Deuces Wild Variations

Deuces Wild has easily entrenched itself as one of the most common video poker variants as it boasts more than a quarter-century of history. Together with Jacks or Better, it has also grown to become a casino standard, and such games are available not only online, but offline as well.

Although Deuces Wild shares some common traits with Jacks or Better, it bears more resemblance with the so-called wild video poker variants. Unlike Jacks or Better, which offers somewhat steady play, the availability of wild cards in Deuces Wild undoubtedly adds up to the thrill.

In spite of the fact that Deuces Wild was introduced for the first time that long ago, this is not to say that the game has remained static over the years. It is just the other way around, as presently, video poker fans can pick and choose from a plethora of thrilling versions.

This can be very confusing for the average player as some knowledge is needed in order to determine whether the chosen variant of Deuces Wild is worthwhile at all. This takes proper knowledge and some awareness, and the aim of this article is to ensure that players will take a grasp of Deuces Wild and the intricacies of its variants.


Deuces Wild Basics

Just like the rest of the video poker games available out there, Deuces Wild does not cease evolving, and therefore, it is a must for players to brush up on their knowledge.

It is quite possible for gambling enthusiasts to grow bored while availing themselves in Jacks or Better simply because the opportunities to bag more handsome payouts are thin on the ground.

This is not the case with Deuces Wild, as players can expect profit off the game because winning hands can be achieved a lot easier since wild cards can turn into any other card in the deck. Not only will gambling enthusiasts stand the chance to bag some solid payoffs, as they can also benefit from a completely new hand, which cannot be formed without wild cards.

It goes without saying that the increased winning opportunities will put players at a better advantage, and in order tо redress the balance, the pay schemes of these games are slightly changed. As a result, some winning hands are removed from the paytable, while others offer reduced payout rates.

What Does It Take to Play Deuces Wild
Wild Cards Explained
Winning Hands in Deuces Wild
Comparison of the Payouts in Jacks or Better and Deuces Wild

What Does It Take to Play Deuces Wild

One of the fundamental differences between slots and video poker is that while spinning the reels, gambling enthusiasts will not have a clue about their chances of getting a winning combination, which is not so in video poker.

Before players go ahead with making their bets, they should remember that much like with Jacks or Better, most variants of Deuces Wild allow them to stake between one and five credits per hand. Something important to note is that gambling enthusiasts will not be required to make a uniform bet, which is to say that they can adjust the staked amount prior to each new round.

As soon as players get their initial hand, they should check if there is a combination, which pays off. Naturally, if there is such, players should hold all these cards and then proceed to the draw round. Please note that you will be allowed to hold or replace all cards or only the preferred ones.

Thus, if players decide to replace some of the cards, the chosen cards will be replaced by ones from the deck. Since just one standard deck is used in the game, one and the same card cannot appear twice. Besides, the cards players have chosen to give up cannot appear again during the current game round.

If a winning hand is formed, players will automatically get the respective payoff, and the round will end. Based on the preferred version of Deuces Wild, players might be offered the chance to see another increase in their winnings using the double-or-nothing game.

Another thing to take into account is that depending on the preferred version of Deuces Wild, gambling enthusiasts might be allowed to bet on multiple hands at once.


Wild Cards Explained

It can safely be said that wild cards are designed with the idea to solve the issue with stale gameplay some of the video poker variants available out there offer. As the name implies, the special cards in Deuces Wilds are the four twos, and they can turn in every card, which is needed in order for a winning combination to be formed.

Thus, assuming that gambling enthusiasts are dealt 5, 6, and 7 of spades and two deuces, the wild cards can be used in order for players to get a payout for a Straight Flush. Such hands are completed by getting five suited and consecutive cards. In this case, gambling enthusiasts will get a 4 through 8 Straight Flush of spades and will be paid based on the selected number of credits and the preferred variant.

Gambling enthusiasts should remember that it will not be up to them to decide what cards the twos will turn into as this will be determined by the game itself. With this in mind, they should not be left thinking that they will be left at a disadvantage as the deuces will be used in order to complete the best possible hand.


Winning Hands in Deuces Wild

One of the fundamental differences between slots and video poker is that while spinning the reels, gambling enthusiasts will not have a clue about their chances of getting a winning combination, which is not so in video poker. No matter if players have picked Deuces Wild or any other video poker variant, they can determine the probability of getting a winning hand almost straight away as a single deck is always used.

