Caribbean Stud Poker is a popular casino table game that has a similar gameplay to five-card stud poker, but unlike traditional poker games, players play against the house rather than against each other.
The precise origins of Caribbean Stud Poker are somewhat unclear, with various theories and anecdotal evidence offered by different sources. However, it is widely believed that the game originated on cruise ships in the Caribbean Sea during the 1980s, hence the name.
David Sklansky, a well-known poker author and player, has claimed that he invented the game in 1982 under the name “Casino Poker.” He stated that the game initially did not include the progressive jackpot feature, which is commonly associated with Caribbean Stud Poker today. Sklansky claimed that he was unable to patent the game due to patent laws at the time, so the game was taught to a fellow poker player who introduced it to the Aruba casino scene, where it gained its current name and popularity.
The game eventually made its way to Las Vegas casinos in the 1990s. Around the same time, it began to appear in online casinos as internet gambling became more prevalent.
In Caribbean Stud Poker, the player and the dealer both receive five cards, with one of the dealer’s cards being face-up. The player then decides whether to fold or raise. If the player folds, they forfeit their ante bet. If they raise, they must make an additional bet double the size of the original ante. After all players have made their decisions, the dealer reveals their entire hand.
The dealer only qualifies if their hand is Ace-King or better. If the dealer does not qualify, the player wins even money on their ante and the raise is pushed. If the dealer does qualify, the player’s and dealer’s hands are compared. If the player’s hand is better, they receive even money on their ante and a payout on their raise based on the strength of their hand. If the dealer’s hand is better, the player loses both bets.
Over the years, Caribbean Stud Poker has become a favorite among many casino-goers for its simple rules and potential for high payouts, especially when the progressive jackpot is involved.
