Deuces Wild Strategy Guide: Master the Game With Smart Moves

Carol Zafiriadi
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Carol Zafiriadi

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Vlad Mihalache

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icon-thumb-up100%icon-clock-grey34 min
icon-calendarUpdated on Dec 5, 2023

Deuces Wild Strategy Guide: Master the Game With Smart Moves 

It’s time to talk about  Deuces Wild strategy and discover how to play each hand like a pro, whether you're dealt two Deuces, one, or none at all.

Feel like taking on this captivating variant of video poker? Then let me teach you everything you need to know!

Here’s what you will learn:

Key Takeaways

  • In Deuces Wild, Twos can replace any other card to help form winning hands;
  • Deuces Wild strategy revolves around making the best choices based on the cards you're dealt;
  • Having a clear understanding of the paytable will help you make optimal decisions;
  • Basic and advanced deuces wild strategies depend mostly on the number of deuces you hold.

What Exactly is Deuces Wild?

Deuces Wild Strategy

Deuces Wild is a fascinating twist on traditional video poker. 

In this game, the number "2," also known as the deuce, is your best buddy. It's wild, which means it can substitute for any other card to help you form winning hands

So, if you've got a couple of deuces in your hand, you're off to a great start!

In Deuces Wild, the presence of the 'Deuce' card as a wild means you've got more opportunities to form winning hands

But with great power comes great responsibility! You need to make smart decisions about which cards to hold and which to discard

It's a bit like playing chess; you have to think ahead.

You see, the strategy revolves around knowing the odds and making the best choices based on the cards you're dealt

It's not just about luck; it's about making calculated moves. 

For instance, if you're dealt a pair of Deuces, that's golden – you're already on your way to a win.

However, you should also be cautious when it comes to Deuces. While they can work wonders, they can also offer some tough choices.

Your strategy will also depend on the type of hand you're dealt initially. 

Are you close to a flush, a straight, or even a royal flush? Or are you starting from scratch? Knowing when to hold onto Deuces, when to trade them in for other cards, and when to take risks - that's where your strategy comes into play.

How to Play Deuces Wild Video Poker?

A round of Deuces Wild follows the same rules found in every other video poker game. It’s all about certain key factors:

  • The Dealing Process: When you're dealt your initial five cards, scan for potential winning combinations. If you have Deuces, they are valuable, and you'll want to hold onto them unless you have a high-potential hand like a flush or a straight.
  • Choosing Which Cards to Hold: Hold any Deuces you have. Also, hold cards that can lead to strong hands like pairs, three-of-a-kind, or any cards that contribute to a flush or straight. Be cautious when discarding cards from a potentially good hand; sometimes, it's better to keep what you have.
  • Drawing New Cards: Now that you’ve held the cards you want, it’s time for the final hand. Cross your fingers and hope for a winning combination.
  • Final Hand Evaluation: Once you have your final hand, check it against the paytable to see if it qualifies for a payout. The paytable typically displays the minimum hand required for a win. Usually, the software will check the hand automatically, which makes it even more straightforward.

From this point on, it’s all about proper bankroll management and responsible gambling. But let’s add more clarity over an actual round of Deuces Wild. 

Think of it like a super fast crash course on playing the game.

Step 1: Place Your Bet

Deuces Wild Strategy Step 1

Begin by selecting your bet amount. Most machines allow you to adjust your wager before starting the game.

Step 2: Hit the ‘Deal’ Button

Deuces Wild Strategy Step 2

Press or click the ‘Deal’ button. The software will randomly deal you five cards that form your initial hand.

Step 3: Inspect Your Hand

Deuces Wild Strategy Step 3

This is the most important part of the game. You need to carefully consider your options, as well as the risks involved with every decision. Based on what you’re initially dealt with, take into account the possibilities for winning combinations to occur.

Try and discriminate between lower, but more consistent wins, or one-time high payouts. Don’t worry, we will tackle these aspects in this guide, so keep your eyes peeled. 

Once you’ve made up your mind, select the cards you wish to hold; it’s time for Step 4.

Step 4: Draw New Cards

Deuces Wild Strategy Step 4

Hit the ‘Draw’ button again, and the software will draw the remaining number of cards. Now it’s the moment of truth.

