Caribbean Stud Poker - FAQ
When I compute the potential combinations of player and dealer hands for, I arrive at only 3,986,646,103,440, while your figure is 19, and I'm off by precisely a factor of 5. My calculation utilized (52,5)*combin(47,5). Can you pinpoint where my error is? I appreciate it, and I find your website to be excellent. Caribbean Stud Poker I appreciate the compliment! Your discrepancy arises due to the fact that the dealer can display any of 5 cards face up. This indicates that the order of the dealer's hand matters because the first card is shown face up. The correct way to determine the total combinations is combin(52,5)*47*combin(46,4) = 19,933,230,517,200. combin As a newcomer to gambling in Las Vegas, I was advised to try my hand at both craps and Caribbean Stud. How much money should I take with me to each game to ensure I can play long enough to potentially see some success?
If you play for an extended period, the likelihood is that you will end up losing all the money you've brought. It's wise not to gamble with more money than you are willing to lose in a single session.
The house edge for that game is around 5.22%. Thus, if your goal is to prolong your gaming experience, you might want to steer clear of that game. The most favorable table games are craps and blackjack, provided you play strategically.
I discovered your website through the VEGAS.com bulletin board and find it quite intriguing. Can you clarify the odds of the dealer qualifying in Caribbean Stud? I've heard varying figures between 40% and 55%. I’ve been playing without considering the dealer's hand, which has surprisingly worked out well for me, as I’ve avoided folding on many hands I normally would. I look forward to your guidance. Thank you very much.
Second, Caribbean Stud Poker To clarify, there are 1,296,420 ways out of 2,598,960 to make a pair or better. Additionally, I noted at the bottom of that page that there are 167,280 combinations to create an Ace/King. This totals 1,463,700 qualifying combinations, resulting in a 56.32% probability.
By playing without considering the dealer's strategies, you're actually facing a house edge of 16.607%. If you applied the three guidelines outlined in my section on,
According to my probabilities in poker Kudos on running an excellent site! While I typically enjoy blackjack in Atlantic City using only basic strategy, I sometimes like to take a chance on Caribbean Stud Poker. I am aware of the odds in Atlantic City from your articles featured in Casino Player magazine, but with the differing payouts offered by online casinos, do you find the odds online to be more favorable or less so?
That's a great inquiry! I analyzed four casinos utilizing Microgaming, Starnet, Cryptologic, and BossMedia software. Starnet adheres to standard rules, while Cryptologic and BossMedia offer 200 to 1 payouts for a royal flush instead of the typical 100 to 1. Microgaming presents the following payout structure. Caribbean stud you would lower the house edge to 5.225%.
It's important to note that Microgaming offers even money only for two pair hands, yet is more rewarding for all hands ranked higher. The table below illustrates the house edge for each software type, assuming optimal strategy is employed. Keep in mind that Starnet refers to the game as Cyberstud Poker, whereas the others call it Caribbean Poker.
House Edge For Each Type of Software with Assumed Optimal Strategy
Microgaming Paytable
Hand | Payoff |
---|---|
Royal flush | 999 to 1 |
Straight flush | 199 to 1 |
Four of a kind | 99 to 1 |
Full house | 14 to 1 |
Flush | 9 to 1 |
Straight | 5 to 1 |
Three of a kind | 3 to 1 |
Two pair | 1 to 1 |
Pair | 1 to 1 |
Ace/King | 1 to 1 |
The house has a significant edge in this game. Is it possible to reduce this advantage by glimpsing another player's cards? This commonly occurs, particularly if you’re playing with a partner or friend, despite the casino's rules against it. There's also curiosity regarding draw Caribbean Stud, where the dealer needs to qualify with a pair of Eights or higher. Players (including the dealer) have the option to draw three or more cards. This variant is only available at specific locations. Are the odds improved (especially if the dealer aims for straights and flushes)?
In response to your initial question, yes! The house edge indeed can diminish by discreetly observing other players' cards. For instance, if you have an Ace/King hand, it could influence your decision to raise if you notice another player matching the dealer's up card. In the book,
Software | House Edge |
---|---|
Microgaming | 5.01% |
Cryptologic | 5.21% |
BossMedia | 5.21% |
Starnet | 5.22% |
Hello Mike. Two questions about Caribbean Stud Poker Authors Peter Griffin and John M. Gwynn Jr. discuss player collusion in Caribbean Stud Poker. Their research indicates that with complete knowledge of all other players' cards, and understanding how this information modifies the odds, players could enjoy a 2.3% edge in a game with seven players. In a six-player scenario, the house would only possess a 0.4% edge.
