The optimal strategy for Caribbean Stud poker is very complex and the number of people who actually know it perfectly is next to zero. There are, however, two generalizations that can be made about the strategy that cover most hands. They are as follows:

1. Always rise with a pair or higher.
2. Always fold with less than the dealer’s qualifying hand (ace/king).

The ace/king hands present the most difficulties. Generally, it is helpful if the three singletons are high or the dealer’s up card is a jack or lower and matches one of the player’s cards – which lessens the likelihood of the dealer forming a pair).

There is another strategy that states that you should always rise with a pair or higher, fold with less than an ace/king and rise on ace/king if of the three rules listed below apply:

1. Rise if the dealer’s card is a two through a queen and matches one of your own cards.
2. Rise if the dealer is holding an ace or a king and you are holding a queen or a jack.
3. Rise if dealer’s rank doesn’t match any of your and you are holding a queen and the dealer’s card is lower than your 4 th highest card.