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Race Game

The first game on The Price is Right to offer four prizes, and, after Most Expensive, the second “multiprizer”. Also the second “timed” game to be introduced, after Clock Game.

Four price tags are shown, along with four prizes. The contestant has 45 seconds to place the tags on the correct prizes.

As quickly as they can, the contestant runs across the stage back and forth between switching the tags and pulling a lever revealing how many are placed correctly. The contestant gets as many tries as they can within 45 seconds. If the contestant can’t get all four before time’s up, they win any prizes with the correct prices at the end of the game.

Race Game is a classic that’s always fun to puzzle out alongside the contestant. It’s among the oldest pricing games to go without major rule or set changes. Not many games are played exactly the same way today as they day they were introduced!

A game show host standing beside a large game board displaying the words 'Race Game', while a contestant in a green shirt celebrates with raised arms.
23rd pricing game to debut
S2, August 14 1974 – Present
Likely created by Marc Breslow
Strategy
Stats
FAQ
S3, Dec 20 1974
A game show host explains the rules of the Race Game to a contestant, with price tags of 5, 0, 0, and 0 displayed on a board.

Melinda will be playing the Race Game! These four price tags belong to four prizes…

Two models stand beside four prizes: a bicycle, a rocking chair, a dishwasher, and a pool table, set on The Price is Right in 1974.

A bicycle, a rocking chair, a dishwasher, and a pool table!

A contestant in a red polka dot dress smiles while holding a price tag labeled '532'. The host is speaking into a microphone, engaged with the contestant against a colorful background featuring the 'RACE GAME' logo.

With price tags in hand, Melinda listens as Bob explains the rules. That jukebox has barely changed since 1974!

A large display showing the number '45' illuminated with circular light bulbs, indicating the time remaining in a game.

She’ll only have 45 seconds to place the tags correctly! On your mark… get set… GO!

A contestant dressed in a red outfit is holding a price tag marked 0 while placing it on a prize in 'The Price is Right' game show. A model claps in the background.

Melinda tries $200 on the pool table, $230, on the dishwasher…

A contestant in a red outfit is placing a price tag of 0 on a bicycle, while another contestant watches. The background features the show's logo, and another price tag of 5 is visible.

…$325 on the chair, and $270 on the bicycle.

A contestant in a red polka-dotted outfit stands beside a game display labeled 'Race Game' with a digital timer showing 22 seconds.

She pulls the lever to reveal only two of the tags are right. 22 seconds left to make changes!

A contestant in a red outfit moves towards a display board showing the price tag of 0, while a host in a red top and gray pants smiles in the background, set onstage at The Price is Right in 1974.

She runs back to switch the $270 and $200 tags.

A contestant participates in the Race Game onstage at The Price is Right, with a large display showing the number '1' and a countdown timer in the background.

Bad change! Only nine seconds left, last chance!

A contestant in a red outfit places price tags on a bicycle and a rocking chair during the Race Game segment of The Price is Right.

With no time to think, she shuffles all four tags. $325 ends up on the bicycle, $230 on the chair, $270 on the dishwasher, and $200 on the pool table.

A neon number '2' illuminated against a black background, displayed on a game show set.

Time’s up! She only wins two prizes. But which two?

A contestant in a red top adjusts price tags on a game show stage with a bicycle in the background, as part of the Race Game.

The bicycle and chair were swapped…

A contestant in a red top and long skirt arranges price tags on stands while smiling, with prizes and a game show set in the background.

…but she wins the dishwasher and pool table!

S3, Sep 5 1974
A 1974 playing of Race Game where the curtain accidentally knocks open a flap as its revealed

Oops! As the Race Game curtain flew up on an early playing, it knocked open the $250 flap on the fourth prize.

A contestant runs on the stage of 'The Price is Right' during the Race Game, with two price tags visible: 0 and 0, and a vintage clock in the background.

Gloria must not have seen it! She wanted to change the $250 tag… and ran back after the audience SCREAMED that was a bad idea!

S6, Mar 17 1978
A playing of Race Game from a 1978 episode of The Price is Right, with a contestant taking his hat off.

John has seen the Race Game before! He takes his hat off as he prepares to sprint…

A game show contestant runs toward a price display while a model claps in the background, showcasing the excitement of the Race Game on The Price is Right.

GO! Originally, the tags were attached to the holders with magnets, but they were quickly replaced by a more reliable notch and handle.

A contestant smiling excitedly while participating in a game show, wearing a brown leather jacket and a blue shirt, with a colorful backdrop behind him.

John got all four on the first try!

S12, May 16 1984
A female contestant in a white outfit stands next to a male host in a suit, pointing to a prize display with four price tags labeled 0, 2, 34, and 76, during the Race Game on The Price is Right.

Rhonda, a sports broadcasting major, is going to try for four rather varied prizes…

A special 1984 playing of Race Game featuring season tickets to all four Los Angeles pro sports teams

…tickets to every home game for all four LA sports teams! This should be a snap!

A game host and a contestant stand next to the Race Game board on The Price is Right, with the game title visible at the top.

OH NO! Rhonda overthought things, and got a “0” on all three of her guesses!

