While learning to play certain casino games, players are often eager to learn optimal strategy. Caribbean Stud Poker has been studied by many and a very complex optimal strategy does exist for this game. However, a simplified optimal strategy, the one we will be discussing here, brings just as favourable results.
Know the Game Rules and Playthrough
It would be irresponsible to go into advanced play and risking money without being confident in your own knowledge of the game. You will hardly be able to apply strategic advice as a novice player.
Practice online for free until you have all the basics of the game mastered. Once you know how the round plays through, you can start applying tips and tactics to your advantage.
Appropriate Situations to Raise
The two main actions in Caribbean Stud Poker are raise and fold. You should know in which situations it is a clear decision to raise. According to statistical conclusions, a pair will beat the dealers hand more than it loses. Therefore, always raise if you’ve received a pair or better. Even when you hold a pair of twos.
Another situation that calls for a raise is when the dealer’s up-facing card is anything from 2 through Queen and it matches one of your cards. Next, you should also raise when the dealers upcard is an Ace or a King and you have a Jack or a Queen in your hand. In both of these situations, you already have Ace-King.
For further optimization, consider raising when the dealer’s upcard does not match any of yours and is less than your 4th highest card while you hold a Queen.
Appropriate Situations to Fold
It is just as important to know when to fold as it is when to raise. You will never go wrong if you fold when you have less than Ace-King.
This is the qualifying hand for the dealer, Ace-King or higher. If you stand lower than that, you will lose. For that reason, it is correct to fold and withdraw from the round.
Choose Your Ace High Hands Wisely
Not every Ace high hand demands a raise. It is an excellent position to be in, but there are many possibilities for the hand, and optimal play depends on your selectiveness.
According to strategy, you ought to fold if you have Ace high hands that are lower than Ace-King. A hand like A-Q-J-T-2 is not bad, but can bring you a win on the ante bet at best. A hand with A-K-Q in it is usually a good hand to raise with.
The full optimal strategy for Ace-King hands is extensive. It contains recommended plays for every player upcard in combination with the player’s remaining three cards in hand.
Luckily, you can find complete charts on the web. Consult them in situations in which you are uncertain about how to act.
