Lucky Seven

Lucky Seven (stylized as Lucky $even) is a pricing game played for a car. Its name comes from the fact that the contestant is given seven $1 bills to start but only needs one to buy the car.

Gameplay[]

The contestant is given $even $1 bills to start the game and is shown the first digit in the car's price. They must then guess the remaining digits one at a time. After each digit is guessed, the actual digit is revealed. The contestant must pay the difference between their guess and the actual digit in dollars. (e.g.: a guess of 5 when the digit is 7 would cost $2). Contestants do not lose any money if they get a digit exactly right.
If the contestant loses all of their money at any point, the game ends. If the contestant has at least $1 remaining after the last digit is revealed at the end of the game, they may buy the car for $1 and receive any leftover money.

History[]

When the game first started, Bob gave the contestant the $even one-dollar bills before the car was introduced and on the first playing, Lucky $even was won right away.
Originally, car prices in this game had just four digits, and no free digits were given. During the The Price is Right Special in 1986, the contestant was given the last digit and then had to guess the first four. When the five-digit format was introduced to the daytime show shortly thereafter, the rule was changed to give the first digit.
Originally, a buzzer was sounded when the contestant lost all of his dollars. Eventually, it was changed to the ding and losing horns, making this one of two games to use said combination (the other being Any Number for a piggy bank win; however, the losing horns do not play if the three-digit prize is won).
On the syndicated The New Price is Right series of 1994-95, a wrong guess triggered the buzzer sound.
A double border of chase lights was added around the original logo late in 1973 or early in 1974, which would act as the game was revealed and when it was won.
The original Lucky $even board was blue with black numbers and originally had light blue stripes behind the numbers which were removed on April 29, 1980 (#3662D). Its current board, which first appeared on May 30, 1986 (#6145D), is purple with gold numbers. As of April 23, 1993 (#8795D), the game is now offering cars that are at least $10,000. On October 10, 2001 (#1893K), the number font changed to Times New Roman. On May 27, 2011 (#5585K), the number font changed to Calisto MT Bold.
On October 22, 1982 (#4635D), contestant Edwin Crayer lost on the first number. He guessed the price of the Jeep as $12,000, not understanding the rules of the game. Without reiterating that there were only four numbers in the price, Bob asked for just the first number, to which Edwin replied “1.” The first digit was revealed to be a “9” and Edwin lost all seven dollars immediately. As with most Bob Barker playings, the rest of the digits were not shown after the loss.
On May 26, 1983 (#4944D), contestant Lavon Strubble managed to get the first three digits correct but lost the game on the final digit.
On March 2, 1999 (#1042K), contestant Carla Hughes was mistakenly given $500 instead of $even $1 bills; after losing four $100 bills, she realizes she only has one $100 bill left and that it was mistakenly $500 instead of $1 bills; Bob told the audience that he went into the pocket where he kept the $500 for the perfect bid and Bob and Carla didn't realize that she was playing the game with $100 bills. Drew Carey once did this on February 19, 2010 (#5045K), but he eventually gave contestant Trent the 7 $1 bills.
In the ceremonial 7,000th episode (November 5, 2009, #4894K, in reality, it's the 7,146th episode), contestant Michael White is given $even stacks of $1,000 in $20 bills instead of the usual $even $1 bills; Michael needed at least $1,000 to buy the car.
On Halloween 2013 (#6474K), Lucky $even was renamed Yucky $even. During that playing, the car was won.
On November 21, 2013 (#6504K) during Dream Car Week, Lucky $even offered a 2014 Jaguar XK Touring convertible. It was worth $86,453 but was not won.
On October 14, 2014 (#6842K, aired out of order on October 13) during Dream Car Week, Lucky $even offered a 2014 Porsche Cayenne. It was worth $57,465 and it was won. The contestant Jacob Caughey who played for the car got all but one number exactly right.
On April 1, 2015 (#7073K), Bob Barker, making a surprise appearance for April Fool's Day, hosted the game and gave away an SUV worth $19,856.
On February 18, 2016 (#7414K), during Dream Car Week, Lucky $even was played for an $82,295 Tesla Model S 70. On that playing, the contestant Donald Fipps lost on the third number.
On April 19, 2016 (#7502K), contestant Melvin Dubose had an amazing win. Playing for a sedan, he was off by just 1 in the first 2 numbers. With $6 left, he lost $5 in the fourth number. To win himself the car, he needed to guess this next number spot-on. He guessed a 2 and won the car. The correct price was $18,692.
On March 23, 2017 (#7865K, aired out of order on March 31), which is the second College Rivals episode, Anne Lasher of Michigan State won a $24,872 Nissan Frontier SV King Cab 4x2, while Ashwin Salvi of University of Michigan was denied.
On the Summer Beach Party special aired June 20, 2017 (#7992K), contestant James Wyshywaniuk was given a sand pail with sand dollars instead of dollar bills. He won with 2 sand dollars left.
On February 22, 2019 (#8635K, aired out of order on May 31), which is the final day of this year's Dream Car Week, history was made when contestant Stephanie Montoto guessed all of the remaining four numbers right on the nose. This was the third time that it happened worldwide, after one in the UK on Christmas Eve 1999, and one in Vietnam on January 20, 2018.
On March 10, 2020 (#9062K), a contestant named Leon Gall won a $20,000 bonus for being the first person on stage to win their pricing game during PCH week. It was played in the first slot.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the host holds the money and puts one on the car for every number the contestant is off.
On October 31, 2022 (#9961K), Lucky $even was played for a boat ($7,465), which fit the pirate-themed show; not only was this the first and so far, only time it was played for a non-car, this was also the first time in many years that a 4-digit prize was offered.

