Caribbean Stud: five cards against the dealer
Caribbean Stud Poker is a five-card game against the dealer. You bet an Ante, see your cards and one dealer card, then fold or Call for twice the Ante. The dealer needs ace-king or better to qualify.
Reviewed Oct 15, 2026
Answer first
90s- 01The Call bet is always twice the Ante.
- 02If the dealer does not qualify, the Ante pays 1 to 1 and the Call pushes.
- 03Big hands pay bonus odds on the Call bet, up to 100 to 1 for a royal.
Key numbers
Caribbean Stud in four numbers
In short
Key takeaways
- Always call with a pair or better.
- Fold hands weaker than ace-king.
- Ace-king hands are close; many players call when they match a dealer card.
- The progressive side bet usually has a large house edge.
On the felt
A typical hand
Your hand
Pair of eights, call
Dealer upcard
Four cards hidden
Dealer reveals
No ace-king: does not qualify
Your Ante wins 1 to 1; the Call bet pushes.
Pay table
Call bet paytable (common)
Glance before you bet
| Hand | Pays |
|---|---|
| Royal flush | 100 to 1 |
| Straight flush | 50 to 1 |
| Four of a kind | 20 to 1 |
| Full house | 7 to 1 |
| Flush | 5 to 1 |
| Straight | 4 to 1 |
| Three of a kind | 3 to 1 |
| Two pair | 2 to 1 |
| Pair or A-K | 1 to 1 |
Some casinos cap the total payout; check the sign.
How a round works
You place the Ante and, if offered, a $1 progressive side bet. You get five cards face down. The dealer gets five, with one face up. You fold and lose the Ante, or Call by adding twice the Ante.
The dealer turns over. Without ace-king or better, you win the Ante at even money and the Call is returned. If the dealer qualifies and you win, the Ante pays even money and the Call pays by your hand.
Outcomes when you Call
| Dealer | Your hand | Ante | Call |
|---|---|---|---|
| Does not qualify | Any | Wins 1 to 1 | Push |
| Qualifies | Beats dealer | Wins 1 to 1 | Pays by table |
| Qualifies | Loses | Loses | Loses |
| Qualifies | Ties | Push | Push |
The non-qualify rule caps how much a monster hand can win.
The frustration of non-qualifying
When you hold a flush and the dealer fails to qualify, you only win the Ante. The bonus pay on the Call is lost. That happens on about 44% of hands, and it is a big part of why the house edge is above 5%.
The progressive side bet is the only way a great hand always pays big, but it is costly.
Sequence
Basic strategy
Step 01
Pair or better
Always call.
Step 02
Less than ace-king
Always fold.
Step 03
Ace-king with a card matching the dealer upcard
Call.
Step 04
Ace-king with Q or J and dealer card lower
Usually call.
Step 05
Other ace-king hands
Fold or follow a full chart.
A word on the progressive
The progressive costs about $1 per hand and pays for a flush or better, with a royal flush taking all or part of the meter. Unless the meter is very large, the return is low.
Treat it as entertainment, not value, and do not let it change your Call decisions.
Floor rules
Caribbean Stud terms
Know before you sit
- Ante
- First bet before cards.
- Call
- Second bet, twice the Ante.
- Qualify
- Dealer holds ace-king or better.
- Progressive
- Optional $1 jackpot bet.
Online versions
Many online casinos offer Caribbean Stud with the same rules, sometimes with a slightly better paytable. A live dealer version also exists.
Online, the progressive is often linked across many tables, so meters grow faster.
Caribbean Stud vs similar games
| Game | Max raise | Edge per Ante |
|---|---|---|
| Caribbean Stud | 2x | About 5.2% |
| Three Card Poker | 1x | About 3.4% |
| Ultimate Texas Hold’em | 4x | About 2.2% |
Approximate figures.
Common mistakes
- Calling with junk
- Fold below ace-king.
- Folding pairs
- Always call a pair.
- Overplaying the progressive
- The edge is high.
- Ignoring payout caps
- Check the sign.
Keep reading
Related pages
Go play
Where to play in Las Vegas
Tap a resort — each row opens that casino’s White Gambling page (hours, game mix, floor facts). Venues with this game in official counts, sorted high to low.
Open a casino page
Real listings · not adsAfter the 90 seconds
Questions before and after you play
A 90-second guide cannot cover every table moment. Tap a group, then a question — answers are short paragraphs, not one-liners.
01Basics
How big is the Call bet?
Always exactly twice the Ante. House rules can vary, so check the table placard or ask the dealer.
What does the dealer need to qualify?
Ace-king high or better. House rules can vary, so check the table placard or ask the dealer.
What happens if the dealer does not qualify?
You win the Ante at even money and the Call is returned. House rules can vary, so check the table placard or ask the dealer.
02Strategy
Should I call every pair?
Yes. Calling with any pair is right. House rules can vary, so check the table placard or ask the dealer.
When should I fold?
Fold any hand weaker than ace-king. House rules can vary, so check the table placard or ask the dealer.
What about ace-king?
It is close; call if one of your cards matches the dealer’s upcard. House rules can vary, so check the table placard or ask the dealer.
03Side bet
What is the progressive?
A $1 side bet that pays for a flush or better, with a jackpot for a royal. House rules can vary, so check the table placard or ask the dealer.
Is it worth playing?
Only when the meter is very large; otherwise the return is poor. House rules can vary, so check the table placard or ask the dealer.
Do I need to call to win it?
At most tables the side bet pays on your hand even if you fold. House rules can vary, so check the table placard or ask the dealer.
Sources
- Wizard of Odds — Caribbean Stud Poker Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry)The gaming industry’s standard reference for casino-game math, by actuary Michael Shackleford. Not an official registry; our calculators compute these numbers independently. · accessed Oct 15, 2026Rules, odds and house edge
- Nevada Gaming Control Board · accessed Oct 15, 2026Approved games and gaming revenue reports
- UNLV Center for Gaming Research Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry) · accessed Oct 15, 2026Research library on casino games and gambling
- National Council on Problem Gambling — Help and resources Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry) · accessed Oct 15, 2026Free, confidential help: call or text 1-800-GAMBLER