With a name that evokes exotic locations and easy, attractive gameplay, Caribbean Stud Poker is a popular choice in land-based and online casinos around the world. It takes the classic 5-card and strips it down into a form that is exciting, action-packed, and potentially rewarding.
In this article, we explore the history of the card game, and we explain how you can play it against the house on your computer or mobile device.
History Of The Game
Caribbean Stud Poker is one of the youngest variations in the family of classic card games. However, even though it has been played for less than 40 years, there is some confusion regarding its origin.
The American professional Poker player David Sklansky claims he created the first form of the game in 1983, but that he was not able to patent it. Another version of the story is also set in the early 1980s.
The alternative version of Caribbean Stud Poker history may simply be modern gaming mythology, but we are happy to share it. The story tells of an encounter between two players, one of whom was down on his luck. The unlucky player asked the other for a helping hand to the tune of US$5000. In return, he offered to teach him a new version of Poker that, if patented and accepted by a casino, could make him a great deal of money.
The player accepted the offer and learned the rules of the variant. He then took it to a friend who owned a resort on the island on Aruba. The casino owner tweaked the rules and added a progressive jackpot, and the new game became an instant hit with players. Within a few years, Caribbean Stud Poker had been introduced to casinos on cruise ships and on land. From the mid-90s onwards, it also became a feature of online casinos.
Playing The Game
Get your online Caribbean Stud Poker game started by placing a bet. You will be dealt 5 face up cards. The dealer will receive 4 face down cards and 1 face up card.
The dealer’s single face up card is a tantalizing clue to the value of the hand. If you think that your hand is strong enough to win, you can raise, see the dealer’s full hand revealed, and find out if you were lucky. You will need one of the traditional winning Poker hands that is stronger than the dealer’s hand to win. If you think that the dealer may have the stronger hand, you can fold.
Progressive Jackpot Editions
In editions of online Caribbean Stud Poker that have a progressive jackpot, you may need to place a side bet to stand a chance to win it. The jackpot is fed by a portion of each of side bet placed by players similar to when you play online blackjack games for real money.
You will win the jackpot if you are dealt a royal flush. In some versions, you can still win a smaller jackpot if your hand contains 3 of a kind, a straight, a flush, a full house, 4 of a kind, or a straight flush.