[11] The Edmonton Journal wrote that "Dural leads an eight-piece group, and calls on his punchy three-piece horn section to fill out the arrangements with pizzazz.

"[14] The Orlando Sentinel praised the "loose, live feel... You can hear the wood of the drums, the brass of the horns and the cheap metal of the spoon raking across the rubboard.

"[11] Stereo Review noted that, "without the guests on hand to supply most of the Tabasco, Five Card Stud would be a strictly back-bayou offering.

"[15] The Chicago Tribune said that Zydeco "especially shines when he leaves the bayou for the horn-blasting, James Brown-esque title cut.

"[16] The Times Colonist called the album "soupy, swampy funk with whiplash horn arrangements by Buckwheat and a lived-in production.