The Casino Answer Man

In Indiana, several of the casinos have Caribbean Draw Poker as well as Caribbean Stud. Usually they'll have Stud and Draw tables on the same progressive jackpot. Doesn't that give an advantage to Draw players? It seems like it would be much easier to hit a royal flush when you get to draw cards.

I take it you're a Stud player who hasn't played much Draw. Caribbean Draw players would have an advantage in going for the progressive jackpot if they could use their post-draw hands. That's not the way it works. The $1 side bet on the progressive jackpot is on the first five cards, regardless of whether the game is Stud or Draw. A Draw player must have his royal in the initial deal to claim the jackpot. That makes the progressive wager in Caribbean Draw the same as in Caribbean Stud.

If the Draw player goes on to discard cards and draw a royal flush, that's a really nice hand, but it doesn't earn a share of the progressive jackpot.

Articles about Caribbean Draw Poker by John Grochowski:

Caribbean Draw Fans Gain Strategy Guide
Special of the House: Caribbean Draw Tips
Caribbean Draw Expert Strategy
Players Can Simplify Caribbean Draw Poker Strategy

For more information about Caribbean Stud Poker, we recommend: