Caribbean Stud: Optimal Strategy
Last update: August 11, 1999
- With a pair or higher, raise.
- With less than A/K (player has an ace and a king, plus three other singletons, excpet Q-J-10), fold.
- With A/K, the following table shows exactly when to stand on ace/king. Your
other three cards are along the left and the dealer's up card is
along the top. A key is after the table.
Player's other
three cards |
Dealer's up card |
| 2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
J |
Q |
K |
A |
| Q-J-10 |
R |
R |
R |
R |
R |
R |
R |
R |
R |
R |
R |
R |
R |
| Q-J-9 | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R |
| Q-J-8 | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R |
| Q-J-7 | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R |
| Q-J-6 | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R |
| Q-J-5 | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R |
| Q-J-4 | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R |
| Q-J-3 | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R |
| Q-J-2 | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R |
|
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
J |
Q |
K |
A |
| Q-10-9 | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | 2 | R | R | R |
| Q-10-8 | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | 3 | R | R | R |
| Q-10-7 | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | 3 | R | R | R |
| Q-10-6 | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | 4 | R | R | R |
| Q-10-5 | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | 4 | R | R | R |
| Q-10-4 | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | 4 | R | R | R |
| Q-10-3 | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | 4 | R | R | R |
| Q-10-2 | R | R | R | R | 1 | 1 | R | R | R | 4 | R | R | R |
|
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
J |
Q |
K |
A |
| Q-9-8 | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | F | 3 | R | R | R |
| Q-9-7 | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | F | 3 | R | R | R |
| Q-9-6 | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | F | 4 | R | R | R |
| Q-9-5 | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | F | 4 | R | R | R |
| Q-9-4 | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | F | 4 | R | R | R |
| Q-9-3 | R | R | R | R | 1 | 1 | R | R | F | 4 | R | R | R |
| Q-9-2 | R | R | R | 1 | 1 | 1 | R | R | F | 4 | R | R | R |
|
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
J |
Q |
K |
A |
| Q-8-7 | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | F | F | 3* | R | R | R |
| Q-8-6 | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | F | F | 4 | R | R | R |
| Q-8-5 | R | R | R | R | 1 | 1 | R | F | F | 4 | R | R | R |
| Q-8-4 | R | R | R | 1 | 1 | 1 | R | F | F | 4 | R | R | R |
| Q-8-3 | R | R | R | 1 | 1 | 1 | R | F | F | 4 | R | R | R |
| Q-8-2 | R | R | R | 1 | 2 | 2 | R | F | F | 4 | R | R | R |
|
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
J |
Q |
K |
A |
| Q-7-6 | R | R | R | 1 | R | R | F | F | F | F | R | R | R |
| Q-7-5 | R | R | R | R | 1 | R | F | F | F | F | R | R | R |
| Q-7-4 | R | R | R | 1 | 2 | R | F | F | F | F | R | R | R |
| Q-7-3 | R | R | 1 | 2 | 2 | R | F | F | F | F | R | R | R |
| Q-7-2 | R | R | 1 | 2 | 2* | R | F | F | F | F | R | R | R |
|
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
J |
Q |
K |
A |
| Q-6-5 | R | R | R | R | R | F | F | F | F | F | R | R | R |
| Q-6-4 | R | R | R | 2 | R | F | F | F | F | F | R | R | R |
| Q-6-3 | R | R | 1 | 3 | R | F | F | F | F | F | R | R | R |
| Q-6-2 | R | R | 1* | 3 | R | F | F | F | F | F | R | R | R |
|
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
J |
Q |
K |
A |
| Q-5-4 | R | R | R | R | F | F | F | F | F | F | R | R | R |
| Q-5-3 | R | R | 2 | R | F | F | F | F | F | F | R | R | R |
| Q-5-2 | R | 1 | 2* | R | F | F | F | F | F | F | R | R | R |
|
