What is the RTP of Caribbean Stud Poker Live?

The published RTP on the main game (Ante + Call) is 98.18% with optimal strategy. The 5+1 Bonus side bet returns 91.44% and the Progressive Jackpot side bet around 81.84%. The headline 98.18% on the main game is one of the highest in live poker — only Ultimate Texas Hold'em returns higher.

When should I Call and when should I fold?

The mathematically optimal rule: Call with any pair or better, always fold worse than A-K-J-8-3. The borderline rule — Call if your hand contains A-K and the dealer's up-card matches one of yours — narrows the edge further. Following this strategy keeps the house edge to the published 5.22% on the Ante, which translates to the 98.18% RTP on the combined Ante+Call.

Is the Progressive Jackpot side bet worth taking?

Mathematically the jackpot bet has the worst RTP in the game at around 81.84% — meaning every \$1 returns about \$0.82 long-term. However, the jackpot pool needs to grow past roughly \$200,000 for the bet to flip to positive expected value. Check the running jackpot total: at \$200K+ it becomes a +EV play, below that it's a tax on hope.

How big do dealer-qualifies wins get?

When the dealer qualifies and you win, Ante pays 1:1 and Call pays from 1:1 (pair) up to 100:1 (royal flush). On a \$10 Ante / \$20 Call, a royal flush returns \$10 (Ante) + \$2,000 (Call) for a single-hand \$2,010 payout. Add an active 5+1 royal flush and you collect an additional \$10,000 on a \$10 side bet. Combined with the progressive, a royal flush is a five-figure round.

Is there a demo or RNG version?

No demo for the live version. Evolution does run a First Person Caribbean Stud — an RNG single-player variant with the same rules but no live dealer and no progressive jackpot. Most casinos offering the live table also stock the First Person version in the demo lobby, so practice is straightforward.

Caribbean Stud Poker Live Review — RTP, Limits & Where to Play

Caribbean Stud Poker Live

Caribbean Stud Poker Live by Evolution is a five-card stud variant played against the dealer, launched in 2015 with a 98.18% main-bet RTP. Royal flush on the Ante pays 100:1; the optional 5+1 Bonus side bet pays up to 1,000:1 and a network-wide Progressive Jackpot pays a six-figure prize on a qualifying royal flush. Bet limits $1 to $3,000.

How Caribbean Stud Poker Live works

Caribbean Stud is a five-card stud poker variant played head-to-head against the dealer rather than other players. Every round starts with you posting an Ante bet. The dealer deals you five cards face-up and gives themselves four face-down cards plus one face-up. You then decide: fold (forfeit Ante) or Call by placing a Call bet equal to twice your Ante. The dealer turns over their hand and needs Ace-King high or better to qualify.

How wins settle

If the dealer fails to qualify, your Ante pays 1:1 and the Call bet pushes. If the dealer qualifies and your hand beats theirs, Ante pays 1:1 and Call pays from 1:1 (pair) up to 100:1 (royal flush). If the dealer qualifies and beats you, both bets lose. If hands tie at the qualifying rank, both bets push.

5+1 Bonus side bet

An optional side bet uses your five cards plus the dealer's first up-card to form a six-card hand. Three-of-a-kind pays 5:1, all the way up to 1,000:1 on a royal flush. The 5+1 bet is independent of the main game outcome — it settles purely on whether those six cards form a qualifying combination.

Progressive Jackpot

A flat $1 progressive bet enters you into Evolution's network-wide jackpot pool. A royal flush in your hand pays the full jackpot (running typically into six figures); a straight flush pays 10%, four-of-a-kind a smaller fixed share. The pool grows across every Evolution table that runs this game globally.

Pace and feel

Rounds last around 40-50 seconds — slower than Side Bet City but faster than Casino Hold'em. The studio is a traditional poker-room aesthetic: green felt, mahogany rail, mid-volume audio, and the dealer talks through every action. Suited to players who want decision-making in their poker without the multi-street complexity of Texas Hold'em.

