Casino / Caribbean Stud Poker: An explanation of the rules

Casino Stud Poker is another game that is common in casinos all over the world though its not a type of Hold'em.

The Aim of Casino Stud Poker

In both Casino Stud Poker and Caribbean Stud Poker the object of the game is the same – you need to have a better hand than the dealer at the showdown.

All hands are all rated in the strict poker sense.

 

How to play Casino Stud

1. Find yourself a seat at a Caribbean/Stud Poker table and let the dealer know that you want to play. There will be a minimum and maximum bet for your ante/blind at the table.
2. Before any cards can be dealt, each player must make an initial ante/blind bet in order to be dealt their cards.
3. Place your ante/blind on the small circle in front of you that is marked for it. When the antes/blinds are placed on the table the dealer will deal one card to each player in turn and then one to themselves. The dealer will do this five times. All of the cards will be dealt face down onto the table except the fifth card that is dealt to the dealer. This is left face up for all of the players to see. When the deal is finished, all players at the table will now be able to pick up their cards and decide whether they want to play their hand or fold it.
4. Here are 2 important rules to know about this game that come into force at this point in the play:
1. In order to 'play' your hand, you have to make another bet of exactly twice the value of your ante/blind bet. This is called a raise. If you chose not to raise then you are choosing to fold and you'll lose your ante/blind.
2. The dealer will only compete against your hand if their hand has a value of at least, Ace-King-x-x-x (x can be any card). This is known as qualifying.
5. The rules of the game mean that betting levels are fixed and players who raise with a hand, will only be paid out (at even-money) on their ante/blind bet if the dealer's hand doesn't qualify. If you hold a strong hand, like 10-10-10-x-x, you will be restricted to raising only twice your ante/blind but if the dealer's hand doesn't qualify, you will only be paid out on your ante/blind bet. The raise will be returned to you.
When all of the players at the table have made their decision, the dealer turns over all of their own cards to see what the value of their hand is. If they don't qualify then all ante/blind bets are paid back. If they do, then the dealer compares their hand with each of the individual players’ hands. The winning players’ hands are paid out on both ante/blinds and raise bets, losing players hands lose all bets.

Playing conditions are as with any game of poker. Don't show your cards to other players and don't expect them to show you theirs either! There is no benefit to this as you're playing against the dealer and the house will not be happy.

These are intended as general rules and when ever you play cards at a casino, be sure to check the house rules there as some elements of the game may vary.