Big City 4s

Introduction

Big City 4s is a variation of video poker that gives bonuses for drawing four of a kind. Drawing three of a kind or full house also contributes to the bonus round.

Rules

1. This game follows the rules of standard multi-hand video poker, which I believe the reader is already acquainted with.
2. Typically, this game can be played in modes allowing for 3, 5, or 10 hands at once.
3. Players can place bets ranging from 1 to 5 credits for each hand.
4. If the player wagers 6 credits, they activate the bonus function. This additional bet serves as a fee, while wins in the main game are calculated based on 5 credits per hand.
5. The subsequent rules apply exclusively when the bonus feature is triggered.
6. When players achieve specific winning hands, credits are added to the top two jackpot levels during the bonus phase. The exact hands and their contributions differ by game.
7. Landing a four of a kind in the draw grants entry to the Bonus game.
8. In the bonus game levels, players will select from three cards of varying ranks, aiming to choose the highest-ranking card.
9. The player starts on level 1.
10. Selecting the highest-ranking card advances the player to the next level, with a maximum of four levels.
11. Reaching Level 4 guarantees the player wins the Big City 4s Jackpot.
12. If the player selects a card of middle rank, they repeat that level until they either advance or choose the lowest card.
13. Choosing the lowest-ranking card concludes the bonus, and the player receives rewards based on their highest achieved level, as outlined below:
    • Level 4: Big City 4's Jackpot
    • Level 3: Level 3 Jackpot
    • Level 2: 300 credits
    • Level 1: 150 credits
14. When a player draws a four of a kind along with either a three of a kind or a full house in the same round, contributions to the jackpots are made prior to initiating the bonus.
15. The reset value for the Level 3 jackpot stands at 500 credits.
16. For the Big City 4s jackpot, the reset value is set at 800 credits.
17. If a player manages to draw multiple four of a kinds in a single game, they will enter the bonus round once for each four of a kind drawn.

If my previous explanation isn’t clear, I have included screenshots of the rules directly from the game.

• Rules page 1
• Rules page 2
• Rules page 3
• Rules page 4

Example

In the screenshot above, I received two three of a kinds from the draw. One granted me 1 credit, while the other added 2 credits towards the Big City 4s jackpot, as shown in the bottom left corner of the display.

In the provided screen, I obtained a three of a kind that contributed 3 credits to the Big City 4s jackpot, alongside a four of a kind that activated the bonus, after the three of a kind contribution was made.

The bonus begins with Round 1, where the player's aim is to progress to level 2. My current Bonus Win is already at 150 credits, the minimum amount I can secure.

After two selections, I correctly chose the highest card from the middle, moving me to Level 2, with the goal of reaching Level 3. My bonus win has now increased to 300 credits for achieving level 2.

In the next level, I successfully selected the highest card on the right, promoting me to Level 3, striving for Level 4. My bonus win is now at 585 credits for reaching level 3.

However, in the following level, I mistakenly picked the lowest-ranking card. Since I did not advance to level 4, I collected the Level 3 jackpot of 585 credits earned by progressing through the two levels. The Level 3 jackpot reset to 500 credits afterward.

Analysis

My analysis of Big City 4s utilizes the assumption of an infinite playtime for the player, making any credits gained towards the jackpots equally valuable as if they were received immediately. I assign a value of 312.5 to the bonus for wins based on a five-credit wager. This translates to 62.5 credits per credit wagered per play (exclusive of the credit wager made to activate the feature). The tables below illustrate my calculations, where the totals in the combinations column are based on optimum strategies for the displayed total wins.

The following table pertains to the 9-5 Jacks or Better game. With a maximum bet, the game generally provides average bonus contributions as follows:

• Three of a kind — 2.00
• Full house — 9.25

All figures in the table relate to each credit bet per play, assuming a maximum bet. The lower right corner shows a return to player rate of 98.66%. This was determined by calculating the total win, its probability, and then multiplying by 5/6, considering that the player must pay 1/6 of their total bet as a fee to activate the feature.

