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Shell Game

The host mixes up four “shells”, one of which contains a ball underneath. Four small prizes with false prices are shown; the contestant must guess whether the actual price is higher or lower. For each correct guess, they win a chip to place next to a shell. If they place a chip next to the shell containing the ball, they win a large prize!

Some contestants win the game by default by winning all four chips. In those situations, the contestant can win bonus cash by picking which shell has the ball.

Shell Game was originally created to replace Bonus Game, but each proved to be unique enough to coexist. Shell Game is flashier, slightly longer, and seen slightly less often, but it’s a treat each time it appears.

A contestant in a green shirt stands next to Drew Carey, who is explaining the Shell Game, with four brown shells on a table and a colorful backdrop.
18th pricing game to debut
S2, June 7 1974 – Present
Likely created by Frank Wayne
Strategy
Stats
FAQ
S3, Sep 9 1974
A woman in a red top and long skirt joyfully presents a dune buggy on stage.

Mary can win this dune buggy, and a supply of KFC…

A host is mixing up shells in the Shell Game, on The Price is Right with a contestant observing excitedly.

…but first she must conquer the Shell Game! Bob mixes up the shells. If Mary can find the ball underneath one of the shells, she’ll be snacking on eleven herbs and spices!

A hand holding a price tag reading '' above various metal home decoration items on a table.

These metal home decorations are NOT $95; is the correct price higher or lower?

A contestant named Mary on The Price is Right, during the Shell Game segment, speaking with the host who is holding a microphone.

Mary says Lower…

sign indicating 'LOWER' held by a contestant during the Shell Game on The Price is Right.

And she’s right! She wins a chip.

A contestant is playing the Shell Game on stage, mixing shells while the host observes.

She chooses to place it on the second shell from the left.

A contestant selects a shell in the Shell Game while a host observes, with a colorful game show backdrop.

She’s won three out of the four chips, but she missed one. Let’s hope the ball isn’t under the shell on the right!

A game show host holds up a shell while a contestant, smiling in a yellow outfit, stands beside him during the Shell Game segment.

Well, it’s not under this one…

A game show host presenting the Shell Game on stage, wearing a plaid suit and holding a shell, while a contestant smiles beside him.

Not here, either!

A woman in a yellow shirt participates in the Shell Game on stage, placing a shell as a game host gestures while explaining rules.

Bob has Mary reveal her final shell… and there’s the ball! She’s a winner!

S11, Dec 14 1982
A game show host presents the Shell Game with four shells in front of a contestant, who is reaching towards the shells.

Mary (a different Mary) won all four chips, and has won a $4,000 baby grand piano by default! To sweeten the pot, Bob offers to give her a $500 bonus to pick the shell containing the ball.

A close-up of a Shell Game setup featuring a shiny shell, a red disc, and a white ball on a black surface.

She got it! $500 in the bank!

S15, Oct 6 1986
A contestant participates in the Shell Game on The Price is Right, interacting with the game host while examining the shells on the table.

Deborah, one of the most infamous Shell Game players in history. She misunderstood that she was supposed to put the chip BY the shell, not UNDER it!

A host explains the Shell Game rules to a contestant, with four shells displayed on a game show set.

“That’s the DIRTIEST trick anyone’s ever pulled on me!”

A female contestant smiles while the host demonstrates the Shell Game, holding a shell as they engage in a game show setting.

“You’ve RUINED my game! This would be exciting, but everybody KNOWS the damn thing’s not there!”

S25, Oct 21 1996
A woman in a blue outfit stands next to a colorful backdrop displaying the word 'SWEDEN' with forest and water imagery.

Amiel wants to go to Sweden…

A contestant smiling and waving while wearing glasses and a hat, with colorful backgrounds.

…but he’s blown three prizes in a row! He has to get the fourth one if he wants any hope of winning that trip.

An excited contestant in a cowboy hat raises their arm in celebration while speaking to the host on a colorful game show set.

With his pride and a vacation on the line, Amiel says the grill is LOWER than $75…

A contestant holds up a sign saying 'LOWER ' next to a black grill on a colorful background.

And he’s still alive! Only one shot at it…

A contestant wearing a black hat is interacting with colorful shells on a game show set, while the host stands beside him holding a microphone.

With some trepidation, he chooses shell number 3.

A contestant excitedly participates in the Shell Game on a TV show, while the host interacts with him and a ball sits on a table.

And that’s where it was! Njut av din resa!

S29, Mar 6 2001
A contestant and the host standing by the Shell Game setup with multiple shells on a table and a colorful backdrop.

Shell Game’s set got a makeover in 2001.

S35, Jan 19 2007
A contestant stands next to an orange car in front of a diner backdrop on The Price is Right set.

Wow! A $15,000 Chevy Aveo at stake…

A contestant prepares to play the Shell Game on The Price is Right, with the host presenting four shells and a game board.

…but Melissa could only manage one chip!

A contestant plays the Shell Game on The Price is Right, with the host mixing up three shells on a podium while the contestant focuses on the hidden ball.

They lift the shell together… turns out one is all you need!

S37, May 5 2009
A woman in a red dress smiles and points to a large screen displaying the logo of the Cleveland Cavaliers basketball team, with a player in action on the court behind her.

It’s a playoff package to see LeBron James play in Cleveland at the 2009 NBA Playoffs!

A contestant enthusiastically jumps while participating in the Shell Game on The Price is Right, with a host standing beside a brightly colored game setup.

And not only did Courtney win it, she snagged an extra $500 bonus, too!

S42, Nov 13 2014
A host stands on a game show stage with a large sign displaying 'ACAPULCO' in the background, while an excited audience cheers.

Sarah’s playing for a $10,430 trip to Acapulco…

A contestant joyfully participates in the Shell Game on The Price is Right, with the host standing beside her at the game setup featuring colorful shells.

…and she’s won it by netting all four chips! But now, the bonus is a lot more than $500. If she can guess which shell has the ball, she’ll win an ADDITIONAL $10,430 in cash!

A close-up of a hand about to place a red chip on a black surface, possibly part of a game show setup.

Aww, no cash bonus. But she’s still got her trip!

S52, Oct 6 2023
A game show host stands next to a contestant at the Shell Game setup, featuring colorful backgrounds and three shells on a table.

Shell Game got a dizzying makeover in 2021. Those shells on the monitor wall are animated, and they’re constantly in motion as the game plays out.

A game set piece from The Price is Right featuring a price tag of next to a white device, with a contestant's hand pointing at the tag.

Models no longer turn cards… they’re now revealed via touchscreen.

S52, Jan 31 2024
A game show host stands between two large screens displaying the text 'BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS' over a beach background.

It’s Primetime, and we’re playing for a $23,000 trip!

A male host and a female contestant are playing the Shell Game, standing behind a table with three shells on it. The set features a colorful background with gaming graphics.

Tonight in Jackpot January, there’s a special twist… the first chip won will be a “Golden Chip”. If that chip ends up next to the shell with the ball, Jennifer’s airfare will be upgraded to first class!

A hand holding a shell is revealed, while a shiny ball sits on a table beside it.

Pack your bags, Jennifer… you’re flying FIRST CLASS!

  • Place a chip next to the year 1974 in the Tiny Timeline
  • Peek under the Golden-Road FAQ on Shell Game
  • Mix things up with Bonus Game, the game Shell Game was designed to replace
  • Return to “Golden Game Gallery“