🏝️ Caribbean Poker – Rules, Strategy & How to Win at the Table
🌊 What Is Caribbean Poker?
Caribbean Poker (also known as Caribbean Stud Poker) is a casino table game that blends classic poker hand rankings with simple gameplay mechanics, making it a popular choice for players seeking something more structured than blackjack, but less intense than Texas Hold’em.
It gained popularity on Caribbean and Mediterranean cruises, hence the tropical name. Today, it’s available in many online and land-based casinos.
🎮 How to Play Caribbean Poker
- Place your ante (initial bet).
- You receive five face-down cards.
- The dealer also receives five cards, with one card face-up.
- Based on your hand and the dealer’s upcard, you choose:
- Bet – double your ante to continue playing.
- Fold (Surrender) – forfeit your ante and exit the round.
- The dealer reveals all cards and must have at least Ace or King to qualify.
🏆 How to Win
- If the dealer doesn’t qualify (i.e., has less than Ace-King), you win even money on your ante, and your bet is returned.
- If the dealer qualifies, hands are compared:
- Your hand wins → You win both bets, paid according to the paytable.
- Dealer wins → You lose both bets.
- Tie → Push, both bets returned.
🎯 Caribbean Poker Payout Table
| Hand | Payout |
|---|---|
| High card | 1:1 |
| Pair | 1:1 |
| Two pairs | 2:1 |
| Three of a kind | 3:1 |
| Straight | 4:1 |
| Flush | 5:1 |
| Full house | 7:1 |
| Four of a kind | 20:1 |
| Straight flush | 50:1 |
| Royal flush | 100:1 |
📌 Basic Caribbean Poker Strategy
When to raise (place the additional bet):
- ✅ You hold any pair or better – always raise.
- ✅ You have Ace-King-Queen-Jack-x – raise.
- ✅ You have Ace-King-Queen-x-x or Ace-King-Jack-x-x, and one of your cards matches the dealer’s.
- ✅ You have Ace-King-10-x-x, and the dealer’s card matches one of yours.
When to fold:
- ❌ You have a hand lower than Ace-King, and no matching card with the dealer.
- ❌ Your hand offers no pairing and little potential – let it go.
🧠 Advanced Strategy Tips
Raise with Ace-King only when:
- Dealer’s face-up card is Q or lower, and matches one of your cards.
- Dealer’s card is Ace or King, and you also have Queen or Jack.
- Dealer’s upcard does not match any of your cards, but is lower than your fourth-highest card.
🧠 Example: Dealer has 4; your hand is Q, 10, 9, 6, 2 → You should raise.
🌐 Best Online Casinos to Play Caribbean Poker
| Casino | Welcome Bonus | Features | License |
|---|---|---|---|
| LeoVegas | 100% up to $1,000 | Smooth mobile gameplay | MGA |
| PlayOJO | 50 Free Spins (No Wager) | Caribbean Stud Poker RNG | UKGC |
| Royal Panda | 100% Bonus + Live Tables | Live Caribbean Poker | MGA |
| Mr Green | 100% Bonus up to $100 | Live Caribbean Stud | UKGC/MGA |
💡 Final Thoughts
Caribbean Poker is ideal for players who:
- ✅ Enjoy poker-style games but don’t want bluffing or complex rules.
- ✅ Prefer structured, slow-paced play.
- ✅ Want to play against the dealer – not other players.
- ✅ Are looking for high payout potential with a simple strategy.
It’s a great game to explore beyond blackjack and slots, especially with its easy-to-learn strategy and huge payout for a royal flush.
🎯 Ready to play Caribbean Poker like a pro?
👉 Join one of our recommended casinos and take a shot at the table today!
