'Wheel of Fortune' contestants win $100,000 three nights in a row for first time in show's history

Host Pat Sajak said, "Even after almost 40 years, new things happen around here."
Thursday, February 10, 2022
LOS ANGELES -- Lightning has struck three times in a row for "Wheel of Fortune" contestants playing in the bonus round this week.

On Monday, contestant Lisa Kramer of Sherman Oaks, California spun the bonus round wheel, which lands on a yet-to-be-revealed prize. The category was "Living Things" and she correctly solved the puzzle "Vultures Overhead."
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Host Pat Sajak said, "I see them circling now because they want all your money," revealing she just won the huge $100,000 prize.

Confetti fell as Lisa cheered her big win.

"Will you clean up this mess?" Pat joked to Lisa.



Maggie Sajak, Pat's daughter and "Wheel" correspondent, asked her father in a post-show interview what are the chances of a contestant landing on the $100,000 prize.



"There are 24 (spaces), which means you have a 4% chance of landing on the $100,000, a little over 4%, and of course the odds are even greater because you have to solve a puzzle," Pat explained. (It's a 4.16% chance, if you were wondering.)



Maggie then asked, with the show in its 39th season, "Have you ever had two $100,000 winners in a row?"

Pat responded, "No. But we could tomorrow night."



We take you to Tuesday night's episode where contestant Mark Baer of Burbank, California was the lucky one to make it to the bonus round.

"Yesterday, we gave away that $100,000 and it's there again tonight," Pat mentioned as the bonus round wheel spun around.

Mark's category was "Event" and he correctly solved the puzzle "A Quick Flight."



Pat then took a look at the prize envelope.



"Oh. Huh. It's never happened," Pat said. He then turned the opened envelope to the camera. It read $100,000.
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More confetti fell as announcer Jim Thornton channeled Baseball Hall of Famer Yogi Berra and said, "Mark, it's like deja vu, all over again."

"Wouldn't you know it, I just sold all my confetti stock," Pat quipped.

The "Wheel" host pointed out that "even after almost 40 years, new things happen around here."

"We'll see you next time. Let's go for three," Pat said.

Speaking again with his daughter following the show, Pat said, "Maggie, I was stunned. I never thought I'd see that on the show."



Maggie asks her dad, "How would you feel it happened again tomorrow night?"

Pat said, "You mean three in a row? I will say this, we already taped the show and I will say it was exciting just to be in a position where that was a possibility."



That brings us to Wednesday night's episode.

"Can we do $100,000 three nights in a row? Seems impossible," Pat spoke to the viewers after contestant Bree Yokouchi of Portland, Oregon, originally from Maui, earned her way to the bonus round.

"After the last two nights, we had to send out for an emergency shipment from Confetti-R-Us in order to fill that," Pat joked. "So we're back, we're reloaded, that $100,000 is back out there."

After spinning the bonus round wheel, Bree was ready for her puzzle.

The category was "Phrase" and, in no time at all, she correctly solved the puzzle "Just You Wait."

And Bree did not have to wait long to find out her prize.
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Pat opened the envelope to reveal: $100,000!

"I'm out of here. That's it I'm through," Pat said in jest as he walked off the set. Co-host Vanna White remained to celebrate with Bree.

"Three $100,000 in a row!" Vanna said.

Pat, who returned to the set, described how remarkable this feat truly was for the game show contestant.

"You know, it's not just landing on that. That's amazing enough. But that was a heck of a solve," Pat told Bree.

He added, "Going for four tomorrow!"



Pat told his daughter during their post-show chat that he is running out of words to describe his reactions.

"Stunned. Surprised. It's all inadequate," Pat said.

Maggie asked if it could happen again.

"You mean four in a row, Maggie? That would be ridiculous. That would be virtually impossible," Pat said.

"You mean like three in a row was virtually impossible?" Maggie asked.

"I see what you mean," Pat said.

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