Cut the cards for high stakes — this is the four-player version of Williams’ Big Deal, an electromechanical machine wrapped in a classic cards-and-gambling theme, designed by the legendary Steve Kordek, one of the true titans of pinball history. With reel scoring and a hefty confirmed run of 7,301, it was a genuine blockbuster on the route, a familiar and popular sight in arcades everywhere.
The layout is a lively, well-appointed spread: two flippers, two pop bumpers, a pair of slingshots, three standup targets, a four-bank of drop targets, a three-bank of drop targets, and a horseshoe lane at the top right of the playfield. Those dual drop-target banks give a sharp-shooting player a satisfying set of objectives to clear, while the horseshoe lane offers a flowing shot to work and the standups and bumpers round out the field. It’s a clean, well-balanced design in the classic Kordek mold, built to deliver the honest, chiming pleasures that made these EM machines such enduring favorites, all in service of the high-stakes card theme.
This four-player Big Deal is a fine example of Steve Kordek’s design craft, pairing the evergreen appeal of a gambling theme with a satisfying, target-rich playfield. That huge production run of over 7,300 is a testament to its popularity, introducing countless players to the pleasures of EM pinball. Kordek was a genuine legend whose innovations echoed across decades of pinball history. For the collector who loves the golden age and a proven crowd-pleaser, it’s a rewarding find. Clear those dual drop banks, ride the horseshoe, and play your hand. Some machines were beloved by everyone, and this Kordek card classic dealt a winner. Ante up and drop a coin.