Invented in the 1980s specifically to attract poker players to the main casino floor, Caribbean Stud is a fantastic, fast-paced table game.

Furthermore, Caribbean Stud is famous for offering a massive, life-changing progressive jackpot side bet that can reach millions of dollars.

The Basic Rules: Ante and Deal

The dealer then deals themselves five cards, but crucially, turns their very last card completely face up for the entire table to see.

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

However, before the hands are even compared, the dealer's hand must absolutely meet a minimum required strength known as "qualifying."

If the dealer fails to qualify (e.g., they only have Queen-high), the player instantly wins even money (1:1) on their Ante bet.

Optimal Strategy and the Progressive Jackpot

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.