Say nothing of the fact that the RTPs of most video poker variants are far more compatible in comparison with the return percentages of the largest share of the games casinos offer.

Since the twos play the role of wild cards, it is only reasonable to consider that the paytable of Deuces Wild is adapted to reflect these changes. First and foremost, upon closer inspection of the pay schedule of such games, players will notice that there are two types of Royal Flushes, a natural and a wild one.

As you might expect, the natural Royal Flush is formed when gambling enthusiasts get 10, J, Q, K, and A of the same suit, without the inclusion of a wild card. Yet, such a hand is formed using a deuce, players will have a Wild Royal Flush, and the payout they will be in for will be slimmed down. Thus, of players’ hand consists of 2, Q, J, 2, and 2, where the Q and J are of the same suit, they will get a payout for a Wild Royal Flush because the first deuce will turn into 10, the second one into a K, while the third one will be converted into an A.

Another distinctive trait of the paytables of Deuces Wild is that the availability of wild cards makes it possible for players to get Five of a Kind. It is also important to note that the payouts that will come players’ way if they get four deuces and Four of a Kind formed with the other cards will not be the same as in the first case, the offered payout will be 200 for 1, while in the second, players will be paid at the rate of 5 for 1.

Finally, the least-rewarding hand is not Jacks or Better as is the case with the majority of the other video poker games available out there, but Three of a Kind. The increased winning opportunities players will enjoy are also made up for with the removal of Two of a Kind from the paytable. The cause behind the removal of these hands is pretty simple, as the availability of wild cards will make forming Jacks or Better and Two Pairs a walk in the park.


Comparison of the Payouts in Jacks or Better and Deuces Wild

Common Pay Scheme of Deuces Wild

Number of Credits
Hand 1 2 3 4 5
Royal Flush 250 500 750 1000 4000
Four Deuces 200 400 600 800 1000
Wild Royal Flush 25 50 75 100 125
Five of a Kind 16 32 48 64 80
Straight Flush 10 20 30 40 50
Four of a Kind 4 8 12 16 20
Full House 4 8 12 16 20
Flush 3 6 9 12 15
Straight 2 4 6 8 10
Three of a Kind 1 2 3 4 5

Common Pay Scheme of Full-Pay Jacks or Better

Number of Credits
Hand 1 2 3 4 5
Royal Flush 250 500 750 1000 4000
Straight Flush 50 100 300 400 500
Four of a Kind 25 50 75 100 125
Full House 9 18 27 36 45
Flush 6 12 18 24 30
Straight 4 8 12 16 20
Three of a Kind 3 6 9 12 15
Two Pairs 2 4 6 8 10
Jacks or Better 1 2 3 4 5

Currently, there are a number of wrinkles players can enjoy, and the variants we will focus on now are some of the most common ones.

Full-Pay Deuces Wild
Almost Positive Deuces Wild
Not So Ugly Deuces Wild
Illinois Deuces Wild
20/4/4 Deuces Wild
20/12/10/4 Deuces Wild
16/13/4 Deuces Wild
12/4/4 Deuces Wild
20/10/8/4/4 Deuces Wild


How The RTP Changes in The Different Deuces Wild Variants

Now, let’s take a look at the way the return percentage of the different variants of Deuces Wild changes in order to ensure that players will pick the option, which suits them most.

Why Is The RTP Important
RTPs of The Most Common Versions of Deuces Wild

Why Is The RTP Important

Checking the RTP of the preferred video poker variant is a must simply because it will give players a sense of the amount of money they can expect to get during their betting session. Thus, when video poker is concerned, the RTP of the game will be determined by the rate at which winning hands pay and the probability of getting each of the winning hands.

In order for players to find out whether the chosen game is worth giving a shot, Straight Flush and Five of a Kind are the two hands they should check first. Thus, if you notice that the RTP of the chosen variant of Deuces Wild weights over the 100% threshold, this should indicate that the game is worth your while.


RTPs of The Most Common Versions of Deuces Wild

This is a side-by-side comparison of the expected return percentages of some of the most widely available versions of Deuces Wild. Players are advised to pay closer attention to such details as the pay scheme of the preferred game, and its RTP will have an impact on their long-term profit.

