Deuces and Joker Online: A Guide to Rules and Strategy
Deuces and Joker is an exciting online variant of video poker. It features 52 cards, but the added joker makes things interesting. In addition, all twos act as Wilds. Think of it like Deuces Wild with an exciting gambling twist.
The game is available at all good online casinos that feature a healthy video poker lobby. There is real money to be made, and you can even use your Deuces and Joker gambling to access a top welcome bonus.
You can read reviews of top video poker sites here at CasinoOnline.com. In the meantime, get a handle on the basic rules and strategy before taking on the tables.
- You want to play Deuces and Joker online
- You want to learn the basic rules
- You are after some simple tips and strategy advice
- You are looking for good casino sites to gamble at
How to Play Deuces and Joker Poker
Deuces and Joker is played with the standard 52 card deck plus a wild. The game is similar to Poker, but has added two very exciting twists which give it a whole new dimension to winning real cash. A casino online Deuces and Joker Poker game turns all deuces (2s) into wilds. The infamous joker is also a wild, and can be substituted for any other symbol. The goal is to get as strong of a hand as possible, and one that is better than the dealer’s.
The bottom row of five cards will be revealed. At this point, like all other video poker games, you have to decide which cards you want to hold and which you want to discard. Keep in mind that all twos and the Jokers are wild cards. The game will automatically hold them because they replace any other card to make a winning combination. Hit the hold button below the cards you want to hang onto and then hit the Deal button again. All of the cards you didn't want will be replaced with new ones. At this point, winning hands and amounts will be highlighted across the rows of cards.
As mentioned in the Overview, Deuces and Jokers allows you to double your winnings. If, after a win, you want to take advantage of this option hit the Double button in the bottom left corner of the screen. You'll be taken to another screen in which you must to pick a card that is higher in value than the Dealer's. It's very simple and if you're lucky you might just find yourself turning $50 into $100 or $200 into $400!
Because the cards are shuffled before each game, they are dealt randomly. Counting cards or looking for patterns is not practical. However, there are strategic moves you can make to beat the house.
Playing Optimum Strategy
With so many wilds, the chances of getting a Straight, Flush, Full House or 4 of a Kind will not be hard. If you look at the paytable on the gambling operators screen, you will notice it has been adjusted. The payouts for these hands are less than what you would find in other games. This is okay, as long as you follow this Deuces and Joker Poker strategy:
The Max Bet: Deuces and Joker Poker offers a significant amount more of coins when you win with a max bet. Some advocates recommend to always play with max coins (dominations are 25¢, 50¢, $1, $5, and $10). There is logic to this. For example, if you win a 5 of a Kind with a 1 coin bet, you are rewarded 9 coins. Whereas, the same win with a bet of 5 coins would give you 45 coins. More importantly with a bet of less than 5 coins, if you draw 4 Deuces and a Joker your highest paid combination will be 5 of a Kind instead of the 10,000 coin payout for max bet on this draw. If you understand the game and can afford betting max, do so.
The Hand Strategy: If you are dealt a Royal Flush, Five of a Kind, Four of a Kind, Straight Flush, or Full Houses (with or without any of the wilds) hold them all. If not, follow these simple winning tips. Always hold the following:
If you have 4 cards to a Flush or Open Ended Straight, keep them.
Break a Straight if you have a chance at a Natural or Wild Royal Flush.
Keep any 2 or Joker with another card; there is a better chance you can make a 3 of a Kind with this hand.
Hold onto two suited high cards and a wild to increase your chance of getting a Royal Flush.
If you have a single 2 or Joker, hold any 4 card Straight Flushes.
Quick Tips: Holding Five of a Kind
If you have a single 2 or Joker, hold four card Royal Flushes rather than Straights, Flushes or Straight Flushes. Hold any four card Straight Flushes, and in the case of 2 pair, hold one, not both. Finally, always hold Deuces and the Joker.
Quick Tips: The Wild Flush
Deuces and Joker‘s second highest hand is the Wild Flush. This is a Royal Flush created with Deuces or a Joker. With the ability to use multiple wilds in the game, landing Wild Flushes is not too hard. If you can make this hand, go for it.
One nice aspect to some of the online casinos’ Deuces and Joker video poker software is the ability to use the “AutoPlay” mode. This is a fantastic option in which you get to avoid complicated decisions. The software will execute the optimum game strategy for that specific situation. Sounds pretty nice, right?
Quick Tips: Doubling
One of the coolest options in the Deuces and Joker online casino game is that you will be given the option to double after a win. In this double or nothing bet, you will be dealt 5 cards. The dealers is face up, the remaining 4 are face down. You pick one of these 4 cards. If it’s higher than the dealer’s card, you win. You can continue to double until you lose. This wager has a zero house edge. Meaning there is no downside, strategically speaking, to take this thrilling gamble.
