Big Times Draw Video Poker
Big Times Draw Poker is part of a growing video poker segment that
offers multipliers.
What makes Big Times Draw Poker different from similar video poker games is
how the multipliers are awarded.
Multipliers are based on the highest card in your hand. But you want the
highest card to be as low as possible so you get the biggest multiplier.
Sound confusing?
Allow us to explain by covering how to play this game, payback and pay
tables, strategy, and where to find Big Times Draw Poker.
The Basics of Playing Big Times Draw Poker
This game is similar to common video poker variations like Jacks or Better
and Bonus Poker. In fact, the hands play exactly the same – it’s just the
betting process and multipliers that differ.
These side aspects are what give Big Times Poker character and make it worth
playing.
Those who like the big payouts offered in slot machines will appreciate the
multipliers. This is especially the case if you want to combine large payouts
with in depth video poker strategy.
Let’s continue by covering how to play Big Times Draw Poker along with more
on the multipliers.
Betting Process
Big Times Draw Poker can come in single play, triple play (3 hands), or 5
play (5 hands) format. In either case, you can bet between 1 and 5 coins per
hand.
Most land based video poker machines have $0.25 coin denominations, meaning
you’ll bet between $0.25 and $1.25 per hand.
You must wager the 5 coin max in order to activate the multiplier feature.
When the multiplier is activated, you can bet another 1 5 coins on each hand.
When accounting for multipliers, the maximum wager is $2.50 per hand.
The more coins you bet on the multiplier feature, the higher your potential
multiplier.
The largest multiplier that you can get with a 6 coin bet (5 + 1) is
6x, while the biggest you can earn with a 10 coin wager (5 + 5) is 10x.
Low rollers will find that betting 10 coins ($2.50) per hand is expensive.
This is especially the case when playing triple or 5 play, where total bets go
up to $7.50 or $12.50 per round.
But as we’ll discuss in the pay tables section, you’ll get better payback
with the highest bet.
Big Times Draw Poker Multipliers
This game’s multipliers can seem confusing at first.
That’s because the highest card in your hand combined with your total bet
determines the multiplier. But you want the highest card to be as low as
possible because this improves your multiplier.
Adding more confusion is the fact that ace counts as low in this scenario.
That said, the biggest multipliers come when your highest card is an ace or 2.
Here are the largest possible multipliers with each bet:
| Highest Card | 6 Coins | 7 Coins | 8 Coins | 9 Coins | 10 Coins |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ace or 2 | 6x | 7x | 8x | 9x | 10x |
We’ll go over the entire pay table later. But this gives you an idea on how
your bet size affects the best multiplier you can get.
Playing Hands
Here are the steps for playing Big Times Draw hands:
- Select how many hands you wish to play. Some versions only have one hand,
while others are triple or 5 play. - Place your bet on each hand. The base bet ranges from 1 to 5 coins, and
the bonus bet ranges from 1 to 5 coins. - Click Deal to receive your initial 5 card hand(s).
- Decide what cards you want to hold and discard. When playing a multi hand
version, you only make decisions in the bottom hand and they’re reflected in the
other hands. - Your hand(s) is evaluated to see what prize (if any) and multiplier you
receive. - Click Deal to play another hand. You can also change your bet before
this, or keep it the same.
Onscreen Display
The Big Times Draw Poker screen looks busy when you’re playing multi hand
versions. But you shouldn’t have much trouble adjusting after a while.
Let’s use a triple play version for an example:
- The three poker hands take
up 70% of the screen. - Betting options are listed
at the bottom, just like any other game. - The top features a large
display showing your current multiplier. - Both sides show the payouts
based on their multiplied value (if applicable).
The listed payouts and large multiplier sign are what make the screen feel
busy. But it doesn’t take long to adjust to the screen, especially if you’ve
played multi hand games before.
Variations
Big Times Draw can be played through several video poker variations,
including Bonus Poker, Deuces Wild,
Double Double Bonus, and Jacks or Better.
