Invented in the 1980s specifically to attract poker players to the main casino floor, Caribbean Stud is a fantastic, fast-paced table game.

This completely eliminates the need to maintain a “poker face” or worry about someone aggressively raising your bets.
How to Start a Game of Caribbean Stud
Every round of Caribbean Stud begins with the player placing a mandatory initial wager known as the “Ante” bet.

They must either “Fold” and immediately lose their Ante, or “Call” (also known as “Play”) by placing a bet exactly twice the size of their Ante.
The dealer always exposes exactly one of their five cards face upFolding immediately surrenders the Ante bet to the houseCalling requires placing a bet exactly double the size of the Ante The Dealer Qualification Rule
To mathematically qualify, the dealer’s five-card hand must contain an Ace and a King, or any higher standard poker combination (like a Pair).

If the dealer fails to qualify (e.g., they only have Queen-high), the player instantly wins even money (1:1) on their Ante bet.
The Massive Jackpot Side Bet
If you hold exactly Ace-King, the strategy becomes slightly more complex, depending entirely on the dealer’s single exposed “upcard.”

Aside from the main game, Caribbean Stud is famous for its optional $1 progressive jackpot side bet.
Player ActionConditionResultFoldAlwaysLose Ante bet immediatelyPlay (Call)Dealer does NOT qualifyWin Ante 1:1, Call bet pushes
By memorizing the simple “Pair or better” folding strategy, you can confidently sit at the table and enjoy hours of entertainment.