Step 5: Final Hand Check

Deuces Wild Strategy Step 5

The software/machine will automatically check your final hand for a winning combination, based on the game’s indicated paytable. 

Most online Deuces Wild video poker games have the paytable displayed right into the interface, just as the video poker consoles have the paytable stapled to them. Keep this in mind and always pay attention to it. 

The paytable is an important aspect in every video poker game, Deuces Wild included. 

Step 6: Collect Winnings

Deuces Wild Strategy Step 6

If you’re lucky, you will hit a winning combination, thanks to this variant’s versatility and beginner-friendly format. Deuces will be of great help in your gaming journey, and if you got one in your hand, half of the job is already done.

So, if you secured a win, the machine will pay you back based on your initial bet (so, the number of coins you initially played).

Step 7: Repeat or Cash Out

Deuces Wild Strategy Step 7

You can choose to continue playing by placing another bet and repeating the process, or you can cash out your winnings. Obviously, playing just one round is no fun, so I’ll assume you are in for a few more games.

Enjoy the game for its sake and have fun with it, but keep it cool and moderate because Deuces Wild is still a game of chance, so the risks are present as well.

Hand Rankings in Deuces Wild

Deuces Wild Strategy Hand Rankings

Poker hands and paytables go hand in hand. Understanding the various poker hands and their rankings is crucial for developing a winning strategy. Without this knowledge, you may make suboptimal decisions during the game.

That’s because the payout you receive is directly linked to the strength of your final hand. Knowing the hand rankings allows you to aim for higher-ranking hands, which results in larger payouts. For example, chasing a Royal Flush (the highest-ranking hand) is only possible if you recognize its significance.

Knowing the poker hands helps you make informed decisions about which cards to keep and which to discard when you're dealt your initial five cards. If you're aware of the potential hand combinations, you can make strategic choices to improve your odds of landing a winning hand.

Plus, learning hand rankings helps you assess the risks and rewards of different plays

For instance

If you have a pair of Deuces and a pair of Aces, knowing that Three of a Kind (Aces) ranks higher than a pair of Deuces helps you decide whether to hold both Deuces or go for the higher-ranked Three of a Kind.

In Deuces Wild, hand rankings are somewhat similar to regular poker, but with a few changes:

  • Natural Royal Flush: This is the highest hand you can get, just like in regular poker. It's Ace, King, Queen, Jack, and Ten of the same suit, and it doesn't involve any deuces: A♠ K♠ Q♠ J♠ 10♠
  • Four Deuces: This is the jackpot! If you manage to get all four deuces in your hand, you're in for a massive win: 2♦ 2♠ 2♣ 2♥ X (where "X" can be any other card)
  • Wild Royal Flush: It's similar to a Natural Royal Flush but includes deuces: 2♣ K♣ Q♣ J♣ 10♣
  • Five of a Kind: Getting five cards of the same rank is a big deal in Deuces Wild: 5♦ 5♠ 5♣ 5♥ 2♠
  • Straight Flush: This is like a regular straight flush, but again, it can include deuces: 2♠ 3♠ 4♠ 5♠ 6♠
  • Four of a Kind: Just like in traditional poker, you need four cards of the same rank: 9♦ 9♠ 9♣ 9♥ X (where "X" can be any other card)
  • Full House: A full house consists of three cards of one rank and two cards of another rank: 7♣ 7♠ 7♦ 6♥ 6♠
  • Flush: Five cards of the same suit, not necessarily in sequence: 2♦ 4♦ 6♦ 8♦ J♦
  • Straight: Five consecutive cards of different suits: 3♠ 4♦ 5♣ 6♠ 7♥
  • Three of a Kind: Three cards of the same rank: 10♦ 10♣ 10♠ X Y (where "X" and "Y" can be any other cards)

The Importance of Paytables in Deuces Wild

The paytable in Deuces Wild is your roadmap to potential winnings. It lists the payouts for each winning hand combination based on the number of coins you wagered. Knowing the expected return for each hand is essential for making informed betting decisions.

Do you think pirates randomly crashed on unexplored islands and started pillaging their riches? 

Well, they sometimes did, but most of the time, they either had a map or knew what they were standing to win - pillaging deserted islands or civilized harbours is surely different, and anyone knows towns and cities yield more riches than blind dates with luck and destiny.