Some online casinos feature multi-player Caribbean Stud Poker. Do you think a team of dedicated players with advanced computers could overcome the game? If a group were to occupy all five player positions at a table, they would have access to half the deck. A computer could suggest optimal plays based on viewing 26 cards (five per player, plus the dealer's up card). I really appreciate the gambling insights—I've been a fan for quite some time. Finding the Edge This question has been posed by others in previous columns. The book Finding the Edge includes a paper titled 'An Analysis of Caribbean Stud Poker' by Peter Griffin and John Gwynn Jr. It mentions that when seven players collaborate perfectly, they possess a 2.3% player advantage. However, they do not specify what the advantage would be in a game of five players. I assume the odds would revert in favor of the house.
According to the mathematics you've provided, the probability of obtaining a royal flush is 4/2,598,960 = 1/649,740. Therefore, if I played Caribbean Stud in a one-on-one against the dealer, the combined hands would total 649,740*2=1,299,480. Hence, mathematically, after 1,299,480 hands, we should see two royal flushes. Is my interpretation of the odds accurate?
You're correct that statistically, a royal flush is expected to appear once in every 649,740 hands, leading to an anticipated two royal flushes in 1,299,480 hands. However, this is merely an average. With each new hand dealt, you are not progressing closer to acquiring a royal flush. Each game is an independent event, and thus, the concept of memory in odds statistics means a royal flush cannot be considered overdue.
The chance of having no royal flushes over the span of 1,299,480 hands stands at 13.53%.
Recently, a version of Caribbean Stud has emerged in my city, featuring no maximum ante and an increased maximum payout. The standard limits in the local currency are a minimum of 2, a maximum of 50, and the top payout is 2000. The new limits set a minimum of 25, no maximum, and a cap of 3000. My question is: is this a positive or negative development for me as a player? While I can't compute the odds, I hope you can assist me. I should add that we play Caribbean Stud here with the rule allowing a single card swap at the cost of the ante.
In games where there's a preset maximum payout, it's essential never to wager so much that it alters potential maximum winnings. For example, if the maximum payout is $2000 and the highest win is at a 100:1 ratio, your bets should never exceed $20. In the scenario where a royal flush payout is 100-1, you shouldn't exceed a bet of $30. As long as your bets remain within these parameters, the odds remain unchanged. The variation allowing card switching is recognized as
I have a question regarding Caribbean Stud The progressive jackpot side bet payout table mirrors 'Table 3'; however, it guarantees a payment of $5,000 for a straight flush, instead of 10% of the jackpot. How can I identify the break-even point?
According to table 3, four of a kind pays out $500, a full house yields $100, and a flush pays out $50. If m is the amount shown on the jackpot meter, the return for every dollar wagered is (1121800+4*j)/2598960. The meter would need to indicate $369,290 for this bet to provide a positive expected return. Oasis Poker .
Here in Netherlands we have also Caribbean Stud Poker Can you explain how the total combinations in Caribbean Stud, which add up to 19,933,230,517,200, are calculated? I successfully determined the 5-card poker combinations to yield 2,598,960. What steps should I follow from there? Thank you in advance.
You accurately calculated the number of player combinations, which is (52,5)=2,598,960. Next, the dealer has combin(47,5)=1,533,939 possible hands. Furthermore, any of the five dealer cards can be face-up. Therefore: 2,598,960*1,533,959*5=19,933,230,517,200.
A new rule has been introduced at casinos in Moscow for Caribbean Stud Poker, allowing a player to purchase an additional card after evaluating their initial cards for the same ante amount. All other rules and payouts remain unchanged, but no bonus is awarded for buying a card. Could you help me calculate the house edge and the probabilities for this variant? I appreciate your help.
You're not the first to inquire about this specific variant. Regrettably, I haven't calculated the odds for this particular twist yet. If this modification eventually makes it to Vegas, I will prioritize analyzing it. combin P.S. (February 21, 2006) I now cover this rule variation in my
I often play Caribbean Stud alongside my wife and tend to check her cards before making my own decisions. Should my strategy adapt based on her hand? For instance, if I have an Ace/King and she holds a card that is lower than a King but matches the dealer's up card, should I continue playing?
