What is Caribbean Hold'em? It's a casino table game that borrows Texas Hold'em's hands and community cards but pits you against the dealer instead of other players. You ante, see your two cards and the flop, then fold or call. RealTime Gaming lists a version, but its rules, paytable and RTP aren't published in the sources we rely on.
Caribbean Hold'em is house-banked: you play against the dealer, not other players.
You make one decision per hand, fold or call, after seeing your two cards and the flop.
RTG's version is named in GamblingNews' list of RTG table games, but no RTP or paytable is published.
Because it's a casino game, not peer-to-peer poker, offshore sites that offer it fall under online casino rules.
Type
House-banked hold'em table game
Online developer
RealTime Gaming (named by GamblingNews)
RTP
Not published
Paytable
Not published
Hands per deal
Best five of seven cards
What is Caribbean Hold'em? The quick version
Caribbean Hold'em is a house-banked version of hold'em poker. You and the dealer each get two private cards and share five community cards, and the better five-card hand wins. Unlike a poker room, there are no other players to bluff and no pot to win. Your opponent is the house, and payouts come from a fixed paytable.
It belongs to the same family as Caribbean Stud and the casino hold'em games found in land-based casinos. For more quick answers on table games, browse our online casino questions.
Caribbean Hold'em vs Texas Hold'em poker
The cards look the same, but the games are built differently. That difference matters for strategy and for the law.
These steps describe the common casino hold'em format. RTG's exact bet sizes and rules aren't published in our sources, so check its help screen.
Place an ante. Some versions also offer an optional bonus side bet.
You and the dealer each receive two cards; yours face up, the dealer's face down.
Three community cards (the flop) are dealt face up.
Decide: fold and lose the ante, or call with a larger bet, which is usually twice the ante.
Two more community cards (the turn and river) are dealt, and the dealer's cards are revealed.
If the dealer doesn't meet the game's qualifying hand, the ante is paid by the paytable and the call is usually returned. If the dealer qualifies, the better five-card hand wins.
Many versions set the dealer's qualifying hand at a low pair, but this varies. The rules screen is the only reliable source for RTG's version.
Caribbean Hold'em hand odds: what seven cards make
Your final hand is the best five cards from your two plus the five on the board. There are 133,784,560 possible seven-card combinations (52 cards choose 7). This is how often each final hand type occurs.
Best five-card hand from seven cards
Final hand
Combinations
Chance
Royal flush
4,324
0.003%
Straight flush (not royal)
37,260
0.028%
Four of a kind
224,848
0.17%
Full house
3,473,184
2.60%
Flush
4,047,644
3.03%
Straight
6,180,020
4.62%
Three of a kind
6,461,620
4.83%
Two pair
31,433,400
23.50%
One pair
58,627,800
43.82%
High card
23,294,460
17.41%
Two things stand out. First, a pair or better shows up about 83% of the time, so the dealer often has something too. Second, the hands that earn the largest paytable bonuses, four of a kind and above, appear in roughly one deal in 500. These are deck math, not RTG figures; the game's paytable decides what each hand pays.
Fold or call: the one decision in Caribbean Hold'em
Everything you control happens after the flop. Folding gives up the ante; calling puts more money in. Because the call is usually the bigger bet, the decision matters more than it first appears.
Strong made hands after the flop, such as a pair or better, are generally worth continuing.
Hands with strong draws give you two more cards to improve, which changes the picture.
The exact cutoff depends on the paytable and the dealer's qualifying rule, so no single chart fits every version.
No strategy removes the house edge, and online RNG tables reshuffle every hand.
With no published RTP, the useful number is how much you put through the game. Expected loss is total staked multiplied by the house edge, so every percentage point costs 1% of that total. The call bet makes totals climb quickly.