The paytable directly influences your strategy

It helps you determine which hands are worth pursuing and which might not be as lucrative. For instance, if you see that a Natural Royal Flush offers a significantly higher payout than other hands, you'll prioritize holding the right cards to chase that big win.

Know your bounty’s worth, lads. This drastically affects how well you are going to play the game. I get it, sometimes it’s difficult to remember them, and you keep mixing them up, but with a little practice you will know it like the back of your hand.

The payout chart also indicates how much you stand to win based on how many coins you play Deuces Wild with. Let me elaborate.

The more coins you bet, the juicier the payouts will be. Imagine using Deuces Wild strategy optimally, and hitting a high-ranking hand. Now, if you played that with 5 coins - that’s usually the maximum amount - the payout will be cranked up to eleven.

For reference, here is a standard paytable that highlights how payouts increase the more coins you bet.

Deuces Wild Strategy Paytable

In fact, most video poker players advise playing the game with the maximum amount of coins. 

Not only do you get to reap juicier rewards, but you also manage to reduce the overall losses during a certain amount of time.

The key is to know what you are doing, so applying the Deuces Wild strategy is instrumental in this trick.

Deuces Wild Strategy and How It Works

Deuces Wild Strategy Principles

Here things get really interesting. By default, Deuces Wild is another beginner-friendly variation of video poker with really cool twists and turns.

But this implies certain aspects you need to be aware of:

  • Even if you’re familiar with other variants and their strategy, don’t ever think about playing Deuces Wild like you’d play Jacks or Better, for example.
  • Deuces Wild is a highly flexible game, with the mention that the payouts are slightly less generous compared to Jacks or Better.
  • Adapting your strategy based on the game you are playing is crucial for reaping the rewards video poker offers. A quintessential point is understanding the role of deuces.

Obviously, these wild cards can significantly impact the strength of your hand and pave the way for unique hand types found only in this format (Five of a Kind and Wild Royal Flushes).

Deuces Wild strategy is based not only on the hand you’re dealt but also but the number of deuces in your hand. Because of that, most of the gameplay revolves around knowing what cards/how many cards to discard according to how many deuces you are currently holding.

This makes the game a bit more straightforward and more of a learning and memorizing experience, but once you get the hang of it, you will have tons of fun.

The golden rule is to always hold any deuce you have

It's a game-changer and a life-saver in many situations. Deuces help you craft winning hands, they offer great flexibility in choosing what hand to pursue, and can come up in the last moments to save you the round. 

Deuces Wild Basic Strategy - Counting Twos

There are many different scenarios in which your initial hand will consist of at least one deuce. If you have more deuces, that’s even better, but the key is to know what to discard and what to keep according to how many deuces you got.

This is the basic strategy in Deuces Wild video poker. Study each situation presented below carefully and practice it until you’ve memorized it. Let’s have a look at what you should do whenever deuces pop up in your hand.

Four Deuces 

If you’re lucky enough to get four deuces in the first place, hold all the cards because this is already a ‘mini jackpot’ and it’s useless to try and further improve it. 

2♦ 2♠ 2♣ 2♥ X is the magic formula in this situation.

Three Deuces

Starting with this one, things get a bit tricky, so if your hand consists of deuces and other cards that can form winning combinations, it’s important to know what to do.

When you hit Five of a Kind (5OAK), hold them. 

It’s a handsome hand and you secure a win right off the bat. As an example, 2♦ 2♠ 2♣ 5♦ 5♠ is an instant win.

When you hit a Wild Royal Flush, hold them all.

A high-tier hand that’s second only to Four Deuces. And let’s be honest, it’s more likely to form a Wild Royal Flush (2♣ K♣ Q♣ J♣ 10♣) than a Natural one, so don’t be a dummy and stick to this one.

For everything else, keep the deuces and toss the rest.

A lucky redraw will likely come up with potent cards that, aided by your three deuces, will help you secure a win, such as Full House, or even Four Deuces, if fortune smiles upon you.

Two Deuces

We’re getting deeper and deeper into the rabbit hole. With two deuces, flexibilities start to fade, but the upper hand is still there.  

Four of a Kind or better? Keep it.

If you got at least 4OAK, you can keep it and discard the fifth card in the hopes of drawing the missing card that forms 5OAK.