Deuces Wild Variant Return Percentage
Full-pay versions of Deuces Wild 100.76%
Not So Ugly Deuces Wild 99.73%
Ugly Ducks 98.91%
20/4/4 97.97%
20/12/10/4 97.58%
16/13/4 96.77%
12/04/04 96.01%
20/10/8/4/4 95.96%

Strategy for Playing Deuces Wild

As is the case with all other video poker variants, playing Deuces Wild without using a strategy means that gambling enthusiasts will not be able to achieve the maximum RTP of the preferred game, and hence to make the most out of their betting session.

While using a strategy for playing Deuces Wild, the first thing players should check is the number of twos their hand contains. Once they have found the corresponding table, gambling enthusiasts should start looking for the hand, which coincides with the one they are dealt, starting from the topmost line and moving downwards. If you notice that you hold more than one winning hand, you should go for the option, which ranks higher in the chart as such hands will be more likely to bring a payout.

Hands with No Deuces
Hands with One Deuce
Hands with Two Deuces
Hands with Three Deuces
Hands with Four Deuces
Simple and Optimal Strategy for Deuces Wild Compared

Hands with No Deuces

Hand Expected Return
1 Natural Royal Flush 800
2 Royal Flush Draw 19.5744
3 Straight Flush 9
4 Four of a Kind 5.851
5 Full House 3
6 Three of a Kind 2.0175
7 Straight/Flush 2
8 Four cards to an outside Straight Flush 1.6595
9 10, J, or Q of the same suit 1.3987
10 Four cards to an inside Straight Flush 1.3829
11 Three to a Royal Flush 1.2719
12 Pair 0.5602
13 Two Pairs 0.5106
14 Four to a Flush 0.5106
15 Four cards to an outside Straight 0.5106
16 Three cards to a Royal Flush (spread 3-4) Between 0.5051 and 0.3959
17 Two cards to a Royal Flush, where J is the highest-ranking 0.3881
18 Three cards of a Straight Flush (spread 5) 0.3552
19 Four cards to an inside Straight 0.3404
20 Two cards to a Royal Flush, where Q is the highest-ranking 0.3385
21 Two cards to a Royal Flush, where K is the highest-ranking 0.3278
22 Replace all your cards 0.3255

Hands with One Deuce

Hand Expected Return
1 Wild Royal Flush 25
2 Five of a Kind 15
3 Straight Flush 9
4 Four of a Kind 5.851
5 Four cards to a Royal Flush 3.4042
6 Full House 3
7 Three cards in a row of the same suit (5, 6, 7, or higher) 2.2127
8 Three of a Kind 2.0175
9 Straight 2
10 Flush 2
11 All four other cards to a Straight Flush Between 1.7021 and 1.9787
12 Three cards to a Royal Flush, where K is the highest 1.1421
13 Two cards in a row with the same suit (6, 7, or higher) 1.0952
14 Three cards to a Royal Flush, where A is the strongest 1.0462
15 Four Deuces 1.0328

Hands with Two Deuces

Hand Expected Return
1 Wild Royal Flush 25
2 Five of a Kind 15
3 Straight Flush 9
4 Four of a Kind 5.851
5 Four cards to a Royal Flush 4.617
6 Two cards in a row of the same suit (6, 7, or higher) 3.3404
7 Two deuces 3.273

Hands with Three Deuces

In the event that gambling enthusiasts have received three wild cards, the hands they need to hold are Five of a Kind and Wild Royal Flush. On all other occasions, they need to hold the deuces.


Hands with Four Deuces

When players get four deuces, they should throw away the fifth card.


Simple and Optimal Strategy for Deuces Wild Compared

Probability
Hand Simple Strategy Optimal Strategy
Natural Royal Flush 0.000022 0.000022
Four Deuces 0.000206 0.000204
Wild Royal Flush 0.001785 0.001796
Five of a Kind 0.003164 0.003202
Straight Flush 0.004206 0.00412
Four of a Kind 0.06523 0.064938
Full House 0.021303 0.021229
Flush 0.016977 0.016581
Straight 0.053711 0.056564
Three of a Kind 0.287044 0.284544
No winning hands 0.546351 0.5468

Popular Versions of Deuces Wild to Play Online

Deuces Wild is indeed among the video poker games that offer more action-packed gameplay, and presently, players are treated with a wide array of such games they can enjoy on their computer, tablet, or smartphone. Read ahead to find out more about some of the most arresting such games.