Total staked per session, if the call is twice the ante
Session
Antes
Calls (on 3 of 4 hands)
Total staked
Cost per 1% of house edge
40 hands at a $5 ante
$200
$300
$500
$5
80 hands at a $5 ante
$400
$600
$1,000
$10
80 hands at a $25 ante
$2,000
$3,000
$5,000
$50
The table assumes you call on three hands in four; your own rate will differ. For comparison, SlotCatalog's 95.51% RTP for RTG's Tri Card Poker works out to $44.90 per $1,000 staked, but that's a different game and not a stand-in for this one.
Caribbean Hold'em, Caribbean Stud and Caribbean 21
RTG uses the "Caribbean" name on several table games. They share the beach theme, not the rules.
Is Caribbean Hold'em legal to play online in the USA?
It's treated as a casino game, so state online casino law applies, not poker law. Seven states license real-money online casinos: New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, West Virginia, Delaware, Connecticut and Rhode Island. Elsewhere, no state licenses them; see our page on online poker laws for how peer-to-peer poker is handled separately.
RTG's version reaches US players through offshore casinos, which no US state licenses. There's no state regulator to hear a dispute and no state protection of your balance. Read whether offshore casinos are safe before you deposit.
Caribbean Hold'em and casino bonus rules
Welcome bonuses at RTG casinos are slot-focused, and table poker games are often excluded or weighted lower. Royal Ace is reported by LCB to apply 30x wagering on slots and 60x on blackjack and video poker, and other table games may not count at all. Check the eligible games list, and read our bonus wagering requirements page for the math.
Keep the call bet inside your budget
Calling usually triples your stake on a hand, so a session can cost more than the ante size suggests. Decide your budget and stopping point before you start.
Where to play Caribbean Hold'em: RTG casinos with offers via our links
These partners run RTG software, according to third-party reviews, but no source confirms Caribbean Hold'em in any partner's lobby, so every live partner is in the same position for this game. Check the table games section before you deposit. All three are offshore and not licensed by any US state; check your state's law first. We earn commission from these links, and the order is commercial.
Planet 7 Casino: $2,750 Welcome Bonus + 45 Free Spins, via our link (new players, 21+ or 18+ where allowed, terms apply).
Royal Ace Casino: $2,500 Welcome Bonus + 35 Free Spins, via our link (new players, 21+ or 18+ where allowed, terms apply).
Slot Madness Casino: $2,500 Welcome Bonus + 50 Free Spins, via our link (new players, 21+ or 18+ where allowed, terms apply).
None of these casinos' own terms could be read, so the figures are third-party reports. Planet 7: LCB lists code WELCOME200 at 200%, 30x (bonus + deposit) on slots and a $1,000 max cashout. Royal Ace: LCB's Royal Ace listing (opens in a new tab) reports 200% up to $4,000, 30x on slots and 60x on blackjack and video poker, with a max cashout of 10x the deposit, while Casino Guru reports 250% up to $2,500 plus 35 spins.
Slot Madness: third-party reviews report code MAD275 at 275%, a $30 minimum, 30x on slots and no max cashout, with the cap given as $2,750 by LCB and unlimited by Casino Guru. Third-party reviews report $2,500 weekly withdrawal limits at all three, though AskGamblers lists Planet 7's as €2,500 per day. Compare them in the Planet 7, Royal Ace and Slot Madness reviews.
Casino Guru reports that Royal Ace and Slot Madness don't accept players from Ohio. The Michigan Gaming Control Board named Planet 7 on April 9, 2025 and Slot Madness in its August 14, 2025 order (opens in a new tab) against illegal offshore operators.
Ad21+ (18+ where allowed). Ranked by us in a commercial order; we earn commission from these links. Advertiser disclosure
These offshore partners run RTG software, but no source confirms Caribbean Hold'em in their lobbies. They aren't licensed by any US state, and bonuses are slot-focused. 21+ (18+ where allowed), terms apply.
Planet 7 Casino#5 on our listRealTime Gaming slots
Published terms (reported): Third-party reviews report a 200% match with code WELCOME200; the casino site could not be checked directly. Eligible games: Slots (reported).
