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Plinko

By far the most famous game ever featured on The Price is Right, played for up to $50,000 in cash.

The contestant is given one chip to use on an enormous “Plinko board”, and can win up to four more by pricing small prizes. To win a chip, they must guess whether the first digit or the last digit of a false price appears in the actual price.

After winning as many as five chips, the contestant climbs the stairs to the “Plinko board” and drops each one; the contestant wins whatever slot it lands in. Each chip can be worth up to $10,000 or as little as $0.

Plinko quickly became the most iconic and famous game in The Price is Right’s lineup thanks to its exciting game play and large cash prize. If you ask any casual fan to name their favorite pricing game, odds are good they will say “Plinko!”

A contestant stands excitedly next to the Plinko board on The Price is Right, with a potential prize of $50,000 displayed on a screen.
53rd pricing game to debut
S11, January 3 1983 – Present
Created by Frank Wayne
Strategy
Stats
FAQ
S11, Jan 3 1983

January 3rd, 1983, and The Price is Right will never be the same again. Bob announces that a lucky contestant will have a chance to win up to $25,000… the absolute maximum prize a CBS show could offer at the time!

A disco ball descends from the Price is Right audience ceiling revealing that the contestant is playing for up to ,000 in cash.

Sure enough, after the second Item Up for Bids, a disco ball descends from the rafters to confirm that Judy has a chance to win up to $25,000 in cash!

A curtain raises, revealing the Plinko board to the world as it first appeared in 1983.

The curtain is raised to reveal Plinko to the world for the first time.

Judy is given a Plinko chip (which Bob called a “disc”) with which she can earn $5,000.

A contestant stands beside a large, colorful Plinko board while the host explains the game during an episode of The Price is Right.

Bob explains the game is named Plinko because the chips go “plink, plink, plink” against the pegs after the contestant drops it down. “Some of our people drink!”, Bob jokes.

Judy can earn four more discs by winning small prizes.

A blue game board displaying the numbers '1' and '2' on large white cards, with a hand partially visible holding the card for '2'.

The price shown for the first prize, a Bedsack, is not $12. Bob asks Judy if the price of the Bedsack starts with 1 or ends with a 2.

A hand reaching towards a sign that says 'WIN!' next to a circular Plinko Chip with a dollar sign on it, displayed on a blue surface.

Judy picks the 2, and she is correct. She gets another Plinko chip.

A close-up image of a game display showing the numbers 3 and 2, part of the small prize portion of the pricing game Plinko on The Price is Right.

The correct price is $32. Judy ends up winning 3 out of the 4 chips.

Holly hands her the 3 chips. Including her free chip, Judy now has a chance to win up to $20,000.

A contestant preparing to drop a Plinko chip onto the colorful Plinko board for the first time, with the game name prominently displayed at the top.

Judy places the chip flat against the board, and for her historic first Plinko drop…

A colorful Plinko board showing various cash slots, including amounts of 0, 00, and 0, with a Plinko chip in the 0 slot.

…her chip lands in the $500 slot.

Colorful Plinko board with slots, featuring the game's signature Price is Right dollar sign on two chip in a slot labeled 500.

Her second chip lands in the same $500 slot. You’re not seeing double, Bob didn’t remove the first chip.

A contestant named Judy smiles while preparing to drop a Plinko chip on a colorful Plinko board, which features the game's name prominently displayed.

After hitting the other $500 slot with her third chip, everyone is hoping that Judy hits the center slot with her last one…

A Plinko chip falls down the board and lands in the center ,000 slot, as Judy celebrates.

She did it! $5,000!!! She won a total of $6,500!

Judy eagerly reviews Plinko, letting Bob Barker know the game is "terrific!"

Judy’s review of Plinko: “It’s terrific!” Everyone watching seems to agree, as Bob announced after the commercial break that the consensus was that Plinko was a hit!

S5 Jan 31 1977
A pachinko machine offered on the Price is Right inspired producer Frank Wayne to create 'Plinko'.

The story goes that Plinko was created after Executive Producer Frank Wayne brought a pachinko board into a game development meeting in order to sell his boss Mark Goodson on the idea.

S11, Jan 11 1983
Bob Barker brandishing his 'Plinko stick' to retrieve stuck Plinko chips from the Plinko board.

Should any chips get “stuck” on the board during play, Bob uses his trusty “Plinko stick” to dislodge it. The amount these chips fall in does not count, and the chip is returned to the contestant.

A scoreboard displaying the numbers 7 and 0 on the game show The Price is Right.

To avoid confusion, the correct amount was changed in the second playing to be shown in white numbers on a red background.

S11, Jan 20 1983
A blacked-out Plinko board masked in the back of the audience as contestants bid.

Wait, what’s rainbow-colored thing in the back of the audience?

