Test: Top Card Plus (bonus round)

[dougmorrisontheair]

Greetings, all, and thanks for the kind words after the artwork dropped in the "Show Your Stuff" section.

We're now ready to proceed with a test of the Top Card Plus bonus round.

We'll play it much like the Season 2 through 4 format -- but with these differences...

\ We'll play for cash instead of prizes.

\ Seven cash cards and a joker will be placed behind each category; behind each of *those* cards are cards from a 52-card deck.

\ The correct answer to a question adds the value of the cash card to the player's winnings in Top Card Plus. A wrong answer take half the cash away and, so long as the player has at least one chance left (recall the max is four), the player must choose another category.

\ Collecting a card from the board or the top card from the dealer would add its value in thousands of dollars to the player's cash winnings. In other words, if the player takes a King of Spades from the board, the player wins another $10,000 in addition to winning $7500 from answering a question correctly courtesy of a cash card. Drawing a 4 of Clubs from the top card would be worth $4000. Monies from the cards would be just as much at risk, and monies won from answering questions correctly (as always, you're not playing for real money!).

\ A joker at any time is an instant bust -- resulting in an instant loss of all money earned in Top Card Plus. To give the house a further advantage (we're looking to "tape this in Las Vegas", BTW), the deck in front of the dealer would have as many as four jokers. But for each return trip the champion makes, there would be one less joker in the deck. Winners of five games or more wouldn't have to deal with those pesky jokers (I recall a seven-time champion in Season 1 of TC). Of course, going over 21 would also bust -- and forfeit all money won in the bonus round.

\ Hitting 21 at any time ends the bonus game and awards a bonus of $1,000,000. The champion would then retire from the show. We'd possibly have a tournament of champions later in the season.

Interested? Before you say "yes", here are the categories we're going to use in the first test flight.

As you can see, some categories have TJW-style illustrations. Most don't. It's all part of the testing phase.

With that, who wants to play?

[billmcdee]

I'd love to.

[dougmorrisontheair]

[NOTE FROM DOUG: We're working on SFX, BTW. Meanwhile...]

(audience cheers)

And welcome back to Top Card. Bill McDee's our new champion with $12,500. I gather you can make room in your bank account for another $1,000,000.

Here's how in our game of Top Card Plus.

This time, we've hidden behind the categories a joker and seven cash cards. Behind those cards are cards from a regulation 52-card deck.

If you find cash, I'll ask you a question from the chosen category. Answer it correctly and you win the cash award -- plus you'll have that familiar choice of the card on the board or the top card in front of Jackie.

Collect cards that total 21 and you win a bonus of $1,000,000.

(audience cheers)

But -- we *are* in Las Vegas -- and the house is known for having its advantages. In addition to the joker that's on the board, four jokers were shuffled into Jackie's deck.

Anytime a joker appears, you'll instantly bust and lose all the cash you've won in Top Card Plus. If you go over 21, that's also a bust -- and a forfeit of all the cash. I should also caution if you answer a question incorrectly, you'll lose half your cash total.

So, after you've collected a good card, you may freeze and cash out.

You have four chances to hit 21. That means you may select as many as four of these categories.

Where do we start?

[billmcdee]

Since my name starts with "B" let's go with BUSY AS A "B" Doug.

[dougmorrisontheair]

Okay, first, let's hope for cash behind that category.

(burst of cheers)

Yes -- $6000.

Remember, the correct answer to this question starts with the letter "B".

According to the lyrics of a classic song, someone's in the kitchen with Dinah strumming on an old -- what?

[billmcdee]

Banjo!

[dougmorrisontheair]

Banjo is right.

(audience cheers)

So now you have $6000. Now, let's see what's behind this cash card.

(more cheers)

A jack. That's worth 10 if you take it. You could take the top card if you refuse the jack, Bill.

What's your pleasure -- the jack or the top card?

(audience shouts suggestions)

[billmcdee]

I will keep the Jack, Doug. and will risk the $6,000 and play on.  My next category choice is BY THE NUMBERS please.

[dougmorrisontheair]

Okay, before you pick another category, there's another plus of Top Card Plus that I must tell you about.

Anytime you take a good card, whether it's from the board or from Jackie's deck, we add it's value in thousands of dollars to your cash total.

(scattered woos and cheers)

Yeah, so not only do you have 10 points toward 21 and a possible million, you also have $16,000.

Now, want to freeze on 10 -- or still want to go to another category?

