‘The Price Is Right’ Fans Demand Removal of Game That’s ‘Too Hard’ & ‘Not Fun’
Every episode of The Price is Right features an undisclosed assortment of games, and that variety is part of the appeal. But fans are offering their two cents about the “3 Strikes” game, which they claim is “not fun” after 14 players lost consecutively with no winner in a staggering three years.
For those unfamiliar, “3 Strikes” is a pricing game that debuted on TPIR on February 12, 1976. In it, contestants can win a brand-new luxury car by correctly guessing its price. The contestant is shown eight baseballs: five white ones with non-repeating numbers on them, each representing one of the five numbers in the car’s price. There are also three red “strike” balls with an X on them.
After all eight balls are shuffled into a rotating drum, the contestant blindly draws a ball from the bag. If they pick a numbered ball, they must correctly put it in the right position of the car’s total price. If they’re right, the ball is discarded, and the digit is lit up in the price display. But if they’re wrong, the ball goes back into rotation. However, if the contestant draws a red ball with a strike, a foghorn sounds instead, and an X marker is lit on the board before the ball is discarded. If the contestant draws three strike balls, the game ends.
On Monday, November 18’s episode a player bombed out with zero correct guesses and gave a big thumbs down mid-way (above) looking frustrated. She sarcastically told Drew Carey, “I love your positivity!” as she floundered. After she lost, Carey exclaimed, “That was a rough one” and the audience fell silent.
After it aired, a fan started a discussion in the TPIR Reddit forum, arguing that the segment is “too hard” and others agreed.
“3 Strikes is not a fun game,” the fan titled the post. The user continued, “Every time the contestant pulls a strike Drew says it’s good because there’s one less strike to worry about. That’s specious reasoning and it annoys me so much. Today the contestant even said ‘I love your positivity’ to Drew. I like to think she meant it sarcastically. This game is just way too hard. Sure, it’s played for a very expensive car, but the odds are so low and it’s based mostly on luck. I get annoyed every time it’s played. Does anyone know the winning statistics on this game?”
Another fan replied, “I don’t have the exact stats but there was a period of time where someone only won once in 6 years during a particularly bad drought. I can also say that, even if you play perfectly and guess all 5 digits correctly as you pull them out, your odds of winning that game are 37.5%. So even a perfect play will only win 1/3 of the time. I put ‘3 Strikes,’ ‘That’s Too Much’, and the dollar game in the same grouping as barely winnable games. At least 3 Strikes is always for an expensive vehicle, I guess.”
“I legitimately can’t remember the last time I saw a player get more than 1, maybe 2 numbers before striking out so I’m not a fan of this game either lol,” wrote a third.
“Not much of a spoiler but surprise, she got zero numbers,” wrote a fourth about Monday’s episode.
“As soon as I saw that game, I knew she would lose,” wrote a fifth. “It’s the “F*** you contestant, you’re not getting a car” game.
“I despise 3 strikes. Way too much luck involved,” wrote a sixth.
“It would be nice to be able to buy another chance with a pricing game after 2 strikes and call it a “foul tip” with a successful price,” wrote a seventh.
“And it takes forever to lose. Just a long, annoying, slim chance to win game,” wrote an additional fan.
“The last time we had a win was January 18, 2021 where a Range Rover was won,” observed one more. We currently went through 14 playings without a winner.” According to TPIR Fandom, there hasn’t been a winner since January 2021.
What do you think of “3 Strikes?” Should TPIR bench it for good? let us know in the comments section!
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Comments are closed on this story.
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H
I'm not a fan of the game but Monday the contestants drew an 8 and tried to make it the FIRST number. I screamed when she did that. I have NEVER seen an 80k car on TPIR. That was a throw away. The game can take a long time depending on pulls but it helps to think too.
22 1
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G
Sure, that was bad. But, the 8 can go into any of the other four spots. And to add spice, the more numbers you remove, the more likely you get a strike. Imagine perfectly guessing three numbers and still posing because you pulled three strikes. No skill. Just luck.
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O
I have seen some goofy moves, too. I worked for a long time. Retired now.
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G
How about this idea. Remove the strikes from the bag. The contestant picks a ball from the bag, they then guess where the number is located. If they are wrong, it is counted as a strike, ball goes back in bag, if guess is correct, the ball is removed from bag. Wouldn't that increase the odds of winning and make the game fun?
14 1
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G
No.
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B
There was a time when there was only one strike ball or disc in the bag, maybe to better the odds, but they went back to the 3 strikes. Either way, the odds are terrible and it seems like a foregone conclusion that the contestant will lose. Dump the game!
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P
Really? But the game is called "3 Strikes". ??
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B
The one strike ball would go back in the bag and if you pulled it 3 times then that was your 3 strikes.
With only one strike ball at least it made the game a little easier as it was harder to pull when 5 white numbers are in the bag.
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G
If they draw a number it should automatically count! Drawing a number is tough enough much less placing it in the right spot!
