The Complete Strategic Guide to This Tropical Casino Game

1. How Caribbean Stud Poker Works (Unlike Traditional Poker)

Core Game Mechanics

• Player vs Dealer (not other players)
• 5-card poker hands (no draws or community cards)
• Mandatory $1 progressive bet on most tables
• Dealer qualifies with Ace-King or better

Key Differences from Texas Hold’em

Feature	Caribbean Stud	Texas Hold’em
Opponent	House	Players
Betting	Fixed structure	Blinds/raises
Hand Strength	Lower averages	Stronger norms
Payouts	Fixed table	Pot-based

2. The House Edge Broken Down

Base Game Mathematics

• House edge: 5.22% (with optimal strategy)
• Probability dealer qualifies: 44.4%
• Player win rate: 34.6% (when dealer qualifies)

Progressive Jackpot Odds

Hand	Payout	Probability
Royal Flush	100% Jackpot	1 in 649,740
Straight Flush	10% Jackpot	1 in 72,193
Four of a Kind	$500	1 in 4,165

Key Insight: The progressive bet carries a 13.4% house edge – only play it for jackpot potential.

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3. Optimal Strategy (When to Fold/Raise)

Decision Thresholds

Always RAISE with:

• Any pair or better
• Ace-King-Queen-Jack (unpaired)
• Ace-King-Queen-10 (suited)

Always FOLD:

• Ace-King-Queen-9 or worse
• All non-Ace high hands

Edge Cases

Your Hand	Correct Play	Why
Ace-King-Jack-10-9	Fold	Below threshold
King-Queen-Jack-10-8	Fold	Too weak
Ace-King-Queen-Jack-9	Raise	Barely qualifies

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4. Progressive Jackpot Strategy

When to Chase the Jackpot

• Minimum jackpot should be 200,000+ to justify the 1 side bet
• Expected value turns positive at ~$650,000 jackpot

Bankroll Management

• Main bets: 1-2% of bankroll per hand
• Progressive bets: Fixed $1 regardless of main bet

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5. Caribbean Stud vs. Other Casino Poker Games

Game	House Edge	Skill Factor	Top Payout
Caribbean Stud	5.22%	Low	Progressive
Three Card Poker	3.37%	Medium	100:1
Pai Gow Poker	2.5%	High	25:1
Ultimate Texas	2.0%	High	500:1

Verdict: Higher edge than alternatives, but simpler to play with jackpot potential.

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6. Where to Play & Pro Tips

Best Casino Options

1. Land-based: Look for 5−5−25 tables (better odds than high-limit)
2. Online Live Dealer: Evolution Gaming’s version has 98.6% RTP
3. Mobile: Playtech offers smooth mobile gameplay

5 Expert Tips

1. **Never play the 1 progressive∗∗ unless jackpot exceeds 200K
2. Fold 62.3% of hands (strict strategy adherence)
3. Avoid side bets (house edge up to 18%)
4. Watch for dealer tells in live games (card bending patterns)
5. Quit when up 30% – the edge catches up over time

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Final Verdict

Caribbean Stud Poker offers:
✅ Easy gameplay (no complex decisions)
✅ Jackpot potential (life-changing wins)
❌ High house edge (5.22% with perfect play)

Best For: Casual players wanting poker-style action without bluffing. Serious players should prefer Three Card or Ultimate Texas Hold’em for better odds.

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