Here's a difference from the two versions:
The 1987-88 version had contestants NOT receiving their winnings, due to the prod. company's financial problems. Michael Reagan left the show with five weeks left on his contract, as he wasn't being paid. (Ralph Andrews, the replacement host, would say on-air that he left for a national book signing tour).
The 2002-2007 version actually paid identical check amounts to its winning players (meaning they had to file their own taxes). When Robert McKee and his partner won $10,000, he reported that each received a $5,000 check (with no taxes withheld).