Trivia[]

The most number of times this game was played in any season was 46 (season 2), while the least number of times this game was played in any season was 2 (season 1).
Lucky $even was originally known as Lucky Seven. The "S" changed to a "$" on May 30, 1986 (#6145D), the same day its purple/gold color scheme debuted.
During the first several seasons that the game was played, the cue music that began when the car was rolled out would drop in volume but continue in the background while Bob was explaining what game would be played. When he finished the discussion and announced that they'd be playing "Lucky Seven" and pointed for the doors to be opened, the cue music would come back to the foreground and up in volume while the doors were opened and the game board revealed.
Under Bob Barker’s tenure, whenever a contestant loses the game, he would often tell them in a sad voice “You’re broke!” since the contestant has no money left. Plus, on most playings when a contestant loses on any number but the last, Barker just cuts to commercial making the rest of the car price unknown (This had happened twice during the Drew Carey era).
Under Drew Carey's tenure, whenever a contestant has to get the last number exactly right, he would often ask them to pretend that a total stranger walked up to them and said "Pick a number from 0 to 9, and if you're right, I'll give you a brand-new car!" Plus, the fifth number usually does not shine as bright for some reason, and no matter which digit the contestant loses on, the whole price is revealed anyway.
Lucky $even was one of seven pricing games seen on the first taping session of season 36, which was seen on October 23, 2007 (#4052K, aired out of order on November 1), November 1, 2007 (#4064K, aired out of order on October 24), November 14, 2007 (#4083K, aired out of order on November 27), and November 19, 2007 (#4091K, aired out of order on December 11). It was also one of two "old" pricing games seen on the ninth/tenth taping session of the season, which was seen on November 29, 2007 (#4104K), December 5, 2007 (#4113K), December 10, 2007 (#4121K, aired out of order on November 19), January 8, 2008 (#4132K), and January 14, 2008 (#4141K, aired out of order on January 17), though on the final episode of the session on January 25, 2008 (#4155K), it was replaced by Push Over.
Lucky $even was also the name of the bonus round from two unsold game show pilots (which were both produced by the late Mark Goodson & Bill Todman, later Mark Goodson himself) known as Spellbinders created by Steve Ryan and hosted by "whispering" Bill Anderson on August 14 and 16, 1978 for NBC and On a Roll hosted by David Sparks (Crosswits) on February 23, 1986, for CBS.
Lucky $even was also the name of the bonus round from the sixth spinoff of the classic game show Hollywood Squares called Celebrity Squares (also known as VH1's Celebrity Squares) hosted by former Hip Hop Squares (2017 version) panelist D.C. Young Fly. In this version, the winning contestant's goal here is that either he or she must light up seven squares green by answering a series of either/or type questions within one minute. Each correct answer lights up a square green while incorrect answers places a red "X" on a square. If successful, his or her winnings increases to $10,000. But unsuccessful, $200 is added for each and every lit up green square to their winnings.
As a result of Barker's appearance on the 2015 April Fools' episode, Lucky $even holds the distinction of the last game to be hosted by Bob Barker.
When the credits roll at the end of every episode, a slide says “The following suppliers of products or services have furnished them free or at less than retail.” Lucky $even is one of only two pricing games to furnish a prize at less than retail, in this case, $1; the other one is Pocket ¢hange. All other pricing games furnish prizes for free, as long as they are won.

