To understand the optimal strategy for each player, we work in reverse order. Let’s imagine there are just two players, not three. Let’s simplify the game to make it easier to analyze. What is the optimal strategy? Should a player spin more than once?Ĭlearly, if they spin a second time, there’s a chance that they are going to bust, but is this risk worth it? There's at least $0.20 difference between any two adjacent numbers on the wheel. If the numbers were clustered, or arranged in descending order, then a skillful player could attempt to gauge just how hard to spin the wheel to land in a cluster of low scoring numbers and minimize the chance of busting.ġ0 45 70 25 90 5 100 15 80 35 60 20 40 75 55 95 50 85 30 65

They are distributed fairly randomly around the wheel. Here is the sequence of how the numbers appear on the wheel. Explicitly: if a player is in a winning position, but with a score of less than $1.00, they would not spin again to risk busting, on the off chance they would score exactly $1.00 to claim the additional bonus. I’m going to ignore this fact in my analysis under the understanding that the potential monetary value of the showcase showdown is significantly higher than the bonus prize. There is also a bonus payout if any player spins exactly $1.00 on either one or two spins. In the event of a winning tie score, the tied players spin again (one spin only Vasily), as a tie-break to determine the winner (repeating the process, if necessary). The player who gets closest to $1.00, without going over, advances to the “Showcase Showdown”. There is no option to spin more than twice.Įach contestant goes to the wheel and spins (once or twice). If they spin a second time, the value obtained on the second spin is added to that first spin, and this is their total. At the end of their first spin, they are given the option of spinning again. Contestants spin the wheel with the aim of getting as close to $1.00 as possible (without going over). The wheel contains 20 sections showing cash values from $0.05 to $1.00 in 5¢ increments. The Big wheel is similar to a roulette wheel, but mounted on its edge. The winner of this game advances to the “Showcase Showdown” where there is a chance to win very large prizes. In the TV game show “The Price is Right”, contestants who win individual games advance, in groups of three, to compete in another game called “The Big Wheel”.

The price is right the big wheel