[billmcdee]

With a chance at a million, I'll risk it, but thank you for letting me know...sorry I jumped the gun there Doug

I'll go with BY THE NUMBERS please.

[dougmorrisontheair]

No worries. Just want to make sure you're making an informed decision.

So you're going for it on By The Numbers. I hope there's no joker there.

(more cheers)

Sweet -- $8000. Ironically, you'll lose half your money, which would be $8000, if you miss this question.


The NHL's Colorado Avalanche were previously known as the Quebec Nordiques. During the time the team played home games in Quebec City, how many times did the then Nordiques win the Stanley Cup Final?

[billmcdee]

Zero

[dougmorrisontheair]

Zero, none, nil, nada, is right.

(more cheers)

The Nordiques did win the Avco World Trophy in 1977 during their days in the World Hockey Association. The Nordiques joined the NHL in 1979 after the WHA folded -- but never won the Stanley Cup until relocation to Colorado.

So, you're up to $24,000. Now let's what's in store with a card. An ace would hit the spot right about now.

But it's a 4 instead.

Now, if you took the 4, you'd have some breathing room, you'd be up to 14 and you'd have $28,000 in the pot.

Or, you could take your chances with the top card.

(audience shouts suggestions)

Remember, four jokers are in the deck ready to snatch your money and end your game.

[billmcdee]

I'll go for that top card please Doug.

[dougmorrisontheair]

Okay, we say buh bye to the 4...

...Jackie, I hope you have an ace for Bill.

(Jackie lifts top card)

(audience groans)

A 7.  If only we could do that Garry Shandling time thingy.

Huh kay. Well, Bill. You've got 17; you've got $31,000; and you've got two chances to spare. Any joker or any card higher than a 5 will ruin your day.

You may freeze on 17 and take the 31 large -- or let it ride on your third chance. What do you want to do?

(audience shouts suggestions)

[billmcdee]

I will freeze right there Doug.

[dougmorrisontheair]

(freeze sfx) (audience cheers)

Would you believe I'm not surprised? So $31,000 from us. We add that to your winnings from the game. And you have a one day total of...

...$43,500.

(audience cheers)

---

Annnnd -- cut.

Notice how the 17 turned light blue when Bill froze.  That'll happen on the players' podia in the main game (still working on that; hence why I didn't want to go with "traditional vane").  Numbers will turn red when a player busts or it's late in a round and a player is mathematically eliminated (most likely to happen in Round 1).

But back to this playing of TC+.  I'm not going to play "what if" and ask if there was another 4 on the board. That would be just downright mean. But, I will show you what the other cash cards look like.

As noted earlier, the joker was shuffled among the cash cards. I remember chatting about the joker with Philip Cousin and others about TC+ just a few months ago. I found it odd that a player would answer a question about Johnny Cash on the first chance, win a trash compactor, but then lose it immediately on said first chance to the joker on the board. To be fair, a consolation game would follow -- but -- why go through the question?

So if you're going to run into bad news, get 'er dun sooner rather than later.

Oh, yeah, about that "Double" card that was lurking behind See The USA. Had Bill found it on the first chance, since he had no money to double, we'd award $10,000 cash for a correct answer. Otherwise, whatever was in the pot at the time would literally double upon a correct answer.

Anyone else wanna try?  Might have to change a category or two in the process.

[johnnyb]

I'll try.

[dougmorrisontheair]

[NOTE FROM DOUG: We've done a little cosmetic surgery on the board. With that...]

(audience cheers)

And welcome back to Top Card. John Bergman's our new champion with $12,500.

But that's a mere pittance compared to what you could win in Top Card Plus -- $1,000,000.

(more cheers)

This time, we've hidden behind the categories a joker and seven cash cards. Behind those cards are cards from a regulation 52-card deck.

If you find cash, I'll ask you a question from the chosen category. Answer it correctly and you win the cash award -- plus you'll have that familiar choice of the card on the board or the top card in front of Jackie.

Collect cards that total 21 and you win a bonus of $1,000,000.

(audience cheers)

But -- we *are* in Las Vegas -- and the house is known for having its advantages. In addition to the joker that's on the board, four jokers were shuffled into Jackie's deck.

Anytime a joker appears, you'll instantly bust and lose all the cash you've won in Top Card Plus. If you go over 21, that's also a bust -- and a forfeit of all the cash. I should also caution if you answer a question incorrectly, you'll lose half your cash total.

So, after you've collected a good card, you may freeze and cash out.

