How to Play Casino Stud Poker
Casino stud poker is played at a stud poker table. Players sit around the table and bet with cash chips (which the dealer can provide). There will be a minimum and maximum possible bet for your ante (table limits). This game varies from regular poker as it is only played against the dealer – other player’s hands are irrelevant.
In order to be dealt cards and begin play, you must make an initial ante bet. Place your ante bet in the little circle on the table in front of you. Once your bet is placed, the dealer will deal cards to you. The dealer will deal five cards in total to each player and himself, which will be dealt face down, except for the last card to himself. Sharing information between players is not allowed and is, in fact, pointless as players are not playing against each other.
You can play your hand or pass (fold) it once you have examined your cards. If you choose to play your hand, you are required to place another bet of twice your initial ante. This is called a raise. Not placing a bet indicates a desire to pass on that hand and you will lose your ante. Your hand will only qualify to play if it contains a value of at least an Ace, King and any three other cards.
If you raise your hand, you will only be paid out on your ante bet if the dealer does not hold a qualifying hand. That is, when the dealer reveals all of his cards, if he does not hold a qualifying hand, all players will be paid out their ante. If the dealer does hold a qualifying hand, his hand will be compared to each player’s hand individually.
If your hand beats the dealer’s, you will be paid out your ante and your raise. Your hand is paid out according to a bonus payout scheme. If your hand loses to the dealer, you will lose all bets. If the dealer reveals a hand that is the same as your hand, this results in a stand off. In this case, all ante bets and raises are left on the table.
It is possible that different casinos will have slight variations on the rules of casino stud poker. It is advisable to ask the house for their rules before commencing play.
