Among the casino games, Caribbean stud is gaining increasing popularity. Read on to go through the basics of the game.


Caribbean stud is a casino game that is played against the dealer only. It is similar to a game of poker involving five cards, the only difference being, you do not play against other players, and you only play against the dealer. The game starts with all the players placing their ante bet in the circle in front of them, once all the ante bets are placed, dealer distributes 5 cards to all of the players on the table, including himself. Then the dealer turns over his first card and all the players take a glimpse of their five cards. After looking at the five cards, the player is not allowed to discuss any information with his co-players. Player can then decide whether to continue or fold, if he or she folds, they lose their ante bet and cannot play further. If the player continues with the game, then it is time to raise the bet and it is usually double the amount of ante bet. For instance if the ante bet was $10, then in order to play the next round you have to bet $20. The remaining four cards of the dealer are revealed after the second bet is placed. If the dealer's hand has a king or an ace then the rest of the game is continued, else the ante bet money and the second round bet money are returned back to the players. In case the dealer's hand has an ace or a king, then starting from the extreme left player, cards are compared with those of the dealer and the player whose cards beat the dealer's hand, wins the game and gets paid by casino.


Depending on the casino's payout strategy the winner will be paid. For example, if the winner has a royal flush, then he or she gets the whole amount in pot, for a straight flush, payout is 50:1.


To gain advantage over the house or casino, players must know when to fold and when to continue. If a player has got a higher hand, like a royal flush, flush or straight, it is wise to raise the bet, as player's chances of winning the hand against the house are bright.


When playing Caribbean stud in a casino, there are certain rules to be followed. Players are strictly forbidden from discussing about their cards with other players or dealer, in case anyone forbids the rule, they stand to lose their ante bet and their hand is declared a dead hand. In casino, players are supposed to keep all the five cards on table, at all times and once after ante bets are placed and players peek at their hand, they are not supposed to touch the cards any more.


Basic strategy in Caribbean stud is to decide whether to place a bet or not. If you have a higher hand, then you are sure to win against the house or casino.