Learning New Video Poker and Improving my Deuces Wild Strategy

When visiting casinos, John and I typically play video poker. Wanting to play something more exciting than Jacks or Better, but not wanting the variance of Double Double Bonus, he suggested I learn Deuces Wild. So, during the pandemic, I used Wizard of Odds to break down the basic strategy components of 15/9 Deuces Wild, a commonly found paytable. I used a whiteboard to create a hierarchy table for hands based on the number of deuces dealt. To further improve my Deuces Wild game, I recently signed up for a Gold Membership at VideoPoker.com. This is a review of my experience so far.

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Access VideoPoker.com online or using the app

There are two ways for players to play video poker games. One is using the website, the other is downloading the app. Features may vary or work differently depending on the platform used. Many games can be played through a free membership, however, additional features and contests are available to paid members. A seven-day free trial is available.

Playing games on VideoPoker.com

Games can also be played directly through the website – accessible through a desktop computer or mobile device. Through the top menu, players can choose to Play or Learn. Options under Play include video poker, keno, free contests, and more.

Players start each game with 10,000 credits. Starting credits reset with each game. If a player busts at an online video poker game, they can simply leave the game and start again. This allows players to check out new variants and games without risking real money.

The website offers a large selection of video poker games, including games new to casinos

Players can try out a large selection of games without spending real money. This includes games new to casinos. Some games are available in both single and multi-hand versions. However, some are exclusive to Gold members.

Free video poker and keno contests

Free contests include a weekly Members contest, a $25 daily contest, a $250 weekly contest, a $500 monthly contest, and a $100 keno contest. Games vary and change each contest period.

Monthly contests are based on a player’s cumulative score, while a player’s highest score is used in the other contests.

Players receive a limited number of entries for each contest every day. Each entry is a session of hands. Contests I have participated in have ranged from 40 to 100 hands in a session.

Gold Members can access Gold Training through the Learn option on the top menu. Players then select a game to play with the stoplight training feature. Players looking to seriously understand a game can upgrade to a Pro Membership.

My thoughts about playing on the website

Using my phone to play on the website is my preferred way to access free contest games. Games play in portrait mode. However, landscape mode offers a less cramped view. Keeping the tab open on my phone browser keeps me logged in even when the browser is closed.

I like the wide variety of games available on the app and the free contests. While I have not placed in any contests, participating is a fun way to learn new video poker variants. So far, my favorite is Super Draw 6 Card Poker.

Using the VideoPoker.com app

When using the app, players have a limited number of credits available. More credits can be gained through a daily spin bonus and bonus credits are received for linked Facebook friends. Additionally, 100 credits ($1 in-game currency) are available every two hours and 50 credits ($0.50 in-game currency) are offered for watching ads. Ads can be watched multiple times in a row to build up a larger bankroll. Other ways to gain credits are connecting to Facebook, winning tournaments, leveling up, and completing achievements. To participate in tournaments, players must have their account linked to Facebook. Players can also purchase in-game currency.

Games and denominations

Through the app, games can be played at 16 different denominations. Denominations range from $0.01 to $10,000. There are single, triple, five, and ten play games available, as well as Wheel Poker, Super Times Pay, and Poker Bingo. Wheel Poker, and single, triple, five, and ten play games offer progressive jackpots. These games also allow for Perfect Play Training.

Other video poker and keno games are available through related apps. This includes UltimateX Poker, 100 Play, Spin Poker, and two keno apps.

My thoughts about the app

I like the ease of playing games on the app. While the bankroll is limited, playing for pennies and leveling up has allowed me to have a decent bankroll to play with. I like the Perfect Play Training feature available with a Gold Membership. However, the default setting for the Perfect Play Training is off. So, to use the training feature, it must be selected each time I log back in. However, most of my training occurs using the app since my preferred Deuces Wild pay table is not available on the website version.

My dislikes include that the app regularly logs me out between uses and the training feature must be repeatedly turned on. Additionally, I am not an active Facebook user, so I have been unable to participate in tournaments on the app. Players looking for a larger selection of games may have to download multiple apps.

Stoplight training to improve video poker gameplay

One of the Gold Membership benefits is Gold Training, called Perfect Play Training on the app. This stoplight feature helps players learn the best hand to hold based on the cards dealt. A traffic light appears when a Gold Training game is selected on the website. The feature can also be turned on under Options when playing most games in the app.

When the feature is active, players select cards to hold and then click Draw, like a normal video poker game. The traffic light feature shows a green light and cards are drawn when the player selects the best cards. The gameplay continues like a normal video poker game.

However, the stoplight will show a yellow or red light if the player does not select the best cards. Yellow means not the best, but an okay selection; red means not a good move! In this case, the best cards are displayed underneath the traffic light icon. Players can then reselect cards and click Draw.

Gold Training is available for these video poker games

Paytables may vary between the website and the app

It is important to note that payables may vary between the website and the app. Players can be more precise with paytables by upgrading to a Pro Membership.

My Gold Training progress

This feature also players to keep track of the number and percentage of hands that were selected correctly on the first draw. Players can choose to reset the stats at any time. During my practice sessions, I regularly hang out around 96% percent accuracy for my Deuces Wild play. Luckily, it is mostly yellow light errors. Sometimes, it is overlooking the obvious when playing too fast – a reminder that occasionally I need to slow down.

With my membership, I look forward to further increasing my knowledge of the strategy for Deuces Wild. Additionally, I plan on taking this opportunity to learn some other video poker games and variants. Maybe my username will appear on a contest leaderboard one day.