La ruleta de la fortuna

La ruleta de la fortuna or La ruleta de la suerte is the Spanish version of Wheel of Fortune. The first incarnation ran during all of the 1990s, and a revival has been made on Antena 3 beginning in 2006.

Original 1990s version

The 1990s versions all awarded cash in the previous Spanish currency of the peseta, and the wheel's values were from 10,000 to 100,000 pesetas, with vowels costing 25,000 pesetas. This version sometimes used two letter turners both working at once (unlike the 2008 Filipino version which had two puzzleboard assistants alternating). The wheel also had a X2 (double wedge) and a 1/2 wedge (listed as "Divide by 2"), but unlike the current version, landing on the 1/2 cost the player half their cash and their turn. The Free Spin ("Comodin") was awarded automatically but did not carry over to the next round.

Current version's gameplay

The three players each begin the game with a toss-up worth €100. This determines interview order. A second toss-up is played to determine first spinner, also worth €100, and a third toss-up is played before the final puzzle before the bonus puzzle, also worth €100.

The game is played the same as the basic U.S. game, but with a few exceptions. See the article Wheel of Fortune (US game show) for more information.

Bonus Round

The player with the biggest total spins a wheel containing cash amounts from €1,000 to €25,000, and a car. They get the letters C, L, X, G, and A, and call 3 more consonants and a vowel before getting 10 seconds to solve the puzzle and win the bonus prize. The audience members all stand up when the bonus puzzle is solved. In the event the winner proceeds to the bonus round while holding a wedge that says "AYUDA FINAL," they can choose from a red, yellow, and blue envelope that will allow them an extra consonant, an extra vowel, or an extra clue about the puzzle.

The original bonus round had players calling their own letters, and as with the US version, they called five consonants and a vowel.

Puzzles

Unlike the American version, each puzzle belongs to a given category, as indicated by on-screen transitions. A puzzle can fall under any one of these categories (in playing order, although the order may vary), all of which come from the current show running since 2006.

Prueba de Velocidad (Toss-Up puzzle)

As in the American version, a puzzle is revealed one letter at a time, and a player may buzz in at any time to solve. Unlike the U.S. version, players are allowed an unlimited number of guesses. There are three Toss-Ups in each show, two at the beginning and one in the near end. Usually, the first and third are song lyrics, while the second is always a "mad headline" (any piece of news that is strange or funny). Each puzzle is worth €100, and contestants traditionally sing the lyrics to the puzzles with the song lyrics (with the host and audience occasionally joining in).

In the events of a tie before the Bonus Round, a Toss-Up is played to decide the player that proceeds to this Round, but no cash is awarded.

Panel normal (Normal Puzzle)

The standard puzzle.

Panel con Crono (Counter-Clock Puzzle)

This puzzle is somewhat different. It is similar to the US version's "Final Spin", except that a time limit of 2 minutes is set, and the contestants have to say one letter at a time, vowel or consonant, and if it is in the puzzle, they'll have 3 seconds to try to answer the puzzle.

Recently, a variation of this puzzle known as "Panel Crono Imagen" has begun to replace it, or to move it to the middle of the show. In this new puzzle, the host gives a question (such as "What's wrong here?") and a clue appears at the board (such as This is man's best friend). Contestants will have 45 seconds in which to flip the letters to reveal an image behind and to finally answer to the host's question. (There would be a dog with whiskers in the above example)

Both puzzles are worth €300 if a person can solve it, otherwise they are worth nothing.

Panel Misterio (Mystery Puzzle)

The puzzle has an extra puzzle attached to it (a la the short-lived "Puzzler" round in the U.S. version), and the player who solves the first puzzle gets a shot at the mystery puzzle. The letters P, I, S, T, and A, are revealed, and the player picks three consonants and a vowel as in the bonus round, and then has 10 seconds to solve it. Solving the puzzle earns extra cash.

Panel de Internet (Internet Puzzle)

The player who solves the puzzle wins a computer plus €100.

Panel del Espectador (Viewer's Puzzle)

These are puzzles where the home viewers can win money by texting the correct answer to the puzzle.

Panel con Bote (Jackpot Puzzle)

Played like the Jackpot round in the U.S. version, the jackpot begins at €3,000 (later €1,000) and increases with every spin. The player has to spin up the wedge that says BOTE, call a correct consonant, and solve the puzzle to win the jackpot. The audience typically stands up when the wedge is hit, and this round also sees them use tambourines and other noisemakers.

Promotional Consideration Puzzles

The Wheel

Values range from €25 to €500 (later €0 to €200, and later from €100 to €800). The audience typically chants common rhythmic chants as the player spins it. It has a Lose a Turn (PIERDE TURNO) and Bankrupt (QUIEBRA).

Vowels

Vowels are worth a flat €25 (later €100), and must be purchased prior to spinning the wheel.

The Mystery Wedge

There is one mystery wedge on the wheel in Round 3. It either conceals a Quiebra (Bankrupt) or €10,000. Players must call a correct letter to be able to pick up the wedge, or take a flat €50 for each letter.

Other Spaces

External links