You have four chances to hit 21. That means you may select as many as four of these categories.

Where do we start?

---

[NOTE FOR JOHN: To clarify, Bingo Numbers has the B highlighted because the correct answer will range from 1 to 15 inclusive.  In other episodes, other letters would be active -- meaning other ranges for possible correct answers would be just as active.  If the I were highlighted, the correct answers in the category would be between 16 to 30 inclusive.  For N, 31 to 45 and so on.

See The U.S.A. is about American geography.

In Welcome Aboard the "S.S." Top Card, the right answer to the question has two words.  Each word in the answer with start with the letter S. 

All the other categories should be self explanatory.]

[johnnyb]

Three Of A Kind.

[dougmorrisontheair]

Starting with Three of a Kind -- which hides...

...a double card. Now, normally this means a right answer would double the cash in your stash. But right now -- you've got nuttin' -- and where's the fun in doubling nothing?

So a correct answer will award $10,000.

(audience cheers)

And here's the question.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the events that comprise the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing were scheduled in a different order. As a result, they were run in alphabetical order. So, in alphabetical order, name the events that make up horse racing's triple crown.

[johnnyb]

The Belmont, The Kentucky Derby and The Preakness.

[dougmorrisontheair]

Judge -- says -- you're good.

(audience cheers)

The formal names -- the Belmont Stakes, the Kentucky Derby, and the Preakness Stakes.

But you're not playing against other contestants here in the bonus round. Just the house. So you're good -- and we have this behind the double card.

It's a 7.

(audience shouts suggestions)

If you take it, remember, you'd also collect its value in thousands of dollars -- so that would be another $7000 for the stash of cash. Or you may take the top card.

[johnnyb]

Top Card, please.

[dougmorrisontheair]

Okay, away goes the 7...

...and instead, we say hello to this card from Jackie.

(Jackie lifts top card)

(scattered groans)

A 6.

Better than a joker for sure.

You still get a $1000 a point for that. So you now have $16,000 to go with the 6.

Your only worries are the jokers. So you may freeze on 6, take $16,000 and run -- or let it ride and pick another category.

[johnnyb]

I'll take the $16,000 and stop.

[dougmorrisontheair]

(freeze sfx)

Champ wants to freeze. With five jokers floating around, I can't say as I blame ya.

I know folks who've *lost* $16,000 in one fell swoop at the blackjack tables here in Vegas. So to come out 16 large to the good is saying something.

So your one day total is...

...$28,500.

(audience cheers)

---

Annnd -- cut.

We'll do at least more test drive of the bonus round -- and then I think we'll proceed to a proper pilot.

Anyone? 

[nelson21]

Me

[dougmorrisontheair]

Okay. Just came up with a new main game rule change. Will share later.

---

(audience cheers)

And we're back on Top Card. Nels, you won a big $14,000 jackpot doubled to $28,000 for hitting 21 in the championship round.

And you hit 21 in Round 1.  So far, you're already $33,000 to the good -- (more cheers) -- with a chance to win more in Top Card Plus.

This time, we've hidden behind the categories a joker and seven cash cards. Behind those cards are cards from a regulation 52-card deck.

If you find cash, I'll ask you a question from the chosen category. Answer it correctly and you win the cash award -- plus you'll have that familiar choice of the card on the board or the top card in front of Jackie.

Collect cards that total 21 and you win a bonus of $1,000,000.

(audience cheers)

But -- we *are* in Las Vegas -- and the house is known for having its advantages. In addition to the joker that's on the board, four jokers were shuffled into Jackie's deck.

Anytime a joker appears, you'll instantly bust and lose all the cash you've won in Top Card Plus. If you go over 21, that's also a bust -- and a forfeit of all the cash. I should also caution if you answer a question incorrectly, you'll lose half your cash total.

So, after you've collected a good card, you may freeze and cash out.

You have four chances to hit 21. That means you may select as many as four of these categories.

Where do we start?

NOTE FOR NELS: To clarify, Bingo Numbers has the B highlighted because the correct answer will range from 1 to 15 inclusive.  In other episodes, other letters would be active -- meaning other ranges for possible correct answers would be just as active.  If the I were highlighted, the correct answers in the category would be between 16 to 30 inclusive.  For N, 31 to 45 and so on.

See The U.S.A. is about American geography.

Welcome Aboard the "S.S." Top Card has a question with a two-word answer; each word in the answer starts with the letter S.

[nelson21]

Color my world