‘Wheel of Fortune’ Fans React After Contestant’s Impressive Puzzle Solve
This Wheel of Fortune contestant must play a lot of party games in order to solve a puzzle like that. Fans called his solve “impressive” after only four letters were on the board.
Wheel of Fortune is currently in reruns since Season 43 ended on June 5 before it returns in September, but they continue to share memorable moments from the past few seasons on social media during that time.
Sam Smith, from Northglenn, Colorado, originally played on June 2, 2025, but the clip was reshared to the game show‘s Instagram on July 4, 2026. Smith is obsessed with fitness, so much so that he broke both ankles while skiing.
He played against Sunny Nguyen, from Cincinnati, Ohio, and Latanya Watkins, from Beaumont, California. Smith started the game off strong when he solved the second toss-up quickly.
The “Fun & Games” puzzle looked like “_ _ _ T_ _ _ _ _ _ _N _ _ _ _O_ _ _Y” when he buzzed in. Smith solved “Pin the Tail on the Donkey, giving him $2,000.
“Yes, sir. You got it!” host Ryan Seacrest said.
“Wooo!” the contestant said.
The video was posted to WOF‘s Instagram with the caption, “Four letters on the board … did you solve it?” Some fans said that was “super easy” while others said his solve was “impressive.”
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“I got that in 3 letters,” one Instagram user said.
“That was actually pretty easy,” another commented.
“That is impressive,” a few fans said.
“Wow!” commented a fourth.
“That was pretty impressive. I must say,” a Facebook user wrote.
“He actually got it in three letters. He pressed the buzzer as the fourth popped up,” one fan pointed out.
Despite the amazing solve, Smith did not go on to win the game. Smith did not do well throughout the rest of the game. He only ended with $12,000 after correctly solving all three Triple Toss-ups, putting $10,000 in his bank.
Watkins, a law enforcement officer, had $15,300 and a trip to St. Lucia, and advanced to the Bonus Round. Nguyen went home with $2,700.
She couldn’t figure out “Flipping a House,” so she did not take home the BMW.
Wheel of Fortune, Season 43, now streaming, Peacock and Hulu
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