Deuces Wild Strategy — What to Hold
The core of Deuces Wild strategy depends on how many deuces you are dealt. The decision tree splits into four distinct scenarios. Below is a simplified strategy guide covering the most important hold decisions for each scenario — suitable for players at bb333 who are learning the game properly.
With Zero Deuces
1
Keep: Natural Royal Flush, Straight Flush, Four of a KindHold all five cards — these are complete paying hands. Never break them.
2
Keep: 4 to a Royal FlushDraw one card chasing the highest payout. Discard even a made Full House if you hold 4 to a Royal.
3
Keep: Full House, Flush, Straight, Three of a KindAll paying hands — hold all five cards and collect. Do not discard from a made paying hand.
4
Keep: 4 to a Straight FlushStrong draw — hold the four connected suited cards and draw one.
5
Keep: Two Pair — but only hold the higher pairTwo Pair does not pay in Deuces Wild. Keep the stronger pair and discard the lower pair plus the kicker.
6
Keep: One PairHold the pair, discard the other three. A pair is the launching pad for Three of a Kind or better.
7
Keep: 4 to a Flush or 4 to an Outside StraightDecent draws — hold four suited cards or four consecutive ranks with both ends open.
8
Nothing useful? Discard all fiveWhen none of the above apply, drawing five new cards gives better expected value than holding unsuited, non-connected low cards.
With One Deuce
1
Hold: Any made paying hand (Three of a Kind or better)Don't break a made hand chasing a higher one — unless you hold 4 to a Wild Royal Flush.
2
Hold: 4 to a Wild Royal FlushThe deuce plus three suited face cards. This draw has exceptional expected value — worth breaking even a Straight or Flush.
3
Hold: Deuce + 4 to a Straight FlushThree suited connected cards with the wild card. Good draw toward Straight Flush or Five of a Kind.
4
Hold: Just the Deuce (if nothing else qualifies)When no useful draw exists, keep the wild card and draw four new cards. The deuce alone gives decent expected value.
With Two or More Deuces
1
Two Deuces: Hold paying hands; otherwise keep only the two deucesTwo deuces alone already give you a made Three of a Kind. Keep anything Five of a Kind or better.
2
Three Deuces: Keep only the three deuces unless you have Wild Royal or betterThree deuces = Five of a Kind minimum. Only deviate if you already hold a Royal Flush or Straight Flush.
3
Four Deuces: Hold all five cardsYou have the second highest paying hand. Never discard from Four Deuces regardless of the fifth card.
