[quote name=\'Joe Mello\' date=\'Oct 22 2006, 02:16 AM\'] Hitting the Jackpot wedge is worth $500 to the player IF they cannot immediately solve the puzzle. If they do, they win the Jackpot instead. I think the Jackpot goes up by $500 regardless.
It's kinda like the Mystery Wedge, but not. [/quote]
Ah, but you are wrong, my persistent friend!
From the Wheel "Contestant Briefing Checklist" dated 12 July 2006:
"Each time the Jackpot is landed on, $500. will go into the pot. Also the contestant will receive $500. for each correct consonant in the puzzle."
Case in point, from the 10 Oct 2006 episode, Troy elects to spin, with $650 in front of him and $7,700 in the jackpot. Troy hits the Jackpot wedge, uncovers one L, and solves. While Pat never mentioned either $500 addition, Troy's winnings for the round were $9,350 ($650 + $500 for the L + the now-$8,200 jackpot).
Strangely, the show's official rules are ambiguous in that section, but they clearly go by the wording in the briefing checklist.