Each player starts by making a bet with the choice to make a further bet on the progressive side. In Caribbean Stud Poker the player can make a side bet of $1 that pays out for hands of a flush or better. Payoff tables alter but always feature a progressive jackpot that pays the entire jackpot for a royal flush and ten percent for a straight flush. If 2 players had a royal flush in the same hand the player nearest to the dealer’s right wins the jackpot and the second wins whatever the jackpot is dropped to. In most casinos, the second jackpot is $10,000. This is done because the order of play is from the dealer’s right to left.

If 2 players score a straight flush, the player to the dealer’s right gets ten percent of the jackpot and the other player get ten percent of what’s left over. Even though it could seem like a good investment to lay down one dollar in the possibility of winning over ten thousand the probabilities are stacked extremely high that you’ll never see your buck again.

Players are then dealt 5 cards each, as is the dealer. All cards are dealt face down with the exception of one of the dealer’s cards that’s dealt face up. After checking their cards, players must decide to raise or fold as normal for poker games. Players that fold forfeit their cards and all bet placed on the game. To raise a player must bet two times the game ante.

The dealer turns over his remaining cards and compares them with the players. Card ranks are the same as regular poker with the extra condition of the dealer ‘qualifying’. This is where the Caribbean poker comes into maturity. The dealer must be showing an at least an ace and a king or higher to qualify. If the dealer doesn’t qualify the player wins even cash on his ante bet and the raise is pushed. On the other hand if the dealer qualifies he beats the player and both the ante and the raise go to the house.

If however the dealer qualifies but still loses to the player, then the ante pays even cash and the raise pays according to the house pay table. Pay tables can alter to be certain to check it before you play. If the player and dealer tie then both the ante and raise are pushed.

The progressive side bet is paid out based mostly on the value of the player’s hand. The payout tables for the progressive bet can also change. Caribbean Stud methodology is sophisticated and only the most talented players can apply one. As a rule though you should usually raise your bet if you have got a pair or higher and always fold if you have less than needed qualifying hand for the dealer.