Absolutely! Being aware of the cards held by other players can provide a strategic advantage if utilized wisely. I haven't delved into this extensively, but your current approach is sound. When you hold an Ace/King, it’s crucial to prevent the dealer from forming a pair. If either you or your wife match the dealer's up card, this will reduce the chances of the dealer forming a pair, subsequently enhancing the odds that the dealer might not qualify. However, if you aim to marginally lower the house edge, I wouldn't recommend investing your efforts and funds into Caribbean Stud Poker but rather focus on games with a lower house edge, such as blackjack or video poker.
I appreciate both Caribbean Stud and Blackjack. The risk factor for Caribbean Stud is at 2.56%, while for Blackjack, it's only 0.38%, creating a ratio of 6.7. Let’s say I wager $15 on Blackjack and $5 on Caribbean Stud, placing $15 at risk with my bet. Given that the number of hands dealt per hour is significantly higher for Blackjack than for Stud, does this imply that I would deplete my bankroll at the same rate considering the 6.7 ratio of hands played per hour? Caribbean Stud Poker section.
Not quite. To accurately compare expected losses, it’s more effective to consider the house edge. According to my section on, the house edge for blackjack is 0.43% (based on Atlantic City regulations), while Caribbean Stud Poker has a higher edge of 5.22%. For instance, the anticipated loss for a single hand of Caribbean Stud Poker at a $5 ante is $5 * 5.22% = 26.10 cents. Conversely, the expected loss for 6.7 hands of blackjack at a $15 bet amounts to 6.7 * $15 * 0.43% = 43.22 cents. Hence, with these calculations, you would incur smaller losses in Caribbean Stud Poker. The house edge ratio of Caribbean Stud Poker to blackjack approximates 12. Thus, the expected loss from a $1 initial bet in Caribbean Stud Poker equates to a similar loss from a $12 initial bet in blackjack.
Caribbean Stud Poker - Frequently Asked Questions - Wizard of Odds
Explore the Top Online Casinos Available in Your Region
Calculator for Lottery Jackpot Ticket Sales house edge Enter exciting slot tournaments with significant prize pools
When analyzing the possible combinations of player and dealer hands for
I calculated 3,986,646,103,440 combinations as opposed to your 19, indicating a discrepancy by a factor of five. My calculation used (52,5)*combin(47,5). Can you help me identify the mistake? I appreciate your site, by the way.
Thank you for your kind words! The reason for your discrepancy is that the dealer can reveal one of five cards. This means that the order in which the dealer's cards are dealt is important since one card is shown face-up. The correct way to calculate the total combinations is combin(52,5)*47*combin(46,4) = 19,933,230,517,200.
No
As a novice gambler visiting Las Vegas for the first time, I've been advised to try my hand at craps and Caribbean Stud. How much money should I set aside for each game to ensure I stay relevant long enough to see some results?
In the long run, if you keep playing, you may only find that you eventually lose all your funds. It's wise to only bring as much money as you're comfortable parting with during that game.
Craps has a house edge of 5.22%, so if you're looking to extend your gameplay, you might want to steer clear of that option. When played correctly, the best table games tend to be craps and blackjack.
I discovered your website through a post on the VEGAS.com forum and found it intriguing. Could you clarify the odds for the dealer qualifying in Caribbean Stud? I've heard figures ranging from 40% to 55%. I've been playing without seeing my cards and it seems to work out for me, avoiding folds I would typically make. Any advice would be fantastic.
Out of a total of 2,598,960 combinations, there are 1,296,420 ways to form at least a pair. Additionally, my page indicates that there are 167,280 ways to achieve an ace/king combination. Thus, there are 1,463,700 ways to qualify, translating to a 56.32% probability.
By playing without looking, you're going against a house edge of 16.607%. If you followed the guidelines mentioned in my section on
Kudos for maintaining such an impressive website! While I usually stick to playing blackjack in Atlantic City using only basic strategy, I enjoy trying my luck with Caribbean Stud Poker from time to time. I understand the odds in Atlantic City from reading your features in Casino Player magazine, but do the odds vary significantly with different payouts at various online casinos?
That's a great inquiry. I've investigated four casinos operating on Microgaming, Starnet, Cryptologic, and BossMedia platforms. Starnet employs traditional rules while Cryptologic and BossMedia provide a 200 to 1 payout for a royal flush, compared to the standard 100 to 1. Microgaming has its own paytable.
