Although Jacks or Better is an engaging game on its own, many players also enjoy variations such as Deuces Wild and Joker Poker. Thanks to the additional wild cards, video poker fans enjoy more exciting gameplay because there are more opportunities to form winning hands. Adding wilds changes the winning combinations that trigger payouts, as well as the number of credits each combination pays.
For those who enjoy both of these video poker variations, there is also the option to play a hybrid game that combines Deuces Wild and Joker Poker. Deuces and Joker offers distinct gameplay, which can create a very rewarding experience for lucky players.
While there are many chances to form generously paying hands, Deuces and Joker does come with a few rule changes. You should learn the specifics of this video poker variation, its gameplay, and the right strategy to achieve rewarding results. Deuces and Joker is popular among online players who enjoy wagering at interactive casinos. The good thing about playing online is that you can often try the game for fun, which means you can practice without risking your own money.
How to Play Deuces and Joker
One of the distinctive features of Deuces and Joker is that it is played with 53 cards because an additional wild Joker is added to the deck. Together with the four deuces, the game has a total of five wild cards. As you have probably figured out, the chances of forming a winning hand thanks to these wilds are quite high. That said, the lowest-ranked hand that qualifies for a payout also changes. Despite these alterations, the rules are similar to those of most video poker variations.
The first thing to do when playing Deuces and Joker is to select the amount you want to stake. As usual, the maximum number of coins you can bet is 5, and the coin denomination ranges from very low values to amounts that suit high rollers.
Once you have chosen the bet amount, you will be dealt 5 cards. Next, choose which cards to keep so you can form a winning hand on the second draw. When you are ready, click “Draw,” and the cards you do not hold will be replaced with new ones from the deck.
If you land a winning hand, you will be paid according to the payouts listed on the paytable. You will also have the option to make a double-or-nothing bet. If you choose this side game, you must beat the dealer’s card. If your card is higher, you double your winnings. However, if it is lower, you forfeit the credits you won in the base game.
Deuces & Joker Video Poker Gameplay
Paytables of Deuces and Joker Variations
One of the biggest differences you will notice in Deuces and Joker is the paytable. You can land a massive jackpot for Four Deuces and a Joker when you make the maximum bet. However, the lowest-ranked hand that qualifies for a payout is Three of a Kind. This removes Two Pair and High Pair as paying options. Naturally, eliminating these low-ranked hands lowers the players’ chances of landing a win. This change also affects the expected return of the game, which is definitely a factor to consider.
Full-Pay Deuces and Joker
Whenever you are browsing through various Deuces and Joker variations, you should be able to recognize the one that offers the best payouts. The full-pay version of Deuces and Joker offers a payout of 9 to 1 for a Five of a Kind, while a Straight Flush pays 6 to 1. In this game, the bonus payout for staking 5 coins applies to the hand of five wilds, which pays 10,000 credits. The paytable for this game is:
| Hand | Payout |
|---|---|
| Four Deuces and Joker | 10,000 for 5 coins |
| Natural Royal Flush | 250 to 1 |
| Four Deuces | 25 to 1 |
| Wild Royal Flush | 12 to 1 |
| Five of a Kind | 9 to 1 |
| Straight Flush | 6 to 1 |
| Four of a Kind | 3 to 1 |
| Full House | 3 to 1 |
| Flush | 3 to 1 |
| Straight | 2 to 1 |
| Three of a Kind | 1 to 1 |
If you bet the maximum and use optimal strategy, it is estimated that the expected return on the full-pay Deuces and Joker is 99.06%. This version therefore gives players a strong chance of collecting generous payouts. However, the full-pay version is often offered with reduced payouts, which will automatically affect your winning chances.
8/6 Deuces and Joker
A commonly seen version of this video poker game offers a lower payout for a Five of a Kind, paying only 8 to 1 instead of 9 to 1. This may seem insignificant, but it lowers the RTP to 98.52%. When you see this paytable, you can be sure that you have encountered a short-pay version of Deuces and Joker:
| Hand | Payout |
|---|---|
| Four Deuces and Joker | 10,000 for 5 coins |
| Natural Royal Flush | 250 to 1 |
| Four Deuces | 25 to 1 |
| Wild Royal Flush | 12 to 1 |
| Five of a Kind | 8 to 1 |
| Straight Flush | 6 to 1 |
| Four of a Kind | 3 to 1 |
| Full House | 3 to 1 |
| Flush | 3 to 1 |
| Straight | 2 to 1 |
| Three of a Kind | 1 to 1 |
9/5 Deuces and Joker
Another variant often found at online casinos keeps the payout for a Five of a Kind the same as the full-pay version but decreases the reward for a Straight Flush to 5 to 1. This version is even worse than the one above, as it has an expected return percentage of 98.35%. The paytable for this game is:
| Hand | Payout |
|---|---|
| Four Deuces and Joker | 10,000 for 5 coins |
| Natural Royal Flush | 250 to 1 |
| Four Deuces | 25 to 1 |
| Wild Royal Flush | 12 to 1 |
| Five of a Kind | 9 to 1 |
| Straight Flush | 5 to 1 |
| Four of a Kind | 3 to 1 |
| Full House | 3 to 1 |
| Flush | 3 to 1 |
| Straight | 2 to 1 |
| Three of a Kind | 1 to 1 |
9/9/1 Deuces and Joker
While there are variants that offer payouts of 7 to 1 or even 6 to 1 for a Five of a Kind, the worst option is the one that does not appear so bad at first glance. Many new players are attracted to the high payout of 9 to 1 for both a Five of a Kind and a Straight Flush in this Deuces and Joker game. However, the payback for a Straight has been reduced to even money instead of 2 to 1. You may think that paying 9 to 1 for a Straight Flush compensates for the lower payout on a Straight, but in reality, this game offers an RTP of only 96.06%. Of all the variants mentioned, the 9/9/1 version is the one to avoid. The following table corresponds to this option:
| Hand | Payout |
|---|---|
| Four Deuces and Joker | 10,000 for 5 coins |
| Natural Royal Flush | 250 to 1 |
| Four Deuces | 25 to 1 |
| Wild Royal Flush | 12 to 1 |
| Five of a Kind | 9 to 1 |
| Straight Flush | 9 to 1 |
| Four of a Kind | 3 to 1 |
| Full House | 3 to 1 |
| Flush | 3 to 1 |
| Straight | 1 to 1 |
| Three of a Kind | 1 to 1 |
Strategy for Deuces and Joker
To give yourself the best possible chance of winning, you need to learn the correct strategy for Deuces and Joker. For this purpose, it is best to use dedicated strategy charts. One of the main things to remember is that your decisions will change depending on how many wilds you are holding.
