While we’re on Price is Right questions – I never realized how controversial it is to bid $1 over someone else (until I was on the show, and started paying attention to the show’s Facebook and Twitter profiles.)
Some people think it’s totally unfair, and get pretty mad over people who bid $1 over.
But here’s my question – why?
It is Price is Right strategy 101. I actually yell at the TV when the last person to bid just picks some random number between all of the other people. Why would you guess in the dark when you have 3 other bids to go off of?!
I get being nice to people. Being nice is nice. But The Price is Right is a game! There are automatic advantages/disadvantages built right in. When it’s your first turn up there, you bid first! Chances are, nobody’s taking it easy on you. I was outbid by $1 in my first bid. And I wasn’t mad about it because that is how The Price is Right is played.
And, if you had some amazing bid, and someone outbid you by $1 – if you were 3rd to bid, you’ll go last next time. (And of course, last is always the best spot.)
Of course, it doesn’t always work out fairly. If you’re the last person called to contestants’ row, good luck – though I have actually seen people be the last person to be called on down, then guess the exact amount of the prize to get onstage.
Also, sometimes the luck just isn’t in your favor. Poor Tiffany’s dad in my episode was outbid by $1 twice – once by someone 2 away from him, once from the person after him – and he had no chance to go last.
So, it sucks when someone doesn’t have great luck. But, to me that is The Price is Right. And I don’t understand what people on the internet are so upset about. (Though I guess people on the internet get upset about everything…)
I don’t know. Does anyone want to add any thoughts or opinions to this question?
Hi,
Found your blog entry from another site regarding the Price is Right. I always thought it was mean, but like you stated: it’s a game. Everyone is supposed to be out to win. As long as it’s allowed, by all means, utilize the strategy! Maybe cheap strategy, but it works and it’s allowed. Who really cares what the haters think!? They’re not the ones on stage.
I appreciate your comment. Thanks for reading and joining the conversation!
But, as you mention “cheap strategy” – which I’ve heard before – I don’t understand why people think it’s cheap. To me, it just is strategy. I guess my question to people who think it’s not necessarily right, is what strategy do you expect people to take?
(As I said in the post, I wasn’t mad when I went first and someone bid $1 over me. I had to assume that would happen. I’d expect nothing less of the other players.)
The other thing is, is the other contestants’ bids are giving you ranges. I knew the camcorders could not be much more than $1,200 (if they even were above that at all (which they were)). But, $1,200 started a range that was built by Jeffrey. So, you have to work from what you have. I only had $60 of wiggle room on those cameras – and at the time, I didn’t know if I had $5, $60, or $100 worth of wiggle room.
So, I suppose my question would be if $1 isn’t okay by some people, what is okay? How much breathing room do you have to give? If I’d given $25 of breathing room, I’d have been okay. If I’d given $100, I would’ve missed out on a brand new car.
I guess everyone has his or her line of what’s okay and what’s not okay to them. As for me, even before I was a contestant, I would yell at the TV when people who got to bid last, or second to last, made bids way out in left field (unless I felt like the first 2 or 3 bids didn’t make any sense).
Where is Manuela and rob at ,and are Drew and models nice
Yes, everyone was really nice!
I have also been wondering where Manuela went to
Probably to another job. But on her twitter the other day, she said she was back. 🙂
They should make contestants write down their bids and then reveal them. That would fix the problem.
Gord in Canada.
I agree! They could have keypads at each station in contestants row, where the contestants simply punch in their bids, without seeing what the other bids are. I think this would make the game fair. Just because outbidding by one dollar is allowed, that doesn’t mean it’s right. Freemantle should really address and fix this loophole.
Or what I said in this blog, add a keyboard at each station
I’ll tell you why I think it’s totally wrong to outbid a contestant by a dollar! No contestant should have the power to eliminate another contestant from having a chance to win.
Hey Anonymous! So… what would you think is the most fair way to do it, then? 🙂
Anyone who doesn’t increase one of the other three bids by $1 is a fool.
Right?! 😉 Thanks, lakawak 🙂
By bidding one dollar over because you can is saying F**K you and knocking out the original bidder.