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
J |
Q |
K |
A |
| Q-4-3 | R | R | R | F | F | F | F | F | F | F | R | R | R |
| Q-4-2 | R | 2 | R | F | F | F | F | F | F | F | R | R | R |
|
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
J |
Q |
K |
A |
| Q-3-2 | R | R | F | F | F | F | F | F | F | F | R | R | R |
|
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
J |
Q |
K |
A |
| J-10-9 | F | F | F | F | F | F | F | R | R | R | F | R | R |
| J-10-8 | F | F | F | F | F | F | R | F | R | R | F | R | R |
| J-10-7 | F | F | F | F | F | R | F | F | R | R | F | R | R |
| J-10-6 | F | F | F | F | R | F | F | F | R | R | F | R | R |
| J-10-5 | F | F | F | R | F | F | F | F | R | R | F | R | R |
| J-10-4 | F | F | R | F | F | F | F | F | R | R | F | R | R |
| J-10-3 | F | R | F | F | F | F | F | F | R | R | F | R | R |
| J-10-2 | R | F | F | F | F | F | F | F | R | R | F | R | R |
|
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
J |
Q |
K |
A |
| J-9-8 | F | F | F | F | F | F | R | R | F | R | F | R | R |
| J-9-7 | F | F | F | F | F | R | F | R | F | R | F | R | R |
| J-9-6 | F | F | F | F | R | F | F | R | F | R | F | R | R |
| J-9-5 | F | F | F | R | F | F | F | R | F | R | F | R | R |
| J-9-4 | F | F | R | F | F | F | F | R | F | R | F | R | R |
| J-9-3 | F | R | F | F | F | F | F | R | F | R | F | R | R |
| J-9-2 | R | F | F | F | F | F | F | R | F | R | F | R | R |
|
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
J |
Q |
K |
A |
| J-8-7 | F | F | F | F | F | R | R | F | F | R | F | R | R |
| J-8-6 | F | F | F | F | R | F | R | F | F | R | F | R | R |
| J-8-5 | F | F | F | R | F | F | R | F | F | R | F | R | R |
| J-8-4 | F | F | R | F | F | F | R | F | F | R | F | R | R |
| J-8-3 | F | R | F | F | F | F | R | F | F | R | F | R | R |
| J-8-2 | R | F | F | F | F | F | R | F | F | R | F | R | R |
|
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
J |
Q |
K |
A |
| J-7-6 | F | F | F | F | R | R | F | F | F | R | F | R | R |
| J-7-5 | F | F | F | R | F | R | F | F | F | R | F | R | R |
| J-7-4 | F | F | R | F | F | R | F | F | F | R | F | R | R |
| J-7-3 | F | R | F | F | F | R | F | F | F | R | F | R | R |
| J-7-2 | R | F | F | F | F | R | F | F | F | R | F | R | R |
|
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
J |
Q |
K |
A |
| J-6-5 | F | F | F | R | R | F | F | F | F | R | F | R | R |
| J-6-4 | F | F | R | F | R | F | F | F | F | R | F | R | R |
| J-6-3 | F | R | F | F | R | F | F | F | F | R | F | R | R |
| J-6-2 | R | F | F | F | R | F | F | F | F | R | F | R | R |
|
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
J |
Q |
K |
A |
| J-5-4 | F | F | R | R | F | F | F | F | F | R | F | R | R |
| J-5-3 | F | R | F | R | F | F | F | F | F | R | F | R | R |
| J-5-2 | R | F | F | R | F | F | F | F | F | R | F | R | R |
|
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
J |
Q |
K |
A |
| J-4-3 | F | R | R | F | F | F | F | F | F | R | F | R | R |
| J-4-2 | R | F | R | F | F | F | F | F | F | R | F | R | R |
|
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
J |
Q |
K |
A |
| J-3-2 | R | R | F | F | F | F | F | F | F | R | F | R | R |
|
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
J |
Q |
K |
A |
| 10-9-8 | F | F | F | F | F | F | R | R | R | F | F | F | F |
| 10-9-7 | F | F | F | F | F | R | F | R | R | F | F | F | F |
| 10-9-6 | F | F | F | F | R | F | F | R | R | F | F | F | F |
| 10-9-5 | F | F | F | R | F | F | F | R | R | F | F | F | F |
| 10-9-4 | F | F | R | F | F | F | F | R | R | F | F | F | F |
| 10-9-3 | F | R | F | F | F | F | F | R | R | F | F | F | F |
| 10-9-2 | R | F | F | F | F | F | F | R | R | F | F | F | F |
|
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
J |
Q |
K |
A |
| 10-8-7 | F | F | F | F | F | R | R | F | R | F | F | F | F |
| 10-8-6 | F | F | F | F | R | F | R | F | R | F | F | F | F |
| 10-8-5 | F | F | F | R | F | F | R | F | R | F | F | F | F |