If you’ve played one or more of these games, then you won’t have any trouble
adjusting to Big Times Draw Poker. Here’s a look at each variant in case you’re
not familiar with them all.
- Bonus Poker
This game pays
different bonuses for 4 of a kinds, including four aces, four 2s 4s, and four 5s
Ks. The best bonus payout is 400 coins for four aces. - Deuces Wild
All deuces
are wild in this variant, making it easier to form big payouts. The wildcard
also lets you form a 5 of a kind. - Double Double Bonus
This
game offers really big payouts for 4 of a kinds with special kickers (fifth
card). This includes 2,000 coins for four aces with a 2 4 kicker; 800 coins for
four 2s 4s with an A 4 kicker; and 800 coins for four aces; and 400 coins for
four 2s 4s. - Jacks or Better
As long as
you have a pair of jacks, you can look forward to a payout. Jacks or Better also
offers the simplest pay table you’ll find in video poker, making it a very
friendly game for beginners.
Pay Back and Pay Tables in Big Times Draw Video Poker
Earlier, we made comparisons between Big Times Draw Poker and slot machines
due to the multipliers. But Big Times Draw has one big advantage over slots
because its payouts are transparent.
Big Times Draw has a 52 card deck, and the probabilities are programmed to
emulate this deck.
Let’s look at an example:
- You have two kings.
- You hope to improve to a 3
of a kind (or better) on the draw. - You discard the other 3
cards. - There are two kings among
the 47 remaining cards. - You’ll be getting 3 new
cards in your hand. - The probability of you
improving to a 3 of a kind is 12.77% (2 / 47 x 3).
Obviously most players won’t go through calculations when playing each hand
because it would take forever. But the point is that you can actually calculate
the odds of getting any video poker hand.
This has allowed skilled mathematicians to calculate the payback / return for
Big Times Draw and other video poker variations.
Of course, many slot machines – especially online – have published payback.
But if the payback isn’t available, then you have no idea on your chances
because only the manufacturers know each payout’s probability.
Now that we’ve covered the probability differences between slots and video
poker, let’s look at Big Times Draw pay tables and payback.
Big Times Draw Pay Tables
As covered in the variations section, experienced players won’t have trouble
adjusting to Big Times Draw.
This is especially true when considering that the pay tables are the same as
what you’ll see in base video poker variations. Here are a few available pay
tables for Big Times Draw:
7 / 5 Bonus Poker Pay Table
| Hand | 1 Coin | 2 Coins | 3 Coins | 4 Coins | 5 Coins |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royal flush | 250 | 500 | 750 | 1,000 | 4,000 |
| Straight Flush | 50 | 100 | 150 | 200 | 250 |
| 4 aces | 80 | 160 | 240 | 320 | 400 |
| 4 2s 4s | 40 | 320 | 480 | 640 | 800 |
| 4 5s Ks | 25 | 50 | 75 | 100 | 125 |
| Full house | 7 | 14 | 21 | 28 | 35 |
| Flush | 5 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 25 |
| Straight | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 |
| 3 of a kind | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 15 |
| 2 pairs | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 |
| Jacks or better | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
9 / 5 Double Double Bonus Pay Table
| Hand | 1 Coin | 2 Coins | 3 Coins | 4 Coins | 5 Coins |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royal flush | 400 | 800 | 1,200 | 1,600 | 4,000 |
| Straight Flush | 50 | 100 | 150 | 200 | 250 |
| 4 aces + 2 4 | 400 | 800 | 1,200 | 1,600 | 2,000 |
| 4 2s 4s + A 4 | 160 | 320 | 480 | 640 | 800 |
| 4 aces | 160 | 320 | 480 | 640 | 800 |
| 4 2s 4s | 80 | 160 | 240 | 320 | 400 |
| 4 5s Ks | 50 | 100 | 150 | 200 | 250 |
| Full house | 9 | 18 | 27 | 36 | 45 |
| Flush | 5 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 25 |
| Straight | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 |
| 3 of a kind | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 15 |
| 2 pairs | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Jacks or better | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
16 / 13 Deuces Wild Pay Table
| Hand | 1 Coin | 2 Coins | 3 Coins | 4 Coins | 5 Coins |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Natural Royal Flush | 250 | 500 | 750 | 1000 | 4000 |
| 4 Deuces w / ace | 400 | 800 | 1200 | 1600 | 2000 |
| 4 Deuces w / 3 K | 200 | 400 | 600 | 800 | 1000 |
| Wild royal flush | 25 | 50 | 75 | 100 | 125 |
| 5 of a Kind | 16 | 32 | 48 | 64 | 80 |
| Straight Flush | 13 | 26 | 39 | 52 | 65 |
| 4 of a Kind | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 |
| Full House | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 15 |
| Flush | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 |
| Straight | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 |
| 3 of a Kind | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
Pay Table for Big Times Draw Multipliers
The following shows all of the multipliers based on your bet and highest
card.
