Ask the Slot Expert: Why do you play Deuces Wild?

Question: What is the reason you prefer to play Deuces Wild over other video poker games such as higher volatile ones?

Answer: You gave one reason in your question: volatility.

I had a bit of a problem at the end of last year. I wasn't keeping on pace to re-qualify for upper-tier status in the two chains I play at now. I had also gotten tired of playing single-hand video poker, so I thought I could save some time earning status and have more fun by playing multi-hand.

One problem with that plan is that the good paytables are not offered on the multi-hand machines. I get it. I'm grateful that these casinos have paytables that can be positive on a point multiplier day (and were breakeven every day before Covid). The casinos don't have to give players the opportunity to make more than toll money by offering the paytables on large denomination machines or on multi-hand machines.

Although 8/5 Bonus Poker is easy to find on multi-hand machines, I decided to play airport (Illinois) deuces. Although it pays back a smidgen less than 8/5 BP, I could play my NSU strategy on it. (Okay, there are a few strategy changes to squeeze the most out of Illinois, but I didn't bother learning them. I wasn't planning to permanently switch to this paytable.)

Now the question is how much to bet per hand. Dollar Triple Play was a possibility. I would earn points about three times faster than on the single-hand machine, but the swings in my bankroll would be about three times as great too. Let's look at other options.

I ruled out quarter Five Play. The bet per play is not that much greater than on the single-hand machine, plus I would probably earn points at about the same pace as on the single-hand machine. A hand can be decided very quickly on a single-hand machine. It takes a bit of time to play out five hands. I wouldn't be surprised if you earn points more quickly playing dollar single hand than playing quarter Five Play, even though you're betting more per hand ($6.25 versus $5) on the Five Play.

I decided to double the number of hands and play Ten Play quarters. I'd earn points at around 2.5 times the rate as single hand. The rate will be a little bit slower than dollar Triple Play, but my risk will be spread over 10 hands instead of 3.

I learned two important lessons. When you bet more per play, you have the potential to win more per play. And when you bet more play, you also have the potential to lose your bankroll more quickly.

For the first two weeks of my multi-hand adventure, I enjoyed the former -- or at least I kept close to breakeven. Then my luck turned and I watched my bankroll dwindle. At one point, I was even pulling my card to get the points added to my account so I could redeem them for free play, playing that off, then pulling my card again to get more points in my account that I could redeem.

I grew tired of quickly losing my bankroll in much less time than it took me to grow tired of single-hand video poker. I'm playing high-paying single-hand again. I don't like big bankroll swings -- well, big swings down.

For many years, my paytable of choice was 9/6 Jacks. Believe it or not, it was easy to find in dollars on the strip about 20 years ago. I had no problems playing it at Treasure Island, The Venetian, Desert Inn, and even Caesars Palace. Until they removed it a few years ago, it was my paytable of choice at the Las Vegas Hilton/LVH/Westgate.

I hadn't paid much attention to Deuces Wild because there were few if any good Deuces Wild paytables in Atlantic City when I lived in New Jersey. I knew that many people who play video poker regularly in Las Vegas play NSU Deuces Wild, so after moving there I decided I should learn that game too. It's a bit more volatile than 9/6 Jacks, but it pays back a little bit more. In the long run, volatility doesn't matter but long-term payback does. I considered some other higher-paying paytables, but their strategies were very complicated and they didn't pay back that much more than NSU.

I asked Jean Scott why she and Henry Tamburin preferred NSU. (Another reason I play NSU: When I was new to it and playing with Jean and Henry, I could ask them questions.) She said one reason was because of the mini-jackpot for hitting 4 deuces.

9/6 Jacks doesn't have anything similar. The closest hand is the rare straight flush and it pays only a fourth of what the deuces pay. Sometimes your bankroll just keeps on going down and a royal flush is the only hand that will save your bacon on 9/6 Jacks.

Four deuces, on the other hand, hit relatively frequently and hitting a set of them can frequently turn your session from a loser to a winner.

To sum up, these are the reasons I play NSU:

• High long-term payback
• Simpler strategy than paytables with higher paybacks
• Less volatile than paytables with higher paybacks
• Breakeven or nearly breakeven on regular points days
• Slightly positive on multiple points days
• Still relatively easy to find at the casinos at which I play
• I love hitting a set of deuces

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