Optimize Play For Tier Points

I have recently become interested in deuces wild video poker. I use the recommended “Perfect Play” strategy based on EV. But I have come to think that that may not be the best for me and my bankroll. My main goal is to gain tier points towards the next level card. That means that I need to recycle my bankroll through the machine as much as possible. EV recommends things like keeping two cards to a royal flush (except with an ace) because it has a high expected return. Instead, I am looking for a hand that pays anything. To me the likelihood of getting at least three of a kind by holding two cards for a royal is slim. I feel that discarding all the cards and going for a three of a kind is a good move and I get to bet the money again. I realize that the 4000 coins are attractive but the odds are not. My question is has anyone done the math using something like counting the “outs” to support the idea that play might be directed more to recycling ones bankroll?

Playing the best EV strategy is going to be the optimal play for tier points.

If you're playing solely for tier points then you're doing it wrong.

Gambling for comps is a huge sucker bet..

The only times you'd want to do something like that is when the difference in EV is small but the variance is significant (like doubling down a 10vT in BJ at a TC+4...high variance, low EV).


IMO, if your bankroll doesn't support whatever your game plan is while following proper strategy......you are underfunded and shouldn't be playing.

You should always play basic strategy, but you can choose game with lower variance. JoB is the best for you.

Quote: BobVB

I have recently become interested in deuces wild video poker. I use the recommended ¡°Perfect Play¡± strategy based on EV. But I have come to think that that may not be the best for me and my bankroll. My main goal is to gain tier points towards the next level card. That means that I need to recycle my bankroll through the machine as much as possible. EV recommends things like keeping two cards to a royal flush (except with an ace) because it has a high expected return. Instead, I am looking for a hand that pays anything. To me the likelihood of getting at least three of a kind by holding two cards for a royal is slim. I feel that discarding all the cards and going for a three of a kind is a good move and I get to bet the money again. I realize that the 4000 coins are attractive but the odds are not. My question is has anyone done the math using something like counting the ¡°outs¡± to support the idea that play might be directed more to recycling ones bankroll?

Not trying to be critical and lets forget about the low bankroll thing for now . Your post reads like you're absolutely not ready. You didn't even tell us what pay scheduled you're playing. That's something you should automatically know to add when asking this question.

Depending on the version you're playing its not only A X You avoid holding. K Qss , K Jss and K 10ss are oftentimes zilch holds. Are you using penalty card changes?

Before you start trying to AP you really need to grasp the concept fully(VP in this case). You don't have to be good at math even, but you have to understand why it works and trust the math.

You're focusing on how hard it is to spike a RF when holding a hand like Q¢À 10¢À. But you're forgetting hands like flushes, straights, Str8 flushes, Wild Royals. That's a lot of hand possibilities you're missing out on.


This type of thinking you have is a recipe for failure. It feeds further bad behavior and conspiracy theories.

You will become old bitter and curmudgeons. You'll be one of them guys who tell everybody," VP is gaffed, it's impossible to beat them" because you have been playing Vegas for years and you know best, because ain't no dam young punk smarter than you.

DR. Laura quote(what a b**ch):" NOW GO DO THE RIGHT THING"