Like Let It Ride, Caribbean Stud is based on five-card stud and is played at a blackjack-style table; like blackjack, the player has to beat the dealer. The most unusual feature of Caribbean Stud is that it is the first table game to offer a progressive jackpot.

Basic Play

Players place an ante bet before the cards are dealt; the minimum is $5 at most tables. Each player receives five cards, face-down. The dealer takes four face-down cards and one up-card. The player then decides, based on her own hand and the dealer's up-card, whether to fold or call.

▲ A typical Caribbean Stud table layout. Some tables may have places for only six players, and markings for bets and antes may vary in design.

If you fold, you forfeit your ante bet. If you decide to play, your call bet must be double your ante. If your ante is $5, your call bet must be $10; if your ante is $10, your call bet must be $20. After the call bets are made, the dealer reveals his four down-cards.

The Progressive Jackpot Bet

The bet on the progressive jackpot in Caribbean Stud is a side bet on your hand, not dependent on whether you beat the dealer. At most casinos, this is a $1 bet. You are not required to place the jackpot bet to play the game, but you won't be eligible for any payouts from the progressive pool if you don't.

At most casinos, the jackpot bet pays only if your hand is a flush or higher. A flush typically pays $50, a full house pays $75, and four of a kind pays $100. This varies from casino to casino, so look for the payout schedule at the table or ask the dealer.

If you get a straight flush, you receive 10 percent of the jackpot pool. A royal flush pays 100 percent of the jackpot. The jackpot pool is usually displayed in lights above the Caribbean Stud table, and it can grow quite large, well into the tens of thousands of dollars.

Winning Hands in Caribbean Stud

Winning hands in Caribbean Stud are ranked the same as in regular poker. However, the dealer must “qualify” to play the hand with at least an ace and a king (or a better-ranked poker hand). If she doesn't have an ace and a king, the hand is over. In this event, players get even money on their ante bets, and the call bets are a push — that is, you don't win any money but your bet is returned.

If the dealer qualifies, then her hand is compared to each player's hand, and the highest hand in each case wins. If your hand beats the dealer's hand, you get even money on your ante bet and a bonus on your call bet. The typical call bonus is 1:1 if you have an ace-king high or a pair; 2:1 for two pair; 3:1 for three of a kind; 4:1 for a straight; 5:1 for a flush; 7:1 for a full house; 20:1 for four of a kind; 50:1 for a straight flush; and 100:1 for a royal flush. If the dealer's hand beats yours, you lose your ante and call bets.

How to Bet Caribbean Stud

Basic strategy for Caribbean Stud is perhaps the simplest of all the poker-based games. Remember that you're trying to beat the dealer, and you can't replace any of your cards. You have to make your decision based on your own cards and the dealer's up-card.

If you have a pair or better, you should call. Keep in mind that the dealer has to qualify with at least an ace and king high (or better) hand. If he doesn't qualify, you can win even money on your ante even with a lowly pair of deuces. You also should call if you hold an ace and a king, if one of your cards matches the dealer's up-card. In this case, chances are good that you can beat the dealer with a high card if nothing else.

If you don't have either of these combinations, fold.