Wild Royal Flush on Deuces Wild

25 February 2023

By Jerry Stickman

Dear Stickman,

I am not sure if you have ever covered this, but what is your theory on this...

Playing a deuces wild game, you are dealt a royal flush with ONE wild card...

Do you dump the wildcard and go for a natural royal flush?

I normally play Deuces Wild on a multiplier game like Ultimate X, but even without the multiplier, I usually will dump the wild card unless I've earned a previous multiplier on that line (even then, I may consider dumping the wildcard, if it's only 2X or something.)

I have hit the 4000 dumping a single wildcard; other times, I just got another deuce.

Darren

Hi Darren,

Obviously, you are an adrenaline junkie. You seek the thrills of a big win even though it may cause a larger overall loss.

Let us look at what is happening in the situation you mention.

Holding the wild royal pays 125 for 5. This is guaranteed. While not a jackpot by any means, it is good for another 25 plays.

Holding the four cards of a natural royal pays somewhere around 95 for 5 depending on the game’s pay tables.

With this hold, there are 47 possible outcomes.

• One royal flush
• Three wild royals (one with each of the remaining deuces) paying 125-for-1 just like the initial hand
• Seven flushes paying around 2-for-1
• Three straights paying around 2-for-1
• A whopping 33 hands that pay zip, zilch, nothing.

That means you are sacrificing 30 credits every time you are dealt a wild royal.

How many times is a wild royal dealt???????????

There are only four possibilities out of 47 total of equaling or bettering the initial payout. Of course, one of those hands pays 4,000-for-5!

Taking chances for a big win is what gamblers do. Skilled players play for the best return on average for each hand.

You appear to be a recreational player who has the proper discipline while playing video poker.

So, my advice to you is, if you have fun doing it and have the bankroll – go ahead and gamble. You have a one in 47 shot of hitting that natural and a three in 47 shot of hitting another wild royal. You also have a few chances (10 out of 47) of hitting a straight or flush. However, you also have a 33 out of 47 chances of getting ZERO rather than the 125 credits.

If the thrill of the natural is worth the cost to you in lost return, more power to you.

Your money, your choice, my friend.

As always, may all your wins be swift and large, and your losses be slow and small.

Jerry “Stickman”


Jerry “Stickman” is an expert in craps, blackjack and video poker and advantage slot machine play. He is a regular contributor to top gaming magazines. He authored the video poker section of Everything Casino Poker: Get the Edge at Video Poker, Texas Hold'em, Omaha Hi-Lo, and Pai Gow Poker! You can contact Jerry “Stickman” at stickmanjerryg@gmail.com