Again, the goal is to have the highest card be low so that you get a better
multiplier. One strange thing about the multipliers is that the ace counts as a
low card:
| Card | 6 Coins | 7 Coins | 8 Coins | 9 Coins | 10 Coins |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | 6x | 7x | 8x | 9x | 10x |
| 2 | 6x | 7x | 8x | 9x | 10x |
| 3 | 5x | 6x | 8x | 9x | 9x |
| 4 | 4x | 5x | 6x | 6x | 7x |
| 5 | 3x | 4x | 5x | 5x | 7x |
| 6 | 2x | 3x | 4x | 4x | 6x |
| 7 | 2x | 3x | 3x | 4x | 5x |
| 8 | 2x | 3x | 3x | 3x | 4x |
| 9 | 2x | 2x | 2x | 3x | 4x |
| 10 | 1x | 2x | 2x | 3x | 3x |
| J | 1x | 1x | 2x | 2x | 2x |
| Q | 1x | 1x | 1x | 1x | 1x |
| K | 1x | 1x | 1x | 1x | 1x |
Like the table shows, an ace or 2 high card offer the largest multiplier at
each coin. But the 3, 4, and 5 offer large multipliers too.
When your highest card is king or queen, your payouts won’t be multiplied.
The same can happen with a 10 or jack in the lower coin range.
Regardless of what happens in the short term, your chances of winning
increase when you bet the 10 coin max.
Pay Back for Big Times Draw Poker
The payback you receive for Big Times Draw all depends upon how much you
wager.
Here’s an example using 7 / 5 Bonus Poker:
- 1 to 5 coin base bet w / no multiplier = 98.01% payback
- 6 coin bet = 98.03%
- 7 coin bet = 98.27%
- 8 coin bet = 98.32%
- 9 coin bet = 98.34%
- 10 coin bet = 98.46%
If you’re a low roller, you may not like the prospect of betting so much per
hand. But getting 0.43% more payback may tempt you to wager all 10 coins.
Let’s look at two more examples on how payback increases along with the size
of your bonus bet:
9 / 5 Double Double Bonus
- 1 to 5 coin base bet w / no
multiplier = 97.87% payback - 6 coin bet = 98.02%
- 7 coin bet = 98.28%
- 8 coin bet = 98.30%
- 9 coin bet = 98.46%
- 10 coin bet = 98.56%
16 / 13 Deuces Wild
- 1 to 5 coin base bet w / no
multiplier = 97.01% payback - 6 coin bet = 98.10%
- 7 coin bet = 98.18%
- 8 coin bet = 98.26%
- 9 coin bet = 98.38%
- 10 coin bet = 98.40%
Where to Find Big Times Draw Poker – Online, Offline, Free, and Real Money
Big Times Draw Poker can be found in both land based casinos and online –
although in limited capacity.
We found an online version at VideoPoker.com. You need to be a member to
play, but it’s worth signing up if you’re really interested in Big Times Draw
Poker.
This game hasn’t caught on at brick and mortar casinos. But you may find Big
Times Draw in a few Las Vegas area casinos.
