Flip Flop is a game where the contestant has to make one of three choices.
Gameplay[]
The contestant faces a wrong four-digit price in white on red, with the inverted numbers red on white. The player can "flip" the first two numbers, "flop" the last two numbers, or "flip & flop" all four numbers. Making the right decision wins the prize with that price.
History and Bloopers[]
- In the history of this game, there have been several flops all together. Here are several that are memorable:
- On June 6, 2002 (#2204K), contestant Rebecca played for a clock. Although she flopped and guessed the price of the clock correctly, once Bob pressed the button to reveal the price, the price reveal got stuck and allowed Bob and Rebecca to tear the top piece.
- Once the contestant guesses the price, it is the host's responsibility to press the button to reveal the price. The first time the contestant did this was on March 5, 2003 (#2463K). Elizabeth flopped guessing the price for a trip to Spain but after her guess she revealed the price herself. Bob said, "Who needs me?"
- The most outrageous moment was on April 4, 2005 (#3231K) when Breton played for a digital piano. Breton tried to figure out how to operate the game (or at least it appeared like he was), but he pressed the button revealing the correct price too early before making a guess; thus making the game a moot to the shock of the in-studio audience, Rich Fields, the models, and the production staff. Bob, who was already somewhat disillusioned with Breton for being "The slowest moving young man [he'd] ever met", stormed off the stage, claiming that he was going home; he then returned saying he would not stay on the stage with "this troublemaker!" Bob ultimately awarded Breton the prize and ordered him to get off the stage. He then insisted that there be no more "funny business" on his turn during the Showcase Showdown, which was conducted normally, and he did not win. On a note of extreme irony, the theme for one of the showcases that episode was about 'cheating'. This episode was never aired on the East Coast on the original broadcast due to coverage of the funeral of Pope John Paul II and was also never aired on the August 15, 2005 rebroadcast, due to the conclusion of the PGA Championship that had been rained out the day before, meaning fans on the East Coast could not see the action until it was posted to YouTube.
- The game got its first win on its third playing on March 10, 2000 (#1395K).
- Another contestant named Leslie Martinez revealed the price on April 23, 2009 (#4724K) episode after her guess, but Drew stated he was going to let her do it anyway.
- On April 25, 2011 (#5541K), to avoid those occurrences from repeating, the button was moved to the left out of the way so Drew would always reveal the price himself, but he would often let the contestant reveal the price for themselves.
- On August 11, 2015 (#7202K, aired out of order on August 10) and June 21, 2019 (#8805K), Flip Flop was renamed "Flip Flops" for the Summer Beach Party theme.
- On October 30, 2023 (#0351L), the "flipped" version of the first two numbers falls out while Drew is demonstrating the game. While he never quite manages to reinsert it properly, he does get it wedged into the prop enough for it not to fall out again on the air.
Trivia[]
- The second number of any prize can be any number but a "0", because that would mean one of the options would be having a 0 as the starting number.
- The most number of times this game was played in any season was 35 (season 41), while the least number of times this games was played in any season was 11 (season 28).
- This pricing game was the first to premiere in the 2000s.
- It is also the first Turntable-based game to debut with the "flat" walls.
- Flip Flop has never offered a single car, and probably never will, as most cars now cost at least $15,000.
- Contestants have a 33.3% chance to win the prize.
- In the 2010 edition of The Price is Right, Flip Flop was not located on the turntable. The game is placed on the corner stage.
- This share its name with a style of footwear, usually worn in the Summer, where its a type of light sandal-like shoe where it consist of a flat sole held loosely on the foot by a Y-shaped strap known as a toe thong that passes between the first and second toes around both sides of the foot.
Gallery[]
To view the gallery, click here.
YouTube Links[]
Flip Flop for a Trip to Athens, Greece (May 21, 2013, #6362K)
Flip Flop for a Yamaha Majesty Motorscooter (October 28, 2013, #6471K, aired out of order on October 29)
Flip Flop Cheaters[]
A playing in which a contestant cheats (Bob Barker Era) (April 4, 2005, #3231K)
Prop Problems[]
Playing with a prop problem (Bob Barker Era) (June 6, 2002, #2204K)
Playing with a prop problem (Drew Carey Era) (October 27, 2008, #4481K, aired out of order on October 13)
| 2000s Pricing Games |
|---|
| Flip Flop | Triple Play | That's Too Much! | Bonkers | Pass the Buck | Step Up | On the Spot | Time is Money (1) | Coming or Going | ½ Off | Pocket ¢hange | Balance Game (2) | Stack the Deck | More or Less | Gas Money |