Who runs it: License not shown; third parties report Costa Rica or none. Regulator notes: Named in a Michigan Gaming Control Board cease-and-desist release, April 9, 2025.
21+ (18+ where allowed). New players. Min deposit $30 (reported). Wagering 30x deposit + bonus (reported). Max cashout: $1,000 (reported). Withdrawal cap $2,500 / week (reported). Terms source: reported. Terms apply. Offer checked October 28, 2026.
Royal Ace Casino#6 on our listSlots and specialty games
Published terms (reported): Third-party reviews disagree on the package (200% up to $4,000, or 250% up to $2,500 + 35 spins); the casino site could not be checked directly. Eligible games: Slots and specialty games (reported).
Who runs it: License not shown; third parties report Costa Rica or none. Regulator notes: Third parties report it does not accept Ohio players.
21+ (18+ where allowed). New players. Min deposit $30 (reported). Wagering 30x deposit + bonus on slots (reported). Max cashout: 10x deposit (reported). Withdrawal cap $2,500 / week (reported). Terms source: reported. Terms apply. Offer checked October 28, 2026.
Published terms (reported): Third-party reviews report a 275% match up to $2,750 with code MAD275; the casino site could not be checked directly. Eligible games: Slots and keno (reported).
Who runs it: License not shown; third parties report Anjouan, Costa Rica or none. Regulator notes: Named in a Michigan Gaming Control Board cease-and-desist release, August 14, 2025.
21+ (18+ where allowed). New players. Min deposit $30 (reported). Wagering 30x deposit + bonus (reported). Max cashout: None (reported). Withdrawal cap $2,500 / week (reported). Terms source: reported. Terms apply. Offer checked October 28, 2026.
These casinos are offshore operators. They are not licensed or regulated by any US state, and state consumer protections do not apply. Check the law in your state before you play. Terms marked “reported” come from third-party reviews; the terms shown at sign-up apply.
21+ (18+ where allowed). Every casino game has a built-in house edge, so over time you should expect to lose what you stake. Set a budget before you play and stop when it’s gone: responsible gambling tools and free help. Gambling problem? Call or text 1-800-MY-RESET (1-800-697-3738).
Frequently asked questions
Is Caribbean Hold'em the same as Casino Hold'em?
They're the same type of game: house-banked hold'em with an ante and a single fold-or-call decision after the flop. Different developers use different names, and each sets its own call size, qualifying hand and paytable. RTG's version is called Caribbean Hold'em. Compare the rules screens rather than assuming two titles pay the same. Our online casino games overview lists RTG's other poker-style table games.
What is the house edge in Caribbean Hold'em?
RTG hasn't published an RTP or house edge for its Caribbean Hold'em that we can find, and the third-party listings we rely on don't give one. Without it, you can only judge cost by how much you stake: each percentage point of house edge costs 1% of your total bets. Our house edge explainer shows how to use the figure once a paytable gives you one.
Can you bluff in Caribbean Hold'em?
No. The dealer plays by fixed rules and can't fold, so bluffing has no effect. Your only choice is whether to fold or call after the flop, based on your hand's strength. That's the main difference from Texas Hold'em, where reading and outplaying other players is central. See the best casino game to win for how skill and house edge interact across games.
How often will I make a pair or better?
About 83% of the time, once all seven cards are out. Out of 133,784,560 possible seven-card combinations, 23,294,460 end as high card only, roughly 17.4%. One pair is the most common final hand at about 43.8%, and two pair comes next at about 23.5%. Remember the dealer is drawing from the same deck. Our jackpot odds guide explains how rare top hands relate to large payouts.
Is Caribbean Hold'em online poker?
Not in the legal sense. Online poker means playing against other people for a pot, with the site taking a rake. Caribbean Hold'em is a casino game against the house, so it falls under online casino rules. Only seven states license real-money online casinos. Our page on offshore casino legality explains how state and federal law apply to sites outside those states.
