Playing Casino Five Card Stud
Also known as Caribbean Stud Poker (especially outside the UK), Casino Stud Poker is a variation of standard poker, which is played at a blackjack-sized table. The object of the game is to have a better hand than the dealer at the showdown, using the standard poker hand ratings.
Method of Play
The game begins with each player making an ante bet in a designated circle or square on the table. There will be table limits posted, showing the minimum and maximum bet for your ante.
The dealer than deals each player (and themselves) five cards. All the cards are dealt face down, except the dealer's fifth and final card. This is left face up for all to see. When the deal is finished, players pick up their cards and decide whether they want to play their hand or pass it.
In order to play their hand, the player must make another bet of exactly twice their ante bet. This is called a raise. If the player decides not to raise, they may pass, which means they fold and lose their ante.
After all players have made their decision, the dealer turns over his face down cards to reveal his hand. The dealer's hand must contain an Ace and a King in order to qualify. If their hand does not qualify then all ante bets pay even money, and all raises are returned.
Payouts
If the dealer's hand does qualify, then this hand is compared with each individual player hand. Players with losing hands lose their ante and raise bets. In the event of a tie, both ante and raise are returned. However, if the player's hand is higher, the ante pays even money and the raise pays according to the following pay table:
| Player Hand | Odds |
|---|---|
| Royal Flush | 100-1 |
| Straight Flush | 50-1 |
| Four of a Kind | 20-1 |
| Full House | 8-1 |
| Flush | 6-1 |
| Straight | 4-1 |
| Three of a Kind | 3-1 |
| Two Pair | 2-1 |
| Pair | Evens |
| Ace and a King | Evens |
For example, if you beat the dealer's hand with a Full House, then your raise bet will be paid at odds of 8-1 whilst your ante bet will be paid at evens.
- Ante bet = 1 unit, paid at Evens returns 1 unit.
- Raise bet = 2 units, paid at 8-1 returns 16 units.
Thus, you will win a total of 17 units.
Game Strategy
When playing Casino Stud Poker, it is recommended that you:
- Fold on anything less than an Ace or a King.
- Raise on any pair or better.
- Raise on an Ace or a King if the dealer's up card is a 2 through Queen and matches one of your cards.
- Raise on an Ace or a King if the dealer's up card is an Ace or King AND you have a Queen or Jack in your hand - otherwise fold.
- Raise on an Ace and a King if the dealer's up card rank does not match any of yours AND is less than your second lowest card AND you have a Queen in your hand. Fold under any other condition.
