Caribbean Poker, also called Caribbean Stud Poker, is a game very similar to poker. The main difference is that all players are playing against the dealer as opposed to against each other. Subsequently, skills such as bluffing or reading other people’s moves are completely useless. Like most games, Caribbean Poker is best played in the environment of online casinos since they provide vast advantages. The “Progressive Jackpot” feature, for example, benefits from the fact that on the internet tables can easily be connected. Like that the jackpot can become extremely large and the chances to win really big increase exponentially. The comfort of learning the rules to this specific type of poker in the safe environment of one’s own home is hard to beat by any other establishment.
Before even receiving any cards every player has to decide how much to wager on the upcoming hand and if he or she wants to bet for the “Progressive Jackpot” (which generally costs $1), which is linked to other Caribbean Poker tables. This initial bet is called the “Ante”. Players are then dealt five cards, which they receive face down. One of the dealer’s five cards, however, faces up for everyone to see. Players must then decide whether they want to play (and wager twice their Ante bet) or fold (and lose the Ante bet). The fact that players who fold lose their initial bet is a strong incentive to play, even though the cards might not be perfect. After all the players have either played or folded the dealer must reveal his cards. The dealer only plays with ace/king or higher, if he does not qualify, all players receive double their “Ante” but get not additional gain on their call. In the case of the dealer qualifying, he compares his hand to the hands of the players and the ones who beat the dealer win. The value of the hands are the same as in most other poker games: One pair or less is the lowest, then two pair, three of a kind, straight (five cards of sequential rank), flush (five cards of the same suit), full house (a pair plus three of a kind), four of a kind, and straight flush (five sequential cards of the same suit). If a player wins he receives double his “Ante” and he will multiply his bet according to the strength of his hand. In order to win the “Progressive Jackpot” a player must have a flush or higher.
Compared to other varieties of poker, Caribbean Poker is more based on luck than on skill, given that the first bet (the “Ante”) has to be made before the player has been dealt any cards. However, this can also be seen as an advantage, since less experienced players also have a chance to win big. The additional feature of the “Progressive Jackpot” adds a special thrill to the game because players have the chance to win an amazing amount of money with a very small wager. A single lucky hand can, therefore, result in someone having the best day of his or her life.