Colorful stage backdrop for the game 'Plinko' from The Price is Right, featuring bright lights and an enthusiastic audience.

It’s the new Plinko reveal sign…

,000 prize displayed on a colorful background from The Price is Right game show.

…that, when flipped, shows the $25,000 the contestant can potentially win.

A hand is shown pointing towards a game display with the text 'WIN! ' and a pink circular disc featuring a dollar sign. The background is blue.

By the third playing, the chip reveal has been simplified to what we see today.

S12, Nov 29 1984
The turntable on the Price is Right spins around to reveal the contestant will play Plinko for a chance to win up to ,000 in cash.

In January 1984, to make the game more of a surprise, the Plinko sign was moved to the turntable, where it would stay until its demise in 2002.

S19, Oct 1990
A contestant on The Price is Right approaches the Plinko board while a model helps them up the stairs.

Dian hands Lisa all five Plinko chips… but her first FOUR all hit $0! Hoping for a change of luck, Lisa delegates her final chip to Dian…

A contestant invites Dian to drop a Plinko chip off the top of the Plinko board to help reverse a losing streak.

…and it hits $0 as well! Lisa is the first known Plinko contestant to win absolutely NO cash.

Bob Barker standing at a podium with the word 'PLINKO' prominently displayed in colorful letters beneath him.

Bob grabs a chip and climbs the steps himself! “Ladies and gentlemen, if I am elected…”

Golden Gallery, “Around the Studio”
A worn pink board covered in notes, scores, and records related to the game Plinko from The Price is Right.

The official Price is Right “record book” lists a Plinko contestant winning $21,000 on Nov 30, 1990, with FOUR chips hitting $5,000. Unfortunately, the episode hasn’t been seen in the 35 years since… but there’s enough supporting evidence to suggest yes, it is real.

S19, Jan 3, 1991
Colorful Plinko sign from The Price is Right featuring the game title in bright letters.

By January 1991, the current pastel color scheme debuted on the Plinko sign…

A model in a glamorous outfit stands beside colorful Plinko game columns with numbers displayed on them, showcasing the iconic game from The Price is Right.

…the prize podiums…

A colorful Plinko board with a sloped surface and pegs, along with stairs leading up to it, set against a vibrant backdrop.

…and the game itself!

S20, Jan 16 1992
Model Janice Pennington crouches at the Plinko board trying to retrieve a stuck chip while host Bob Barker gestures towards the large colorful display showing a cash amount on The Price is Right.

A clear plexiglass screen was placed on the board to prevent chips from flying off during play. This became a problem when Jennifer got a chip stuck, and neither Bob’s Plinko stick nor Janice could reach it.

Contestant Jennifer begins jumping up and down atop the Plinko board trying to knock a stuck chip loose.

“JENNIFER! STOP! You’re going to break Plinko!” Anxious to shake the chip loose, Jennifer begins jumping and rocking the set!

S22, May 10, 1994
A porous screen added to the Plinko board in order to prevent chips flying off but make it easier to retrieve stuck chips.

It was later replaced with a porous screen which allowed for Plinko chips getting unstuck.

Doug Davidson Sep 21 1994 (nighttime syndicated)
0 lower price indicator shown during a game on The Price is Right, with a dollar sign symbol.

On Doug Davidson’s nighttime Price is Right, the small prize game was changed to a Bonus Game-style higher/lower game to allow for prizes over $99.

  • The Plinko layout used on Doug Davidson's 1994 version of The Price is Right.

The Davidson version also experimented with different Plinko layouts, including one with a $0 slot in the middle! But this version was short-lived, and when it went off the air, the unique $2,500 slots on the side went with it.

S24, Mar 26 1996
Contestant waving happily on stage wearing a sweater with a name tag, smiling at the audience.

Margie joins Lisa in infamy: she ALSO managed to hit five zeroes!

A contestant and host smile and engage during a game segment on The Price is Right, with colorful set pieces in the background.

Bob: “Plinko is probably the most popular game on our show…”

Margie: “It was!”

S29, Fab 9 2000
Contestant wearing a shirt that reads, 'MY MIDDLE NAME IS PLINKO', on stage during The Price is Right.

Plinko was by far the most popular game, and the TPIR staff knew it! At its peak the game was played nearly every week, but the demand for Plinko still far outstripped supply!

S27, Jan 21 1998
'Rosina the Plinko lady' holding a Plinko chip and smiling beside the host of The Price is Right, with colorful game show set background.

Truly one of the most memorable contestants ever, “Rosina the Plinko lady” & her husband had built a Plinko board for her 5-year-old. She brought her homemade Plinko chip for good luck…

'Rosina the Plinko Lady' holding multiple Plinko chips while preparing to play the game on stage.

…a few short minutes later, Rosina was playing the real thing!

