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Master Key

A game played for a smaller prize, a large prize and a car.

Two small prizes are placed on the turntable and a set of three locks are placed on Center Stage. Each small prize is given a choice of two prices. The contestant must guess the correct price to earn a key. Afterwards, the contestant tries the key in one of the three locks. If the key matches, they win the corresponding prize.

A unique two-part game that has become a favorite among regular viewers.

54th pricing game to debut
S11, March 25 1983 – Present
Likely created by Frank Wayne; Kathy Greco may also have contributed
Strategy
Stats
FAQ
S11, Mar 25 1983
A game show stage featuring two models beside a pair of recliners and a wooden roll-top desk, with a car parked in the center. Colorful hexagonal background elements and decorative plants enhance the setting.

Kimberly will be playing for a pair of recliners, a roll-top desk and a new car worth $9,384 in total!

Five keys displayed on a red background, with four keys marked 'P' and one key with a different design, related to the game 'Master Key' on 'The Price is Right'.

There are five keys, and three locks on Center Stage representing the three prizes. There is a key for each of prize,one key that does not open any lock, and one key is the Master Key that will open all three locks.

A red double action sweeper placed on a game stage, with the displayed prices '743'in green and yellow.

To win a key, Kimberly must determine if the price of the floor sweeper is $74 or $43.

A hand points to the number 43 on a game display, with a red device labeled 'DOUBLE ACTION' in the background.

She guesses $43…

A contestant displays a price tag of , holding a large yellow card with red numbers above a game board showing the same price in green, during the 'Master Key' game.

…and she is right!

A contestant interacts with a display for the game 'Master Key' while a host holds a microphone, with colorful backgrounds and two lock containers visible.

Kimberly wins the floor sweeper and a key. She choosed the second key from the left.

A hand is holding a yellow card displaying the number '24' and a green card displaying the number '40', with a pair of shorts in the background.

Things don’t go so well with the sportswear. She guesses wrong, and does not get a second key.

A contestant using a key on one of three locks in the Master Key game on The Price is Right, with the host observing.

Fun fact: Master Key is the only pricing game that is played on both the turntable and Center Stage. She tries her key in the first lock, which is for the recliners.

Contestant and host interact with the Master Key game, showcasing three locks labeled for prizes: recliners, desk, and car, with a 'WIN' indicator visible.

Looking good so far, but does she have the Master Key? Bob asks her to try the car lock…

A contestant celebrates as they stand next to two large locks labeled 'DESK' and 'CAR' on the set of the Master Key game on The Price is Right, with the Master Key sign prominently displayed in the background.

She wins the car as well!

A contestant holding a prize key stands with a host beside the Master Key game display, featuring three locks labeled 'WIN' and 'Desk', with colorful decorations in the background.

Bob turns the desk lock to prove that Kimberly had the Master Key. The show’s newest pricing game has a spectacular first playing!

S11, Apr 15 1983
A contestant's hand reaches for one of five golden keys on a colorful display board, featuring three locks below.

Like Kimberly, Wanda has earned one key and chooses the second key from the left.

A contestant interacts with the host in front of the Master Key game setup, featuring three large locks and a colorful background.

Unlike Kimberly, Wanda chose the dud key. Sad to say, she does not win any prizes.

S11, May 27 1983
A contestant smiles and celebrates, with a score of ,256 displayed in front of her.

The price of the prize package would cease to be announced a few months later. This graphic that showed the amount was part of a brief four-day experiment in May 1983.

S12, Jun 8 1984
Contestants interacting with a large display of locks in the game Master Key on The Price is Right.

Joseph, from Boston, has won both keys, but is having trouble turning the key in the first lock for the dishwasher. Bob tells Joseph to step aside.

Bob Barker karate kicks a key in the Master Key game on The Price is Right, snapping the key in half inside the lock.

He uses his Chuck Norris karate training to kick the key, breaking it into the lock!!!

Close-up of a keyhole on a golden background, featuring a key inserted in the lock.

Joseph, in his thick Bostonian accent, says “They (the audience) say to give me the cahr.” That doesn’t happen, but the broken key was for the dishwasher, so he wins that.

Contestant attempting to unlock a prize lock on the Master Key game show with host reacting positively.

His second key WAS for the “cahr”, so he ends up winning it fair and square.

S13, Jun 13 1985
A colorful display showing the price of a kitchen appliance with the numbers 96 and 49, along with a food processor in the background.

Poor Jennifer. She doesn’t win the food processor…

A female contestant smiles next to a male host, both standing in front of the Master Key game setup with colorful backgrounds and a large lock displaying a prize.

…and she doesn’t win the luggage! She becomes the first contestant to lose the game without leaving the turntable!

S30, Feb 15 2002
A contestant playing the Master Key game on a colorful stage with a red car displayed prominently.

Later on, to put more emphasis on the car, it was placed on a pedestal at the reveal of the game.