| 10-8-4 | F | F | R | F | F | F | R | F | R | F | F | F | F |
| 10-8-3 | F | R | F | F | F | F | R | F | R | F | F | F | F |
| 10-8-2 | R | F | F | F | F | F | R | F | R | F | F | F | F |
|
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
J |
Q |
K |
A |
| 10-7-6 | F | F | F | F | R | R | F | F | R | F | F | F | F |
| 10-7-5 | F | F | F | R | F | R | F | F | R | F | F | F | F |
| 10-7-4 | F | F | R | F | F | R | F | F | R | F | F | F | F |
| 10-7-3 | F | R | F | F | F | R | F | F | R | F | F | F | F |
| 10-7-2 | R | F | F | F | F | R | F | F | R | F | F | F | F |
|
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
J |
Q |
K |
A |
| 10-6-5 | F | F | F | R | R | F | F | F | R | F | F | F | F |
| 10-6-4 | F | F | R | F | R | F | F | F | R | F | F | F | F |
| 10-6-3 | F | R | F | F | R | F | F | F | R | F | F | F | F |
| 10-6-2 | R | F | F | F | R | F | F | F | R | F | F | F | F |
|
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
J |
Q |
K |
A |
| 10-5-4 | F | F | R | R | F | F | F | F | R | F | F | F | F |
| 10-5-3 | F | R | F | R | F | F | F | F | R | F | F | F | F |
| 10-5-2 | R | F | F | R | F | F | F | F | R | F | F | F | F |
|
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
J |
Q |
K |
A |
| 10-4-3 | F | R | R | F | F | F | F | F | R | F | F | F | F |
| 10-4-2 | R | F | R | F | F | F | F | F | R | F | F | F | F |
|
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
J |
Q |
K |
A |
| 10-3-2 | R | R | F | F | F | F | F | F | 1* | F | F | F | F |
|
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
J |
Q |
K |
A |
| 9-8-7 | F | F | F | F | F | R | R | R | F | F | F | F | F |
| 9-8-6 | F | F | F | F | R | F | R | R | F | F | F | F | F |
| 9-8-5 | F | F | F | R | F | F | R | R | F | F | F | F | F |
| 9-8-4 | F | F | R | F | F | F | R | R | F | F | F | F | F |
| 9-8-3 | F | R | F | F | F | F | R | R | F | F | F | F | F |
| 9-8-2 | R | F | F | F | F | F | R | R | F | F | F | F | F |
|
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
J |
Q |
K |
A |
| 9-7-6 | F | F | F | F | R | R | F | R | F | F | F | F | F |
| 9-7-5 | F | F | F | R | F | R | F | R | F | F | F | F | F |
| 9-7-4 | F | F | R | F | F | R | F | R | F | F | F | F | F |
| 9-7-3 | F | R | F | F | F | R | F | R | F | F | F | F | F |
| 9-7-2 | R | F | F | F | F | R | F | R | F | F | F | F | F |
|
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
J |
Q |
K |
A |
| 9-6-5 | F | F | F | R | R | F | F | R | F | F | F | F | F |
| 9-6-4 | F | F | R | F | R | F | F | R | F | F | F | F | F |
| 9-6-3 | F | R | F | F | R | F | F | R | F | F | F | F | F |
| 9-6-2 | R | F | F | F | R | F | F | R | F | F | F | F | F |
|
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
J |
Q |
K |
A |
| 9-5-4 | F | F | R | R | F | F | F | R | F | F | F | F | F |
| 9-5-3 | F | R | F | R | F | F | F | R | F | F | F | F | F |
| 9-5-2 | R | F | F | R | F | F | F | R | F | F | F | F | F |
|
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
J |
Q |
K |
A |
| 9-4-3 | F | R | R | F | F | F | F | 1 | F | F | F | F | F |
| 9-4-2 | R | F | R | F | F | F | F | 2 | F | F | F | F | F |
|
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
J |
Q |
K |
A |
| 9-3-2 | R | R | F | F | F | F | F | 4 | F | F | F | F | F |
|
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
J |
Q |
K |
A |
| 8-7-6 | F | F | F | F | R | R | R | F | F | F | F | F | F |
| 8-7-5 | F | F | F | R | F | R | R | F | F | F | F | F | F |
| 8-7-4 | F | F | R | F | F | R | R | F | F | F | F | F | F |
| 8-7-3 | F | R | F | F | F | R | R | F | F | F | F | F | F |
| 8-7-2 | R | F | F | F | F | R | R | F | F | F | F | F | F |
|
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
J |
Q |
K |
A |
| 8-6-5 | F | F | F | R | R | F | R | F | F | F | F | F | F |
| 8-6-4 | F | F | R | F | R | F | R | F | F | F | F | F | F |
| 8-6-3 | F | R | F | F | R | F | R | F | F | F | F | F | F |
