How to Play Deuces Wild Video Poker

Key Terms to Know for Deuces Wild

Deuces Wild: A video poker game where all 2s act as wild cards, letting them substitute for other cards to complete winning hands. Because of that, Deuces Wild plays differently from standard video poker.

Wild card: A card that can stand in for another card in a poker hand. In Deuces Wild, only the deuces (2s) are wild, which increases the frequency of strong hands.

Paytable: The payout chart for each winning hand. In Deuces Wild, the paytable matters because small changes can affect both your odds and the best strategy.

Natural royal flush: A royal flush made with no deuces. This is typically the game’s highest-paying hand and pays more than a wild royal flush.

Wild royal flush: A royal flush completed with one or more deuces acting as wild cards. It is a premium hand, but it usually pays less than a natural royal flush.

Four deuces: A hand with all four 2s. In most Deuces Wild games, this is one of the most valuable hands on the paytable.

Five of a kind: A hand only possible in wild-card poker games. In Deuces Wild, a deuce can help create five cards of the same rank.

Penalty card: A card you can already see in your hand that makes a certain draw less likely, because it’s one of the cards you would’ve liked to still be left in the deck.

Perfect strategy: The mathematically best way to play every hand based on the paytable. Published return percentages assume max-coin betting and perfect strategy.

Variance: A measure of how much your results can swing over time. Deuces Wild typically has higher variance than Jacks or Better because it offers more access to high-value hands.

Paytables determine how much you win for each hand, and they vary significantly between different Deuces Wild games. The key is learning to identify the best paytables by checking specific payouts that indicate whether you’re playing a favorable version.

Look for these critical payout amounts to evaluate any Deuces Wild game:

Full Pay Deuces Wild (100.76% return)

Unfortunately, this paytable is extinct. The next one is what to look for at live and online casinos for the best video poker odds:

Not So Ugly Ducks (99.73% return)

The best paytable found in casinos is called “Not So Ugly Ducks.” Here is what that paytable looks like:

15/9 Illinois Deuces (98.91% return)

Illinois Deuces is the next-best paytable. This one is far more common than Not So Ugly Ducks. 

The above returns are theoretical and are based on the player betting five coins and using perfect strategy. 

Always check the paytable before you start playing. Online casinos often offer multiple video poker variations, including several versions of Deuces Wild with different payout structures, so you can choose the most favorable option.

What’s the Best Strategy for Each Hand?

Your strategy in Deuces Wild depends entirely on how many deuces you’re dealt. Each scenario requires a completely different approach because the wild cards change your possibilities dramatically.

The list below pertains to Not So Ugly Ducks. Other paytables have different strategies.

• Stay when dealt four deuces.
• When dealt three deuces, only hold the three deuces unless the hand is a wild royal flush or five of a kind. Hold those two hands. In all other cases, go for four deuces.

The following is a simplified priority strategy overview, not a complete ranked chart:

When Dealt Two Deuces

Hold only the two deuces unless you have one of these hands to go with it:

• Stay on a straight flush, five of a kind, or royal flush.
• Draw on four to a wild royal flush.
• Draw on four of a kind, discarding the odd card.
• Draw to four to a straight flush with one or two gaps that do not need a deuce, and only hold the two wilds when there are two gaps.

When Dealt One Deuce

• Stay on a straight flush or royal flush.
• Draw to four to a royal flush.
• Stay with a flush or full house.
• Hold four of a kind and draw for five of a kind.
• Draw to four to a straight flush with no or one gap, except five-high.
• Hold a straight.
• Draw to four to a straight flush with two gaps, except five-high.
• Draw to three of a kind.
• Draw to a straight flush draw five or six-high.
• Hold a suited ten, jack, queen, or jack, queen, king, and discard the others.
• Draw to three to a straight flush, seven to ten-high, no gaps.
• Draw to three to a royal flush with an ace.
• Draw to three to a straight flush, seven to ten-high, one gap.
• Draw to four to a straight with three connecting cards at least seven-high.

If none of the above applies, hold only the deuces.

When Dealt No Deuces

• Stay on a royal flush.
• Draw to four to a royal flush.
• Stay on a straight, flush, full house, and straight flush.
• Draw to three of a kind.
• Draw to four to a straight flush.
• Draw to three to a royal flush.
• Draw to four to a flush.
• Hold two pair.
• Draw to three to a straight flush, no gaps, at least seven-high.
• Hold any pair and discard the other three cards.
• Draw to four connected cards at least seven-high up to king-high.
• Draw to three to any straight flush of at least seven-high.
• Draw to a suited jack and queen.
• Draw to all remaining three-card straight flushes.
• Draw to four to a straight, one gap, at least six-high.
• Draw to two suited cards, ten through king.

If none of the above applies, discard all five cards. The above is the basic strategy. There are many exceptions to the game’s complex strategy. Always consult a strategy chart or app.

Pro-Level Decision Making

Advanced play involves recognizing when to break up made hands for better opportunities. Sometimes you will discard a pair to chase a straight or royal flush draw.

Penalty cards affect your decisions when you are considering which cards to discard. These are advanced plays that add marginal expected value when followed, but do not make a major difference in the payback percentage.

Close decisions often involve choosing between a guaranteed payout and a draw to a much bigger hand. For example, you might break up three of a kind to draw to a possible straight flush if the math supports the more aggressive play.

Which Deuces Wild Mistakes Cost You Money?

The biggest mistake players make is using Jacks or Better strategies in Deuces Wild, not realizing that different casino games each require their own unique approach.

Never automatically keep pairs in Deuces Wild like you would in other video poker games. Here are some other common errors:

• Keeping two pair: This play changes based on the paytable, so hold two pair when a full house pays four coins, and split it when it only pays 3.
• Playing too conservatively: The wild cards create opportunities for big hands that you should pursue.
• Ignoring penalty cards: Not considering which cards you are discarding without considering blockers can hurt your drawing odds.
• Speed over accuracy: Rushing decisions leads to strategy mistakes that compound over time.

Another frequent mistake is never breaking made hands when better opportunities exist. If you have three of a kind but also have four cards to a straight flush, the math often supports going for the straight flush despite giving up a guaranteed winner.

How Do You Progress From Beginner to Pro?

Start by mastering basic strategy for each deuce scenario before worrying about advanced concepts. Focus on learning the fundamental holds for zero, one, two, and three deuce situations until these decisions become automatic. Always stand when dealt four deuces. 

Practice with low minimum bet games to build your skills without risking significant money, just as players learning how to play blackjack start with smaller wagers while mastering optimal strategies.

Track your results to identify patterns in your play and areas where you are making mistakes. Keep notes on hands where you’re unsure about the correct decision, then research the optimal strategy for those situations.

Key progression milestones include:

• Memorizing basic strategy charts: Know the correct play for common situations without hesitation.
• Developing hand recognition speed: Quickly identify your holding and the best cards to keep.
• Understanding bankroll management: Set win/loss limits and stick to them consistently.
• Recognizing paytable differences: Spot favorable games and avoid poor payout versions.

As you advance, focus on the nuanced decisions that separate good players from great ones. Learn when to take calculated risks and when to play it safe based on your bankroll and session goals.

Frequently Asked Questions About Deuces Wild Video Poker

Deuces Wild has a lot of “wait, what?” moments the first time you play it. These quick answers clear up the stuff players most often get stuck on so you can make faster, smarter holds.