It's important to note that Microgaming offers even payouts only for a two pair, but provides better payouts for all higher combinations. Below is the house edge associated with each software type, assuming optimal play. Starnet refers to this game as Cyberstud Poker, while the rest stick with Caribbean Poker.
House Edge for Different Software Types Assuming Optimal Play
There is a significant house advantage in play. Can this advantage be mitigated by observing another player's cards? This often happens, especially in a game with a partner or friend, even if the casino advises against it. The second question involves draw Caribbean Stud. The dealer must qualify with a pair of eights or higher, and both you and the dealer can draw three or more cards. This variant is available only in select locations. Are the odds improved, especially if the dealer is attempting to complete straights or flushes?
Yes, to respond to your first query, the house advantage can indeed be minimized if you get sneak peeks at other cards. For instance, if you hold an ace/king and see another player with a card matching the dealer’s up card, it might encourage you to raise. In their publication,
Peter Griffin and John M. Gwynn Jr. explore the concept of collusion among players in Caribbean Stud Poker. Their research indicates that if players have full knowledge of their cards, they could enjoy a 2.3% advantage in a seven-player setting. In a game with six players, the house's edge would drop to 0.4%.
Roulette: Can I play on numbers for him?
Some online casinos now feature multi-player Caribbean Stud Poker. In your opinion, could a dedicated team with advanced computers turn the odds in their favor? If they each occupy one of the five seats at a table, they could uncover half the deck. A computer might determine the optimal strategy based on the visibility of 26 cards (five per player plus the dealer’s up card). I’m grateful for your insights, as I’m a long-time admirer.
This question has come up previously in past discussions. The book Finding the Edge includes a paper by Peter Griffin and John Gwynn Jr. titled 'An Analysis of Caribbean Stud Poker', which mentions that a perfectly colluding group of seven players would hold a 2.3% advantage. However, they don't specify what the edge would be in a five-player scenario; I suspect it would tilt back in favor of the house.
According to your calculations, the odds for obtaining a royal flush are 4 out of 2,598,960, simplifying to 1 out of 649,740. In a direct one-on-one game of Caribbean Stud with the dealer, the total hands dealt between us would land at 649,740 times two, equaling 1,299,480. Hence, mathematically speaking, we should expect to see two royal flushes after 1,299,480 hands. Is this a correct understanding of the odds?
You’re absolutely right! Statistically, a royal flush is expected to appear once in every 649,740 hands. This implies that through 1,299,480 hands, the anticipated number of royal flushes is indeed two. However, bear in mind that this is merely an average. Each hand dealt is an independent event, meaning one hand does not influence the chances of getting a royal flush in the next. Therefore, a royal flush is never 'due' based on previous outcomes.
The likelihood of encountering zero royal flushes in 1,299,480 hands is approximately 13.53%.
In my locality, a Caribbean Stud game has recently emerged featuring no maximum ante and increased payout caps. The prior limits were a minimum of 2, maximum of 50, and a $2000 payout cap. Under the new arrangement, the minimum is set at 25, with no maximum ante and an upper limit of 3000 for payouts. Would this be advantageous or disadvantageous for me as a player? I’m uncertain how to calculate the odds, perhaps you could guide me?
In scenarios with payout ceilings, it’s crucial not to wager so much that your potential winnings are capped by those limits. For instance, if the cap is $2000 and a substantial win pays out at 100:1, your bet shouldn’t surpass $20. If the royal flush payout is 100-1, then ideally, your bet should remain below $30. As long as you stay within these thresholds, the odds remain unchanged. The variant that allows card swapping is termed
The progressive jackpot side bet payout table mirrors 'Table 3', but here a straight flush consistently pays $5,000 rather than 10% of the total jackpot. How can I determine my break-even point?
Per Table 3, a four of a kind yields $500, a full house offers $100, and a flush grants $50. If we denote the jackpot meter amount as 'm', the return per dollar wagered is calculated as (1121800+4*j)/2598960. The meter would need to reach $369,290 to create a positive expectation outcome.
Could you elaborate on how the total number of combinations in Caribbean Stud, being 19,933,230,517,200, is computed? I successfully followed your calculations for 5-card poker combinations to arrive at 2,598,960. What are the subsequent steps? Thanks in advance.
FL = Flush win
FH = Full house win
FK = Four of a kind wi
n J = Jackpot amount
M = Minimum ante bet
You accurately calculated the combinations available for players as (52,5)=2,598,960. From this point, the potential combinations for the dealer yield combin(47,5)=1,533,939 unique hands. Furthermore, any one of five dealer cards might be face up. Therefore, 2,598,960 multiplied by 1,533,939 multiplied by 5 equals 19,933,230,517,200.
