Win, Lose or Draw

Infobox Television
show_name = Win, Lose or Draw


caption =
show_name_2 =
genre = Game Show
creator =
writer =
director = Richard S. Kline
creative_director =
developer =
presenter =
starring = Bert Convy ("1987 - 1989")
Robb Weller ("1989")
Vicki Lawrence ("NBC")
voices =
narrated =
theme_music_composer =
opentheme =
endtheme =
composer = Thomas Morrison
country = USA
language = English
num_seasons =
num_episodes =
list_episodes =
executive_producer = Burt Reynolds
Bert Convy
co_exec =
producer = Richard S. Kline
company = Burt & Bert Productions
Kline & Friends
distributor = Buena Vista Television
supervising_producer =
asst_producer =
co-producer =
editor =
story_editor =
location =
cinematography =
camera =
runtime = 30 mins. (inc. adverts)
network = NBC (1987 - 1989)
Syndication (1987-1990)
picture_format = 4:3
audio_format =
first_run =
first_aired = 1987
last_aired = 1990
preceded_by =
followed_by =
related = Win, Lose or Draw (UK Version)
website =
production_website =
imdb_id = 0092483
tv_com_id =

"Win, Lose or Draw" was an American television game show that aired from 1987 to 1990 on syndication and NBC. It was taped at CBS Television City, often in Studio 33, and occasionally in Studio 31. It was co-produced by Burt & Bert Productions (headed by Burt Reynolds and Bert Convy, the original host of the syndicated version) and Kline & Friends for Disney's Buena Vista Television. Robb Weller took over as host of the syndicated version in 1989 and Vicki Lawrence hosted the NBC version from 1987 to 1989. Gene Wood was the syndicated announcer throughout the show's run; Bob Hilton (who also was the NBC announcer) and Johnny Gilbert substituted.

Original format

"Win, Lose or Draw" was essentially based on the classic board game Pictionary. Two teams, men versus women, each composed of two celebrities and one contestant, competed. The teams took turns guessing a phrase, title or thing that one teammate was drawing on a large pad of paper with markers. There could be no talking by the one who was drawing, nor inscription of letters, numbers, or symbols. If one of these illegal clues was used, any money won in that puzzle was split between the two teams. However, if a team mentioned a word that was part of the answer, the player at the sketch-pad could write it.

First three rounds

Each team had one minute to figure out each puzzle, and each correct guess was worth $200. At the thirty-second mark, a doorbell would sound, and the drawing player had the option of handing the marker off to one of his/her teammates, but the puzzle value would then be cut in half. If the team could not guess within the time limit, the opposing team was given one chance to confer and guess. If they gave the correct answer, they were awarded the money; if not, no money was awarded. Later in the syndicated run, the first round would have the drawer draw a series of clues to a puzzle, one clue at a time (similar to the puzzles of Password Plus). If the team guessed the puzzle from the identified clues, they scored $200.

peed round

In the speed round, one player for each team was nominated to draw clues in 90 seconds (60 in Weller's version). The topics for drawing were simpler for this round compared to those in previous rounds. Each correct guess was worth $100, and the team could only pass twice. The speed round started with the team that was ahead.

The team with the most money at the end of the game won, and the civilian on the winning team received a $1,000 bonus in addition to the money they had already earned. The civilian on the losing team only received the money earned. In case of a tie, each civilian contestant received a $500 bonus.

Robb Weller's version

When Robb Weller took over as host of the syndicated version in 1989, there were a few changes.

First three rounds

The first three rounds were played as outlined above, except that the drawer's partners could not start guessing until the first 25 seconds was up; in addition, the drawer could not hand the marker off at the halfway point. A correct guess after the first 25 seconds was worth $200, and after 30 seconds it was reduced to $100. A successful steal by an opponent was worth only $50.

peed round

In the speed round, the drawer had 60 seconds to convey as many correct answers to his/her teammates as possible. Each correct guess was worth $50 instead of $100, and the team could still pass twice. The team with the most money won the game but did not get a $1,000 bonus added to their score; they instead earned the right to play a bonus round.

Tie breaker

If the game ended in a tie, a tie breaker was played with the last team to play the speed round going first. The drawer received a choice of two words, leaving the other for the other team to play. The first team established a time with their chosen word for the second team to beat; if the second team guessed the remaining word correctly, they won the game. Otherwise, the game went to the first team.

Bonus round

The winning team played a bonus round similar to the speed round. The first correct guess earned $50, with each one thereafter doubling the money. Passing cost the contestant all bonus cash earned up to that point. Identifying seven drawings in 90 seconds without passing won the contestant $5,000.

Champions on this version could stay on the show until they were defeated or won ten games.

Home versions

Board Game

Milton Bradley Company created its version in 1987. It could be played like the TV show or a variation of the game with pawns and a gameboard. Party, Junior, and Travel Junior editions were produced, plus a Refill Pack for the game.

Computer and Video Games

Hi Tech Expressions released two editions of the DOS version of the game in 1988 plus a Junior Version, followed by a Nintendo version in 1989. Both versions of this party game featured a scene set in a living room, with the game contestants (representing real-life players) seated on opposite couches, much like the television show. While the game system drew a picture on the screen, one of the players would have a limited amount (60 seconds for the main game, and 90 for the speed round) of time to type in the word or phrase represented by the image. If the player typed in the incorrect answer, a player on the opposing team would have an opportunity to type the correct answer (in single-player games, the game system would type a random incorrect answer). The team that typed the correct answer would win money for that round. The team that earned the most money at the end of the game won.

Other Versions

Kid's Version

In 1989, The Disney Channel produced a kid's version called "Teen Win, Lose or Draw". It was hosted by Family Ties star Marc Price.

Canadian Version

Canadian channel TVA aired a French language version called Fais-moi un dessin ("Make me a drawing") hosted by Yves Corbeil from 1988 to 1991.

UK Version

External links

* [http://www.angelfire.com/wa/gsjackpot/winloseordraw.html Rules for "Win, Lose or Draw"]
* [http://www.ukgameshows.com/index.php/Win%2C_Lose_or_Draw "Win, Lose or Draw"] at UKGameshows.com
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