It shows poor sportsmanship and even less character. Shame on you
Hmmm, interesting take, Joanne. I take it as strategy. But I see how some people see it differently…
Agreed. I’ve watched this show since the 70s and always thought it was a cheap shot. Especially if the same person keeps doing it over and over. Its not just an internet rage issue and I wonder if CBS has to provide parking lot security to escort out problem bidders. Bob Barker supposedly always liked the strategy but Jonny Olson, the announcer who coined the phrase “Come on down” thought it went against the shows commitment to give contestants an even a fair shake. He thought blind bids were the way to go
Lmao what would you have her do? Intentionally lose the game and the chance of a free car just to make someone feel nice? Grow up
Thank you haha 🙂
At one time a $1 bid over was not allowed. I am not sure when they changed it. Do you know?
I didn’t know there was ever a time they weren’t allowed…?
It was not allowed on the original Bill Cullen version (bids had to be made with a minimum increment). The current version has allowed it since day one (1972).
Hey Phil!
I had not ever heard this. Interesting addition to the discussion. Thank you!
bidding a dollar over violates The Golden Rule which I was taught as a child. Bidding $3 over has the same benefit without being so sadistic.
How you grow up Trophonix? It is is dick move and you not thinking it is probably you probably do that in games. It is comparable to using an overpowered unit in a tabletop game again a newbie opponent.
I agree. Bidding a dollar over eliminates the other bid. I can understand it on low price items, but when something is hundreds of dollars it is a punk ass move. I just enjoyed watching someone who bid a dollar over lose to someone who bid $3 over. To me the person that originally bid, deserves to win. I don’t understand why you can’t bid over. It should just be whoever was closest.
Hi find. About. Price. Right. On email. OK. Trade. Won. Car. What. Do. Need do. Win. I. Homeless god. Bless. . pam Locke
I’m so sorry that I don’t understand this comment
To me, bidding $1 more sort of defeats the point of bidding. It’s like..okay, I have a really good idea about the price of this product and I’m really confident that I can win this round. However, the guy next to me has no idea what to bid, and goes, “Welp, time to screw over everyone else.” and bids one dollar more than me. Sooooo, what was the point of me even trying to come up with an educated bid, or even bidding at all if the next guy in line is going to nullify it. I have no chance unless I’m right on the money. Honestly, if I were put in that position, and I had a good feeling that someone would bid one dollar over me, I’d overbid on purpose. If I’m going down I’m taking you with me. Lol
Well, I mean, to each her own, I suppose… I think it’s good game strategy. And I think if you were to overbid on purpose, you may end up hurting someone else – but someone would still get on stage. And it wouldn’t be you, if you’d overbid. So, I’m not 100% sure what the point is in hurting yourself in the hope of hurting someone else… Unless I’m just overreacting to a joke, at which point, don’t mind me, and if so, I’m very very sorry at my inability to read your tone… Oh, internet! 😛
Youre totally right and the ladies blog comment is moronic as is her stupid minions. The answer is simple and fair for everyone……..TAKE AWAY that hogwash “without going over the actual retail price” Whoever comes closest to the real dollar value wins, but youre not allowed to bid within 50 bucks of any other player thus giving all a fair chance.. If some schmuck bid 1 dollar over me I would want to tear his/her throat out for being such a low dick.
The time is money is the most UN FAIR game to win !!! I love the show & most are reasonable but that game & the one to buy a car for a dollar is so absolutely ridiculous!!! Unbelievable !!!!
10 seconds , really ? To place items in 10 seconds , then have to run back & forth ?
So un fair to some constants !!! I think that some of your games are great & most are so un fair!!! I just think it’s wrong !!!
I watch price is right everyday & get so discouraged cause games are not even !!!!
The game as it stands is unbalanced and unfair to the previous three contestants, though when anyone in the 1-3 spot wins, it’s because they intentionally overbid thinking that it wouldn’t possibly be that number, but just that they thought that it was fair to the other contestants. It almost seems like a big social experiment honestly with how its set up. (“Would You Screw Over Your Fellow Humans for [Insert Product(s) here]).
Drew’s said himself that he offers condolensces to the ones it happens to.
They could fix it like so: If they let each of them bid all at once, then show what they’ve bid afterwards, it’d actually require educated guesses or knowledge about the products and give everyone a fair chance. If they ALL overbid, they’d hold the bid a second time, or whomever’s bid was the closest at that point while retaining the “don’t go over” mechanic if only several goof up.
I think as it is, the game still requires some educated guessing. There are obviously often people who go well below or well above what someone else bid, because they’re not relying on that person/assuming that person is right.
Also, the game does change the order. So, if you were first to bid in one round, you potentially could be last in another. If you were the person who bid right before the winner in one round (and maybe that winner indeed went a dollar over you), you’ll get your change this time.