Notes[]

When the game is played, before the reveal of the car, the turntable is pushed downstage to allow the car to be concealed by it. The car is then pushed onto the stage by stagehands while the model "drives" the car, not driven, so as to avoid gas emissions (though Drew tends to say that the model drove the car). The model stays inside the car during the game. There have been rare occasions through the years when a model (notably Janice Pennington and Rachel Reynolds) steered poorly or did not brake in time and crashed the car into the set. On April 1, 2011 (#5505K), however, Rachel crashed the car on purpose for the "10,000th" special.
Since the early '80's, zeroes have not appeared in the car's price for this game.
Lucky $even was the first pricing game played on Drew Carey's first taped episode, taped August 15, 2007, and aired on November 27 (originally scheduled to air on November 14, designated as #4083K).
A common strategy players take to this game is guessing 5 for every number, on the theory that since it's "right down the middle," you're unlikely to lose more than a dollar or two. It's probably better to ignore this strategy for the thousands' digit, since that can usually be guessed even if it's near 1 or 9, but for the other digits, this ensures you cannot lose more than $4.
This game has the distinction of being easily controlled by the producers to make it easy to win or easy to lose. Car prices like $43,645 show that the game was set up for a win, while prices like $52,918 show that the game was set up for a loss.
This game and One Away never offered a car more than $100,000.

Nighttime Appearances[]

Lucky $even was the only game introduced in the second nighttime season hosted by Dennis James, which first appeared in episode #053N.
On a Million Dollar Spectacular that aired on April 9, 2005 (#019SP, aired out of order on April 16), contestant Sheena played for a $77,566 Cadillac XLR and won.
On May 7, 2008 (#031SP, aired out of order on May 14) The Price is Right $1,000,000 Spectacular, Lucky $even offered a Porsche Cayman Coupe. This was the first Porsche featured on the show in over 16 years. It was worth $52,849 but was not won.

Foreign versions of Lucky $even[]

Lucky $even is played on numerous versions of The Price Is Right around the world, sometimes with minor differences (such as not giving the first digit of the price of the car for free regardless of digits in certain versions or allowing a zero in the price of the car), sometimes not even having a car as the prize.

UK[]

During the Bruce Forsyth and Joe Pasquale eras, instead of having the game board behind one of the doors, the car's windshield displays four numbers that are attached to Clingfilm stickers. Zeros may be used in the game, and unlike most other versions there is a rule stating that no digits in the price repeat. This version of the game is played with £1 coins, which replaced £1 notes in 1983.
During the Leslie Crowther and Bob Warman runs, the game had only three digits in the price (hence no car), with panels covering the numbers on a table, and instead of seven £1 coins, they played with seven cards worth £1. It has the same title as the U.S. version.

Australia[]

During Larry Emdur's reign as host, the game was called One Dollar Deal. The rules were similar to the U.S. version, although zeros occasionally appear in the price and the first digit was never given for free, regardless of how many digits there were in the price of the car. The game was even played with seven $1 notes, even though Australian $1 notes have not been in circulation since 1984 when they were replaced by $1 coins. Instead of having doors covering the numbers and sliding to reveal them, the doors flipped over to reveal the numbers. As in the US, the car came in from stage right, but the game was revealed behind a large clamshell since the Australian version's set only had two doors.
On Ian Turpie's versions during the 1980s, the game had the same title and set up as the U.S. version. It was also played with seven $1 notes.