Four cards to a Royal Flush: Keep them and redraw the remaining one

Since you are one card away from the big win, it’s less risky to aim for the completing card. Besides, there isn’t much else to do in this situation.

And if the Royal Flush fails to take shape, you still have the chance for other combinations, like 3OAK, thanks to the Deuces and the potentially fitting card you’re going to redraw.

Four cards to a Straight Flush: keep it and replace the fifth card

This works when the situation contains two connected cards of 6-7 or higher. 

If you have something like 2♠ 6♠ 7♦ 8♠ 2♣, it is wise to keep the four cards that contribute to the Straight Flush and discard the other card. 

You have two Deuces (2♠ and 2♣), and the other three cards (6♠, 7♦, and 8♠) are part of a potential Straight Flush. 

So, you'd hold onto the Deuces (2♠ and 2♣) and the connected cards (6♠ and 8♠) while discarding the unrelated 7♦. This strategy gives you a better shot at forming a winning hand, which could be a Straight Flush or even a higher-ranking hand if luck is on your side.

Deuces Wild Strategy Four Cards to a Straight Flush

In the luckiest scenarios where you get a pat 4OAK, 5OAK, a Straight Flush or a Royal Flush, obviously, keep the hand.

Note: ‘pat’ refers to a hand that is dealt to you and does not require any changes or discards. It's a hand that is already complete and doesn't need any additional cards to form a winning combination. In other words, a pat hand is a dealt hand that is already a winning hand according to the game's paytable

For everything else, meaning any other combination, keep the deuces and discard the other three cards.

One Deuce

In the (still fortunate) case you get only one deuce, you need to consider your options even more carefully. As you think about which combos to craft or, perhaps, which hands to break up, you will have to deal with unpredictability and adapt accordingly

First, here’s what hands you need to keep by default:

  • A hand that’s Four of a Kind or better (it’s okay to discard the fifth card because you can aim for a Five of a Kind without any risks);
  • Alternatively, in case you are dealt a hand that already forms Three of a Kind, keep it and toss the other two cards. It’s a safe way to ensure bountiful gameplay;
  • Keep the Straights and the Flushes;
  • Keep the Straight Flush and/or the Royal Flush
  • Hold the Full House

If you are lucky enough, the above initial hands will pretty much have you covered. But there are also moments when Lady Luck wants to mess with you and watch you make your own decisions for crafting optimal hands. 

Since you only got one deuce, the strategy gets a bit more complicated. It’s time to see when you should discard and WHAT to discard:

Four to a Royal Flush - Keep them and discard the other

While this hand is famous for how difficult it is to craft, the deuce in your initial hand will help you a lot. You just need to have one lucky redraw for a suitable card, and the deuce you already hold will substitute for what’s left.

Four to a Straight Flush - Keep it and toss the fifth

The deuce will be the close ally that will help you complete the hand - assuming the redraw will favor you. 

In a standard scenario such as 2♠ 3♠ 4♠ 5♠ 9♣, keeping 2♠ 3♠ 4♠ 5♠ is the best course of action. Discard 9♣ and see if the new card will form the Straight Flush or at least a lower-ranking hand.

Deuces Wild Strategy Four to a Straight Flush

Three to a Straight Flush - Keep them and redraw two BUT

Do this only if you have two consecutive cards 6 or higher. Here’s how things should go:

Something like 2-7-8-X-X would be the call to action and you should draw two cards to potentially complete the hand.

On the other hand, what’s lower than that, e.g. 2-4-5-X-X is not useful. In this context, it’s safer to hold the deuce and redraw the remaining four cards.

Three to a Royal Flush - Keep them

I know this one is indeed something of a risk, but odds do exist to a certain extent. The idea is that prioritizing the Royal Flush will also open the door for other hand combinations if the big jackpot fails to appear.

No Deuces? Time to Go Advanced

Deuces Wild Strategy No Deuces

If the initial hand is devoid of any lucky charm, it’s time to let your strategic skills shine even brighter, because in the absence of any deuce, you will have to change tactics. 

It’s about how well you can turn an initial hand into a winning one, where deuces can potentially pop out on redraws. 

Remember the element of luck in Deuces Wild, so make sure you know what to do in scenarios where you can’t count on the presence of these cards.

