Playing the Game
The objective of Caribbean stud poker is to achieve a Poker hand higher than that of the dealer and to win an additional jackpot bonus (optional) by being dealt one of the top five poker hands.
In order to start you first place a bet in the "Ante" box. If you place another optional bet into the Jackpot slot you will be eligible for Jackpot bonuses. After the initial Ante stakes, every player receives five cards face down. One of the Dealer's cards is then turned face up, providing a window to the House's hand.
The next step is betting. If you think that you can beat the Dealer's hand, place your cards face down in the bet area and make an additional bet, which will be twice that of your 'Ante'. If you do not think you have good cards, you can fold and forfeit your ante.
After all players have made their bets or folded, the Dealer will show the House hand. To open, the Dealer must have at least an Ace and King. If not, all Ante wagers are paid at even money, and all other bets are considered stand off. If you beat the Dealer's hand, you will be paid even money on your ante wager, and varying odds on your bet depending on the hand you make. If the Dealers hand is higher than your hand, you lose both your Ante and bet.
If you placed the optional bet in the Jackpot slot and your hand qualifies for a payout, you win. The amount will be in consonance to your hand regardless of the strength of the Dealer's hand.
The ranking of the hands is as follows in order of the highest hand:
- Royal Flush - the top five cards in the deck (10, Jack, Queen, King, Ace), all in the same suit.
- Straight Flush: Five consecutive cards of the same suit, other than a Royal Flush (The Ace may also be counted as one).
- Four of a kind: Any four cards of the same face value, plus any other card.
- Full House: Any three cards of the same face value, plus any other two cards of the same face value.
- Flush: Any five cards of the same suit, no necessarily consecutive.
- Straight: Five consecutive cards of more than one suit.
- Three of a kind: Any three cards of the same face value, plus any other two cards.
- Two Pairs: Any two cards of the same face value, plus another two cards of the same face value (but different from the first pair), plus any other card.
- One Pair: Any two cards of the same face value, plus any other three cards.