Rules for Asian Stud Poker

Asian Stud poker is another great variation of poker that can be played online at any good quality casino.

The game is played with a single deck of cards consisting of the standard 52 cards plus one joker. Cards are valued the same as in baccarat: aces are 1 point, 2 through 9 have face value, and tens and face cards are worth 10. The joker is also 1 point. For purposes of the bonus bet, which is explained later, different rules apply.

Play begins with the players making an ante wager subject to table limits. The dealer shall deal each player and himself five cards. All cards should be dealt face down. Players may examine their own cards but sharing information should be discouraged.

After looking at his cards the player has the option to either raise or fold. If the player decides to raise then he must place an additional wager equal to his original wager in a designated area of the table. If the player decides to fold he must forfeit both his cards and his original wager. Each remaining player should then separate his five cards into a three-card hand and a two-card hand.

To have a qualifying hand the player must have a total of 10, 20, or 30 points in the 3-card hand. If the player can not form a qualifying 3-card hand then his 2-card hand shall not matter and his only chance to win is if the dealer does not qualify.

If the 3-card hand qualifies then the value of the 2-card hand shall be based on the total points of the two cards. The highest possible 2-card hand is a point total of 10 or 20, and shall have a value of 10. Otherwise the value of the 2-card hand is the terminal digit in the total number of points (as in baccarat). For example a 6 and 9 would have total point of 15, and a value of 5.

After the players have set their hands the dealer shall arrange his cards into a 3 card hand and 2 card hand in the same manner as the players. The dealer must try to qualify with a 10, 20, or 30 point total in the 3-card hand. If the dealer does qualify his 2-card hand shall be valued in the same manner as the player's 2-card hand.

If the dealer's 3 card hand does not qualify then all players who did not fold shall win even money on the ante, less a possible 5% commission, and the raise shall push. If the player's 3-card hand does not qualify and the dealer's does then the player shall lose both ante and raise.