A new regulation has been established in Moscow casinos involving Caribbean Stud Poker, where players can purchase another card after reviewing their initial hand by matching the ante amount. Aside from these adjustments, all other rules and payouts remain constant, albeit with no bonuses for purchasing a card. Could you assist me in calculating the house edge and probabilities regarding this game? Thank you for your attention.
You are not alone in asking about this matter. Unfortunately, I wouldn't be able to provide you with calculated odds for this specific variation just yet. If this twist happens to arrive in Vegas, I’ll prioritize it.
p.s. (Feb 21, 2006) I now cover this rule variation in
I often enjoy playing Caribbean Stud with my wife, checking her cards before making my decisions. Should I alter my strategy based on the cards she holds? For example, if I have an Ace/King and she holds a card (lower than a King) that aligns with the dealer's up card, should I proceed differently?5Absolutely! Understanding what other players hold can be valuable if leveraged properly. Though I haven’t explored this extensively, what you're already doing is quite wise. Holding an ace/king means you want to avoid the dealer forming a pair. If either you or your wife can match the dealer’s up card, it reduces the dealer's chances of meeting the pairing requirement, which subsequently raises the probability that the dealer won't qualify. However, if you're willing to fight for a minimal reduction in house edge, you might find it more worthwhile to invest in games with lower house edges like blackjack or video poker instead of Caribbean Stud Poker.
I have a passion for both Caribbean Stud and Blackjack. The risk factor for Caribbean Stud is 2.56%, cornering the Blackjack at 0.38%, giving a ratio of 6.7. Assuming I place a $15 bet in Blackjack and a $5 ante in Stud, this positions me at $15 in risk per betting round. Given that Blackjack sees many more hands dealt in an hour compared to Stud, does this imply that I’d lose a comparable proportion of my bankroll considering the 6.7 ratio of hands dealt? Caribbean Stud Not quite. When looking to compare expected losses, it would be more insightful to utilize the house edge. My analysis on the subject illustrates that the house edge for blackjack is 0.43% (under Atlantic City rules), contrasting with a 5.22% house edge for Caribbean Stud Poker. The anticipated loss per hand in Caribbean Stud Poker with a $5 ante is calculated as $5 * 5.22% = 26.10 cents. Conversely, the expected loss for 6.7 hands of blackjack at a $15 starting bet would be 6.7 * $15 * 0.43% = 43.22 cents. Therefore, in comparing these two options, you would incur less loss in Caribbean Stud Poker. The ratio of Caribbean Stud Poker's house edge to that of blackjack is approximately 12, making the expected loss of a $1 initial bet in Caribbean Stud Poker roughly equivalent to a $12 initial bet in blackjack.
Caribbean Stud Poker - Frequently Asked Questions - Wizard of Odds
Explore Top Online Casinos Available in Your Region
Calculator for Estimating Lottery Jackpot Ticket Sales
Participate in Slot Tournaments with Huge Prize Pools
While calculating the combinations of hands for the player and dealer in the game, I ended up with 3,986,646,103,440 compared to your figure of 19, etc. There's a precise difference of a factor of 5 in my result. My calculation involved (52,5)*combin(47,5). Can you identify where my mistake might have occurred? Thank you, and I'm really impressed with your site!
I appreciate your kind words. The discrepancy of five comes from the fact that the dealer can present any one of five cards face up. In other words, the order of the cards is significant for the dealer's hand since the first card shown is dealt face up. The accurate calculation for the total combinations is combin(52,5)*47*combin(46,4) = 19,933,230,517,200.
As a novice gambler visiting Vegas for the first time, I've been advised to try my hand at craps and Caribbean Stud. How much money should I set aside for each game to ensure I stay in the game long enough to see some outcomes?
If you play for an extended period, the only outcome you'll likely witness is the gradual depletion of your funds. It's prudent not to bring more money to the table than you can comfortably afford to lose during that session.
The casino boasts a house edge of 5.22%, thus, for a longer playtime, it would be wise to steer clear of that game. The top table games to consider are craps and blackjack, provided they're played with the correct strategy.
