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Caribbean Stud Poker was first developed in the Caribbean islands and then expanded to cruise ship in the late 1980's. It was such an appealing game with players that Nevada casinos began offering the game in 1992.

The player competes against the dealer, not other players. The house has a 5.25% advantage in this game.


PLAYING THE GAME
This card game is played with one standard deck of 52 cards. The game is initiated when the player places a wager called the ante and then is dealt a five-card face down hand; the dealer is also dealt five cards of which only one is exposed. The player now either folds, losing his ante, or bets an additional amount equal to exactly twice the ante. The dealer then reveals his remaining four cards. If the dealer's hand is not Ace-King, the player is paid even money(1 to 1) on the ante and nothing (i.e., a push) on the bet. If the dealer's hand is Ace-King it is said to "qualify" (for play against the player). In that case if the dealer's hand is better than the player's, the player's ante and bet are collected by the house. If the player's qualifying hand is better than the dealers's hand, the player is paid even money on the ante and an amount on the bet according to the player's hand as follows:

HAND	PAYOUT
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	1 to 1
Ace/King	1 to 1

When the player and dealer have the same hand value, it is considered a tie or push. The bet is returned to the player.


PROGRESSIVE JACKPOT
Players are also given the option of playing for the progressive jackpot. To be considered for the progressive, players must make an additional side bet of $1 at the onset of the game. The player is wagering that they will receive a hand of cards that equates to a flush or better. Regardless of the outcome of the regular table game, if the player has a hand that qualifies for the progressive jackpot, that player will win the amount designated in the payout table. Players are usually rewarded with 100% of the pot for a royal flush, 10% of the pot for a straight flush, and a set monetary amount for a four of a kind, full house, or a flush. These amounts will vary from casino to casino. This is a typical progressive jackpot table:

HAND	PAYOFF
Royal Flush	100% of the progressive jackpot
Straight Flush	10% of the progressive jackpot
Four of A Kind	$500
Full House	$100
Flush	$50