Deal or No Deal - 22nd-28th October

So, the last week of DoND before the summer recording break. And the last week of DoND to be shown in regular definition (the show moves to HD tomorrow). And what a week it’s been.

Monday 22nd: Caerwyn

Winnings: £23,000

Dealt at: 5-box

Highest offer: £23,000 (5-box and 2-box)

Box value: £15,000

A spectacular game. As a Welshman, Caerwyn had the Banker’s undivided attention, due to Welsh players generally doing well. It looked the game might be slipping away when Caerwyn hit the £250,000 in Round 4, while leaving the 1p, 10p and 50p in play. But then, after turning down £6,500 at 8-box, he did a speed round, and hit the bottom three in order! This amazing feat got him £23,000, which he dealt for a spectacular Banker spanking. If you thought that was good…

Tuesday 23rd: Lamin

Winnings: £19,000

Dealt at: 5-box

Highest offer: £22,000 (8-box)

Box value: £3,000

After a shocking start of four reds, including the £250,000 and £75,000, Lamin finished the first round with 1p, then had two all-blue rounds. An against all odds third all-blue round took him into the Hall of Fame for the longest run of blues (10), breaking Keran Jackson’s record of 9 from November 2008. After turning down £22,000, the game crashed a bit, but Lamin still got a decent fifth offer of £19,000, which he dealt. A historic game, with a good result for the player, even if the deal was a little bit late.

Wednesday 24th: Jean

Winnings: £5

Opened the box

Highest offer: £11,000 (14-box)

Box value: £5

After two spectacular games, we had a pretty unavoidable trainwreck. Bit ironic that the game crashed after the second offer, which Jean seemed quite taken by, and turned down quicker than perhaps she should’ve. A lot of people weren’t happy with this one, as a lot of the show was taken up by Jean telling a rather long anecdote about caravans, which the show openly mocked by showing the backstage crew appearing to have fallen asleep!

Thursday 25th: Sheri

Winnings: £24,000

Dealt at: 8-box

Highest offer: £24,000 (8-box)

Box value: 10p

Now that’s how you play the game. Sheri’s deal was definitely the right thing for her to do in her circumstances (others may have taken their chances with £50,000, £75,000 and the £250,000 higher), and it turned out to be a perfect deal, and a massive Banker spanking. Can’t ask for better than that.

After the show, a short video tribute to ex-contestant Laura Williams, who has sadly passed away, was played. Once again, may I offer my condolences to her family and friends.

Friday 26th: Dean

Winnings: £7,000

Dealt at: 8-box (for £6,500)

Highest offer: £23,000 (5-box)

Box value: £15,000

This was an unfortunate affair. The £250,000 went at the worst time possible (final box of Round 4), leaving Dean with a weaker board. The Banker offered him £6,500, and later added a Brian Ferry CD to the offer, in reference to Dean’s wish to take his children on a ferry with his winnings. Cruel that, after Dean dealt, he should have an against-all-odds all-blue round, which led to a huge proveout offer of £23,000. The blow was softened a bit when the Banker, unable to get hold of a Brian Ferry CD, gave Dean an extra £500 instead (partly on Noel’s insistence!).

Sunday 28th: Sammy

Winnings: £11,000

Dealt at: 4-box extra offer

Highest offer: £22,222 (2-box)

Box value: £100,000

Sammy’s game quickly became precarious, and she reached 5-box with £100,000 and not much else, including the 1p. The Banker offered her a decent £6,500, and then told her she could open one box, and, if it wasn’t the £100,000, she would get another offer. Sammy took him up on this, and, after finding a blue (though not the 1p), she was offered £11,000. Very cruel that, after sensibly taking the money, she should have the £100,000 in her box.

So, after the amazing heights of the first two games, the show wasn’t really as good for the rest of the week, apart from Sheri’s game, and Sammy’s was dramatic even if ultimately disappointing.

Next week, the show celebrates Halloween with the traditional week of Halloween specials; this year, the players all dress as mummies for ‘Show Me The Mummy’. As usual, we can expect various twists at 5-box, which I will (try to) explain at some point in next week’s review.