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Caribbean Stud And Other Poker Games Odds

The game of poker has over a hundred variations, each with their own unique twists. Some of the most popular underground games that have made it onto the casino floor include caribbean stud, pai gow, and let it ride. We explore each of these games briefly to help you gain insight into their odds and strategies. It is important to note that none of these games offers odds as favorable as blackjack or craps, but like many casino games, each one can be extremely rewarding should luck come your way.

If you're already a fan of online poker and are considering playing one of these games for variety, chances are you will find them to be both fun and challenging.

Article Highlights:

Caribbean Stud Poker   |   Pai Gow Poker   |   Let It Ride

Picture Courtesy: Red Flush Casino Land a royal flush at Progressive Caribbean Stud Poker and win a jackpot that often climbs past 100,000 credits.

Caribbean Stud Poker

Caribbean Stud naturally originated in the casinos and cruise ships of the Caribbean ocean. This gambling hotbed produced a variation of poker that normally carries a house edge of 5.3% - about the same as double zero roulette. The odds of making a hand are nearly identical to those of regular draw poker, but implied odds don't apply. Because you're only competing against the dealer, you don't have to worry about what other players are holding. The option to take the one credit progressive bet is offered before each round. Despite the fact that the jackpots can sometimes climb into the tens of thousands, this bet carries a rather steep house advantage at over 10%. Most online casinos feature caribbean stud poker, and many include variations and progressive games.

The chart to the right shows the payouts for winning the 'Bet' bet. This is the second bet you can choose to take if you think your hand can beat the dealer's. The initial bet, or 'Ante' bet, is paid off at even money, while winning 'Bet' bets are paid off at house odds.

If you're interested in learning more about the specifics of the game, browse the caribbean poker game rules.

Pai Gow Poker

Pai Gow poker's odds are a little more challenging to pinpoint that ordinary poker. What makes them more complex is the fact that both the player and the dealer receive seven cards, of which two separate poker hands are created to determine the winner. A small hand of two cards goes against the dealer's small hand, and a large hand of five cards does the same. Whoever wins both hands, by individually outranking the other, wins the round. It is strictly a game of player versus dealer, so other players at the table can only lose to the dealer as well. If one hand wins and the other loses, that is considered a tie, and no chips are won or lost. This game carries a so-so advantage for the casino at approximately 2.3%. To play as close to these odds as possible, much practice is required for pai gow is a complex game that invokes great skill in its mastery.

Let It Ride

Let It Ride, occasionally known as 'Free Ride' in some casinos, is a unique version of poker in that all players share in two 'community cards' which are dealt face-up in the middle of the table. The players get three cards each which are to be matched with the community cards in order to make a winning hand. Another unique feature of this game is that you are not directly competing against the dealer or other players, but simply trying to put together a solid hand. Tens or better is the lowest ranking hand.

The 'letting it ride' part of the game comes into play in that you begin each round by placing three separate bets into the designated circles. Because the two community cards are dealt face down, your first bet represents whether or not you wish to proceed according to the three cards currently in your hand. If your cards are favorable, like a pair of tens or higher, or all of the same suit, keep the first bet out. At this point, the dealer will reveal the first community card. If it helps out your hand, keep the second bet in play. Next, the last card is revealed, determining whether you have made your straight, flush, or other hand you were shooting for. If you're fortunate and begin a round with a winning hand, always leave all three bets out because you are guaranteed a win. If you are betting five credit chips, and start with a three of a kind, you can count on winning at least 45 credits, and maybe even 750 if you land a sought-after four of a kind.

Overall, the odds in this game aren't bad, at 3.5%. You may go many, many hands without a win, but patience will pay off sooner or later, and usually quite handsomely.

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