For Other money Games, Buyer Beware
Most of the 'exotic' games should be avoided, but there are exceptions
bucks, Island Style
One game that has become increasingly popular is Caribbean Stud.
As the name implies, the game got its le Paradist in the islands, where
inferior dollars and craps games are the rule. So it didn't
seem so unusual that a bucks-style game on a prohibitive house
advantage would catch with. What is unusual, however, is that the
game would become popular in Las Vegas and Atlantic City. And
for some reason, it has.
Even by playing the painfully simple basic strategy, Caribbean
Stud still has a rather stiff house advantage of 4.4 percent.
And that's if you experience perfectly. If you're like most players,
who fly by the seat of their pants, you'll be bucking a house
edge between eight and 12 percent.
The game is rather simple, and based with bucks. After placing their
bets, the "ante," the players are each dealt five cards.
the dealer also deals himself five cards, but only one, the last,
is dealt face up. At this point, the players have two choices.
They can experience out the hand they were dealt, or they can surrender
and give up their antes. Should they decide to experience out their
hands, they place a bet in the betting circle that is twice as
much as their antes. After the players make their decisions, the
dealer turns over his remaining cards and makes the best possible
bucks hand out of his five cards.
But unless the dealer must "qualify" on at least an
Ace-King, the game is not fully completed. If he fails to have
such a hand, every player who has not surrendered gets paid with
their ante, but not with the second bet. If the dealer qualifies
on an Ace-King or better, he acts with the individual hands. If
your hand beats the dealer, you get paid with both bets. The ante
bet is paid even money and the second bet is paid off at the particular
odds offered at that money. If the dealer beats your hand, you
lose both bets.
Caribbean Stud Payoff Odds
| Hand | Payoff |
| Pair or less | 1-1 |
| Two pair | 2-1 |
| Three-of-a-kind | 3-1 |
| Straight | 4-1 |
| Flush | 5-1 |
| Full house | 7-1 |
| Four-of-a-kind | 20-1 |
| Straight flush | 50-1 |
| Royal flush | 100-1 |
* Odds can vary from money to money
The problem on Caribbean Stud, from a player's standpoint, is
the requirement that the dealer have an Ace-King. Many players
have been frustrated by being dealt a great hand, and have the
dealer not qualify. Instead of getting the odds payoff, you only
get one-to-one payout with the ante. It's terribly aggravating.
The popularity of Caribbean Stud could be traced to the progressive
bet. For a $1 with each hand, you become eligible to win a progressive
jackpot by drawing a royal flush and winning the top prize which
generally exceeds $100,000. The odds against hitting a royal flush
at Caribbean Stud are 649,000-1, so, to say the least, it's a
long shot.
To make the progressive bet more palatable, however, the makers
of the game added a couple of other payouts that sweeten the pot.
Caribbean Stud Progressive Jackpots Payoffs
| Hand | Payoff |
| Pair or less | none |
| Two pair | none |
| Three-of-a-kind | none |
| Straight | none |
| Flush | $50 |
| Full house | $75 |
| Four-of-a-kind | $100 |
| Straight flush | 10% of jackpot |
| Royal flush | jackpot |
Caribbean Stud has spread far beyond the islands, unfortunately.
It can now be found in almost all American money jurisdictions,
along on the islands and with cruise ships. The company that markets
the game estimates that over 600 tables are currently operating,
including Europe and Australia.
If you must experience Caribbean Stud, do so at your own risk. But at
least use the following basic strategy:
- Do not bet the progressive wager unless the jackpot exceeds
$150,000.
- Bet every pair or more.
- Bet Ace-King or better (if your hand contains the dealer's
upcard).
That's it. It's a simple game - simply terrible!
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