Let's Make a Deal

Let's Make a Deal is a television game show aired in the United States. The original and most widely known version aired from 1963 until 1977. Other short lived versions aired in 1980, 1984, 1990, and 2003. The show's attraction was its deals - audience members were challenged to maximize their winnings by matching wits against the host, usually Monty Hall, who also co-produced the show from the '60s through the '80s with his partner, Stefan Hatos.

Big Deal of the Day

The top two winners in each show were eligible to either keep their winnings or give up everything already won for a spot in the Big Deal of the Day.

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If one or both of the top winners declined to give up their winnings (usually because they won a car or large amount of cash), Monty would go down the list of winners - highest to lowest - until he had two traders. (Very rarely, even a player who had been Zonked could find themselves given a chance at the Big Deal.)

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In the Big Deal of the Day, the two contestants were allowed to make a simple choice between three doors. The day's top winner had first choice. One door hid the day's Big Deal, which often had the day's most expensive prize (a luxury or sports car, a trip, furniture/appliances, a fur, cash ... or more often than not, a combination of two or more of said items).

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During the classic era (1963-1977), the daytime Big Deal of the Day was typically worth $2,000-$5,000; the nighttime and syndicated show's Big Deals were worth $8,000 to $15,000 or more, with cars often being part of the runner-up door.

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A new Super Deal was offered for "Big Deal" winners during the 1975-1976 syndicated season. The contestant could risk his Big Deal winnings on a 1-in-3 shot at adding a $20,000 cash prize. The other two doors caused the player to lose the "Big Deal," but he/she took home a $1,000 or $2,000 consolation prize. Later, the consolation prize was changed to $2,000 and a mystery amount ($1,000 to $9,000). The Super Deal was discontinued when the show moved to Las Vegas.

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