Caribbean Stud Poker

What's the deal and appeal with Caribbean Stud?

In the past, individuals have written you asking specific questions about Caribbean Stud Poker. Could you please give a brief explanation of how the game is played, its downside and is it really as popular as everyone says. Donald B. Gaylord, MI

The basic objective of this five-card stud poker game is to beat the dealer's hand. To play, you must first place an ante bet in the circle. Let's use a $5 ante wager as our example. You then receive five cards dealt face down, and the dealer gets four cards face down and one card exposed. If you feel your 5 cards can beat the dealer's hand, you then place an additional bet equaling twice your ante ($10). Otherwise, you fold and lose your original $5. All that remains is beating the dealer's hand and you win! Well, not so fast my friend.

If the dealer doesn't have at least a king plus an ace to open, all you win is even money on your $5 ante wager. True, there is a bonus payout schedule for hands ranging from one pair to a royal flush when the dealer's hand is in play, but when I've got 15 buckaroos on the table at risk, I want a $15 payoff if the dealer is forced to fold. There, Donald, is your downside.

As for its popularity, Donald, no argument from me that Caribbean Stud is one of the fastest growing table games today. Many players believe the attractive payback percentage and the added thrill of a progressive jackpot is just too hard to resist. But smart gamblers-those who stick with wagers that have less than a 2% house advantage-realize the house wins two ways: off the basic game percentage (5.3%) and as a percentage return (48%) of the popular progressive bet.

My mother and I just discovered the joys of playing bingo at an Indian reservation. Our problem is that if we play more than two cards at one time, we're overwhelmed. Any suggestions? Marion E. St. Paul, MN

Save the mind labor, Marion, and join the cybernetic age. Most Indian reservation bingo parlors rent out computers (for a nominal price) that automatically track up to bingo cards at one time. When a number is called, you one-touch a video bingo screen, and a computer searches for the number on all your cards, then imprints the correct spot for the game theme or pattern you are playing.
For the laggards like yours truly, it's heaven sent.

Which slot machine revolutionized slots as we know them today? Jeff C. Internet

My answer, Jeff, will subject me to heated debate among one-armed bandit collectors- of which I'm not one-but my biased guess would be the 1964 "Money Honey" manufactured by Bally's. This machine was the first to have electronic circuitry to read the reels, a hopper, relays for protection against slot cheating and a brightly lit front end. The latter, mind you, was not for esthetics but for inducing play.

On a recent trip to Las Vegas, I noticed a fascinating slot machine on display that was built from a wooden cowboy. As a collector of gambling artifacts, I would like to add one to my collection. Two questions: Are these machines a rarity? And who designed them? Stewart K. St. Paul, MN

Scarce, yes, as only 92 were made in 1950. The ingenious cowboy artist who created the life-size human figures on slot machines was Frank Polk.

Before I Shuffle: Two gambling trivia questions for you. The first person, check that, the first 10 people who respond with a correct answer to either question will receive a free copy of my audio cassette series on gambling, Hooked on Winning.
Why is this old western card game, Faro, also called "Bucking the Tiger"? Too tough? Try this minutiae of a past oval office occupant: Name the casino that President James Buchanan frequented while in office in Washington, DC.

Got a question about gambling? Write to: Deal Me In, 774 Mays Blvd. Suite 10, Incline Village, NV 89451 or e-mail:winners@winner.com · To order Mark Pilarski's "Hooked on Winning" audio cassettes--laminated win cards package ($12.95 plus $2. S&H) call (800) WINNERS.

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What's the deal and appeal with Caribbean Stud?

In the past, individuals have written you asking specific questions about Caribbean Stud Poker. Could you please give a brief explanation of how the game is played, its downside and is it really as popular as everyone says. Donald B. Gaylord, MI

My mother and I just discovered the joys of playing bingo at an Indian reservation. Our problem is that if we play more than two cards at one time, we're overwhelmed. Any suggestions? Marion E. St. Paul, MN

Which slot machine revolutionized slots as we know them today? Jeff C. Internet

On a recent trip to Las Vegas, I noticed a fascinating slot machine on display that was built from a wooden cowboy. As a collector of gambling artifacts, I would like to add one to my collection. Two questions: Are these machines a rarity? And who designed them? Stewart K. St. Paul, MN

Got a question about gambling? Write to: Deal Me In, 774 Mays Blvd. Suite 10, Incline Village, NV 89451 or e-mail:winners@winner.com · To order Mark Pilarski's "Hooked on Winning" audio cassettes--laminated win cards package ($12.95 plus $2. S&H) call (800) WINNERS. Return to Main Menu

All contents copyright © 1997, Winners Publishing. All rights reserved. URL: http://winner.com/carib.html

Got a question about gambling? Write to: Deal Me In, 774 Mays Blvd. Suite 10, Incline Village, NV 89451 or e-mail:winners@winner.com · To order Mark Pilarski's "Hooked on Winning" audio cassettes--laminated win cards package ($12.95 plus $2. S&H) call (800) WINNERS.

Return to Main Menu

All contents copyright © 1997, Winners Publishing. All rights reserved.
URL: http://winner.com/carib.html