Caribbean Stud Poker Odds and Strategy
Odds
The house edge in Caribbean Stud Poker is 5.2%. Following is a listing of possible hands in Caribbean Stud Poker and the probability of receiving these hands.
| No hand at all | 1 in 2 hands |
| One pair | 1 in 2 habds |
| Two Pair | 1 in 21 hands |
| 3 of a Kind | 1 in 47 hands |
| Straight | 1 in 256 hands |
| Flush | 1 in 526 hands |
| Full House | 1 in 694 hands |
| 4 of a Kind | 1 in 4167 hands |
| Straight Flush | 1 in 72,202 hands |
| Royal Flush | 1 in 649,351 hands |
Strategy
Better hands happen less often. Most of the time you'll get dealt nothing, a pair, or two pair - with an occasional 3 of a kind for variety.
Given these numbers, the only time you should fold is if you have nothing at all or only one pair. Also, a lot of times, the dealer won't qualify.
Always stay in (don't fold) when you have 2 pair or better. This is an easy call to make and should be easy to remember.
Consider NOT playing the progressive. This depends a lot on your temperament and the size of the jackpot. If the jackpot is low, it's almost never a good bet to play the progressive bet. But if the jackpot is really high, it might be worth it to you.
Just a quick note about some of the odds on the progressive, too. If a flush is paying $100 on a $1 bet, but you're only going to see a flush once ever 526 hands, how good a bet is that?
If you have nothing, fold. Having nothing is a lose-lose situation. The only way you can win is if the dealer also has nothing, in which case you just get your bet returned to you. That's not a good bet.
[source: unknownpoker.com]