15 3
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O
The game they need to eliminate is “ That’s Too Much “ where the too much price is less than $400.00
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C
Every game show has a prize budget, even the venerable TPIR. They can't have every contestant win every prize. When the producers are on pace to exceed budget for (month, quarter, season) they purposely roll out games like this one, knowing they will fill time with little chance of giving anything away. Of course, they know viewers won't watch a full hour of people losing everyday, so they thrown in some easy win games as well.
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G
I've always thought that people could feel whether there was a number or a strike on the ball. Especially when they used small disks for the game instead of balls.
7 1
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S
Stack the Deck is another one that is hardly winnable.
5
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P
True! The only real chance you have of winning is if you get all 3 #'s with the products, + only have to guess the remaining 2 #'s.
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B
People don't seem to understand that they can't just make every game a gimme. There would be no fun in that either. That's the whole point of the show is to actually play the games and earn the prizes. I personally like the excitement and the anticipation of games like Three Strikes, Stack the Deck, Pathfinder, etc.
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G
Where's the excitement when you know they're gonna lose? And I get that the show would be boring with all the same games and you can't have a variety of games with the same odds, but 3 strikes goes to far, it's brutally unfair. But I do like that it has some creatively to it, as they got rid of a lot of the more interesting games and kept boring ones like one right price. So I would rather they change the rules to improve the odds, rather than get rid of it. As it is now, it's way to unfair. Another unfair game is triple play. And btw to the other commenter, I have seen vehicles in the 80,000 range, it happens occasionally even in the day time version.
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P
I like the game. Yes, it's difficult, but all the other games of late have been as well. Having no idea of prices has nothing to do with the game. That's on the contestants. If you've been a fan for very long you've seen all these games many times. Enjoy the show and stop picking it to death! If you don't like it don't watch.
4 1
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O
Hate the game. No one ever wins. Plus if you get a number and guess where that number goes. If you're not correct it goes back in the huge ball to try again. She actually did better than anyone else has ever but very unfair game. Another game is the Lucky Seven maybe 1 out of 20 might win a game.
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J
Ten Chances is one if my favorites. Once you get to the car, you just have to make sure to keep the 0 at the end. And if it's not a 0, it's a 5. Too bad people are kind of bone headed when they play it, and give guesses like $36,071.
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J
Lucky Seven is a tough one too...
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C
Much too hard! How about first number picked, put it where it fits on the board, like a bonus one. ☺️Just make it a little more winnable.
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O
I don't like it either, but the one I don't care for is Pathfinder. I've seen people win but not a lot. If I was ever on the show, those would be the two I'd probably get!! Lol!
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O
I won on 3 Strikes in 2015. I won an Audi convertible and I thought the game was fantastic. Yes this game may be a little harder but the car giveaways are incredible in this game. What do you expect, they are not going to just hand you a luxury car without some sort of a challenge.
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G
In my opinion, I think there are certain games that are stacked against the contestants so TPIR doesn't give away expensive cars every single time it is played. Get rid of this game and That's Too Much! I cringe every time That's Too Much comes on.
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O
All that needs to be done is simply use only one strike disc for the game, instead of three discs. The same disc can be drawn three times. That’s been done before when Bob Barker was the host, so there’s absolutely no reason why it can’t be done again now. Please don’t get rid of this game!
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R
I’m so glad I came across this conversation about games on the Price is Right! They definitely need new games! I have loved PIR since I have been 10 years old. I can tell you how to play every game on the show.
I feel they need games with a little bit of skill to it? Not just a game that you say this or that? My absolute favorite game is 10 chances! You better not retire it! If you do, I will be there to raise hell! Same as Check out! You can Play those games at home with the contestant!
Please bring back Hit me, The Poker Game, Super Ball, and Get Rid of Flip Flop, & Stack the Deck! Nobody ever wins that game! Why play it?
I’m the biggest fan of The Price Is Right! But lately, with these sucky boring games! I record it, and, see if you play my favorite games?
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G
You aren't playing so haters just hate
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O
They should get rid of game with Sound Effects Lady. So STUPID. I turn sound off during this game. Why should contestant have to grovel to Sound Effects Lady to learn if he/she guesses the correct answer? Also, i hate game where player has to run back & forth from 2 tables & place items from one table in the correct order of some kind onto the other table AND then run to a place to press button for buzzer to learn if this was done correctly.
Love the yodel guy, dice, golf, & a few others. Plinko is the best.
Some games like Sound Effects Lady are beyond STUPID.
I don't like it if person is pressed for time with Drew telling person how many seconds are left.
Can't think of every game. Some are fun & others are boring & not really a worthy game.
Recently saw OLD episode of TPIR with Bob Barker. What a difference between him & Drew. Don't see how Bob kept his job. He was so unappealing (to me). The little old ladies practically wet their pants when they get to kiss him on the cheek.
An entertaining show. But I would not want most of the prizes except for some of the trips. Don't need or want a Jacuzzi (no place to put it), no gym equipment, don't care for most cars.
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B
There should be 1 strike ball. When a number is drawn it should appear in the price, should not have to guess which position it fills. This game sucks in it’s present format. Takes to long and the chances of winning are close to zero.
