Deuces Wild Odds - When Smaller Isn't Better

[FloridaPhil]

Sometimes an idea is so ingrained it blurs our thinking.  I realize many forum members already know this stuff, but it's so common in today's casinos I posted it to help those who don't.You walk into the casino for some DW video poker and check the odds.  The quarter single line odds are 20/12/9/4/4/3/2/1.  This is the 97.005% "Fooler Deuces" pay schedule that is all too common in the Southeast.  Moving up to 50 cents & above, you find 25/15/9/4/4/3/2/1 Airport Deuces, a 98.913% game.  Playing the better game, each time you hit a wild royal you get 25 more coins!  Five of a kind is 75 coins as opposed to 60.  Your brain says you can't afford to play 50 cents because you will lose more.  You're fooled into thinking you're saving money by playing smaller.  The math tells a different story.My spreadsheet shows the calculated hourly loss playing 500 hands an hour of quarter Fooler Deuces is $15.13 per hour.   If you move up to 50 cent play, the calculated loss drops to $13.59 per hour.  Nether of these games is positive, but the comp points and free play are twice as good with 50 cent play and you are losing less money per hour playing a better game.The downside is it takes more money to play at 50 cents and above.   This is why building a dedicated VP bankroll is so important.   I usually play a 1,000 coin session bankroll.  This allows me to play for at least 2-3 hours which is about the time I need to take a break.   1,000 quarters is $250.  1,000 times 50 cents is $500.  In this case, more money through the machine equals more free play, more comps and more money in your pocket.   Where have we heard that before?   

[Vman96]

A bigger problem is that many casinos make you jump to the dollar level before seeing the ~99% paytables. Your casino is one of the few I've noticed where playing 50c is better than 25c. Playing dimes is often the same idea. You'll almost always get the same paytable as nickels.

[FloridaPhil]

[quote=vman96]A bigger problem is that many casinos make you jump to the dollar level
before seeing the ~99% paytables.[/quote]True, especially in Mississippi where they are going to tax you 3% for playing bigger.  The good 50 cent odds are available in Tampa and Cherokee NC where we play the most VP.  Interestingly enough, the Monarch casino in Blackhawk CO drops the odds for dollar play.   They offer NSU in quarters and 50 cents, Fooler Deuces at dollars.  I guess they think pros will clean them out? 

[ko king]

A bigger problem is that many casinos make you jump to the dollar level before seeing the ~99% paytables. Your casino is one of the few I've noticed where playing 50c is better than 25c. Playing dimes is often the same idea. You'll almost always get the same paytable as nickels.


I know you go to Tunica all the time, have you noticed that many of the casinos have worse pay tables at the $5 denomination?

[FloridaPhil]

I've always wanted to check out Tunica myself.  Are there any good DW games there?

[aschus11]

I've been playing at the Monarch in Blackhawk, CO over the last couple of months and they actually have 4 machines that offer $1 NSU Deuces. As FloridaPhil noted, there are Fooler Deuces machines scattered about as well.

[FloridaPhil]

Thanks for the tip.   We'll be in Blackhawk CO for a week in the end of April.  It's one of our best annual vacations.  Can't wait!

[alpax]

This applies to EVERY video poker game variant, and not just Deuces Wild odds. It would take at least people who passed high school level math to figure it out.


I know you go to Tunica all the time, have you noticed that many of the casinos have worse pay tables at the $5 denomination?

This is a prime example when bigger is not better.

Different casinos have different set of circumstances, it takes simple scouting of the video poker machines at various denomination on the casino floor to figure out.

[FloridaPhil]

[quote=alpax]It would take at least people who passed high school level math to figure it out.[/quote]This is where VPW software comes in handy.   I carry a laptop with me on vacation, plug in the game and pay table values... "Voila" instant odds.  Yes, I did finish high school.  

[olds442jetaway]

Mohegan Sun is still offering dozens and dozens of quarter machines with airport deuces at the quarter level. 15/9/4/4/3/2/1. Unfortunately, Foxwoods only has them at the dollar and up level. If any of the gang venutres out this way, be sure to look me up. I may be able to wrangle a room and for sure a couple of buffets or lounge visits.