It's time to close out our series on Caribbean Stud Poker. We've looked at layout issues, hand play, the basics of the game and payouts. In this final installment, I'll go over hand rankings and briefly touch on strategy. It's not wise to play the game without knowing how it works, so let's go over hand rankings.

If you've played poker of any kind, you probably know this already. It's fairly simple. Here is the Caribbean Stud Poker hand-ranking list.

I'm starting with the lowest hands first. High Card: This is the hand you have when you can't make any hand. Your highest card is your hand. One Pair: Having two cards of the same rank, such as two Kings. Two Pair: When you have two cards of one rank and two more cards of an additional ranks, such as two Kings and two Queens.

Three of a Kind: When you have three cards of the same rank, such as three Jacks. Straight: When you have five cards all in sequential orders, such as 6, 7, 8 ,9 and 10. As a note, the Ace can be used before the 2 or after the King. Flush: All five of your cards are the same suit, such as five clubs. Full House: You have three cards of one rank and two cards of another rank, such as three Jacks and two Aces.

Four of a Kind: Four of your cards are the same rank, such as four 7s. Straight Flush: This is the same as the straight except all five cards are the same suit, such as hearts. Royal Flush: This is the granddaddy of the them all. It's a straight flush that has the cards 10, Jack, Queen, King and Ace. Think the progressive is a waste of $1? Imagine you have this hand and the dealer doesn't qualify.

You'd be paid even money on your ante bet only. Let's close with a little strategy talk. Strategy is all over the place in this game.

Since the dealer doesn't qualify a good amount of time, I have two strategy ideas to present with you. First, if you're playing $10 or higher hands, bet the progressive. At $10 antes, the progressive is a 10% add-on, so it's not too much. And you'll be glad when you have a decent hand and the dealer doesn't qualify.

Second, stay in hands when you have a hand. If all you have is a high card, you have to pray the dealer doesn't qualify. I don't think it's worth risking 2x your ante for a shot in the dark. Either way, Caribbean Stud Poker is a great game to play. I hope you'll give it a try.

Will Win is a professional gambler, ex casino dealer and author. Play online casino games at the top online casino!