The principle stays rather similar, nevertheless. Remembering the hold and discard decisions for certain situations is paramount for increasing your winning chances

What ‘pats’ to Keep

Here’s what you should absolutely keep:

  • Royal Flush (obviously); 
  • Three of a Kind
  • Full House
  • Four of a Kind
  • Straight Flush
  • Any Pair*

Here’s why you should keep the pairs in your initial hand:

Holding a pair is a safer play because it increases the likelihood of winning something, even if it's not a top-tier hand. It provides a solid foundation for building a stronger hand, and it's less risky than attempting to form a Straight, Flush, or other high-ranking hands from scratch.

Pairs increase your chances of securing at least a minor win, such as Two Pair or Three of a Kind, or even Four of a Kind. These smaller wins can help sustain your play and offset losses.

HOWEVER, there are exceptions to this rule, especially when you have the opportunity to form higher-value hands like Flushes, Straights, or potential Straight Flushes or Royal Flushes.

With this out of the way, let’s explore the optimal discarding decisions and how to increase the likelihood of building a qualifying hand.

Optimal Discading Choices

Four Cards to a Royal Flush - Keep them and redraw the fifth

The probabilities are kind of high in this scenario. You only need one more card, and the fact that it’s possible to be lucky enough to draw a deuce is worth the risk.

Three Cards to a Straight Flush

A promising position  to potentially form a high-ranking hand. Therefore, you should prioritize keeping the three cards that contribute to the Straight Flush and aim to draw the missing two cards during the draw phase.

Four Cards to a Straight Flush - Keep them and discard the other card

A similar approach is found when you are one card away from hitting a Straight Flush. While you could choose to hold onto a pair or other combinations, aiming for a Straight Flush can be a wise strategic choice. 

It balances the potential for a higher payout with the risk of discarding a single card in the hopes of completing the Straight Flush.

Three Cards to a Royal Flush - Redraw the other two cards

Discarding the two unrelated cards gives you a better chance of drawing the missing cards and achieving this top-tier hand.

Now, I know this is quite the risk, but consider the possibility of drawing the corresponding cards or at least one of them + a deuce. 

You could, indeed, choose to hold other lesser combinations, if possible, but you’re still close enough to getting the Royal Flush. 

In addition, there’s still a chance to draw cards that make up other qualifying hands alongside what you already hold, even if they score lower than the Royal Flush. There’s some sort of balance and clever risk assessment in this playstyle, if you are bold enough.

Four Cards to a Flush - Discard the fifth one

With the hand already containing most of what’s needed for a Flush, it’s a good idea to redraw the fifth card.

It’s a mid-tier hand, pays decently, and there are nice chances for a lucky redraw. 

Four Cards to an open-ended Straight* - Redraw the remaining card

The reason for discarding the fifth card in a hand with an open-ended Straight is to increase your chances of forming a valuable winning hand, such as a Straight, a Flush, or a Straight Flush. By holding onto the four cards that form the open-ended Straight, you're giving yourself multiple opportunities to complete the Straight on the draw.

For example, 5♠ 6♠ 7♦ 8♦ Q♣

Keep the four cards that form the open-ended Straight (5♠ 6♠ 7♦ 8♦). These cards provide multiple opportunities to complete the Straight.

In this hand, you have an open-ended Straight (5♠ 6♠ 7♦ 8♦) because drawing either a 4♠ or a 9♠ would complete the Straight. 

Deuces Wild Strategy Four Cards to an Open-ended Straight

*An open-ended Straight refers to a situation where you have four consecutive cards in your hand, and there are two possible cards at the end of the sequence that could complete the Straight. For example, if you have 5♠ 6♠ 7♦ 8♦, you have an open-ended Straight because drawing either a 4♠ or a 9♠ would complete the Straight. This offers you more chances to form a winning hand.

Four Cards to an Inside Straight* - Toss the fifth card unless it’s a 2

The reason for discarding the fifth card in a hand with an Inside Straight is to improve your odds of forming a winning hand. Inside Straights are more challenging to complete than open-ended Straights, so it's typically advisable to aim for a more achievable hand. 

However, there is an exception to this rule: if the missing card is a Deuce (2), you should keep it. Deuces are wild cards in Deuces Wild, and they can substitute for any missing card, making it easier to complete the Straight.