S26, Oct 13 1997
Tony Harrison playing Plinko on The Price is Right in 1997, celebrating winning ,000 with arms outstretched.

Tony Harrison played the game as best as he could, getting all five Plinko chips. Despite three bad bounces landing in the 0 slot, he still netted a cool $5,100!

S28, Oct 15 1998

Christopher just found he’s playing Plinko and is very happy. Soon, he’ll be TWICE as happy!

A host points towards the Plinko board, highlighting the various cash slots, including 00, featured on the game show 'The Price is Right'.

Bob points out that if Christopher hits this middle slot he’d win $5,000…until today!

He takes off the false covering to reveal the new amount for the slot: $10,000! Going forward, Plinko will be played for a possible $50,000!

S28, Nov 5 1998
A contestant celebrates joyfully while holding a Plinko chip on the set of The Price is Right.

With the $10,000 slot in play, Judge set a new Plinko winnings record!

A colorful game board display showing a total cash amount of ,100, with a hand pointing at the numbers.

He managed to rack up another $1,000 after this for a total of $22,100!

S31, Sep 24 2001
Kelli celebrates after hitting the ,000 slot playing Plinko on The Price is Right in 2001

Kelli beat Judge’s record a few years later with $23,000!

S31, Jul 12, 2002 (primetime)
A model stands confidently beside a game display featuring the prize of 0,000 on The Price is Right, with a vibrant background.

But that’s just the daytime record. Beginning in the 2000s, Bob’s primetime specials would feature a max prize of $100,000…

Close-up view of a colorful game board with slots marked ,000 and 0 in a primetime edition of Plinko on The Price is Right.

…by redoubling the center slot to $20,000!

S31, May 17, 2002 (primetime)
A scene from The Price is Right showing the Plinko game board, with Bob Barker interacting with a contestant dressed in military uniform on the stairs having won ,000, and a female model applauding in a black and white patterned dress.

Ryan hit it twice, netting a cool 40 grand!

S31, Dec 12, 2002
,000 prize reveal during a Plinko game on The Price is Right.

By 2002, the director wanted to put more emphasis on the contestant’s reaction finding out what game they’d be playing. The iconic Plinko sign was permanently replaced by an on-screen graphic.

S36, Oct 16 2007
A contestant on The Price is Right celebrates after being told they can win ,000, standing next to the host with a joyful expression, needing to use the rest room

One of Drew’s first major tests as host of The Price is Right was to manage Marie, a Plinko contestant who really needed to use the bathroom.

She’s atop the board, up $20,100, trying to hold it in, and Drew consoles her with “I know, but you have to drop two more Plinko chips first!”

S36, Dec 25 2007
A contestant celebrates with The Price is Right host Drew Carey after winning ,100 on the Plinko game, surrounded by colorful game show decor.

On Christmas Day 2007, the Plinko record was beaten by Kristy, with $30,100!

S36, Feb 14 2008
A contestant named Cindy, wearing a shirt that says 'I WANT TO PLAY PLINKO', interacts with the host on stage during a game show, with an excited audience in the background.

One running joke Drew liked to perpetuate is that wearing a shirt saying you want to play Plinko is the most surefire way to guarantee you won’t play Plinko…

A contestant smiles while holding a Plinko chip on the set of The Price is Right.

…but every now and then, a lucky contestant will beat the odds.

S36, Mar 7 2008 (primetime MDS)
Contestant smiling and holding a Plinko chip while standing next to the host on the set of The Price is Right, with a large cash prize of ,000,000 displayed in gold text below.

A special golden Plinko chip worth up to $1,000,000 was offered on a primetime Million Dollar Spectacular, although not won.

S38, Feb 15 2010
A contestant smiling during a segment of The Price is Right, wearing a black vest over a gray sweater, with colorful, patterned backdrop.

Jeffrey showed up at The Price is Right fresh faced and idealistic. Little did he know that he, too, would make Price is Right history.

A close-up image of a game board featuring large red numbers, '9' and '8', displayed prominently.

Following the audience’s advice, he became one of a very small number to miss all four small prizes…

A contestant yelling in anger after his lone Plinko chip hits 0, with host Drew Carey trying not to laugh.

…and wound as up the first known Plinko player to win absolutely NOTHING!

S39, June 10 2011 and S51, Jan 4 2023
  • Contestant John reveals a "goose egg" after winning absolutely nothing playing Plinko on The Price is Right in 2011
  • John reacts with joy after having won a stack of Plinko chips, which he shows off as he runs up the board to drop them.

Just over a year later, John also bombed all four small prizes and became the second known complete Plinko wipeout. He was invited back for redemption in 2023.

S38, Oct 30 2009
A colorful Plinko board set up for a game on The Price is Right, featuring the word 'PLINKO' at the top, with a contestant holding a Plinko chip and a model in a money-themed costume standing beside him.