As far as the screwing over other fellow humans, I mean, it’s part of the game… If you were playing Monopoly and you landed on Indiana and someone else already owned the other two red properties, wouldn’t you still buy it? Technically you’re “screwing them over” in the moment – but isn’t that just part of strategy/game play?
Thanks for commenting, and have a great day!
500$
501$
502$
I hate these people. I saw someone +1 a girl and win, and the girl literally started crying, like her face was scrunched up and red with tears as the +1 bidder was going nuts like they were on cocaine or something. I’d like to suplex these people through the damn bidding podium, and sever their spinal cord, then set the whole room on fire and watch them trying to crawl out through the flames.
And then one time, I saw a lady actually bid 1 dollar lower than someone else’s bid…. Like what? Lol
Well… My.. I’m not sure what to say about all that.
(But yes, the dollar under is so perplexing.)
The game is rigged so the last player has the advantage.It’s not right. The original show years ago, had it that every following bid had to be at least $100.00 over any other bid. This way, all 3 people have some wiggle room. The only real true fair way to play this game would be for each contestant to have a machine in front of them and when Drew asks the price, then each player punches in a price. This way, no other idiots place a bet just because another person bet X amount of dollars. Most of these people have no idea on prices and the only reason that they bet X amount of dollars is only because the person beside him/her bet a specific amount. If the 1st person bet $40.000.00 for a skateboard, then the other 3 are so dumb that they would all bet over $40.000. It’s the same when it comes to spinning the wheel? If the first 2 people go over $1.00, the 3rd person automatically wins. That’s not fair. He/she wins without even spinning the wheel. All three players should each spin their own wheel and then the closest to $1.00 wins. That’s fair. And I’m writing all this and I don’t even watch the show for those exact reasons. It’s rigged from the perspective that the last player has the advantage, and it’s not a level playing field.
I disagree that people follow each other that much. I think oftentimes the reason the numbers are so close is because people are thinking along the same lines before they start to bid. Also, they do keep giving new people chances at bidding last, so it’s not like the deck is always stacked.
And with spinning the wheel, it benefits you to win your game ’cause whoever has won the most at that point gets to spin last…. But I could see how you should maybe be rewarded for doing well… However, you don’t choose what game you play, of course, so you could still not spin last, even after winning your game, if you were playing for a living room set or something… So, I see how some things are annoying and potentially a little unfair. But I don’t know if there’s a game on earth (show or not) that’s 100% perfectly fair. All games involve *some* luck, and the rules have been very clearly spelled out for over a decade. So, in my opinion, it’s as fair as any other games. But I respect your opinion as well!
I think bidding $1 over is not right. It would be better to have private bidding, then reveal, or even better in my opinion , require bids to be $25 or $50 higher or lower.
If I won a trip, say, to NYC and that is my home town, can I cash the plane ticket (from LA to NYC) in for a cash refund (once I have received all the paperwork for the trip)?
Thanks for commenting, Denver! My understanding is that no, you usually can’t. (But I didn’t win a trip, nor try to cash it in. So, I can’t be certain. But usually the rule is you take what you win or nothing at all. Very, very few things can be cashed in (and it’s usually only under special circumstances (or, at least, that’s my understanding)).)
AT LEAST require $25 bid difference, $50 is appropriate. Those of you who thinks $1 over previous bid is o.k., then I hope it happens to you.
It did, thanks. Haha. …And… I expected it. It’s all part of Price is Right gameplay, IMO *shrugs*
If those who won by going $1 over another bid instead went $50 or $100 over the other bid, they’d win almost every time, and not appear so mean.
Hey Gary! I guess I just don’t fully understand the point of doing that. Sometimes the difference is less than $50 or $100, so you might not win indeed, and if you do, does the other contestant really feel that much better whether the difference was $1 or $50? haha Maybe! I dunno. I think a loss is a loss, no matter by how much
My mom was called down when we went to the show in 1990 and was repeatedly outbid by one dollar even after all 4 bids were over twice in a row. The producers of this show could take care of this issue by simply placing a 0-9 keyboard with backspace button on all 4 stations in front of the stage. Keep them discreet enough from seeing each other. The time would not be much different because everybody declares at the same time. We live in the modern era of efficient digital devices and the respect for the show would return to expectations of viewers. The one dollar maneuver makes it more “Jerry Springer” than ever.