Deuces Wild by Microgaming
Multi-Hand Deuces Wild by Playtech
Deuces Wild by NetEnt
Deuces Wild by Red Rake
Deuces Wild by Betsoft

Deuces Wild by Microgaming

Deuces Wild by Microgaming is an option most players might be intrigued with if they are currently looking for wild video poker variants. What players might enjoy most about this game is that they will stand the chance to walk away with 4.000 credits if they get a natural Royal Flush and have staked the maximum number of five credits.

As for the other top rewards, players will notice that a Four Deuces will bring them 1.000 credits, while a wild Royal Flush will award 125 credits. The payouts for some of the other hands are a bit lower, and a Full House will pay at the rate of 3 for 1, while a Flush will pay 2 for 1. Say nothing of the fact that Five of a Kind pays at the rate f 16 for 1.

As likely as not, the bet limits are not something players will complain about as they can stake as little as $0.25 and $25 at the most, which will make this version of Deuces Wild fit in the preferences of most video poker fans.

The double-or-nothing game can help players boost the payouts they have earned further, but remember that picking the wrong card color will mean that the generated payoff will be forfeited.


Multi-Hand Deuces Wild by Playtech

Playtech’s Multi-Hand Deuces Wild is an intriguing video poker variant players might be taken with if they want to enjoy more betting action. Depending on what they prefer, gambling enthusiasts can opt for betting on 1, 4, 10, or 25 hands at the same time.

The offered payouts are indeed something to take a closer look at because, while a wild Royal Flush will pay at the rate of 25 for 1, the payout offered for Five of a Kind is dramatically cut and runs at 15 for 1. Getting a Full House or Flush will guarantee players a payout of 4 for 1 and 3 for 1, respectively.

The gamble feature is activated each time a win occurs, and making use of it means that players can collect up to $500. With this in mind, players cannot use the double-up feature more than four times after a win.


Deuces Wild by NetEnt

NetEnt’s Deuces Wild is a multi-hand video poker variant, which has an RTP of 97.97%. As is the case with the majority of the video poker games that are courtesy of NetEnt, Deuces Wild allows betting on up to 100 hands at once.

The game offers every bit of excitement regular Deuces Wild variants feature, and what is even better is that it is suitable for all players as bets start at $0,05 and can run into a maximum of $25.

Going for this version of Deuces Wild means that players will be offered reduced payouts for Five of a Kind as such hands pay at the rate of 15 for 1. The other hands players should pay more attention to are Full House and Flush, and the offered payouts for them are 4 for 1 and 3 for 1, respectively.

When players win, they can either collect the respective payoff, or hit the gamble button, which will make it possible to see their winnings soar. The best thing about the double-or-nothing game is that players are allowed to collect their winnings and return to the main game whenever they feel like it.


Deuces Wild by Red Rake

Red Rake’s Deuces Wild is easily a cut above most video poker variants available out there because of its premium-quality visuals and smooth animations. The maximum number of hands one can play at a time is 50, but there is also the option to bet on 25, 10, 5, or 1 hand at once.

If they get Five of a Kind as they play, gambling enthusiasts will collect a payout of 16 for 1. Four of a Kind pays at the rate of 4 for 1, Full House brings payouts of 3 for 1, while a Flush pays at the rate of 2 for 1.

Based on their preferences, players can turn on and off the auto-hold feature, and adjust the staked amount between $0.05 and $50 per hand. As was the case with the above-mentioned games, Red Rake’s Deuces Wild also allows players to multiply their prize further, and to do so, they need to guess the color of a face-down card. If you are not a risk-averse player, you might wish to try to increase your winnings four times if you guess the suit of the face-down. Needless to say, the chances of making a correct pick will be rather small.


Deuces Wild by Betsoft

Betsoft is yet another software provider, which has included a version of Deuces Wild into its portfolio. Their take on this video poker variant should not be overlooked as it boasts an RTP of 98.91%.

The number of credits players can stake per round ranges between 1 and 5, but what some players might not be happy to hear is that betting on several hands at a time is not an option.

To make up for this omission, the provider has equipped the game with the double-or-nothing game, which is activated after a winning hand is completed. In order for players to see their winnings skyrocket, they should pick a stronger card than the face-up one.

The offered payouts are what most players are particularly interested in, and getting Five of a Kind will result in a win of 15 for 1. Four of a Kind and Full Flush both pay at the rate of 4 for 1, while a Flush will bring players a balance boost of 3 for 1.

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