Bob Barker whacking a key prop against a lock in the Master Key game, accidentally knocking one of the magnets loose.

More key abuse! This time, Bob tries whacking the key against the lock to get it to work.

A scene from the Master Key game on The Price is Right, featuring a host and a contestant interacting with a board displaying locks and prize options.

The keys have magnets on them in certain places to activate the locks. Bob’s actions caused a magnet on this key to fall off. It turns out the key was supposed to open the first prize.

A contestant celebrating with raised arms in front of three locks labeled 'WIN' during the Master Key game.

At least the magnet for the car lock was still on. Toni has won all three prizes!

S38, Sept 29 2009
A game show host points at a display with various keys and locks for the 'Master Key' game, while a contestant expresses excitement in the foreground.

In September 2009, the Master Key sign got a bit of a trim due to the new turntable design.

A contestant is excitedly jumping in front of the Master Key game stage, featuring two large locks labeled with prizes. Host Drew Carey smiles beside her.

Emily ended up winning with the Master Key, so it’s all gravy.

S42, Oct 22 2013
A female host stands beside a turntable displaying two small prizes on red stands, gesturing toward a grill positioned next to them. The set is bright and colorful, featuring the 'The Price is Right' logo in the background.

In October 2013, the game is given a new reveal, ala Ten Chances. The first two prizes are placed in front of the door…

A contestant celebrates with raised hands in front of a silver car displayed on stage during a game show.

…while the car is later shown behind the door.

Let’s Make a Deal S7, May 12 2016
Three ornate locks labeled Accessories, Bedroom, and Car, displayed on a colorful backdrop with the title 'Master Key' above them.

For Mash Up Week, Master Key was played on Let’s Make a Deal with altered rules.

A contestant celebrating next to two large padlocks on a game show set, with labels reading 'BEDROOM' and 'WIN'.

Two contestants are given a key and are asked whether to keep it or take $500. Pamela kept her key and ended up winning a car! James from The Price is Right is on hand to turn the key.

S47, Feb 22 2018
Three large locks on display for the Master Key game, labeled with prize amounts of ,000, ,000, and ,000.

For this Big Money Week episode, Master Key was played for cash… up to $50,000 worth!

S47, Apr 15, 2019
Contestant Brian excitedly tries to unlock prizes during the Master Key game, with host Drew Carey observing nearby.

Brian tried picking the keys at the far left and far right… and became one of a few people to play the game perfectly, finding both the car key AND the master key!

S48, May 27 2020
A game show model standing between two large displays featuring the words 'GROCERIES' and 'GYM MEMBERSHIP', with images of fresh produce and gym equipment.

It became fairly common in later seasons to see the first two prizes in Master Key be a product or a service for a year.

Host Drew Carey stands next to a large game display for Master Key, featuring two locks with numbers 736 and 621, alongside a set of keys.

Drew announces “We are playing the all-new, revamped Master Key!!!”

A display of three locks on the game show Master Key, with labels for a car, gym membership, and delivery service.

The game has taken on a more metallic gold appearance.

A hand is placing a card with the number '36' onto a display that shows a combination of numbers, with another '36' visible below it, against a colorful backdrop.

Even the price reveal cards are now “shiny”!

A host and a contestant stand in front of three large locks on a game show set, with the host holding a microphone and the contestant clapping.

Deborah picked the blank key, but her second pick awarded groceries for a year.

S50, Dec 27 2021
A contestant celebrating excitedly in front of three locks labeled 'WIN', 'CAKE DELIVERY', and 'CAR' on a game show set.

Ciara does MUCH better. She found the Master Key!

S51, Oct 12, 2022
A contestant in a yellow shirt and jeans stands excitedly on stage next to the host during a game show segment of 'The Price is Right'. The vibrant background features colorful graphics promoting 'Dream Car Week'.

For Dream Car Week, Breanna will be playing for road trip snacks, a trip to San Diego and…

A model presenting a shiny red Alfa Romeo Giulia TI on a game show set, waving to the audience.

…THIS ALFA ROMEO GIULIA TI!

A contestant celebrating on stage of the game 'Master Key' with three locks representing prizes, including a car and a trip to San Diego.

Breanna picked the Master Key, and she quickly collapses to the floor with joy!

S53, Sep 30 2024 (primetime)
A game show set displaying three prize amounts: ,000, ,000, and ,000, with a large sign above showing 0,000. Two female contestants stand beside the prize displays.

Another all-cash playing, but the money is upped for prime time. Here, Victor can win up to $100,000!

A contestant celebrates while raising their arm in excitement next to two large locks, one displaying a prize of ,000 and the other ,000, in the game show Master Key.

He gets both keys. The first is for $10,000!

A contestant jumping up and down smacking the floor after having won ,000 in cash playing Master Key.

His second key: $70,000!! A massive $80,000 in cash!!!

Page by Alfonzo ; formatting by Gamesurf