Casino Stud Poker

Casino stud poker is a very simple version of poker that differs from traditionally poker in that it is always a heads up match between the player and the dealer. There are sometimes other players at the table, but they too are involved in a match up solely against the dealer and there is no competition between players.

The betting begins by placing with each player involved placing an ante. The dealer then deals five cards to each player and then five cards to himself. The dealer then turns over his last dealt card for the players to see. The players are then able to look at their own cards and decide what to do next.

The options that now face the player are to fold or raise. By folding the player will be forfeiting the ante he has already staked and by raising the player will be betting again, this time an amount equal to the ante.

When all the betting has finished the dealer will reveal the rest of his cards. If the dealer doesn’t have an Ace and King or better the raises are returned to the remaining players and the antes are paid back at even money. If the dealer does have a ‘playable’ hand the players then show their hands and there is a showdown. If the dealer beats the player then both the player’s ante and raise are lost. If the player beats the dealer he is paid even money on his ante and his raise is rewarded at odds that are dependent on his hand:

A Pair or Worse Pays	2/1
Two Pairs Pays	3/1
Straight Pays	4/1
Flush Pays	6/1
Full House Pays	8/1
Four of a Kind Pays	20/1
Straight Flush Pays	50/1

The bets are settled and the next round of betting begins when the players have once again placed their ante.
The standard strategy employed by players of casino stud poker is to only raise with a good hand (usually at least a pair). This strategy will result in many lost antes but very few lost raises. Some players will use a strategy whereby they raise with pretty much any hand in the hope that the dealer doesnt make his minimum requirement and the ante bet is a winner. This is not a recommended strategy as it can result in some large losses.