Caribbean Stud Live

This article will cover the ins and outs of playing Caribbean stud in a real world casino. There are a number of differences between playing online and playing live, each with their own attractions. For more info on comparing the advantages of Online Caribbean Stud and Live Caribbean Stud in the casino, be sure to check out the Caribbean Stud: Live vs Online article on the site.

With regards to playing Caribbean stud in bricks and mortar casinos, players will notice differences in the rules, differences in the payout structure and differences in the progressive jackpots. These differences will depend on where the player is playing and the rules set in place by the ‘house’. The main differences that will be dealt with in this article are the U.S Casino rules compared to the U.K casino rules (this also covers most other European Casinos).

Before looking at the differences in rules, it is important to realise the etiquette involved in playing live Caribbean Stud. There are going to be multiple players in the hand. This makes the game fun for the players who can chat and have a laugh with the other players. However, it is forbidden in all casinos to discuss the cards you hold or reveal any information about your holding. This is strictly against the casino rules and any infringements may incur a warning from the dealer or pit boss. This is done to prevent player collusion, as when implemented correctly, player collusion can reduce the house edge significantly.

In casinos where dealer tipping is allowed, it is good etiquette to tip the dealer after a winning session or even after winning a big hand. You should not tip the dealer if you win his ante or even a bet at 1-1. But anything above this, it is considered good etiquette to tip the dealer. You may also tip the dealer when leaving the table to cash out.One thing to note is that tipping is completely at the players discretion and is by no means compulsory.

U.S Casino Rules

To play a hand in Caribbean Stud, each player must place an ante in the ‘ante’ box to qualify for the hand. Once each player has done this they can then be dealt into the hand. The player now also has the option to place a $1 bet for a chance to win the progressive jackpot should they be dealt a straight flush or a royal flush.

All the qualifying players and the dealer are dealt five cards face down. The dealer then flips over one of his cards revealing information about his hand. Now the players can look at their cards, but they are not allowed to discuss each others hands or reveal any information about the cards they are holding.

Players now have the option to raise or fold. If the player decides they like their hand, they raise. Rising entails placing double the ante into the bet box. If they player folds, they lose their ante to the dealer.

As we know from the rules section of this site, each player plays their individual hands versus the dealers hand; they are not playing against each other. We also know that the dealer must have a hand value of A-K or better to play the hand.

So, when the player raises and the action moves around to the dealer, he flips over his hand to see if he has A-K or better to play. If he does not qualify to play the hand, the remaining players are paid 1:1 on their ante only. If the dealer does qualify for the hand, the player’s hands are turned over in a clockwise manner. If their hand beats the dealer they will receive 1:1 on their ante and their bet, for one pair hands or less.

However, if the player has a stronger hand ranking than one pair, and the dealer qualifies to play the hand, players are rewarded with payout at higher odds. If the dealer turns over a stronger hand than the player, the player loses their ante and their bet.

The payout in typical U.S casinos is:

- Royal Flush – 100 to 1

- Straight Flush – 50 to 1

- Four of a Kind – 20 to 1

- Full House – 7 to 1

- Flush – 5 to 1

- Straight – 4 to 1

- Three of a Kind – 3 to 1

- Two Pair – 2 to 1

- One Pair or Less – 1 to 1

U.K Caribbean Stud Poker Rules

There are some differences in the rules in U.K (and European) Casinos compared to the U.S. First of all, not all casinos in the U.K offer a progressive jackpot. Where the casino does not offer a progressive jackpot, the game is called ‘Casino 5 Card Stud Poker’. The number of casinos not offering a progressive jackpot is becoming fewer by the day as for keen gamblers, the lure of the progressive jackpot is the most attractive feature of Caribbean Stud.

The standard rules of Caribbean Stud remain the same in the U.K, however the payout structure is not as attractive. The payout for being dealt a Royal Flush and a Straight Flush is 50-1 in the U.K casinos, unlike the 100-1 payout for a Royal Flush in the U.S casinos.

There are also tighter betting limits in the U.K casinos, where the maximum ante is £100, meaning that the maximum raise is £200. This is different to the maximum bets in U.S casinos which can vary depending on its size, but is usually significantly higher.

On a final note, live casinos are excellent places to relax and play table games. The casino is more than happy to look after you with complementary food and services. These complementary services differ from casino to casino and from the stakes of the table you are playing at. Be sure to take advantage of it and enjoy the special treatment you are given!

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