This game does have some player interaction, unlike a game like Baccarat, so you can affect the final outcome that is your bankroll. The big decision in Caribbean Stud Poker is deciding to stay in or fold. Remember, you’re playing against the dealer only. The other players don’t factor in at all-aside from taking cards.

Let’s talk odds

What are your chances of receiving a bum hand? How about a flush? By knowing the following odds, you might be able to make your choices better.

The biggest thing to remember is that one out of every two hands will have nothing at all. This goes for both you and the dealer. And this is why I love playing the progressive. I’m telling you right now, nothing is worse than getting a four of a kind, having the dealer not qualify and watching your big payday go up in flames.

On average, you’ll get one pair every two hands. And that’s where the favorable odds end. You’ll see two pair about once every 21 hands and three of a kind once every 47 hands.

The odds really start to jump now. A straight will show up once per 256 hands, a flush once per 526 hands and a full house every 694 hands.

The big three hands show up infrequently. You’ll see a four of a kind once per 4,167 hands and a straight flush about every 72,202 hands. Think that’s high? There’s one hand left-the Royal Flush. The big daddy of all hands. Don’t hold your breath. The Royal Flush comes once per 649,351 hands on average.

So, if a four of a kind only comes every 4,167, why play the progressive? In Caribbean Stud Poker, the progressive is paid for a flush-once per 526 hands-and a full house-once per 694 hands.

The progressive is paid out no matter what the dealer has. And according to our odds, the dealer will fail to qualify very often. I know many pros say the progressive is a sucker’s bet, but given these odds, not using it is like playing Russian Roulette. You’re just waiting to get screwed.