| 8-6-2 | R | F | F | F | R | F | R | F | F | F | F | F | F |
|
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
J |
Q |
K |
A |
| 8-5-4 | F | F | R | R | F | F | R | F | F | F | F | F | F |
| 8-5-3 | F | R | F | R | F | F | R | F | F | F | F | F | F |
| 8-5-2 | R | F | F | R | F | F | R | F | F | F | F | F | F |
|
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
J |
Q |
K |
A |
| 8-4-3 | F | R | R | F | F | F | 1 | F | F | F | F | F | F |
| 8-4-2 | R | F | R | F | F | F | 2 | F | F | F | F | F | F |
|
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
J |
Q |
K |
A |
| 8-3-2 | R | R | F | F | F | F | F | F | F | F | F | F | F |
|
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
J |
Q |
K |
A |
| 7-6-5 | F | F | F | R | R | R | F | F | F | F | F | F | F |
| 7-6-4 | F | F | R | F | R | R | F | F | F | F | F | F | F |
| 7-6-3 | F | R | F | F | R | R | F | F | F | F | F | F | F |
| 7-6-2 | R | F | F | F | R | R | F | F | F | F | F | F | F |
|
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
J |
Q |
K |
A |
| 7-5-4 | F | F | R | R | F | R | F | F | F | F | F | F | F |
| 7-5-3 | F | R | F | R | F | R | F | F | F | F | F | F | F |
| 7-5-2 | R | F | F | R | F | R | F | F | F | F | F | F | F |
|
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
J |
Q |
K |
A |
| 7-4-3 | F | R | R | F | F | R | F | F | F | F | F | F | F |
| 7-4-2 | R | F | R | F | F | 1* | F | F | F | F | F | F | F |
|
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
J |
Q |
K |
A |
| 7-3-2 | R | R | F | F | F | 4 | F | F | F | F | F | F | F |
|
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
J |
Q |
K |
A |
| 6-5-4 | F | F | R | R | R | F | F | F | F | F | F | F | F |
| 6-5-3 | F | R | F | R | R | F | F | F | F | F | F | F | F |
| 6-5-2 | R | F | F | R | R | F | F | F | F | F | F | F | F |
|
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
J |
Q |
K |
A |
| 6-4-3 | F | R | R | F | R | F | F | F | F | F | F | F | F |
| 6-4-2 | R | F | R | F | 1 | F | F | F | F | F | F | F | F |
|
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
J |
Q |
K |
A |
| 6-3-2 | R | R | F | F | 2* | F | F | F | F | F | F | F | F |
|
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
J |
Q |
K |
A |
| 5-4-3 | F | R | R | R | F | F | F | F | F | F | F | F | F |
| 5-4-2 | R | F | R | R | F | F | F | F | F | F | F | F | F |
|
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
J |
Q |
K |
A |
| 5-3-2 | R | R | F | 1 | F | F | F | F | F | F | F | F | F |
|
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
J |
Q |
K |
A |
| 4-3-2 | R | R | R | F | F | F | F | F | F | F | F | F | F |
|
Key to table:
|
| R |
Always raise.
|
| 1 |
Raise if the suit of dealer's card matches the suit of one or more of your cards.
|
| 2 |
Raise if the suit of dealer's card matches the suit of two or more of your cards.
|
| 3 |
Raise if the suit of dealer's card matches the suit of three or more of your cards.
|
| 4 |
Raise if the suit of dealer's card matches the suit of four of your cards.
|
| F |
Always fold
|
Footnotes:
- *
- Extremely borderline play. Correct strategy depends not only on the number of suited cards but which ones are suited. See table below for how to play these situations.
Player's
cards |
Up card |
Suited
cards |
Raise on the following suited card(s) |
| A/K/Q/5/2 |
4 |
2 |
A/K, A/Q, A/5, A/2, K/Q, K/5, K/2 |
| A/K/Q/6/2 |
4 |
1 |
A, K |
| A/K/6/3/2 |
6 |
2 |
3/2 |
| A/K/Q/7/2 |
6 |
2 |
A/K, A/Q, A/7, A/2, K/Q, K/7, K/2 |
| A/K/7/4/2 |
7 |
1 |
4, 2 |
| A/K/10/3/2 |
10 |
1 |
3, 2 |
| A/K/Q/8/7 |
J |
3 |
A/K/Q, A/K/8, A/K/7, A/Q/8, A/Q/7, A/8/7, K/Q/8, K/Q/7, K/8/7 |
I would like to thank Stanly Ko and Professor John M. Gwynn, Jr. for
alerting me to these borderline plays.
Go back to Caribbean Stud Poker.
Michael Shackleford, ASA
©1998-2010 Wizard Of Odds Consulting, Inc. All rights reserved.
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