This next table is concerning the 8-5 Bonus Poker game. For those max bets, here are the average bonus contributions typically seen:

• Three of a kind — 2.00
• Full house — 10.00

All amounts in the table relate to each credit bet per play, based on maximum bets. The return to player shown in the bottom right corner is 99.41%, which was calculated by evaluating the total win, its probability, and applying the 5/6 multiplier to exclude the activation fee.

The subsequent table relates to 8-5 Bonus Poker Deluxe. For maximum bets, average bonus contributions are detailed as follows:

• Three of a kind — 2.00
• Full house — 8.75

Every win in this table refers to each credit wager per hand, under the assumption that maximum bets are in play. The return to player shown in the corner is 98.56%, derived similarly to previous tables.

Next is the table concentrating on 9-6-4 Double Bonus Poker. When a maximum bet is made, the average bonus contributions typically featured are as follows:

• Three of a kind — 2.00
• Full house — 9.29

Wins in this table relate to each credit bet per round, with maximum bets taken into account. The return to player calculated at the bottom indicates 96.99%. This was inferred using the same probability and payout calculations.

The following table is dedicated to 9-6 Double Double Bonus Poker, where average contributions with maximum betting are as follows:

• Three of a kind — 2.00
• Full house — 9.29

All results in this table correlate to each credit wagered per play, again assuming maximum stakes. The return to player rate reflects at 99.18%, calculated using identical methods as the previous examples.

The next table covers 8-5 Super Double Double Bonus Poker, where average contributions at maximum bet levels are listed here:

• Three of a kind — 2.00
• Full house — 9.69

Once more, each value relates to credit bets per game, assuming maximum betting. The return to player indicated is 99.85%, determined via related calculations.

Following this is the table for 8-5 Super Double Bonus Poker.

• Three of a kind — 2.00
• Full house — 8.75

Once more, each value relates to credit bets per game, assuming maximum betting. The return to player indicated is 99.85%, determined via related calculations.

Now presenting the table for 9-6 Triple Double Bonus Poker. When max bets are placed, average contributions are expected to be as follows:

• Three of a kind — 2.00
• Full house — 8.75

All entries in the table are applicable to each credit bet per play, considering maximum stakes. The return to player stands at 98.38%, calculated through similar methods to earlier.

Lastly, we present the table for 9-5 Triple Triple Bonus Poker. With maximum bets, the average contributions would include the following:

• Three of a kind — 2.00
• Full house — 11.25

All winnings in this table relate to each credit bet for a maximum wager. The lower right cell shows a return to player at 98.86%, achieved through probability and payout calculations as before.

Players can also find games featuring deuces wild and joker poker within Big City 4s. For jackpot contributions and bonus activations, both the deuces and joker are treated as regular cards. As I haven’t analyzed these specific games yet, I leave that exploration to you.

For developing strategies in any game without wild cards, I recommend visiting my Video Poker Strategy Maker . Next, add the average contributions from three of a kind and full house to the complete 5-coin wins. For any four of a kind wins, remember to add 312.5. This will help formulate the right strategy for that particular game.

Return Summary

The table below provides a list of games available at VideoPoker.com, with average progressive contributions and returns. These are probably the most generous pay tables for Big City 4s you can find.

Vulturing

Every progressive game finds its profitability at some stage, including this one (no arguments, Wiz!). To approximate the breakeven point for a game free of wild cards, the sum of the top two jackpots can be estimated as 21300 - 20000r, where r indicates the return to player. Every 100 credits above this threshold collectively between the two jackpots enhances the return by an additional 0.5%.

The next table illustrates the breakeven points for the non-wild-card games displayed on this page.

External Links

• VideoPoker.com — Enjoy playing Big City 4s for entertainment. This game requires a Gold level membership to access.
• Discussion You can find information about Big City 4s in my forum at Wizard of Vegas.

Written by: Michael Shackleford