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.

The Core Mechanics of the Game

Every round of Caribbean Stud begins with the player placing a mandatory initial wager known as the "Ante" bet.

They must either "Fold" and immediately lose their Ante, or "Call" (also known as "Play") by placing a bet exactly twice the size of their Ante.

• The game uses standard five-card poker rankings (e.g., Flush, Full House)
• Players only compete against the dealer, never against each other
• The initial mandatory bet is called 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.

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.

The Massive Jackpot Side Bet

The golden rule is incredibly simple: Always fold any hand weaker than Ace-King, and always play any hand containing a Pair or better.

Aside from the main game, Caribbean Stud is famous for its optional $1 progressive jackpot side bet.

Caribbean Stud offers a fantastic, low-stress bridge between the intense strategy of the poker room and the pure luck of the casino pit.