S13, Mar 3 1985 (likely)
A contestant runs around during the Race Game on The Price is Right, with a timer showing 62 seconds and a prize displayed on a yellow price tag.

WHA? When Bob said “Go”, the clock began counting up! By the time everything was sorted out, Naomi ended up with 87 seconds, almost double what a normal contestant would get!

S13, Dec 20 1984
A contestant prepares for the Race Game while Bob Barker explains the rules, showcasing the vibrant game set.

Bob became concerned when Michelle, in late stages of pregnancy, crossed paths with the Race Game.

A contestant excitedly speaks with the host of the Race Game on stage, with a countdown timer displayed behind them.

Bob offers to have Janice run around and place the tags in Michelle’s place while she gives directions. Michelle’s response? “Oh, thank you anyway… but I wanna do it!”

A contestant in a blue dress runs across the stage of The Price is Right, with a timer showing 40 seconds remaining. In the background, a Christmas tree and various prizes are visible.

“Now, don’t move too fast. You have plenty of time.”

A host is explaining the Race Game as a contestant prepares to play, with a large scoreboard showing '4' and a countdown timer displaying '36' seconds.

Michelle wins in just NINE SECONDS!

A contestant celebrating joyfully with arms raised in excitement during a game on The Price is Right.

And to think Bob was worried about her playing the game!

S20, Feb 14 1992
A Price is Right episode from 1992 shows four prizes in Race Game, followed by LMU student Michael's baffled reaction

It’s a riding lawn mower, elegant stemware, a washer/dryer, and gourmet cookware… and Michael, a VERY baffled LMU student!

A contestant smiles while holding a prize on stage next to the host of the Race Game.

“You were looking over there as Rod was describing the prizes, but you had an utterly bewildered look on your face. Do you know how to play this game?”

A contestant holds a prize while Bob Barker explains the rules of the Race Game on The Price is Right, with a colorful background and game signage visible.

“Yeah, I know how to play this game… it’s just, I don’t need ’em!”

A contestant joyfully celebrates with a host on the set of The Price is Right, holding a price tag showing 20, with a colorful backdrop and game display in view.

“You don’t need those things? You don’t NEED those things? GIMME MY PRICE TAGS!”

S31, Feb 7 2003 (Primetime MDS)
Contestant in a white jacket runs to place price tags on prizes during the Race Game segment, with a timer showing 26 seconds left.

Maybe Michael would have been happier playing for four trips!

A contestant is playing a game onstage, holding a ,000 price tag while standing next to a display with a beach and a vibrant 'New Orleans' sign in the background.

Here’s a tip… NEVER look at the audience! Many a contestant has been done in after spending too many seconds polling the crowd!

S29, Feb 6 2001
A contestant stands beside the host of The Price is Right, preparing to play the Race Game, with the game set visible in the background.

After the jukebox mistakenly displayed a “2” instead of a “1”, Bob let Maria pick a second prize to take home.

S31, May 26 2003
Contestant interacts with the Race Game display as the host observes, with a countdown timer showing 38 seconds remaining.

As far as we know, nobody has ever beaten Race Game in under seven seconds!

A contestant celebrates during the Race Game on The Price is Right, with a digital countdown timer showing 37 seconds remaining.

In this case, the clock operator started a bit late after Bob caught them off guard yelling “GO!”. But Zachary sure isn’t complaining about a few extra seconds!

S37, May 1 2009
A contestant plays the Race Game on stage, with a visible timer showing '28' seconds and the number '4' displayed prominently. The host guides the contestant as they prepare to place price tags on prizes.

Matthew beat it in seven seconds as well…

Contestant jumping excitedly during the Race Game on The Price is Right, with a timer displayed showing 37 seconds remaining.

…and as near as the video shows, the clock started right on time!

S39, Jun 1 2011
A contestant and the host discussing the Race Game on a colorful stage, with a display board featuring price tags in the background.

In one memorable playing, Drew told Judith to “throw the price tags down as fast as you can”…

A contestant throwing tags on the ground in a 2011 playing of Race Game on The Price is Right.

…so she did!

S40, Sep 19, 2011
Four contestants stand beside various cars on the set of The Price is Right, celebrating the show's 40th anniversary.

What better way to celebrate TPIR’s 40th anniversary… than by playing Race Game for FOUR NEW CARS?

A contestant in a yellow shirt stands next to a game host, who gestures towards a board displaying four price tags in a colorful game show setting.

Check out those price tags… the most expensive ever seen in Race Game!

S44, Dec 16 2015
Contestants participating in the Race Game, racing against the clock to match price tags to prizes on The Price is Right set.

Daniel’s been watching his whole life, and he brought his running shoes! He’s sprinting across the stage…

A contestant in a yellow shirt celebrates in excitement during the Race Game on The Price is Right, with a timer showing 38 seconds and the number 4 displayed on the game board.

…and ties the known record of seven seconds!

S53, Nov 5 2024
Contestant holding a price tag at the Race Game on The Price is Right, while the host adjusts the pricing display.

Bethany knows that if you’re going to consult with the audience, you should do it BEFORE the clock starts!

Contestants celebrate on The Price is Right stage, showcasing various prizes with price tags, including a trampoline and a motorcycle.

She nailed it on the first try!