Hands per Hour and Average House Edge
Games | Hands/Hour | House Edge |
Baccarat | 72 | 1.2% |
Blackjack | 70 | 0.75% |
Big Six | 10 | 15.53% |
Craps | 48 | 1.58% |
Car. Stud | 50 | 1.46% |
Let It Ride | 52 | 2.4% |
Mini-Baccarat | 72 | 1.2% |
Midi-Baccarat | 72 | 1.2% |
Pai Gow | 30 | 1.65% |
Pai Pow Poker | 34 | 1.96% |
Roulette | 38 | 5.26% |
Single 0 Roulette | 35 | 2.59% |
Casino War | 65 | 2.87% |
Spanish 21 | 75 | 2.2% |
Sic Bo | 45 | 8% |
3 Way Action | 70 | 2.2% |
I discovered your website via the VEGAS.com forum, and I'm quite intrigued. Could you inform me about the odds of the dealer qualifying in Caribbean Stud? I've encountered figures ranging from 40% to 55%. I've been playing 'blind', removing the human element from the game, and surprisingly, I've managed to avoid folding on hands I'd traditionally discard. I'd appreciate your guidance. Thank you!
The odds stand at 1,296,420 out of 2,598,960 for forming at least a pair. At the bottom of that page, I also mention that there are 167,280 ways to form an ace/king. Thus, the total ways to qualify amount to 1,463,700, translating to a 56.32% chance.
By playing blind, you are working against a house edge of 16.607%. If you adhere to my three key strategies outlined in my section on _ column #185 Kudos for creating an excellent site. While I typically stick to basic strategy in blackjack at Atlantic City, I occasionally enjoy testing my luck with Caribbean Stud Poker. I’m aware of the odds in AC (having read your insights in Casino Player magazine), but do the payoffs in online casinos offer better or worse odds due to their variations?
That's a great question. I examined four different casinos that utilize Microgaming, Starnet, Cryptologic, and BossMedia software. Starnet adheres to the traditional rules. On the other hand, Cryptologic and BossMedia offer a payout of 200 to 1 for a royal flush instead of the typical 100 to 1. Microgaming features a different paytable.
It's important to note that Microgaming pays even money solely for a two pair but is more generous for all higher hands. The following table shows the house edge based on optimal strategy for each software type. Notably, Starnet refers to the game as Cyberstud Poker, while others call it Caribbean Poker.
House Edge for Different Software Types Assuming Optimal Play
The game's house edge is substantial. Is it possible to lessen this advantage by observing the cards of another player? This tends to occur frequently, especially if you're playing with a partner or friend, even though the casino prohibits it. My second question regards draw Caribbean Stud — the dealer must qualify with at least a pair of eights. Players (including the dealer) can draw three or more cards. This version is available at only a select few locations. Do the odds improve in this case, especially if the dealer attempts to draw straights or flushes? Carribean Stud To respond to your first inquiry, yes, you can minimize the house advantage by discreetly checking other players' cards. For instance, if you hold an ace/king, it may encourage you to raise if you spot another player with a card matching the dealer’s up card. In the book,
Peter Griffin and John M. Gwynn Jr. tackle the issue of player collusion in Caribbean Stud Poker. They suggest that with perfect information on all other cards and a clear understanding of how this information impacts the odds, players could hold a 2.3% edge in a game with seven players. In contrast, in a six-player game, the house would hold a 0.4% advantage.
Some online casinos now offer multi-player Caribbean Stud Poker. Do you think a dedicated team of players with reliable computers could outsmart the game? If one team were to occupy all five positions at a table, they'd be able to observe half the deck. A computer could determine the best play based on visibility of 26 cards (five per player, plus the dealer's up card). Thank you for the gambling insights — I’m a long-time supporter.
- Royal flush: 100% of jackpot
- Straight flush: 10% of jackpot
- Four of a kind: $500
- Full house: $150
- Straight: $100
This question was previously posed by someone else in another column. The book _Finding the Edge_ features a paper titled 'An Analysis of Caribbean Stud Poker' written by Peter Griffin and John Gwynn Jr. They assert that if seven players collaborated perfectly, they would gain a 2.3% advantage. However, they do not specify what the edge would be in a game with five players. I suspect that the house advantage would reassert itself.
According to your calculations, the odds of hitting a royal flush are 4/2,598,960, which simplifies to 1/649,740. Hence, if I were to face off against the dealer one-on-one in Caribbean Stud, then my hand along with the dealer’s would total 649,740*2, which is 1,299,480. Therefore, based on this math, there should be two royal flushes after 1,299,480 hands played. Can you confirm if my understanding of the odds is accurate?