For Halloween, Rachel went as a giant Plinko chip!

S39, Sept 24, 2010
A new Plinko reveal showing the game's new dramatic reveal, its light up board and logo, and spotlights.

In 2010, Plinko got a fancy high-definition remodel, featuring a new animated intro, a lit name, new stairs, plasma scoreboard and spotlights!

S42, Sep 27 2013
A promotional display for the 30th Anniversary of Plinko on The Price is Right, featuring the show's logo and vibrant blue background, with a smiling contestant beside it.

Plinko’s 30th anniversary did not go as well as hoped. For one special day only, EVERY contestant onstage got to play Plinko…

A host stands next to a large Plinko board on the set of The Price is Right, with two cars displayed on either side and a screen showing 'LONDON' in the background.

…including special prizes loaded on the board…

A series of chips falling into the 0 slot on Plinko during the game's 30th Anniversary on The Price is Right.

…and yet of twenty-two Plinko chips dropped that day, only one managed to hit the center, and ELEVEN fell into a $0 slot!

S45, Mar 23 2017
A contestant named Jay stands on stage wearing a bright yellow shirt with 'Born to Play PLINKO' printed on it, smiling as he interacts with the host of The Price is Right.

Jay managed to beat the “Plinko Shirt Curse”! Even Drew couldn’t believe it!

S45, May 25 2017 and S51, Dec 7 2022
  • Contestant Ryan reacts with shock and surprise after winning $31,500 playing Plinko on The Price is Right.
  • Contestant Nicolette smiles after winning $31,500 playing Plinko on The Price is Right.

The current “normal” Plinko record holder? As of this writing, there’s two: a tie between Ryan and Nicolette at $31,500.

S43, Nov 13 2014
Plinko game display showing a sign with ,000,000 prize next to the Plinko board.

But the white whale introduced in 2014 is “Million Dollar Plinko”, and once a year the game would feature a special $200,000 slot as part of Big Money Week.

S43, Nov 13 2014; S44, Oct 15 2015; S45, Oct 25 2016; S46, Feb 20 2018; S47, Oct 10 2018
  • Drew Carey is disappointed after a Plinko chip only falls into $1,000 instead of $200,000 on The Price is Right.
  • A Plinko game only awards $2,100 on The Price is Right.
  • A contestant applauds after having won $600 playing Plinko on The Price is Right.
  • A contestant winning $1,000 on The Price is Right.
  • A Plinko chip falling in the $0 slot instead of $200,000 on The Price is Right.

Year after year, Million Dollar Plinko would be trotted out only for the contestants to suffer bad luck and paltry wins…

S48, Oct 24 2019
A contestant drops a chip into the 0,000 slot and reacts with joy on The Price is Right.

Until 2019, when Michael finally broke the curse and hit the jackpot slot!

A contestant celebrates holding a 'Winner' sign while showing excitement next to two hosts and a blue car on the set of The Price is Right.

He would also win his showcase! With all Big Money Week bonuses accounted for, this made him the biggest winner in daytime television history!

S49, Nov 2 2020
A contestant is reaching for a Plinko chip while standing next to a brightly colored game podium with a host gesturing towards her on The Price is Right set.

Episodes taped under COVID restrictions required Drew, models, & contestants to stand six feet apart from each other. Rather than bring the Plinko chips to the contestant, each correct guess allowed them to pick one up from the table.

S51, Oct 5, 2022
A contestant reacts joyfully while holding a Plinko chip on The Price is Right, with a ,000 prize displayed in front.

This $10,000 graphic, shown every time the middle slot is hit, was added at the beginning of Season 51.

S53, Jan 29 2025
A close-up of a game display with a 'WIN!' sign and a golden Plinko Chip showing the amount of .

A primetime Jackpot January twist not only featured higher payouts on the slots, but also a special “Golden Plinko Chip” secretly attached to one small prize, worth 10x any slot it landed in.

A contestant with glasses and a yellow shirt smiles excitedly while holding a Plinko chip, standing in front of the Plinko game board.

Michelle runs up $15,000 with her other chips, before dropping the golden chip…

A colorful Plinko board displaying various cash prize slots, including values of 0, ,000, ,000, ,000, and ,000.

…and gets an extra $20K for her efforts.

Contestant celebrating after winning ,000 on The Price is Right with Drew Carey and a model in the background.

$35,000 is not a bad haul at all for primetime!

  • Bounce around to other popular Price is Right games played for cash like Punch a Bunch, Grand Game, and It’s In The Bag
  • See rare behind-the-scenes photos of Plinko at the Classic Gallery
  • “Chip” on over to additional Plinko trivia at the Golden-Road FAQ
  • Drop things back to 1983 at the Tiny Timeline
  • Return to “Golden Game Gallery“

Page by Alfonzo & Gamesurf