Variations of Video Poker: Deuces Wild
Deuces Wild is the second most popular form of video poker behind Jacks or Better. Deuces Wild is based around 5 card draw, but with wild cards. As we’re sure you can guess from the name, Deuces are wild. However, this comes with a price – pairs are generally worthless – you almost always need to get a three of a kind or better to win. Anything less is a loss.
Compared to other forms of gambling, video poker machines are relatively new. They first appeared in the mid 1970s but were largely ignored until payouts increased. More variants appeared and today we enjoy a wide selection of video poker games - like our favorite: Deuces Wild.
Deuces Wild allows five coins/credits or less. Each credit multiplies the payout. For example, a Four of a Kind with a 4 to 1 payout, gives 16 credits on a 4 coin/credit bet. The only exception is the Natural Royal Flush. Normally paying out 250 to 1, you get 4000 credits instead with a 5 credit bet. Four Deuces is next and gives a 200 to 1 payout, further down is a Wild Royal with Deuces for a 25 to 1 payout, Five of a Kind is next at 15 to 1, Straight Flushes payout 9 to 1, Four of a Kinds are 5 to 1, Full House gives 4 to 1 payouts, Flushes pay 3 to 1, Straights give double money, and a Three of a Kind is even money. These are general odds – venues / machines may vary.
Unlike most games with a definite casino advantage, Deuces Wild can actually have a negative house edge. It’s negative to the casino, but positive to the player! Yes, there is a catch. First you must find a machine with an over 100% payback. Believe us, they’re hard to find and not advertised. Then you must bet the maximum for every bet. After that, a gamer must play every hand with Optimal Strategy (to make decisions with the most favorable outcome). Finally, you must, at some point, get a Natural Royal Flush (with no Deuces). Do all that and you’ll get a fortune anywhere from seventy cents to two dollars per every hundred dollars you bet.
Hmmm… all of a sudden, that doesn’t sound to great, huh?
That’s ok - most players don’t worry about the positive payout and choose to play simply because the payout and odds are very good. It’s not uncommon to find a Deuces Wild machine that’ll pay over 99.5% or higher! So look at the game as a safe form of gambling. There are certainly worse games out there and with a low house edge, you’ll maximize your playing (or fun) time. Plus, it’s fun as heck.
Good luck, and we hope you get a Natural Royal Flush (just hope you bet 5 credits when you do.)