Germany[]

On Der Preis ist heiß the game known as "Die Verflixte Sieben" (The Darned Seven) followed the same rules as the American version, including giving the first digit for free in the price of the car (always five digits). The only notable difference was that the game was played with seven DM10 notes, as DM1 notes never existed, along with having a zero in the price of the car much like with the UK and Australian versions. While the game prop was played behind the third door, the car came out from the second door, facing the audience, instead of coming from the left like the US show.

Canada[]

The French-language Misez Juste had the same rules for Lucky $even as the American version, but it was usually played for trips rather than cars. This incarnation of the game is somewhat notable for using a light-up board to display the price, something that is not normally done for Lucky $even. A sign displaying the price on it was flipped to ensure the operators of the light-up board weren't cheating. The game was played with seven "loonies" (Canada's term for their $1 coin, which replaced their $1 note in 1987). The game there was called Pour Un Dollar (For One Dollar).

Vietnam[]

On Vietnam's Hãy Chọn Giá Đúng, the game which is known as "Số 7 May Mắn" (Number 7 May Man or Lucky $even) follows the same rules as the American version, but instead of 7₫, the game is played with seven discs and only four digits are used (although some occasion five-digit prizes are offered; moreover, there has been one occasion when only three digits are used). Starting from 2015, guessing the number exactly right wins the contestant three more discs. In this version, contestant automatically wins if they have ten or more discs for the last digit in the price. Zeroes in Vietnam often appear in the price, especially on the last digit.

Italy[]

Perhaps the most significant difference was found in "Gioco Dell'8" (Game of 8) on OK, il Prezzo è Giusto!, which contained an actual rule change: The contestant was given eight discs (not ₤7), meaning that he/she could miss the numbers in the price by a total of seven instead of six without losing.

France[]

The game format changes made in Italy were applied to "Les 10 Billets" (The Ten Tickets) on Le Juste Prix. Contestants were given ten tickets (not 7₣) and could thus miss the digits by a total of nine.

Mexico[]

The changes in Italy were also used in "Trece de la Suerte" (Lucky Thirteen) on Atínale al Precio. The contestant was given MX$13 and, as such, could miss by 12.
Of the above three versions, Italy's and Mexico's were always played for cars, while France's rarely was.

Russia[]

Russian version of Lucky $even is called "За копейку" (Za kopeyku, For a penny). Instead of bills, the contestant has seven coins.

Spain[]

The game is referred to as "Siete de la Suerte" (Lucky $even), and the player is given seven 1,000 ESP notes. The setup is identical to the version used on Bruce's Price is Right, except with seven digits on the windshield of the car instead of four. Otherwise, the gameplay is the same, but with the first, middle, and last digits given for free.

Gallery[]

To view the gallery, click here.

Videos[]

Premiere Playing of Lucky $even (August 28, 1973, #0522D)
Lucky $even Wipeout (October 22, 1982, #4635D)
Lucky $even Heartbreak (May 26, 1983, #4944D)
Wrong Number Revealed In Lucky $even (August 21, 1986, #002P)
A Near Perfect Playing of Lucky $even! (February 12, 1998, #0644K)
An Amazing comeback from 2002 (November 14, 2002, #2304K)
Lucky $even playing From Dream Car Week (November 21, 2013, #6504K)
Near-Perfect Lucky $even playing From Dream Car Week #2 (October 14, 2014, #6842K, aired out of order on October 13)
The First Winner of 2015 (January 2, 2015, #6945K)
Bob Barker Gave Away an SUV in Lucky $even (April 1, 2015, #7073K)
Drew Carey first Perfect Playing Lucky $even During Dream Car week (February 22, 2019, #8635K, aired out of order on May 31)

1970s Pricing Games