No one can consider me devout, but I try to live by my favorite verse Philippians 2:3 which directly addresses this question. If I were on the show, I’d be there just for the fun. I don’t need to be a jerk to have fun.
Hey Bob!
I’m genuinely surprised by how controversial the dollar over bid thing is. I guess I just don’t see it like you. It’s a game. If you’re playing Scrabble and have the luck of getting some really good tiles, do you feel bad about using them because it’s “selfish”? Like, it’s literally a game, and it’s the rules of the game haha. I dunno. I just don’t see it like you do, but to each their own, I suppose!
I love how many years this thread has spanned, lol. I’ve been watching the show more since being quarantined with family, and I always hate the dollar outbidders. I always root for them to lose their grand prize, and they often do for some reason (my aunt calls this “dollar karma”). For the reasons already mentioned: it’s mean, it’s eliminating someone, and not everyone gets a chance to do it. But I think the underlying point is that the show shouldn’t allow it, not that players shouldn’t do it. Of course it’s a game and the point of a game is to adjust your strategy based on the rules, but games aren’t supposed to give some players an advantage over others unless that advantage will be evenly distributed amongst the same players over the run of the full game (and thus, not an advantage). Anything else is a poorly written game, and that’s what happening on TPIR.
Hey anonymous!
Thanks for commenting! I’m also tickled at how long this thread has spanned haha. Interesting about your aunt, and how many people are so against the $1 over bidders haha….
I guess what I don’t fully understand is when we first get down to contestants’ row, we have to bid first. So, once we’ve been there for however many rounds, if we’re in the good position, why not utilize what we didn’t have before? [Although, I guess the argument is just have a different system completely – but with the system as is, I don’t understand why you would start with a disadvantage, and when you *finally* get that advantage, ignore it.]
Also, what is an appropriate dollar amount to you? For instance, I was estimating the cameras were about $1,100 in my mind. So, when someone went $1,200, I know that the cameras were either less than that or *just* over $1,200. And since at home I am notoriously just a bit of an under-bidder, I thought they probably were indeed *just* over $1,200. And they were! They were $1,260. So, I was less than $100 away. (I mean, so was the poor man I overbid who I do feel bad for, because he was a good bidder.) Still. I just wonder what the “appropriate” amount is for people. *shrug*
I’d like to know how often people win with the $1 bid. Mostly, they fail. Going $1 over the highest previous bid if you’re the last bidder is a much better strategy. If you are bidder 1-3, you should attempt to guess the value of the product as close as you can.
Of course, it would be more fair if the bidding was hidden, but I’ll bet the show likes the competitive bidding. It’s more like an auction. They aren’t going to change…it’s grandfathered/grandmothered in.
I’m not bothered by the $1 overbidding. I’d probably go $5 higher, unless the bidder I was going over had a bid ending in a 9.
On occasion, I’ve seen bidders go slightly under another bidder. Even go $1 under. Makes little sense unless you believe you know the exact price.
Hey Evan! Thanks so much for your comment!
YES the under-bidding by just a few dollars drives me nuts! It doesn’t make any sense! What’s the point?! haha
And I think it’s all very situation dependent. Sometimes $1 makes a lot of sense if you really believe that every one has overbid. And sometimes going $1 over someone in the 3rd spot (instead of the last spot) also makes sense (as it was how I got onstage). [If the first two bids are reasonably far apart, and you go $1 over one, and someone else goes $1 over the other, you’re good to go.] 🙂
Also, I personally, don’t see a tremendous difference in $5 over vs $1 over. But hey, to each their own!
It comes down to a question of fairness, as most people pointed out the game is rigged in that the last person objectively has the advantage, that is undeniable. Put simply in gamer terms since thats what’s most simple to me, It’s like choosing Oddjob in GoldenEye N64. Yeah sure he’s allowed to be picked, but he’s such an undeniably broken character that it’s common courtesy to not use him. In the same way betting 1 dollar over is undeniably the best, and most unfair strategy, if everyone had your mentality that it’s just strategy then the only way the first person could ever win would be guessing almost the exact price with less than 99Cents over.
Tl:Dr it’s a gameshow made primarily for entertainment of an audience, And bidding 1 dollar over is just a massive fuck you to everyone who bid before you and to the audience.
Hey Sanvich!
Okay, so that’s a fair comment. But for instance, I was only $59 below the price, having bid just $1 over… So.. what is the fair amount then, that you think is okay to go over? 🙂
I think outbidding by a dollar is deplorable and adds to the arrogance of every person who does it. I also marvel at how many of those morales 1 dollar outbidders win cars, etc so unreservedly. To me the only decent thing about TPIR is that it is still not as horrible as Jeopardy! Ugh.
