If you understand poker and have a basic familiarity with typical casino table games, you probably already have a good grasp of how Caribbean stud works. Before you sit down and start risking your bankroll, however, it’s a good idea to take a moment and familiarize yourself with the game.

Rules in Caribbean Stud

Just as with actual poker, in Caribbean stud your goal is to have better five card poker hand than your opponent. However, in this case, your opponent is the dealer and you cannot bluff him out of the pot. You will start by putting up a bet, called the ante bet. You receive five cards to make a poker hand. The dealer also gets five cards, one of which you will see.
If you think your hand will be best, you will raise an additional double bet. If not, you may fold and forfeit your initial ante bet. Once you have raised, the dealer must show a qualifying hand, meaning a hand ace king high or stronger. If he cannot, you win even money on the ante and the raise is a push. If he can, the best hand wins. If the dealer has the best hand, he wins both bets. If not, you win both bets -- even money on the ante and odds on the raise depending on the strength of your hand.

How to Win at Caribbean Stud

Caribbean Stud has a built in House edge, so you should expect to lose in the long term. However, in the short term you can improve your winning chances if you always raise when you have a pair and always fold if you have worse than ace queen.
Depending on how you play your ace king hands, the House edge against you may be anywhere from 5.2 to 5.7 percent.

Understanding the Progressive Side Bet

You will also notice a spot for you to play an extra dollar for the progressive side bet. If you play this dollar, you will get paid off anytime you are dealt a flush or better.
The payouts are small relative to your odds of hitting for the most part. However, hitting a straight flush or royal flush wins you part or all of the progressive prize pool, which can grow to huge sums at the right times.
Check out your regular internet poker guide to find the best online casino bonuses!