How To Play

Place an Ante. You and the dealer each get five cards; one of the dealer's cards is exposed. After viewing your hand you fold (losing the Ante) or Raise 2x the Ante. The dealer needs A-K or better to qualify. If they qualify and you win, Ante pays 1:1 and Raise pays a bonus schedule (flush 5:1, full house 7:1, etc.).

House Edge

Optimal play yields a house edge of 5.22% on the Ante - one of the higher edges among table poker games. The element of risk (per unit wagered including Raise) is around 2.56%. The progressive $1 side bet is brutal, often 25%+ unless the jackpot grows past breakeven (~$263,000 at common paytables).

Basic Strategy

• Always raise with a pair or better.
• Always fold worse than A-K-J-8-3.
• For A-K hands in between: raise if dealer's up card matches one of yours (kicker improves your equity), or if you hold a Q or J kicker and dealer's up card is 2-Q.
• The simplest workable rule: raise on any pair or any A-K-J or better.

Common Mistakes

Folding every A-K hand - you give back about 1% extra. Playing the progressive without checking the meter; below jackpot threshold it is a losing bet. Raising on king-high junk because "the dealer probably won't qualify." Dealer non-qualification only pushes the Raise, so weak hands still lose the Ante.

Example Hand

You hold A♦ K♠ 9♣ 5♥ 2♦ and the dealer's up card is a 5. Raise - your kicker matches the dealer's exposed card, blocking one of their pair outs. With the same hand against a dealer Queen, fold.

Bottom Line

Caribbean Stud has a higher edge than blackjack or video poker, but the simple raise/fold structure makes it relaxing. Bet within your bankroll, skip the progressive unless the jackpot is huge, and walk away when the entertainment value runs out.