So, if someone either takes the bid you wanted, or super close to it, how much do you think is the appropriate amount of buffer to leave where you wouldn’t think of the person as deplorable anymore?
I like how you’re still responding nearly 10 years after writing this post, Aurora!
So I’ve always thought of it like so: I get that it is strategy, but it’s also a slap in the face to the other contestant(s). It’s a game and you want to get up on stage, sure, but you should also be considerate.
At the very least, go $10 or $20 above them so they have a shot, even if its a small one. Almost always the person who wins was WAY below the actual price, so there was a huge spread they had to work with. Example if they bid 900 and you bid 920, the price is often like 1500 or 2000 and you still win… and you weren’t the d-bag who bid 901.
As for how to “fix it”…. I would much prefer bidding be blind (entering it into a keypad, let’s say), with ties determined by speed or some other factor. I know they won’t ever do this, but still.
All in all, I actively root against anyone who got up on stage with the $1 over method.
Also, while I’m here: TPIR, no one wants a boat. lol. Almost everyone who has a boat in their showcase puts on a fake smile or just claps politely 😛
Hey Chris!
I hear what you’re saying… In my case specifically, had I been first to bid, I would’ve been $1,100. So, when he big $1,200, I was VERY on the fence about whether I thought it would be over $1,200 or under. And it was only $1,260…. Let’s say I had bid $1,220 to be ‘nice,’ and it was $1,215, I would’ve been sick to my stomach.
Games are built with certain advantages in them, and I feel like as long as you go in knowing the rules, you just do the best with what you have. When I first got to contestants row, someone bid $1 over me, and I hold zero ill will. It’s all part of the game, and that happens when you’re first to bid. Game shows are partially about luck!
And yes! Boats are hard to use/store/maintain enough to justify the taxes on them, but they’re also hard to sell! Pass your showcase if you’re first and it’s a boat! haha
$1 over someone else’s bid shows poor sportsmanship, and what is this game if not a form of sport?
Your argument is that it technically follows the rules, so what’s the problem? Well, you can find a wallet and technically keep the money without it being stealing, right? Or if no one is watching you, you can cut in line. But you wouldn’t do those things because it makes you an asshole.
Many professional sports have unsportsmanlike conduct as a penalty, and that’s what bidding $1 over someone else essentially is. And these people are doing it on national tv, for all their friends and family to see.
Those same people probably play board games with friends and try to screw them over at every opportunity, then wonder why no one plays with them anymore haha.
Hey, Jenny…
Huh. I dunno. I just really don’t get this. If I find someone’s wallet, I look for an ID and see if I can track them down. And if they don’t have any identifiers, and I found it in an establishment, I take it to the counter and say someone lost it.
And no, I would say ‘cutting the line’ actually is breaking a ‘rule’ whether is someone is watching you or not.
Unsportsmanlike conduct is when you are in someone’s face about something, and are a braggart or a spoilsport. It’s if you beat someone with your $1 over bid and then give them the finger, or spit on their podium on your way up. It’s not if you follow the rules of the game. People don’t get penalized in baseball when they steal a base because it wasn’t ‘nice’ or something. It’s literally part of the game, so people strategize with that in mind.
Someone bid $1 over me on my first round up at the podium… I don’t necessarily think it was the smartest strategy move, because I was only the first bid, and way too low. So, they didn’t get up there with that $1 over bid, because we both way underbid. But I wasn’t mad in any way. It was expected. It’s how the game is played!
I just can’t understand people getting pressed about it. When you try to take people’s pieces in checkers, you’re not being mean, you’re playing the game you both agreed to play. When you buy property in Monopoly, same deal. And on and on and on. So, when you say ‘try to screw them over’ in board games, what does that mean to you? Does it just mean they try to play the game? I’d play with someone who’s incredibly good at board games and try to see how to outsmart them. I wouldn’t get mad at them for playing the game I asked them to play.
So, I disagree with you, but thank you for your comment.
I am one of those people that is upset about bidding” 1.00″ over. After reading your blog, maybe I should readjust my thoughts. Thanks
Wow!!!! This is the first comment I’ve seen on this post where someone has opened their mind a little! I really appreciate you coming in with such kindness, curiosity, and thought Patsy Ann. Thank you!