Every game show has its own terminology of words and phrases that are used during game play. For those who have watched the show for a long time, these phrases are easy to understand. For new viewers, however, they can sometimes be confusing.
The Price is Right is the longest-running game show on television, and for most fans, the following terms are second nature. If you're just getting into the show or joining the online discussions though, here's a handy glossry of Price is Right words and phrases that are unique to the show.
Contestant's Row
The term Contestant's Row refers to the row of four podiums lined up in front of the main stage. Contestants, who are seated in the audience, are called to "Come on down" to Contestant's Row, where they take an available spot and wait for the next item up for bids. Using their podiums, contestants bid on the item and the person with the closest bid without going over is called up to play a pricing game.
Item Up for Bid
An item up for bid(s) (IUFB or IUB) is a product (or sometimes a service, trip, or a combination thereof) that is presented for contestants to place bids on. These bids are guesses as to the actual retail price (ARP) of the item. Retail prices are provided by the manufacturers and are often vastly different from the prices you might find in a retail store.
Pricing Game
Pricing games are the foundation on which The Price is Right has been built. Pricing games are the short games that contestants play when they leave Contestant's Row and join the host on stage. All of the games on the show require some type of pricing activity, usually guessing the ARP of various items, from simple grocery staples to exotic cars.
The Big Wheel
After three contestants have played a pricing game, they head to the Big Wheel. The wheel itself is made up of various price points in cents, from 5 to 100 (one dollar). The Big Wheel sits and spins vertically, and when a contestant takes a spin the wheel must make a full rotation for the result to count. There are two spins of the Big Wheel during each episode, each with three contestants participating.
Showcase Showdown
The Showcase Showdown (often confused with the Showcase itself) refers to the three contestants competing at the Big Wheel. The winner of each of the two Showcase Showdowns are the contestants who spin closest to one dollar without going over. Each person can take up to two spins, but if he or she goes over a dollar, that contestant is out of the running. The person who wins each Showcase Showdown moves on to the final portion of the show, the Showcase.
The Showcase
The Showcases are the final two prizes that are available to be won, and these come in the form of collections, often with a theme. For example, a Super Bowl showcase could include various football team swag, an entertainment system including a wide-screen TV, and tickets to the big game. The show's announcer has fun with these, as do the models presenting the Showcases. After the first presentation, the contestant who won the most during his or her pricing game has the option to bid on the Showcase or pass it to the other contestant. Both contestants bid on their Showcases, and the one who bids closest to the actual total retail price, without going over, wins his or her collection of prizes. If a bid is within $100 of the ARP (again, without going over), the contestant wins both Showcases.