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R
Just keep 3 strikes it all about the fun on TPIS, I'll be there jan. 16th hoping to play what ever comes
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B
I think the 3 strikes game should be thrown out since the odds of winning are ridiculously high..pretty well impossible.
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O
Games are games...win some, lose some. Problem today is greed.
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G
It's an awful game with not a good ending. Also, it takes to long when you loose anyway.
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P
Has anyone wondered why they don't have 'Pay the Rent' anymore since they moved to Glendale? Because it won't fit through the studio doors!
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G
I think so to also there's another one that should be banned is the one where you stand on the squares and if you step on the wrong one you have to guess the price of the three items to get a chance to step on another square no one hardly wins that game eother
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R
I hate the 3 Strikes Game.!!
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D
How about just making it where you have to pick the five #'s before 3 strikes WITHOUT having to put them in their proper place.
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G
I think that it is an ok game. It is like baseball, you can't always win, but yeß it can be difficult to remember the numbers and were they don't go.
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O
If they pick a number it should be lit up and not a guess.
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O
I would eliminate the game 3 strikes... it's almost impossible to win. It's not fun.
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G
Simple change that would make the game better is having only one Strike ball instead of 3, but obviously it goes back in after being pulled the first two times.
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O
What do you want...oh that's right it's the participation trophy generation...losers.
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C
Get rid of 3 Strikes, Stack the Deck, and That's Too Much!! Games that are nearly impossible to win.
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O
get rid of the game. Not fun for viewers or contestant and takes too long to play.
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G
Bench the game, it's too long, boring, and haven't seen a winner in a very long time.
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B
That game is boring and no one has a chance to win.
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B
Sounds like a bunch of typical whiners wanting something for nothing. That's today's generation, gimme, gimme, and gimme.
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J
Another game that they should get rid of is called "that's too much" as a whole bunch of contestants lost on that game also.
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B
It is a GAME SHOW ! NOT EVERYBODY WINS. OUR SOCIETY IN MY OPINION HAS GONE WAY OVERBOARD ON THEIR SENSATIVITY LEVEL . IF YOU DONT LIKE IT CHANGE CHANNELS.
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G
Not only should they get rid of Three Strikes, They should get rid of Time is Money, and To the penny. That's too much is questionable. These games are barely ever won and there is no excitement knowing the contestant is going to lose.
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O
This one and triple play are the worst for winning a car it's an almost guaranteed loss retire both
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P
Get rid of it , what a downer of a game , I sit and watch these people play and I know before they start you will loose so why even try it. The people who came up with this game knew it’s a no win situation when they created it. Take out two strikes it’s only fair
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B
They used to have only one red strike and would put it back in when it was drawn, so five numbers and one strike, better odds I think.
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G
I think they should get rid of calling the contestants name. They waste to much time clapping hands on the way down, dancing or strolling along like turtles.
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O
Get rid of it. Ridiculous game with little chance of winning
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O
Of course the chances of winning are slim to none. They're not going to make it easy to win an $80,000+ vehicle!!!
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O
👎. Too many variables in that game. At least with the similar game of "Any Number" you win something.
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G
Only put 1 strike in the bag...they did that once upon a time
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P
I have ALWAYS hated this game. And I completely agree that it should be permanently retired. In a word, it SUCKS!!!
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O
I've watched people play this game for over 30 years. Just because people don't know where to place the numbers it should be taken off. Sorry not sorry. It's not supposed to be easy. I've seen people win too.
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O
I remember one time, many years ago, a contestant drew 3 strikes in a row. Even if you know the price by heart, you are still likely to lose. It would be more fun if ever wrong guess counted as a strike.
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R
I'm in an agreement with everyone else. I don't like that game. along with
That's too much!
But I still love
THE PRICE IS RIGHT
but it's true some of a few games are HARDER THAN OTHERS. BUT THATS THE WAY THE COOKIE CRUMBLES I GUESS
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O
That game stinks!
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C
Get rid of the game play the 4 price is right tag game more often it makes more sense
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P
It is a hard game to win. You have to have a good memory to figure out where each disc goes, esp. if you're guess is wrong, + it goes back in. I've only seen a couple of actual winners in all the years I've watched TPIR. They have lots of other games to win a car, get rid of this one.
2 2
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G
This game is a no winning game. The 3 X is ridiculous and it makes the game difficult to win.
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C
I like it. Keep it!
1 1
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P
It's not supposed to be easy, they're not going to give the very expensive car away.
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G
I think the 3 strikes game should be discontinued like they did with the other games on the price is right.
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G
I also dislike that game, way too difficult. I watch almost every morning and also evening shows
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G
I don’t watch this game show so I don’t really care.. All games are rigged.
1
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G
Absolutely despise that game...agreed it takes a long time just to lose...get rid of it!!
1
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P
Dump it and the Lucky Seven game- they both stink
1
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O
Bench it for good
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P
I HATE Plinko. It is a no win contestant game. No one has ever won 50,000! The odds are against the contestant.
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