Holding Four Wild Cards
This is the second-best hand you can hold in the game, after Five Wilds. In this case, you should hold all four wild cards and replace the fifth, non-wild card.
Holding Three Wild Cards
In this situation, the strategy chart is as follows:
| Hand | Decision |
|---|---|
| Wild Royal Flush, Five of a Kind | keep your hand |
| Hold the three wild cards | draw two more |
Holding Two Wild Cards
If you are dealt two wild cards on the first draw, there are more possible outcomes, and the strategy chart looks like this:
| Hand | Decision |
|---|---|
| Wild Royal Flush, Five of a Kind, Straight Flush | keep your hand |
| Four of a Kind | draw one card |
| Four cards to a Royal Flush | draw one card |
| Flush | keep your hand |
| Four cards to a Straight Flush | draw one card |
| Keep the two wild cards | draw three more |
Holding One Wild Card
The next scenario involves holding only one wild card, which can still help you form many different hands. The strategy chart for this situation is therefore longer. These are the hand rankings when you are holding one wild card:
| Hand | Decision |
|---|---|
| Four cards to a Natural Royal Flush | discard the wild card |
| Five of a Kind, Straight Flush | keep your hand |
| Four of a Kind, Full House | keep your hand |
| Flush | keep your hand |
| Four cards to a Wild Royal Flush | draw one card |
| Straight | keep your hand |
| Four cards to a Straight Flush (no gap or one gap) | draw one card |
| Three of a Kind | draw two cards |
| Four cards to a Straight Flush | draw one card |
| Three cards to a Wild Royal Flush (with no Ace) | draw two cards |
| Three cards to a Straight Flush (no gap) | draw two cards |
| Four cards to a Straight (no gap) | draw one card |
| Four cards to a Flush | draw one card |
| Three cards to a Straight Flush (one gap) | draw two cards |
| Three cards to a Wild Royal Flush (with Aces) | draw two cards |
| Keep the wild card | discard the remaining four |
Holding No Wild Cards
If you do not hold any wild cards, the ranking of hands changes and the following strategy chart is correct:
| Hand | Decision |
|---|---|
| Royal Flush | keep your hand |
| Four cards to a Royal Flush | draw one card |
| Straight Flush, Four of a Kind, Full House | keep your hand |
| Flush, Straight | keep your hand |
| Three of a Kind | draw two cards |
| Four cards to a Straight Flush | draw one card |
| Three cards to a Royal Flush | draw two cards |
| Four cards to a Flush | draw one card |
| Two Pair | draw one card |
| Four cards to a Straight (no gap) | draw one card |
| Three cards to a Straight Flush (no gap) | draw two cards |
| One Pair | draw three cards |
| Three cards to a Straight Flush | draw two cards |
| Jack and 10 of the same suit | draw three cards |
| Four cards to a Straight | draw one card |
| Queen and 10 or Queen and Jack of the same suit | draw three cards |
| No winning hands | discard all five cards |
Conclusion
If you are looking for a video poker variation that combines thrilling gameplay with rewarding payouts, you should definitely give Deuces and Joker a try. The fact that there are five wild cards in the game gives players plenty of opportunities to form winning hands that qualify for payouts.
Always make the maximum bet on Deuces and Joker because this is the only way to win the bonus of 10,000 credits if you land five wild cards. Even though this payout sounds tempting, do not forget to check the full paytable of the game you are about to play. While some Deuces and Joker variants offer the potential for a profitable session, others have misleading payouts and a very low expected return percentage.
When you are mastering the strategy for Deuces and Joker, pay close attention to the number of wild cards you are holding. This is essential for making optimal moves in different situations. The best part about this entertaining video poker game is that the majority of websites allow you to play for fun, which means you can switch to real-money play only when you feel confident in your strategy.