How to Play Let's Make a Deal

Let's Make a Deal is one of television's most iconic game shows, built around a simple yet thrilling premise: contestants are offered prizes and given the choice to keep what they have or trade it for something unknown. The game combines luck, strategy, and showmanship, making every deal unpredictable and entertaining.

The Selection Process

The show begins with the audience filling the studio in colorful, creative costumes. The more imaginative and eye-catching the outfit, the better the chance of being selected as a "trader." The host (historically Monty Hall, currently Wayne Brady) walks through the audience and picks contestants based on their appearance, personality, and costume creativity. This is why dressing in bold, unusual attire significantly increases your odds of playing.

The Basic Deal Format

Once selected, a contestant is offered a prize or cash amount of moderate value—typically ranging from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. The host then presents an alternative prize that is hidden from the contestant. The contestant must decide whether to keep their original prize or trade it for the unknown item. This is the core mechanic of the game: trading certainty for possibility.

Hidden Prizes and Variations

The hidden prizes can be concealed behind curtains on stage, inside a large decorated box, within smaller boxes on a tray, or in other creative formats. Some prizes are desirable—luxury items, vacations, or substantial cash. Others are "Zonks"—deliberately worthless or absurd items chosen to be humorous and disappointing. The contestant has no information about what lies behind the curtain or box, making the decision purely speculative.

Advanced Deal Types

Beyond the basic format, deals evolve throughout an episode. Some take the form of games of chance, such as spinning a wheel or drawing cards, where the contestant must win before claiming a prize. Others are pricing games, where the contestant must correctly guess the price of an item to win it. Some deals involve multiple steps or negotiations, adding layers of strategy and suspense.

Winning and Payouts

Contestants keep whatever they win or trade for during their deal. Unlike some game shows, there is no final round or playoff—each deal stands alone. A contestant can walk away with a Zonk or with thousands of dollars. The unpredictability is what makes Let's Make a Deal endlessly rewatchable: the outcome depends on luck, timing, and the contestant's willingness to take risks.

Tips for Contestants

If you ever apply to be a contestant, remember that costume and personality are everything. The host is looking for entertaining, enthusiastic people who will react with genuine emotion to their deals. Be bold, be visible, and be ready to make quick decisions under pressure. The show values entertainment value as much as game play itself.