Which casinos offer Caribbean Hold'em to US players?
No source we rely on confirms Caribbean Hold'em at any of our partners. GamblingNews lists it among RTG's table games, so RTG casinos may carry it, but you'll need to check the lobby. All of these sites are offshore and not licensed by any US state. Our best RTG casinos list compares the partners on terms, banking and regulator actions.
Can I use a bonus on Caribbean Hold'em?
Usually not on a welcome offer. RTG casino bonuses are built for slots, and table poker games are often excluded or counted at a lower rate. Third-party reports for Royal Ace list 60x wagering for blackjack and video poker against 30x on slots. Check the eligible games list, because excluded play can void winnings. The table games bonus page explains the common rules.
Can I play Caribbean Hold'em on an iPhone or Android?
Where a casino carries it, yes, because RTG table games run in a mobile browser without an app. Third-party reviews describe Planet 7 as instant play on Android and iPhone browsers, report Chrome and Safari play at Slot Madness, and list Royal Ace as a mobile and instant-play casino. None confirms Caribbean Hold'em in those lobbies, so search the table games section after logging in. On a small screen, check that the fold and call buttons are clear before you ante, since the call is the bigger bet. Our pages on playing casino games on your phone and the best iPhone casinos cover the setup.
Is Caribbean Hold'em legal online in Delaware?
Delaware is one of the seven states that license online casinos, so house-banked table games are legal there through its state system. The Delaware Lottery runs online casino games for Delaware Park, Bally's Dover and Harrington on a single BetRivers platform, authorized under the Delaware Gaming Competitiveness Act of 2012, with the Division of Gaming Enforcement involved in oversight. Whether that platform carries a Caribbean Hold'em title isn't covered in our sources. Offshore RTG casinos aren't licensed by Delaware. See online casinos in Delaware and Delaware gambling laws.
What is the difference between Caribbean Hold'em and Caribbean Stud?
Both are house-banked poker games played against the dealer, but they deal cards differently. Caribbean Hold'em gives you and the dealer two private cards each plus five shared community cards, and you decide whether to fold or call after the flop. Caribbean Stud Poker is five-card stud, so each side gets its own five cards with no community board. GamblingNews names both in RTG's table lineup, but neither has published rules or an RTP in our sources, so compare the paytables in each game. Our Caribbean Stud Poker page and how to play casino hold'em guide go further.
What are the odds of a royal flush in Caribbean Hold'em?
About 1 in 30,940 deals, counting all seven cards. Of the 133,784,560 possible seven-card combinations, 4,324 contain a royal flush, which is roughly 0.003%. A straight flush of any other kind adds 37,260 combinations, and four of a kind 224,848, so all three together still turn up only about once in every 500 or so deals. That's pure deck math; what a royal pays depends on the game's paytable, which RTG doesn't publish for this title. Our jackpot odds guide and the royal flush glossary entry explain the numbers.
How big an ante should I play in Caribbean Hold'em?
Small enough that a full hand, not just the ante, fits your budget. Because the call is usually twice the ante, one called hand costs three times the ante: $15 at a $5 ante or $75 at $25. If you call on about three hands in four, 80 hands at a $5 ante puts roughly $1,000 through the game, so each point of house edge costs about $10. Choose a session limit first, then divide by the number of hands you want to play. Our ante glossary entry and the low stakes guide help you size it.
What does it mean when the dealer qualifies in Caribbean Hold'em?
It means the dealer's hand reached the minimum the rules require to play out the call bet. In the common casino hold'em format, if the dealer doesn't qualify, your ante is paid by the paytable and your call is usually returned. If the dealer does qualify, the better five-card hand wins both bets. Many versions set the qualifier at a low pair, but RTG's qualifying hand isn't published in our sources, so read the game's rules screen before you play. That one rule shifts the game's math. Our Caribbean Hold'em game page and the kicker glossary entry explain related terms.
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