Big Times Draw Poker Video Poker Strategy
Here are some general strategy rules regarding this game:
- Always make the 5 coin max base bet. This qualifies you for the top royal
flush payout (4,000 coins), which offers far more value than the 4 coin royal
flush (1,000 coins). - Always make the 5 coin multiplier bet (10 coins total) on each hand.
Payback increases with every bonus coin you wager. - Find the specific strategy for the Big Times Draw variation you’re
playing.
The last point is key because Big Times Draw strategy follows whatever
variant you’re playing. If you’re playing a Deuces Wild version, then you should
employ Deuces Wild strategy during the game.
You have a couple of options for learning strategy.
One is to practice with a video poker trainer, which alerts you to any
mistake that’s made. The idea is to learn the proper moves through repetition.
Here’s An Example Using Double Bonus Poker:
- You’re dealt: 8h 7s Qs Js
Kc - You keep Kc.
- The trainer alerts you to
the mistake; holding Qs Js is the best play here.
This helps you learn from your mistakes and eventually memorize what to do in
each situation.
Aside from using training software, another way that you can learn proper Big
Times Draw strategy is through a strategy chart.
Strategy charts aren’t available on every game, but you can find them for the
popular video poker variations. Below you can see charts for Bonus Poker and
Deuces Wild.
Bonus Poker Strategy Chart
- 4 of a kind, straight flush, royal flush
- 4 cards to a royal flush
- Straight, flush, full house
- 3 of a Kind
- 4 cards to a straight flush
- 2 Pair
- Pair of jacks, queens, kings, or aces
- 3 cards to a royal flush
- 4 cards to a flush
- KQJT unsuited
- Low pair
- 4 cards to an outside straight
- 3 cards to a straight flush
- AKQJ unsuited
- 2 cards suited high cards
- 3 cards to a straight flush
- 4 to an inside straight with 3 high cards
- Unsuited JQK
- Unsuited JQ
- 3 cards to a Straight Flush
- Unsuited KQ, KJ
- Suited JT
- Unsuited AK, AQ, AJ
- Ace
- 3 cards to a straight flush
- Suited KT, QT
- Jack, queen or king
- 3 cards to a straight flush
Deuces Wild Strategy Chart
4 Deuces
- 4 deuces
3 Deuces
- Pat royal flush
- 3 deuces
2 Deuces
- Pat 4 of a kind (or better)
- 4 cards to a royal flush
- 4 cards to a straight flush
- 2 deuces
1 Deuce
- Pat royal flush, pat 4 of a kind
- 4 cards to a royal flush
- Full house
- 3 of a kind, straight, flush
- 4 cards to a straight flush
- 3 cards to a royal flush
- 3 cards to a straight flush
- 1 deuce
0 Deuces
- 4 5 cards to a royal flush
- Straight flush, 4 of a kind, 3 of a kind
- 4 cards to a straight flush
- 3 cards to a royal flush
- Pair
- 4 cards to a flush
- 4 cards to an outside straight
- 3 cards to a straight flush
- 4 cards to an inside straight (unless you don’t have a deuce)
- 2 cards to a royal flush
- Q high
- J high
- Discard everything
Conclusion
The biggest disadvantage to Big Times Draw Poker is that it isn’t easy to
find. But when you do stumble upon this game, it’s worth playing due to the
unique multipliers.
Big Times Poker lets you get up to a 10x multiplier when you make a max bet.
And if you combine a 10x multiplier with a 4,000 coin royal flush payout, you’re
looking at 40,000 coins!
Of course, this is more like a jackpot scenario than a realistic one. But
you’ll be happy with the many other multiplied payouts you can form too.
One thing that may stop low rollers is the 10 coin bet to activate the
highest hand multiplier. Assuming you can’t afford this, then we recommend
skipping Big Times Draw Poker.
But if you have a large bankroll and are looking for something new in the
video poker world, then Big Times Draw Poker is an excellent choice.
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