How to Play Winner Take All

The first radio and television game show produced by Mark Goodson and Bill Todman, "Winner Take All," also was the first game show to use lockout buzzers, the first to have returning champions and the first to be hosted by Bill Cullen. Here's how to play it.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Contestants (2)
• Skit actors
• Blindfolds
• Objects to identify by touch, smell or taste
• Buzzers (2)
• Prizes
• Emcee

1. Place two contestants at podiums with buzzers.
2. Ask the contestants a general knowledge question and have them buzz in.
3. Give the first contestant to buzz in the right to answer the question. If the contestant gets it right, award him one point; if not, give the other contestant a chance to answer. If the other contestant gets it right, give her one point.
4. Repeat Step 3 until one contestant scores three points and is declared the champion.
5. Award the champion a prize and have that player face off against a new contestant. Give the loser a lovely parting gift and thank him for playing.

Tips & Warnings

• For variety, instead of asking the contestants questions, have them view a skit performed by actors that is a clue to a subject. The skit could be performed as charades or with words.
• Blindfold the contestants and have them identify objects placed in front of them by touching, smelling or tasting them. (If you do this, use buzzers the contestants can hold in their hands and use their other hands for touch-testing, so that they don't have to grope for their buzzers.)