather than each other. To begin the game, each player puts their ante on the table – the ante amount is agreed before the game begins. Caribbean Stud Poker also has aa progressive jackpot which players can choose to take part in or not. After this, the dealer will announce ‘no more bets’, and the game will commence.
The dealer deals themselves 5 cards face down on the table. Each player is then dealt 5 cards, and the dealer turns over 1 of their cards, upon which the players can turn their own cards over. Players then have a choice: either continue play or fold and forfeit their ante for that round. To stay in the game, players need to ensure their raise matches the ante amount in the middle, placing their wager in the ‘Bet’ box. Once every player has made their decision, the dealer turns over their remaining 4 cards, and can only participate if their hand includes an Ace, King, pair or other high-scoring hand (remind yourself of the poker hand ranking and essential poker terms here).
The dealer’s 5 cards are compared to each of the player’s, with the following outcomes:
- If the dealer doesn’t qualify, the player scoops the ante and the raise is pushed.
- If a player beats the dealer, they scoop the ante and raise wager.
- If the dealer wins, the player loses it all.
- If there is a draw, the ante and raise are returned and no one loses anything.
The optional progressive jackpot (which won’t necessarily feature on every version of the game) is determined by the value of the player’s hand, and there are various different payouts depending on where you’re playing Caribbean Stud Poker.
Play Caribbean Stud Online
You can enjoy playing Caribbean Stud Poker online as well as in land-based casinos. The game has soared in popularity in recent years, and is now proudly featured in the NetBet Casino games library. Play NetEnt’s fully responsive Caribbean Stud Poker Professional Series, and feel the buzz of this re-imagined version of the classic casino game.
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