Shell Game (pricing game)

Shell Game is a pricing game on the American television game show "The Price Is Right". Debuting on June 17, 1974, it is played for a four-digit prize worth more than $2,000 (occasionally a car), and uses small prizes.

Gameplay

Shell Game is based on the carnival game of the same name. The game begins with four shells on a table, one of which conceals a ball. The contestant is then shown four small prizes, one at a time, each with an incorrect price. The contestant guesses whether the actual price is higher or lower than the displayed price. A correct answer wins the prize and a chip, which the contestant uses to mark a shell which they think conceal the ball. Once all four prizes are played, the shells are removed one-by-one to reveal the ball. If the shell concealing the ball is marked with a chip, the contestant wins the large prize.

If the contestant guesses the wrong price for all of the small prizes, the game automatically ends in a loss. Conversely, should the player win all four chips, they automatically win the large prize and can earn a $500 bonus by guessing which shell conceals the ball.

History

Shell Game was designed to replace Bonus Game, which was not played on the daytime show for over a year following Shell Game's debut before returning for unknown reasons.

Shell Game's current set debuted on March 6, 2001.

Nighttime Appearances

Shell Game was one of two pricing games added during the third nighttime season hosted by Dennis James - the other being Money Game; Additionally, this version offered a $1,000 bonus if a contestant who played the game perfectly could pick the shell with the ball.

On the Tom Kennedy version, the amount of the "perfection" bonus was originally $500, then increased to $1,000; On at least one playing in the second half of the run, the contestant received the bonus automatically without having to find the ball.

On the Doug Davidson version, Shell Game (like all other Turntable games) was played on the stage; While Doug mixed the shells and most of the game was played the show used the aerial camera, making the top of the counter (which was the same black as the floor) mix almost seamlessly into the floor.