Poker is easily one of the most popular casino games out there, and for a good reason as it is one of few games that test your skill even more than your luck. That is exactly why millions of people play this game all around the globe. With such immense popularity, it comes as no surprise that people have developed a variety of types of poker games that have their own unique features but stay true to the origins of the game. Caribbean Stud is one of such variations that offers you some unique features but remains true to the original variation of the game. Today, we will take a look at what this game is and what the best Stud Poker strategy is.

The Rules of Caribbean Stud 

One of the main reasons as to why this game is so popular is that it is really easy to wrap your head around. Nonetheless, it keeps the player involved in the gameplay, so it is not just blind luck. You can play this game online in any new casino out there, and if you want to play it New Zealand, you should totally check some reviews for the best new casino sites available in NZ. So, the basics are kinda similar to a classic Poker, so if you ever played your regular poker, you should be having no problems with Caribbean Stud. However, in this game, you play against the dealer, not other players. So, you get your cards, and the first thing you’ve got to do is place your ante bet (similar to a blind bet). You’ll get five face-down cards.

Make a Decision

After that, the dealer too will receive 5 cards, but one of their cards will be face-up. After that, you’ll be able to see your cards and make a decision. Of course, the most exciting type of gambling is real money gambling, so you should totally try playing for real. This way, you can really feel the thrill of actual casino entertainment. If you worry about playing for NZ money, it is totally possible in most casinos out there, and if you don’t know which online casino to choose, you should check some reviews for the NZD casinos where you can use New Zealand Dollars. When you play in a real casino, you are not allowed to show your cards to other players, because that way you can count the cards and predict what combination of cards the dealer might have. In an online casino, of course, you will not see them anyway. So, you have two options to choose from – fold or play. The fold means giving up your card; play means continuing to play. If you have a better combination of cards than the dealer – you win.

Payouts

The amount of money you win depends on the combination of cards you have. The better your combo is, the more you win, which makes it almost a progressive jackpot system. The combinations are the same as in the classic poker, so no changes here – if you beat the dealer’s combination with a stronger combination, you are up for the following payout:

• Two pairs – 2 to 1
• Three pairs – 3 to 1
• Straight – 4 to 1
• Flush – 5 to 1
• Full house – 7 to 1
• Quads – 2- to 1
• Straight Flush – 50 to 1
• Royal Flush 100 to 1

Of course, to get that jackpot, there are two conditions:

• Your hand is stronger than the dealer’s hand.
• The dealer got a qualifying hand, meaning their hand is Ace-King or stronger.

You can start a game with as low as 1$ in most online casinos, but the more you bet, the more you win.

Basic Strategy to Win

Unlike most poker-type games, Caribbean Stud only gives you one decision to make. So, you just make a bet and then decide whether to fold or play. There are just two simple tips you’ve got to follow not to get wrecked by the dealer. First of all, you should always play the hand that has at least one pair or better. So, even if you have a pair of twos, it is reasonable to keep playing that hand. Of course, it is a risky move, but you might want to try it anyway. If you have a hand that is weaker than Ace-King, you might want to fold at once because if the dealer has it – you are done for. 

That’s not all, though, as there are more sophisticated strategies that allow you to increase your chances of winning. For instance, if the face-up card shown by the dealer is between 2 and Queen and you have a card of the came value – always raise. If the dealer shows King or an Ace, you should only raise if you have a Jack or a Queen. If the dealer’s face card is lower than your fourth highest card – raise, as your chances of winning are high on that one.

Wrap Up

Sticking to this simple strategy does not guarantee wins, of course, but it does raise your chance of winning in the game of Caribbean Stud Poker. The house edge in this game is not too high, just 5.2%. This makes this game rather fair to the players, and it allows you to pull off some solid wins. With the jackpot progression mentioned above, you can also win some solid cash in this game. If you are good at a regular Poker, this variation should be a cakewalk for you, and if you are at least remotely good at making predictions based on your cards and the cards you see on the table, this game is a good choice for you.