Jackpot! Question

[carlisle96]

Listening to the circulating audio recording of an early episode, I started wondering: if the target number is randomly generated and there are 14 riddles ranging from $5 to $200, how was it guaranteed that there would be the right combination of values to match the target number? Otherwise, there would be no chance of anyone winning the Super Jackpot. Is it possible the target numbers were randomly drawn and programmed before the show to match the value of the riddles? I remember watching this show during its NBC run and I don't remember seeing anyone win a Super Jackpot.

[Matt Ottinger]

Listening to the circulating audio recording of an early episode, I started wondering: if the target number is randomly generated and there are 14 riddles ranging from $5 to $200, how was it guaranteed that there would be the right combination of values to match the target number?

One: If I'm doing the math right, it would only take clues worth $5, $10, $20, $40 and $80 to make any two-digit combination.  So you've got nine other riddles that would need to total $845 to be able to guarantee any combination from "000" to "995" for any given game that played through all the way.

Two (and more likely, because it's Bob Stewart): I don't think the show ever guaranteed that there would always be a chance in every game to hit the Super Jackpot.   

[TLEberle]

Matt: your math is right. It also can be that if the wallets are opened there may be a way to get there but if the order breaks there is no longer that way to hit the target.

I would bet the Super Jackpot Wildcard was created to work around that. I watched the Canadian version a fair bit and do not remember a super jackpot ever. Also who needs $7,200 when you can split a $50,000 pot?

[carlisle96]

Listening to the circulating audio recording of an early episode, I started wondering: if the target number is randomly generated and there are 14 riddles ranging from $5 to $200, how was it guaranteed that there would be the right combination of values to match the target number?

One: If I'm doing the math right, it would only take clues worth $5, $10, $20, $40 and $80 to make any two-digit combination.  So you've got nine other riddles that would need to total $845 to be able to guarantee any combination from "000" to "995" for any given game that played through all the way.

Two (and more likely, because it's Bob Stewart): I don't think the show ever guaranteed that there would always be a chance in every game to hit the Super Jackpot.   

But wouldn't NBC Standards and Practices say to Bob Stewart that if he's going to tout a game with a $50,000 prize, shouldn't the contestants be given a fair shot at winning that prize?

[JasonA1]

Not necessarily. FWIW, every S&P department is a little different. Some will react the way you're describing, as in, "isn't it a little disingenuous to say [this bit of host language]" and try to suggest alternate phrases to use on the air and/or new rules. Other departments will work in concert with the producers to make the rules fit the host language.

The target number is randomly generated, which Geoff reminded the audience of every time in the extant '70s episode. That felt deliberate...as in, it explains why you might never hit the target in a game: it's completely random. So long as you avoid saying things that are demonstrably untrue -- like "every game, we guarantee every target number can be hit" -- you're fine.

As one S&P rep put it to me, their job a lot of times is to make sure a show adheres to its own rules (once they're set).

-Jason

[carlisle96]

Not necessarily. FWIW, every S&P department is a little different. Some will react the way you're describing, as in, "isn't it a little disingenuous to say [this bit of host language]" and try to suggest alternate phrases to use on the air and/or new rules. Other departments will work in concert with the producers to make the rules fit the host language.

The target number is randomly generated, which Geoff reminded the audience of every time in the extant '70s episode. That felt deliberate...as in, it explains why you might never hit the target in a game: it's completely random. So long as you avoid saying things that are demonstrably untrue -- like "every game, we guarantee every target number can be hit" -- you're fine.

As one S&P rep put it to me, their job a lot of times is to make sure a show adheres to its own rules (once they're set).

-Jason

So what Don Pardo tells the audience in the opening spiel: These 15 players are trying to win $50,000, is true...but they tell the contestants there's no promise anyone's going to win any big money. Sounds like that was the case of "Winning Streak" when Pardo said there's as much as $100,000 up for grabs, but the players are likely told not to expect to come close to it.

[Clay Zambo]

The target number is randomly generated, which Geoff reminded the audience of every time in the extant '70s episode.

So, on that subject: since PYL had its Larson problem because true-random was too expensive, how did Jackpot! manage it many years earlier? I suppose it could have been as simple as a deck of cards or a bag of tiles backstage, with the numbers spinning until the board-op punched in the selected random number, but I wonder if anybody knows for sure.

[Neumms]

I would bet the Super Jackpot Wildcard was created to work around that. I watched the Canadian version a fair bit and do not remember a super jackpot ever.

I bet you’re right. The show actually got exciting when Geoff would say, “You’re $140 away from the target number and there’s a $140 riddle up there.” It’s a shame they didn’t make more winners by changing the math rather than adding a Super Jackpot riddle coming out of nowhere.

[Joe Mello]

So, on that subject: since PYL had its Larson problem because true-random was too expensive, how did Jackpot! manage it many years earlier? I suppose it could have been as simple as a deck of cards or a bag of tiles backstage, with the numbers spinning until the board-op punched in the selected random number, but I wonder if anybody knows for sure.

This inspired me to go watch the extant episode. I have no new insight but I was already of the mindset of "If Joker's Wild figured it out, why couldn't Jackpot?"

[Clay Zambo]

I have no new insight but I was already of the mindset of "If Joker's Wild figured it out, why couldn't Jackpot?"

Well, Joker's was a slot machine, technology that had existed for quite a while. (Yes, not with slide projectors and film loops, but you know what I mean.) Also, each reel had a maximum of six choices. If Jackpot!'s target number could be anything between $005 and $995, that's rather a lot more options. (I don't remember it being anywhere near that low, but even if the lower limit was 200 it's quite a few.)

[Mr. Matté]

I don't think even Bob Stewart wouldn't allow for a $005 target

"The Super Jackpot is worth... $50!"

[Joe Mello]

Well, Joker's was a slot machine, technology that had existed for quite a while. [...] Also, each reel had a maximum of six choices. If Jackpot!'s target number could be anything between $005 and $995, that's rather a lot more options.

I'm no electrical engineer but I imagine at a top level, the mechanism for spinning a slot machine, flipping a solari board, and turning any other number of manual counting mechanisms (e.g. clocks, pinball scoreboards) are the same: a circuit is completed to step up the "drum" and once it's done turning, the mechanism powers off. I could easily see the target number board being treated as three independent drums each with various bits bypassed so that they can spin continuously until someone breaks the circuit (which would be the actual random part). Once that happens, each drum will continue to step until they reach a valid digit.

The end result would be not too dissimilar to a slot machine, and as an all-mechanical solution would be easier to fabricate in the 1970's than making a computer pick a random number and automate electronics to match.

[Clay Zambo]

I could easily see the target number board being treated as three independent drums each with various bits bypassed so that they can spin continuously until someone breaks the circuit (which would be the actual random part). Once that happens, each drum will continue to step until they reach a valid digit.

The end result would be not too dissimilar to a slot machine, and as an all-mechanical solution would be easier to fabricate in the 1970's than making a computer pick a random number and automate electronics to match.

That seems quite plausible!

[carlisle96]

I don't think even Bob Stewart wouldn't allow for a $005 target

"The Super Jackpot is worth... $50!"

Did a $50,000 Super Jackpot ever come up...I don't mean was it won because I think the now famous $38,750 was the most ever awarded.

[BrandonFG]

I wanna say yes? I know there was an ep. with a large jackpot on the line, but the contestant got it wrong. Supposedly the audience reaction was so hostile that Geoff ducked behind the contestant bleachers.