Recreational Strategy Changes for Deuces Wild

[FloridaPhil]

We are contemplating making some changes in our deuces wild strategy.  We play negative expectation games at the quarter level.  Bankroll problems are not a financial or mental issue.  We don't like losing, but we would consider these changes a good investment if it paid off in more frequent jackpots. Here's what we are proposing.1. Keep all A-10, A-K, A-Q & A-J hands2. Stop drawing to inside straights3. When dealt one deuce with 3 unsuited contiguous cards, keeping only the deuceAccording to VPW, these hands are only worth a few cents each and we think the changes may pay off for us in more frequent jackpots.  Any comments?

[wildman49]

I like the number 2 and 3 change, number 1 change not so sure about. The one I dislike the most is 3 cards to a straight flush, they never come in for me. I might hit one a year and a few flushes is it. 

[olds442jetaway]

I have been playing using number 2 and 3 for years. I don't think I can bring myself to do number 1. Especially with my record on hitting Royals. Using 2 and 3 has resulted in several deuces quads and wild royals over the years and even some 5 of a kinds too. I am happy to just get my bet back though on the draw using 2 and 3.

[djc32]

I agree with the others. # 2 and 3 seem like reasonable changes , but I would only try #1 in certain situations with a high royal on a progressive only.

[FloridaPhil]

I like #2 & #3 also.  My wife does #1 and she seems to get an exceptional number of wild royals.  She got two real royal flushes a couple of years ago doing this, so she's sold.   I'm going to give it a try for a while and see what happens.  The penalty is only 2-4 cents a hand, so I don't think it will hurt very much and it might help a bunch.  

[Vman96]

#1 and #3 aren't bad (0.03% and <0.01%, respectively). Not drawing to inside straights is the most costly by far (0.08%). I only recommend #1 if you are betting MAX!!! Betting one to four coins and using changes #1 and #3 will cost a much more significant 0.14%!

And as for bigger hand wins at Airport Deuces:

Optimal strategy (98.91%):
Royal: 1 in 43,364.7
Four Deuces: 1 in 5351.3
Wild Royal: 1 in 522
Quints: 1 in 320.9
Straight Flush: 1 in 201.7

With all your changes (98.79%):
Royal: 1 in 40,318 (7.56% increase)
Four Dueces: 1 in 5311.7 (0.75% inc.)
Wild Royal: 1 in 504.4 (3.49% inc.)
Quints: 1 in 319.8 (0.34% inc.)
SF: 1 in 200.3 (0.70% inc.)

If you only do #1 and #3 (98.88%):
Royal: 1 in 40,713.6 (6.5% inc.)
Four Deuces: 1 in 5337.4 (0.26% inc.)
Wild Royal: 1 in 508.1 (2.74% inc.)
Quints: 1 in 320.7 (0.06% inc.)
SF: 1 in 201.6 (0.05% inc.)

[FloridaPhil]

All of the proposed changes will be made when playing max coins. Thanks for the great figures.  These three together seem to me to be a pretty small penalty for an increase of 7% in possible royals flushes not to mention the additional mini-jackpots.  I can see how someone playing big money wouldn't want to do this, but at the quarter level that's only $6-$8 an hour to possibly gain $1,000 or more.   For us, one royal flush could pull a whole trip positive.  When you're playing for peanuts, it's doesn't take too many Brazil nuts in the can to make you happy! 

[Vman96]

All of the proposed changes will be made when playing max coins. Thanks for the great figures.  These three together seem to me to be a pretty small penalty for an increase of 7% in possible royals flushes not to mention the additional mini-jackpots.  I can see how someone playing big money wouldn't want to do this, but at the quarter level that's only $6-$8 an hour to possibly gain $1,000 or more.   For us, one royal flush could pull a whole trip positive.  When you're playing for peanuts, it's doesn't take too many Brazil nuts in the can to make you happy! 

Your expected loss quote, factors the entire loss. All three changes only add about $0.90 for quarters at 600 hands/hr. Not too bad if it also enhances your enjoyment, which it sounds like it will. It definitely has for your wife, hitting a royal from holding 2 cards is a big exciting event! Maybe someday...

Oh a few more things, this strategy change for AK, AQ, AJ, AT suited is worse for "Colorado Deuces" games (where the flush pays 10 coins). That costs you closer to 0.1% thanks to the lower flush. For the 20/10/8/4/4/3 game (95.96%), it costs you more like 0.07% thanks to the lower wild royal. Also for the 95.96% game, ignoring the inside straight costs 0.1% vs. 0.08% at Airport Deuces since the paytable is inferior.

I point these out because I know the Beau doesn't have Airport Deuces. :( But like you say, the Beau comps well, so at least in my opinion, I would try to play just enough to have them keep giving you the amount of comps you're looking for.

[wildman49]

#1 and #3 aren't bad (0.03% and <0.01%, respectively). Not drawing to inside straights is the most costly by far (0.08%). I only recommend #1 if you are betting MAX!!! Betting one to four coins and using changes #1 and #3 will cost a much more significant 0.14%!

And as for bigger hand wins at Airport Deuces:

Optimal strategy (98.91%):
Royal: 1 in 43,364.7
Four Deuces: 1 in 5351.3
Wild Royal: 1 in 522
Quints: 1 in 320.9
Straight Flush: 1 in 201.7

With all your changes (98.79%):
Royal: 1 in 40,318 (7.56% increase)
Four Dueces: 1 in 5311.7 (0.75% inc.)
Wild Royal: 1 in 504.4 (3.49% inc.)
Quints: 1 in 319.8 (0.34% inc.)
SF: 1 in 200.3 (0.70% inc.)

If you only do #1 and #3 (98.88%):
Royal: 1 in 40,713.6 (6.5% inc.)
Four Deuces: 1 in 5337.4 (0.26% inc.)
Wild Royal: 1 in 508.1 (2.74% inc.)
Quints: 1 in 320.7 (0.06% inc.)
SF: 1 in 201.6 (0.05% inc.)Thanks for the numbers Vman very nice to have them!

[olds442jetaway]

Yeah, thanks Vman for the numbers too. Let's see...I think we can't count the beers I owe you now, I have to start counting by cases or yards. We used to have a neat bar up here that served yards of beer near the Yale campus. Finallhy closed up. I miss that place. Always needed a driver though to go up there that just drank soda or tea.