For instance, 5♠ 6♠ 8♦ 9♠ Q♣. 

In this hand, you have an Inside Straight (5♠ 6♠ 8♦ 9♠) because drawing a 7♠ (in the middle of the sequence) would complete the Straight.

Deuces Wild Strategy four cards to an inside straight

*An Inside Straight, also known as an Inside Straight Draw or Gutshot Straight, is a situation where you have four consecutive cards in your hand, but the missing card is in the middle of the sequence, not at either end. If you have 5♠ 6♠ 8♦ 9♠, you have an Inside Straight because drawing a 7♠ (which is in the middle of the sequence) would complete the Straight.

Two high cards to a Royal Flush - Discard the other three

This one is an interesting take. When your hand consists of two high cards (J, Q, K, or A of the same suit) that can form the Royal Flush, it is generally recommended to discard the other three cards.

By keeping the high cards, you leave room for potential deuces to act as wild cards, filling in the missing cards required for the Royal Flush.

For everything else… Toss them all away

If there’s nothing else to do and nothing fits anywhere, it’s time to redraw the entire hand.

Important - There Are Cases When You Shouldn’t Keep Deuces

The presence of Deuces is usually seen as an advantage because they act as wild cards that can substitute for any other card to create winning combinations. However, there are situations when it's not advisable to keep any Deuce in your hand. And that underlines the complexity of advanced strategies.

Higher-Paying Combinations

In Deuces Wild, certain combinations like Four of a Kind and a Natural Royal Flush offer higher payouts when they don't involve Deuces. For example, a Four of a Kind with Deuces might pay less than a Four of a Kind without Deuces. So, if you have the opportunity to form these higher-paying combinations without Deuces, it's often more lucrative to go for them.

High Card Value

In some cases, the Deuces in your hand might not contribute to any potential winning combinations. If you have a hand with several high-value cards like Aces, Kings, Queens, or Jacks, and the Deuces don't complement them, keeping the Deuces could limit your chances of forming a high-ranking hand.

Flexibility

By discarding all Deuces, you open up the possibility of drawing cards that can complete valuable hands like Straights, Flushes, or better. The more Deuces you keep, the fewer cards you can draw from the remaining deck, which can restrict your ability to create strong hands.

Variance

Deuces Wild is a game with inherent variance, which means you'll experience winning and losing streaks. Keeping all Deuces in every hand can lead to a consistent but less rewarding gameplay experience. By diversifying your strategy, you can potentially increase your overall winnings over the long term.

Complex Hands

In some scenarios, you might have a complex hand where keeping Deuces would complicate your decision-making. For instance, if you're close to forming a Straight or a Flush, the presence of Deuces might introduce multiple possibilities, making it more challenging to choose the best cards to hold.

Deuces Wild Strategy and Errors

Now that we dissected the optimal tactics for this game, let us consider another important thing. In fact, this one is an everlasting presence in every video poker game, and it shows that simply parroting and mechanically memorizing video poker strategies without proper judgment can be detrimental.

When it comes to such error frequencies, we are talking about how often players make suboptimal or incorrect decisions when following a particular strategy while playing the game. 

In video poker, including Deuces Wild, errors can occur due to human judgment, misunderstanding of the game's rules, or simply not following a well-established and mathematically sound strategy. 

These errors can impact a player's overall win rate and long-term profitability.

These are highlighted by several factors:

Lack of Knowledge

Deuces Wild Strategy Knowledge

Some players may not have a complete understanding of the game's rules and strategies. They may make errors due to misconceptions or a lack of knowledge about which cards to hold or discard in specific situations.

This is why active learning and practice are absolutely essential for every Deuces Wild enthusiast.

Misinterpretation of Hand Strength

Deuces Wild Strategy Hand strength

Determining the strength of a hand and which strategy to apply can be challenging, especially for less experienced players. Errors can occur when players overvalue or undervalue certain hands.

Complexity of Strategy

Deuces Wild Strategy complexity

Deuces Wild is a fun game with an ‘easy to learn, hard to master’ allure. While there are simplified strategy charts, such as what I told you concerning the number of deuces in your initial hand, the game's overall strategy can be quite intricate.