About Caribbean Stud Poker Live

Caribbean Stud Poker — Quick Overview

Caribbean Stud Poker Live is Evolution's five-card stud variant played head-to-head against the dealer, released in 2015. The main game RTP is 98.18%, putting it among the highest-return live poker formats. Two optional side bets sweeten the deal: a 5+1 Bonus paying up to 1,000:1 and a network-wide Progressive Jackpot that typically runs into six figures. Bet limits $1 to $3,000 on the main Ante.

Game Specifications

Studio	Evolution
Category	Live Poker
Release Date	2015
RTP	98.18% main game
Volatility	Low
Max Multiplier	100x (Ante) + 1,000x (5+1 Bonus)
Min Bet	$1
Max Bet	$3,000
Progressive Jackpot	Yes (network-wide)

Game Mechanics

Place an Ante. The dealer deals you five cards face-up and themselves four down + one up. You either fold (forfeit Ante) or Call by posting 2× Ante. The dealer reveals — they need A-K high or better to qualify. If they don't qualify, Ante wins 1:1 and Call pushes. If they qualify and you beat them, Ante pays 1:1 and Call pays per the paytable (pair 1:1 up to royal flush 100:1). Hands tied at the qualifying rank push both bets.

5+1 Bonus side bet: your five cards + dealer's first up-card, three-of-a-kind 5:1 up to royal flush 1,000:1.
Progressive Jackpot: $1 flat bet, royal flush wins full jackpot, straight flush wins 10%.
Bet limits: Ante $1-$3,000, Call automatically 2× Ante.
Optimal strategy keeps house edge to 5.22% on Ante alone (98.18% combined RTP with Call).

Strategy and Bankroll Tips

Caribbean Stud rewards discipline. Call any pair or better; fold worse than A-K-J-8-3. The 5+1 Bonus side bet sits at 91.44% RTP and is a recreational play, not a value play — keep it at 10-20% of your Ante if you take it. The Progressive Jackpot is a long-term loser unless the pool grows past about $200K (rule of thumb: jackpot ÷ $200,000 ≥ 1 = +EV territory). For steady sessions, the optimal play is Ante + Call only, no side bets.

Bankroll-wise, this is a low-variance game by live-poker standards. A $200 bankroll at $5 Ante typically lasts 60-80 rounds before bust risk. The dealer fails to qualify in roughly 44% of rounds — every time that happens, you only lose the Ante if you also folded. Hold for the qualifying rounds where Call kicks in.

RTP and House Edge Analysis

The 98.18% RTP figure is based on optimal Call-or-fold decisions. Suboptimal play (folding too often or Calling marginal hands) can drop effective RTP by 1-2 percentage points. The 5+1 Bonus at 91.44% has 8.56% house edge — high by side-bet standards. The Progressive Jackpot 81.84% baseline RTP improves as the pool grows; once past $250K it can briefly flip positive in expected value.

Where to Play Caribbean Stud Poker Live

Available at every Tier-1 operator carrying the Evolution suite. Our Where to Play list above shows the LATAM casinos we recommend. PIX deposits land in seconds for Brazilian players; crypto withdrawals settle instantly across Mexico, Chile, Argentina, Colombia and Peru.

Mobile Compatibility

HTML5 streaming, iOS and Android, both portrait and landscape. The bet panel collapses to a compact strip in portrait and the dealer view stays clear. Recommended minimum 5 Mbps for stable 720p.

Conclusion

Caribbean Stud Poker Live is the highest-return five-card stud variant in live casino, suited to disciplined players who don't chase side bets. The 100:1 royal flush on the Ante and the 1,000:1 on 5+1 are real headline prizes; the Progressive Jackpot adds long-shot upside when the pool grows. Best fit for bankrolls of $200+ and players who like classical poker decision-making.