Even if you were to play optimum strategy Casino Stud poker (or Caribbean Poker as it is sometimes know), you would only reduce the casino's edge to just over 5.2%.  This doesn't make Casino Stud poker one of your better longer term bets.  And its is not surprising to find that Casino Stud poker, while popular on cruises, is not a favourite amongst professional gamblers.

If you are hell bent on having a wager on Casino Stud poker, then you'll be happy to know that the basic strategy for this game is pretty simple, and its this:

- Raise on A-K-J-8-3 or better 
- Fold otherwise. 

A-K-J-8-3 is called the "beacon hand" and it's the lowest break-even hand in the game. While this won't make you a long-term winner, it will help slow your losses. It's the paying hands, a pair or better, that will net you the good wins. Trouble is that the dealer must qualify (A-K) in order for you to get the real payoffs and this only 54% of the time.  This means that 46% of the time you'll only get paid for your Ante bet at 1-1 no matter how good your cards are.

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