Comparing Two Popular Video Poker Games

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When playing video poker, two of the most common variants you may encounter are Aces or Better and Deuces Wild. While both are entertaining games of skill and chance, there are some notable differences between the two worth considering when deciding which to play.

Understanding the Basics of Each Game

As the name implies, Aces or Better focuses on the strength of landing at least a pair of Jacks or higher with a minimum Ace high hand to receive a payout. On the other hand, Deuces Wild allows players to use Deuces (2s) as wild cards to complete more easily achievable winning hands. Let’s look at some of the key characteristics of each game type at Legiano Casino:

Aces or Better

  • Minimum winning hand is a pair of Jacks or higher
  • No wild cards – hands are made up of standard cards
  • Most common video poker game found in casinos
  • Considered one of the games with the best odds for skilled players

Deuces Wild

  • Deuces (2s) act as wild cards to make winning hands easier
  • The minimum winning hand is Three of a Kind
  • More volatile game with fluctuating payout potential
  • Requires adjusting basic strategy to account for wild Deuces

So in Aces or Better, you are relying on making naturally strong poker hands to earn payouts, while Deuces Wild rewards creativity and flexibility in crafting winning hands with the help of wild Deuces.

Comparing the Odds and Payout Tables

The odds of making specific winning hands and the corresponding payouts also differ quite a bit between Aces or Better and Deuces Wild:

Hand Aces or Better Payout Deuces Wild Payout
Royal Flush 800 to 1 1,000 to 1
Straight Flush 50 to 1 200 to 1
Four of a Kind 25 to 1 40 to 1
Full House 9 to 1 15 to 1
Flush 6 to 1 9 to 1
Straight 4 to 1 6 to 1
Three of a Kind 3 to 1 3 to 1
Two Pair 2 to 1 2 to 1
Jacks or Better 1 to 1 N/A

A few things stand out from this payout table comparison:

  • The minimum winning hand to earn a payout jumps from Jacks or Better in the standard game to Three of a Kind in Deuces Wild
  • The top hands like Royal and Straight Flushes pay more in Deuces Wild
  • But weaker hands like Flushes and Straights pay more in the Aces or Better game

So while it is exponentially easier to make hands like Straights, Flushes and even Four of a Kinds with Deuces Wild, the tradeoff is that Two Pair and Jacks or Better do not pay out at all.

The odds fluctuation also keeps things exciting, with potential for bigger swings in fortune over the course of a single session.

Adjusting Strategy for Each Variant

The introduction of wild Deuces into Deuces Wild means you cannot necessarily transfer basic video poker strategy from Aces or Better over to this variant.

For example, proper play in Aces or Better dictates breaking up or holding onto certain hands depending on the number of draws remaining. But with Deuces Wild, you may need to adjust by:

  • Breaking up or holding pairs more aggressively to hit Three of a Kind or Four of a Kind hands.
  • Leveraging Deuces by holding or drawing them more frequently to make Straights and Flushes.
  • Adjusting the play of kicker cards around Aces when holding or drawing wild Deuces.

So while seasoned Aces or Better players will have a great foundation, mastering Deuces Wild requires learning some new tactics to maximize value from the wild Deuces and capitalize on the altered payout scales.

Which Game Offers Better Overall Value?

When weighing Aces or Better against Deuces Wild, a common question that arises is which game offers the best overall value? Answering this question depends greatly on your video poker playing style and preferences.

Those focused strictly on optimization may lean towards Aces or Better. The set pay table and lack of wildcards creates some easily definable perfect playing strategies. Players can readily access these charts online or in strategy books and reduce the house edge dramatically with skilled play.

However, if you are more focused on excitement and variation in each session, Deuces Wild may be more appealing. The volatile payout potential and changing dynamics caused by incorporating wild Deuces leads to bigger swings. In the right situations, this increased volatility also unlocks the potential for some truly massive hands that simply aren’t possible playing standard video poker.

In reality, whether Aces or Better or Deuces Wild offers “better” value is largely subjective based on an individual player’s temperament and strategy mastery of each unique game.

Choosing Your Preferred Variant

When comparing Aces or Better and Deuces Wild Video Poker variants, several key differences emerge:

  • Minimum Hand Values: Aces or Better pays out on Jacks or Better, while Deuces Wild requires at least Three of a Kind
  • Wildcards: Standard cards only in Aces or Better versus Deuces acting as wilds in Deuces Wild
  • Pay Table Odds: Both games feature their own distinct pay tables rewarding different hands uniquely
  • Strategy Adjustments: Introduction of wild Deuces requires modified strategic decisions
  • Volatility and Value: Aces or Better offers more predictable play for strategic players, while Deuces Wild unlock higher volatility and payout potential

As you can see, both games have their own nuances, advantages and disadvantages to consider. Ultimately, choosing between Aces or Better vs. Deuces Wild depends significantly on your gambling priorities and how you balance factors like game strategy, payout potential and inherent volatility. Use the key differences outlined here to guide your decision when selecting between these two classic video poker variants in the future.

Last Updated on May 13, 2025