Three on a Match (NBC; Episode 7)

[dougmorrisontheair]

(ding)

Choo-choo. (scattered groans) Okay -- 50 grand bonus out of play. Still $80 to spend before you get to the coupons.

[pathfinder20]

Let’s try 30 on the blue.

[dougmorrisontheair]

(ding)

Airplane.

Note to our affiliates, the commercial break we'd normally take here has already been taken. We'll be back on track with normal timing before too long.

Kourtney, continue.

[pathfinder20]

Let’s try 20 on the blue.

[dougmorrisontheair]

(ding) (scattered cheers)

Another plane. Thirty bucks to go.

[pathfinder20]

30 on the yellow.

[dougmorrisontheair]

(ding) (more cheers)

Another boat to close the middle column. Looking good as you go to the freebies, Kourtney.

[pathfinder20]

Let’s go 40 on the red.

[dougmorrisontheair]

Had a hunch you would --

(buzz) (scattered groans)

-- as I was saying -- I had a hunch you'd save your freebies for the last column. You just found "no match" -- but it's not a stopper. So -- please continue.

[pathfinder20]

Forty on the Blue.

[dougmorrisontheair]

(ding) (scattered groans)

First time for the car in this grid -- with one freebie left.

[pathfinder20]

Let’s try 40 on the green.

[dougmorrisontheair]

(dings; audience cheers)

Third sailboat wins it.

Kourtney, congratulations. You had to spend every nickel and freebie to win that game. Thankfully, you do pick up $500 for winning the game.

Matt, great game. You just happened to pick a good category for the champ. The $110 you still keep -- but you cannot spend it in further trips to the grid.  This is also your first loss.  You're not out until you lose two.

Speaking of trips to the grid, Kourtney, the bonus grid awaits your presence. Ready?

[pathfinder20]

I am ready.

[dougmorrisontheair]

Then come hither, please.

(audience applause; theme plays)

All right, Kourtney, as you know, we've randomly hidden the numbers 1 through 9 with no duplicates in these boxes. You'll buy each number at the rate of $100 -- sight unseen.

Just after you put $100 on a certain number, we'll reveal it's location. Then, you'll continue your buying spree until you can't afford any more numbers or until three of the numbers you've bought are in a row straight across, up and down, or diagonally.

If your first three picks are in a row, you win an instant bonus -- of $50,000.

(audience cheers)

You took it to the limit in the main game grid. Let's see if you can make three in a row in just three picks. Good luck and off you go.

---

(Kourtney, please put "$100 on the (number)".)

[pathfinder20]

$100 on the 2.

[dougmorrisontheair]

(ding) (scattered woos and cheers)

Right up the middle.

Well -- next pick just sets the tone.

[pathfinder20]

Let’s try $100 on the 6.

[dougmorrisontheair]

(ding) (more cheers)

The 6 was in the lower left. So if you buy the number in the upper right box, you instantly win $50,000.

You'll still go on to play for up to $30,000 more -- which would feel a bit anticlimactic. However, every dollar's important to get you close to that goal of $250,000 and quadrupled total winnings of at least a million.

So, for that possible instant $50,000, you're putting $100 on -- what number?

[pathfinder20]

Let’s hope for $100 on the four.

[dougmorrisontheair]

(ding) (loud groans from crowd)

As my mother would say, "Right church, wrong pew."

You were in the right row -- but wrong column.

Still $200 to play with.

[pathfinder20]

Ok. Let’s try $100 on the 9.

[dougmorrisontheair]

(ding) (scattered cheers)

Left center.  So -- looks like -- you *don't* want the lower right box.

[pathfinder20]

Let’s try $100 on the 1.

[dougmorrisontheair]

(dings; audience cheers)

There we go. Went the distance again -- but it worked.

Okay, let's top off this win by winning more money.

Kourtney, as you know, not only did we load the grid with single digit numbers, we also loaded it with thousands of dollars in cash awards. One of those boxes hides the top prize of $30,000.

Now, please choose any of the numbers you bought -- and we'll reveal the cash award behind the number. You may then keep that cash -- or trade it in and try to trade up toward the $30,000.

As you know you have up to three attempts at the $30,000.

Good luck and pick a visible number.

[pathfinder20]

Let’s start at the top with number 1.

[dougmorrisontheair]

It was the last number you bought. Let's see what's the possible return on investment here with 1.

(ding) (scattered cheers)

$5000 -- okay.

You may stop here and take $5000 -- or give it back and keep searching for $30,000.

You'll have two attempts left if you give back the money.

What's your pleasure?

(audience shouts suggestions)

---

(Kourtney, if keeping $5000, please indicate same. If trading it back, please indicate that and then choose one of the remaining visible numbers.)

[pathfinder20]

Let’s trade it in for number 6.

[dougmorrisontheair]

Back comes the $5000.

Behind the 6. Something better, I hope?

(dings; audience cheers)

I'd say that's better. Can't get better than $30,000.

Congratulations, Kourtney.

[pathfinder20]

Thank you. I am so excited!