The fewer deuces you hold, the harder it will be to come up with smart and fruitful choices. Now, I’m not saying that’s something bad, but in the absence of deuces, you are lowkey ‘on your own’ and have to rely on luck, guts, and brains.

Because the gameplay is so flexible and demanding, it can sometimes get overwhelming. Therefore, absolute beginners may find it challenging to memorize or apply complex strategies correctly, leading to errors.

Simple Human Errors

Deuces Wild Strategy human errors

It’s entirely possible to make mistakes when manually selecting cards to hold or discard, especially in a fast-paced online or casino environment. A slip of the finger or a momentary lapse in concentration can result in holding the wrong cards.

The Everlasting Element of Randomness

Deuces Wild Strategy Randomness

Sometimes, despite making the correct strategic decisions, the random nature of card draws can lead to unfavorable outcomes. This can create a perception of errors even when you followed the right strategy.

For reference, this section on my previous guide on improving video poker odds shows you the actual volatility of the game.

Expected Returns When Applying Deuces Wild Strategy

We’ve underlined how basic and advanced strategies blend into optimal gameplay for Deuces Wild. Clearly, you stand to win much more by playing with skill and tactics rather than just Hulk-smashing buttons and hitting ‘Hold’ at random.

However, there are still a couple of differences between ‘basic’ and ‘advanced’ strategies when it comes to expected returns because the expected return has a direct impact on your long-term profitability.

Basic strategy in Deuces Wild is relatively straightforward and easy to follow. It involves making simple decisions based on the most fundamental rules. While it doesn't maximize the potential return in every hand, it provides a solid foundation for players who are new to the game.

This translates to minimal losses, somewhere around 2-3% of your wager per hand, and a typical 97-98% return of your bet over the long run.

The more deuces you hold, the simpler and easier to remember the strategy becomes. This makes it accessible for newbies and for people who want to game casually.

On the other hand - pun intended - advanced holding and discarding decisions aim to maximize your expected return. But keep in mind that advanced playstyle takes into account various complex scenarios, such as holding inside straights, open-ended straights, or specific combinations of cards.

Using advanced strategy can push the expected return percentage closer to 100%, meaning that, over time, players can theoretically break even or even gain a slight edge against the house.

But you really need a deep understanding of the game and diligent adherence to more complex strategy charts. Here, memory must be cranked to eleven and your mind muscles need to go on full PRs.

To sum up, the expected return of using advanced strategy in Deuces Wild is generally higher than that of the basic strategy. However, this comes at the cost of increased complexity and the need for extensive practice and strategy memorization.

Practice Makes Perfect

Practicing your Deuces Wild Video Poker strategy with the help of free games isn't just a smart move; it's your golden ticket to becoming a seasoned pro without emptying your wallet

Deuces Wild is a clever cocktail of skill and chance. Free video poker games offer you a stress-free playground to experiment with various tactics. You'll quickly figure out when and what to hold, when to fold, and when to let them ride to victory.

Free Deuces Wild games provide a guilt-free environment where you can hone your skills without sweating over every bet. Feel like trying out that risky Royal Flush strategy you read about? Go ahead, and if it flops, no harm done. You're not parting ways with your rent money.

As a starting point, I would suggest trying your hand at titles like Saucify Deuces Wild or Amatic Industries Deuces Wild. Simple, straightforward, intuitive, and they won’t judge you if you suck at first.

How to Make the Most Out of Deuces Wild Video Poker

After thorough practice and learning, I assume you can’t wait to get over theory and start making some money. 

Well, hold your horses, because you’re in the wrong mindset. You can’t just ‘make money’. You have to treat the game as a source of entertainment and some pocket money

The purpose of playing Deuces Wild is to have fun and keep it moderate, civil, and responsible. Only after you’ve understood these laws you will be able to reap the benefits of your gameplay. Let me clue you in and show you how to make the most out of Deuces Wild.

Bankroll Management is The Name of the Game

Deuces Wild Strategy bankroll management

So, you want to play real money Deuces Wild video poker. Great! Now, obviously, make sure you have money.

And by that, I mean setting up a specific gaming budget that you are comfortable with spending. Stick to it, don’t exceed it, don’t add more funds, just treat it as your vacation savings. It’s a good idea to split it into smaller betting units. 

