Deuces Wild is a popular video poker game known for its high RTP. If you’ve ever played Jacks or Better, you pretty much know everything about Deuces Wild.
However, all of the 2s (or deuces) act as wild cards, replacing any cards of the deck. You can see how this increases your chances of winning. Not only this, but the 2s being wilds completely changes the gameplay.
Explore the Deuces Wild strategy below and increase your chances of winning, raising the expected return to slightly over 100%.
What Is the Deuces Wild Video Poker Strategy and Why It’s Unique
Deuces Wild video poker strategy is the strategy you use in the game to increase your chances of winning. The presence of four wild cards (four 2s) drastically changes your decisions on what to keep and what to discard.
Other than deuces playing the role, the rest of the game plays like regular video poker. You deal the cards, make your move and see if you’ve won something or not.
How to Play Deuces Wild: Basic Strategy for Beginners
Before you can dive into deuces wild poker strategy, you need to understand how the gameplay works. This involves the mechanics of video poker, as well as combinations that result in a payout. Below are the winning combinations in a game:
- Three of a kind: any three identical cards (5, 5, 5).
- Straight: any five subsequent cards (4, 5, 6, 7, 8), regardless of colour or suit.
- Flush: any five cards with the same suit (5,10, J, K, 2 of hearts)
- Full house: one pair and three of a kind (3, 3 and K, K, K)
- Four of a kind: four matching kinds or poker (9, 9, 9, 9)
- Straight flush: the combination of a straight and flush (5, 6, 7, 8, 9 of spades)
- Five of a kind: four of a kind with the 2 (Q, Q, Q, Q, 2). Only exists in Deuces Wild.
- Royal flush: a straight flush with the strongest cards (10, J, Q, K, A)
- Four deuces: all four 2s (2, 2, 2, 2)
- Natural royal flush: a royal flush, but with the 2 acting as wild (10, J, 2, K, A)
Deal, Draw and Payout Flow Explained
Download our basic Deuces Wild strategy PDF
The game starts when you press the Deal button. Five cards will appear on screen and it’s your job to select which cards to hold.
There’s an option to select auto hold, which automatically selects the best possible combination for you. However, if you want to make the most out of your video poker strategy in Deuces Wild, we suggest you turn the feature off, because there are some choices which aren’t so obvious.
Once you choose which cards to hold, you click on the Draw button, which replaces the remaining cards with the new ones. The final combination appears on the screen and if it’s one of the winning combos listed above, you get a chance to cash out.
The Role of Wild Cards in Deuces Wild
In Deuces Wild, all 2s act as wild cards. This means that they can replace any card from the deck and form winning combinations. Having deuces as wilds significantly increases your chances of winning.
Mastering the Power of Deuces in Strategy Play
Having the deuces at your side is really helpful when you deal the cards. Luckily, you don’t have to wipe out your basic Jacks or Better strategy, if that’s what you’re used to. But, the deuces do add complexity to the game, so let’s see what you can do to have them work in your favour.
When to Hold a Deuce
Because deuces act as wilds, holding them whenever they appear on your screen can help you out, regardless of the combination you’re after. This is the golden rule of the game because it can be a life-saver in many situations. Deuces are your best friend and they’ll help you form winning combinations.
How Deuces Help Complete Strong Hands
Having one or two pairs is a bit unfair in Deuces Wild because it would be quite easy to cash out, so the first combination you can get is 3-of-a-kind. A deuce landing with any pair can help you win.
Deuces are ultimate jokers and they can complete any other combo, making flush, a full house and straight flush much easier to get.
Hand Rankings and Pay Table Strategy in Deuces Wild
Because there are no pairs and two pairs in Deuces Wild, the value of different combinations changes a bit. Landing 3-of-a-kind holds the least value in the game, while some of the top combinations that exist here (and aren’t available in other versions of poker) are 5 of a kind, wild royal flush, 4 deuces and natural royal flush.
Based on this, you should aim for higher paying combos because deuces give you the extra edge and they’re much easier to hit.
Optimal Starting Hands in Deuces Wild
Recognising optimal starting hands in Deuces Wild is crucial. What may seem to be a weak hand at the beginning can have a strong potential if you hold the right cards. Holding every deuce and going for higher-value combinations can bring you higher payouts.
Deuces Wild Strategy Chart: Best Moves Based on the Number of Deuces
Download our Deuces Wild strategy guide by number PDF
The Deuces Wild video poker strategy can be broken down into how many 2s you get at the beginning of the game and what to do in each instance. Below are some of the moves you can make to get the most out of the game.
No Deuces
- Discard all five cards if you have no useful combinations.
- Keep two high cards to a royal flush (J, Q, K, A).
- Keep four cards to an inside straight only if the missing card is not a deuce.
- Hold three cards to a straight flush.
- Hold four cards to an open-ended straight.
- Keep four cards to a flush.
- Keep a pair.
- Hold three cards to a royal flush.
- Keep four cards to a straight flush.
- Keep any made hand from 3 of a kind up to a straight flush.
- Hold four cards to a royal flush.
- Always keep a made royal flush.
One Deuce
- Always keep a Deuce and discard the other four cards.
- Hold three suited cards to a straight flush with two connected (9-10 or higher).
- Keep three cards to a royal flush.
- Keep four cards to a straight flush.
- Hold four suited, semi-connected cards (6-8 or higher) to a straight flush.
- Keep any made hand: 3-of-a-kind, straight, or flush.
- Always keep a full house.
- Keep four cards to a royal flush.
- Hold 4 identical cards and go for 5-of-a-kind.
- Always keep hands that are 4 of a kind or better.
Two Deuces
- Keep any 2s and discard all other cards in other hands.
- Hold four cards to a straight flush with at least two connected cards.
- Keep four cards to a royal flush.
- Hold 4 of a kind and discard the fifth card.
Three or Four Deuces
- When you get three or four deuces, just keep them and see if it’s required to keep another card that can give you a royal flush.
Full-Pay vs. Short-Pay: Finding the Best Deuces Wild Game
Full-pay deuces wild gives you the best chances of walking out profitable from an online poker game. With the perfect play, you actually have an edge over the house with the payback of 100.76%.
However, the game’s impossible to find, which is why short-pay Deuces Wild is the most widespread. With the perfect strategy, the payback for the short-pay version is 94.43%.
Common Mistakes in Deuces Wild Strategy (and How to Avoid Them)
Playing the perfect game is almost impossible, even when we speak of Deuces Wild. After all, like all casino games, there’s a dose of luck involved. Still, you want to bring the Deuces Wild strategy to perfection and minimise mistakes as much as possible.
Check out some of the most common mistakes players make in Deuces Wild:
Overplaying Weak Hands or Low Pairs
Going for low pairs will lose you money in the long run. The 2s give the game an extra layer, increasing the chances of scoring high-value combinations and changing your strategy.
Breaking Made Hands for Risky Draws
There’s always a chance to score some high wins, but if you already have a made-hand, even if it’s a low paying one, you should never break it because of the potential.
Not Understanding the Strategy
A lot of players who try Deuces Wild after Jacks or Better or any other video poker alternative tend to stick to the strategy that applies to that particular game. Although it’s a similar game, Deuces Wild has its own strategy you should learn and understand.
