[quote name=\'Gromit\' date=\'Jun 23 2004, 01:23 AM\'] Interesting topic.
*If* I was one of the first four called, and *if* the first game was something really crappy , and *if* I could see the board and the rest of the games were much more interesting or had something of particular interest, then I'd probably throw it.
Chances are, that you're not going to be in that position though. [/quote]
Well, I was Contestant #3. The first and second contestants lined up in the most intelligent order possible (Contestant 1 got the final bid) and so I was in the blue and would be bidding second.
I saw the slate: (Which I thought was a great lineup for the day)
CLOCK GAME
THREE STRIKES
CLIFF HANGERS
CLEARANCE SALE
GROCERY GAME
ONE AWAY
IUFB 1: Washer Dryer. Did I know the price? Pretty damn close to it so I lowballed it just a bit. I won the IUFB (due to poor bidding strategy on the other contestants, and that alone) and was on stage first. Did I want to play 3 Strikes? Hell yes. Could I win Cliff Hangers or Grocery Game? Without a doubt and probably perfectly. Did I care? Absolutely not.
If I had thrown the first IUFB, attempting to "lock myself" into another bidding round, what if Contestant #1 (last bidder) had won the first IUFB? This would have left Contestant #2 with the last bid on the next round. I would have been the 3rd bidder. Most likely, I would have been $1 upped. Then that's another round of bidding that I'm out on. That could have easily continued for the next 4 rounds of bidding and guess what? I'M DONE. First four contestant and never to be on stage....not ever, ever again in my life.
You want to throw it - go for it. To be honest, if that's how you'd want to play - I don't think I'd be rooting for you too much. It's not about the greed, it's about the experience, at least for me. I was honored to be given the opportunity.
The odds of me getting picked, winning the Showcase Showdown, and making it as the Top Winner in the Showcase were unbelievable at the beginning of the day. Looking back at how it all ended up, I've never had a better day in my life.