These will keep you in the game for longer and will come as a reminder that you must always gamble within your means and never bet more than you can afford to lose.

Always Bet The Maximum Amount of Coins

Deuces Wild Strategy Max coins

Remember what I told you about pirates and treasure islands? Pirates are bold and smart and they know the importance of reading a treasure map.

Be a pirate… No, don’t pillage the casino! Just make sure you read the paytable and play Deuces Wild with max coins. It’s a bold and clever move, as long as you know how to game strategically.

Playing the game with the maximum amount of coins will get you the highest payout, and trust me, it’s a whole new experience.

Never Ever Deviate From the Strategy

Deuces Wild Strategy respect strategy

Why did you make me write this 20+ page guide about Deuces Wild strategy if you won’t even follow it?

Following strategy in video poker is crucial for optimizing your gameplay and for increasing your winning odds over longer periods of time.

And don’t even think about mixing it with other games’ strategies. Jacks or Better has nothing to do with Deuces Wild. Attempting to use one strategy for a different game will mess up with your wins,

Be Aware of The Risk of Ruin

Deuces Wild Strategy Risk of ruin

The "risk of ruin" in Deuces Wild (and in gambling in general) refers to the probability or likelihood that a player will deplete their bankroll or gambling budget before being able to recover or achieve their desired goal, such as a profit or a certain number of hands played. 

In other words, it quantifies the chance of going broke or losing all your money while playing the game.

Things like bankroll size, bet size, skill level, gaming time and how skilled you are directly influence this aspect. Talk about responsible gambling, huh.

Stay Away From the ‘Gamble’ Button

Deuces Wild Strategy double down

Video poker games can also feature the ‘Gamble’ feature. Also known as  "Doubling Down" feature or simply "Double," is an optional side game that allows players to potentially double their winnings after a successful hand.

It's important to note that the Gamble feature is a purely optional and high-risk/high-reward component of the game. While it can be exciting and offer the potential to double your winnings quickly, it also carries a significant risk of losing your winnings from the hand. It’s simply not worth it.

Take Advantage of the Casino’s Promotions

Deuces Wild Strategy bonuses and promotions

Both land-based and online casinos usually feature certain bonuses or welcome packs that can enhance your experience. You can either get a bit of a budget boost or other complimentary features that can have a positive impact on your gaming session.

Make sure they are transparent and cleary indicate their requirements and any other fine print you should be aware of.

Closing Thoughts

In our journey through the world of Deuces Wild Video Poker, we've uncovered the key strategies that can elevate your game and boost your chances of success. We learned that your approach should be like a finely tuned instrument.

Whether you have none, one, or two of these wild cards, there's a tailored strategy that guides your every move. With a bit of practice and a sprinkle of patience, you can navigate the Deuces Wild landscape like a seasoned pro.

To recap, when you have no Deuces, the path is clear: aim for high-value hands like the Royal Flush and Straight Flush. Embrace the calculated risk, and remember that practice makes perfect. If you're holding a single Deuce, use it wisely to bolster your chances of landing a winning combination, and keep an eye out for Inside Straights. 

And when you're graced with the presence of two Deuces, embrace the wild side, going for Four of a Kind and other prized hands.

The world of video poker is dynamic, with lots of possibilities and mechanics. I encourage you to to never stop practicing, learning, and refining your skills. This will make you stand out from the crowd and give you the confidence and responsibility to enjoy deuces wild poker the way it should. 

And as always, keep an eye out for my other video poker guides

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Carol Zafiriadi

Carol Zafiriadi

Senior Content Writer

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About Carol Zafiriadi

  • Specialised in video poker, table games, RNG, land-based casinos, and promoting responsible gambling;
  • Over 6 years of experience in presenting and analyzing the latest trends and innovations in the world of gaming and tech;
  • BA in English and German Language and Literature and MA in Literary Translation, both from the University of Bucharest, resulting in sharpened critical thinking and quality iGaming content.
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Vlad Mihalache

Vlad Mihalache

Online Gambling and Slots Specialist

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About Vlad Mihalache

  • Accomplished content strategist and editor with over 6 years of experience in the iGaming industry;
  • Specializes in blackjack strategies, slots, and gambling addiction;
  • Online gambling expert with 2500+ articles written and reviewed;
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