Deuces Wild is one of the top two video poker variants you can play online, alongside Jacks or Better. Beginners often prefer Deuces Wild because it balances frequent small wins with occasional big payouts, while still offering engaging gameplay and strategic depth. Its wild cards make every hand exciting and unpredictable.
This casino guide will walk you through how to play Deuces Wild, explaining its rules and sharing winning strategies so you can improve your gameplay.
How to Play Deuces Wild Easily
Deuces Wild is a popular video poker card game in which all the 2s serve as wild cards, substituting for any other card to help you create high-paying hands.
Like other video poker variants, Deuces Wild follows traditional Five-Card Draw rules, meaning standard poker hand rankings apply. Let’s go over these rankings quickly.
Deuces Wild Hand Rankings
Here is a quick reference to the basic hand rankings in Deuces Wild, showing the strength of each combination:
- Best Paying Hands include Natural Royal Flush (no deuces), Four Deuces, Wild Royal Flush (with at least one deuce), Five of a Kind (only possible with wild substitution), Straight Flush, and Four of a Kind.
- Lower-Paying Hands include Full House, Flush, Straight, and Three of a Kind.
Two Pairs and One Pair do not pay in Deuces Wild, so they are not considered in standard gameplay.
How to Play Deuces Wild in Six Easy Steps
Here is how to play the Deuces Wild card game in six easy steps:
- Insert Funds & Choose Coin Denomination: The denomination you choose determines your risk.
- Set Your Bet: One to five credits per hand. Click the “BET MAX” button to do this.
- Receive Your Cards: Press “DEAL/DRAW” to receive your initial 5 cards from the shuffle deck.
- Hold or Discard: Scrutinize your hand and select which cards to keep by clicking “HOLD,” and the rest get discarded.
- Replace Discards: Click “DRAW” to replace all discards
- Receive Payout: After the final gets evaluated, you’ll get paid according to the machine’s paytable and the rank of your winning hand.
Deuces Wild Optimal Strategy
Mastering video poker requires knowing optimal strategies. While triple double video poker strategy follows different rules, the Deuces Wild strategy can deliver nearly 100% return to player (RTP) when playing the full-pay version.
Below are the optimal strategies for playing Deuces Wild:
Holding Deuces for Maximum Advantage
Always hold any deuces (2s) you are dealt, since they significantly increase your chance of forming strong hands.
Prioritizing Premium Hand-Maximizing Cards
Hands like Four to a Royal Flush (with or without a deuce) are worth holding, as shown in Video Poker Strategy Charts. Always consider keeping Four to a Straight Flush, and Three to a Royal Flush is often valuable if it contains a deuce.
Playing Strong Hands Aggressively
Hold Three of a Kind (with a deuce) and discard the rest to aim for Four of a Kind, Five of a Kind, or better. If you have a Full House containing a deuce, consider breaking it to pursue Four of a Kind or stronger. Keep Four of a Kind (without deuces) as it already offers a solid payout.
Deuces Wild Winning Tips
Once you understand Deuces Wild poker rules, here are three practical tips to boost your chances of winning:
- Choose the Right Machine: Always select one that balances wins and volatility (quarter machines, i.e., $0.25 per credit, are recommended).
- Check the paytable: Always check the paytable for the full-pay version to maximize RTP. For example, Natural Royal Flush pays 4,000 credits (800-to-1) on a max bet, Wild Royal Flush pays 125 credits (25-to-1), and Five of a Kind pays 75 credits (15-to-1). For more details, see Video Poker Paytables Explained.
- Bet Max-Coin: Betting max-coin (five coins) qualifies you for the top Royal Flush bonus.
Turning Your Deuces Into Wins
Playing Deuces Wild is about getting the most from every hand. Your skill influences the outcome, so pick the right machine, know its rules, and follow the correct strategy to reduce the house edge. Start with the free version of Deuces Wild, and once confident, play for real money.
FAQs
How to play Deuces Wild video poker?
To play Deuces Wild, you will be dealt five cards, choose which to hold, redraw, and try to make the best hand using deuces as wilds.
What is Deuces Wild poker?
Deuces Wild is a video poker game where all 2s act as wild cards, boosting your chances of stronger hands.
What cards to hold in Deuces Wild?
In Deuces Wild, always keep deuces and strong drawing hands, such as 4 to a Royal Flush or 4 to a Straight Flush.
Should I hold two pairs in Deuces Wild?
No. Discard and aim for a stronger hand, such as Three of a Kind or better.