Choose Your Own Bonus Round Adventure: $ale

[BrandonFG]

In this universe, it's {The Goldbergs}1980-something{/TG}, and you get to be an undefeated $ale contestant. Which bonus round do you do your damage?

1a: Shopping era; you buy "the lot" and cash jackpot. For the sake of this conversation, it's a flat $75K.
1b: Shopping era; you buy the 75K cash jackpot.

2: Winner's Board; you run the table and come back to win the 50K.

3: Winner's Big Money Game; you run the table to win the cash each day, plus the car and 50K.

Me personally, I'm taking the WBMG*. The only bonus prizes I really want are the car, trip, and cash. I'd prolly pick up at least one trip from Instant Bargains (albeit it's likely not overseas), along with smaller stuff like jewelry, appliances, and furniture from IBs and Fame Games. Furthermore, the cash from the WBMG pays $95K, so I've surpassed the jackpot. I know we rag on the cars getting cheaper towards the end of the run, but 18K for a new ride in 1988 was still pretty fancy**.

/*Fight me
//**Change my mind

[Dbacksfan12]

Furthermore, the cash from the WBMG pays $95K, so I've surpassed the jackpot.

I'm only mentioning this as a hypothetical, but you could theoretically win a total of $0 from the WBMG after seven episodes.  Highly improbable, but the possibility exists.

Give me the Winner's Board.  I'll keep the car, cash, and trips and decline the rest.  I probably wouldn't go for the $50k though.

[BrandonFG]

Furthermore, the cash from the WBMG pays $95K, so I've surpassed the jackpot.

I'm only mentioning this as a hypothetical, but you could theoretically win a total of $0 from the WBMG after seven episodes.  Highly improbable, but the possibility exists.

In this scenario, you win every WBMG. $95K and a car.

[SuperMatch93]

I'd definitely go with the WBMG. Even if I didn't win it every time like in your scenario, I'm not putting anything at risk along the way.

[Neumms]

Did one risk his prizes to come back during the matching board era?

If I were to choose my own adventure, it would include the flip-panel billboard wall from Jack Kelly’s run. Gosh, stupid things stick in my brain.

[TLEberle]

Only after winning all ten prizes.

[BrandonFG]

Did one risk his prizes to come back during the matching board era?

Yes. That's how Mark DeCarlo won it all.

[Dbacksfan12]

Furthermore, the cash from the WBMG pays $95K, so I've surpassed the jackpot.

I'm only mentioning this as a hypothetical, but you could theoretically win a total of $0 from the WBMG after seven episodes.  Highly improbable, but the possibility exists.

In this scenario, you win every WBMG. $95K and a car.

My apologies for missing that.  Then hell yes, I'm taking $95k and an import.

[Strikerz04]

Some of the cars towards 1989 were still in the 20K range, so I can see the appeal.


My decision would be to go to the Winner's Board, run the table, try to pick up as much swag in the front game (dabble in Instant Cash if it's tempting enough). Whether or not I go for 50K depends on how well I've performed in the last 5 games - if my margins of victory were comfortable enough that someone won't come after me in Speed Round, then I'm more willing to risk it. We've seen how folks can falter in games 9 and 10 and that might be an unacceptable risk.


\fully aware of the guaranteed prizes in the WBMG era.

[Bryce L.]

Whether or not I go for 50K depends on how well I've performed in the last 5 games - if my margins of victory were comfortable enough that someone won't come after me in Speed Round, then I'm more willing to risk it.

I'm assuming a tiebreaker anywhere in those final five games means you're pulling the ripcord on day ten?

[TLEberle]

Not if I go in knowing I am going to win out. Tiebreaks all day every day.

[JacksonBrowne1980]

1a: Shopping era; you buy "the lot" and cash jackpot. For the sake of this conversation, it's a flat $75K.  that's for me

[Strikerz04]

Whether or not I go for 50K depends on how well I've performed in the last 5 games - if my margins of victory were comfortable enough that someone won't come after me in Speed Round, then I'm more willing to risk it.

I'm assuming a tiebreaker anywhere in those final five games means you're pulling the ripcord on day ten?

Good question - especially if you’re still winning out. I’d be likely to not freak out if they were wins 6 and 7; 8-10 will really question things.

[chrisholland03]

As a contestant, I'm WBMG.  As a viewer, I still prefer the shopping format.

[Clay Zambo]

Jack, I’d like to go off the board for AU Temptation’s 10-in-60 chance to build shopping cash.