Powerball Instant Millionaire
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Powerball Instant Millionaire was a lottery-based game show that aired from October 5, 2002 to September 2004 in some of the jurisdictions that offered the Powerball game. Todd Newton was the host. The show was taped at the Venetian Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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[edit] Format
[edit] First round
Thirteen players, each representing a lottery offering Powerball, purchasing a special scratchcard and uncovered the TV bonus became possible contestants. Three of them were selected to play the first game, called "Crazy Eights". The money line began at $4444 and eighteen random cards were dealt. Each player began with $1000. The object was to select a card (numbered 1-18) that raised one of the four suits (clubs, spades, diamonds, or hearts). Doing so added $100 to their score and gave them the option to pick another card or pass control to the player to their left. Whenever an 8 was selected, the suit would be locked off and could never come down. Selecting a card that did not raise a suit or a card from a locked off suit would incur a strike. Three strikes eliminated a player. The last player left in the game or the player who found the last "8" won the game and the amount in the money line, or their score, whichever was greater. All players kept what they won.
[edit] Second round
Three more players were chosen to play the second game, called "High Rollers". The money line began at $1000 and there were twenty pairs of dice (one each of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12, as well as 10 7's). Each player began with $1000. The object was to select a chip (numbered 1-20) and roll a number other than a 7. Doing so added $100 to their score, added $1000 plus the value of the roll to the money line, and gave the player the option to roll again or pass control to the player to their left. Rolling a seven incurred a strike. Three strikes eliminated a player. The last player left in the game or the player to bring the last two digits of the money line to 40 or higher won the game and the money. All players kept what they won.
[edit] Semifinal round
The remaining players were given spheres, one of which had a red Powerball in it. On the announcer's command, the players opened their spheres. Whoever possessed the red Powerball got to play the semifinal game against the winners of Crazy Eights and High Rollers. Five red Powerballs were randomly hidden behind one of thirteen balls (numbered 1-13). The player who won the most selected first. Each selection was either a Powerball or a strike. Selecting a Powerball gave the player the option of finding another Powerball or passing control to the player to their left. Selecting a strike incurred a strike. Three strikes eliminated a player. The last player left in the game or the player who found the last red Powerball won the game, $1000, and advanced to the bonus round.
Later on, the players selected two cards, revealing one of them, similar to blackjack. The player who had the highest two card value got to play the semifinal game.
[edit] Bonus Round
The winning contestant played the bonus round, called "Instant Millionaire". Behind each of the letters in the word "POWERBALL" were seven green dollar signs and two red "X"s. The player selected one of the letters. If that letter revealed a green dollar sign, their $1000 became $2000 ($2000 became $4000, and so on). Revealing all seven green dollar signs before revealing a red "X" would win $1,000,000. If a red "X" was uncovered, the $1,000,000 would be taken out of play, but the player could still win $128,000 by uncovering any remaining dollar signs. After a dollar sign was uncovered, the player had the option of quitting with what they had won, or risk half of their money by continuing, knowing that if they found the second "X", their winnings would be cut in half. If the player found the two red "X"s on the first two picks, the player would be awarded $100,000. Three players won the $1,000,000 in the show's two seasons.
[edit] Cancellation
Due to slumping sales with the scratchcard and low ratings for the show, the show was cancelled.
