Press Your Luck/Quotes & Catchphrases

Original
Pilot: "These three players have been especially selected today to play television's richest game! Jack Campion is a lawyer who always plays to win! Maggie Brown says she never even thinks about losing! And Matt Dorf tells us he thinks the guy who says 'winning isn't everything' is crazy! But only one of them can play and win today, as they play television's most exciting and challenging new game, PRESS YOUR LUCK! And now, here's your host, the star of Press Your Luck, PETER TOMARKEN!"

Early Episodes: "These three contestants are about to play the most exciting game of their lives(, which only one of them can win)! (introduction of each player, his/her hometown, and a small info bit on how just competitive s/he is going to be)

Best Remembered: (clips of contestants playing the game from past episodes, usually ending with who won the game) "Today, these three players are after high stakes/Big Bucks, but they'll have to avoid the Whammy, as they play the most exciting game of their lives!


 * NOTE: When first used on November 7, 1983, the announcer's opening spiel used "big bucks". This would be changed to "high stakes" as of November 16, 1983.  From December 5-16, 1983, the opening spiel would be altered to replace "are after high stakes" with "will compete for high stakes".  As of December 19, 1983, the opening spiel would revert back to "are after high stakes" and would be used until sometime in February 1985, at which point the opening spiel would replace "high stakes" with "big bucks" and would be used for the remainder of the series.

Rest of Intro: From Television City in Hollywood, it's time to PRESS YOUR LUCK! And now, here's your host, the star of Press Your Luck, PETER TOMARKEN!"

Host Intros
"I thank you, Rod Roddy, hi, everybody, and welcome to [another edition of] Press Your Luck. "And this is an exciting day around here because this is the (insert number) day of the (Big) Home Player Game. Yesterday, (insert previous Home Player) of (city, state) won (insert dollar amount/prize/trip) [courtesy of the Whammy]. And today, whatever is lucky, grab onto it, because when the Home Player Spin comes up in Round 2, we're playing it for you." - Peter Tomarken (telling home viewers about Home Player Spin, and recapping the previous Home Player from yesterday)
 * "The most competitive game on television, where players take big risks for Big Bucks."
 * "(We are) Television's most competitive game."
 * "We're talking Big Bucks, and (hopefully) no Whammies."

"It's the first day of November, and all the Goblins have all left us for another year, and to get the new month off to a great start, I've got some great news for all of our Press Your Luck contestants. Are you ready? Here it comes, folks. And the news is that from this day forward, let it be proclaimed, that our Press Your Luck winners can stay on the show for five days, count them, five days, or until they exceeded our new limit of $50,000!" - Peter Tomarken (about the new limit that the champion can stay on the show for five days, or limit of $50,000)

NOTE: The speech in brackets is only used if the home player spin won $500 from the Whammy.

Revival
2002 Pilot (Tomarken): "The game with big bucks & whammies is back, bigger & better than ever! Once again, It's time to play WHAMMY, THE ALL NEW PRESS YOUR LUCK! And now, please welcome our host and head whammy wrangler, PETER TOMARKEN!" - Gary Kroeger

1st Season: "The game of big bucks & whammies is back, bigger & better than ever! It's time to play WHAMMY, THE ALL NEW PRESS YOUR LUCK!"

2nd Season: "The game of big bucks & whammies is even bigger & better than ever! It's time to Press Your Luck... Host Introduction: And now, please welcome our host, TODD NEWTON!
 * ...and play WHAMMY! Let's meet today's players! (insert self-introductions) - Gary Kroeger
 * ...with our special tournament of champions/losers edition of WHAMMY! - Tournament Special

Gameshow Marathon: "These three players are after Big Bucks, but they'll have to avoid the whammy as they play the most exciting game of their lives! From CBS Television City in Hollywood, it's time to PRESS YOUR LUCK! And now here's your host, RICKI LAKE!" - Rich Fields

Host Intros
"Hello, everybody. Thank you, Gary Kroeger! And hello to Welcome (once again) to Whammy: The All New Press Your Luck where you can spin your way to big bucks and some great prizes too. Right now, let's meet today's players." - Season 1 Introduction

"TODD: Thank you Gary Kroeger, hi everybody, good to see ya, and hello to you guys at home. Welcome to Whammy! This is the game where you can spin your way to big bucks, some great prizes, and, big money. That was these three players are here for. Got a question for all of you, are you ready to Press Your Luck?

CONTESTANTS: Yes!/Yeah!

TODD: We're gonna start things off by giving one of you $1,000. And you can add to your total by taking a chance on the/our big game board right up there. It is loaded down with hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash and prizes...

[...including this GEM Car. Now, what you need to do is land on the GEM space in Round 1, and the CAR space in the final round, then you need to win the game, and then you need to win the game and you can drive it on out of here.] Now, each time you spin, you can add to your total by landing on a square that contains a cash value or a prize, and I'll show you how it works. Ready..stop! [Board stops on a prize and Todd describes it and how much it's worth] But, you have to be careful of the/that dreaded Whammy. [Board stops on Whammy, light turns red] Land on that Whammy, and he'll come out here and take all your cash, all your prizes, and knock you right out of this first round. Now, the strategy in this first round is to take as many spins as you dare to take without hitting the Whammy. You can freeze at any point if you think you're afraid of the Whammy or you think you've got enough to win the round. The player in the lead at the end of this first round has a big advantage in the final round, and the player in the lead at the end of the game is our winner, and is the only one that gets to keep all the cash and prizes they've earned. - Season 1 description of Round 1

But, you have to be careful of the dreaded whammy. The whammy will come out here and take all of your cash, all your prizes, and put'em right/down there into the/his own Big Bank, and speaking of the Big Bank, let's go ahead and put $3,000 in the Big Bank. And I wanna remind you that you can whammy the Whammy by hitting on the Big Bank square right up there. [Board stops on Big Bank] If you do that, I will ask you a question, simply answer it correctly, and you've got everything that's in the Big Bank. And on top of this, you can win a car. Gary? - Season 2 description of Round 1

GARY: Thanks, Todd. It is the Sporty Suzuki Aerio SX with 145 horsepower, in dash, 6-disc CD changer, aluminum alloy wheels. From Suzuki.

TODD:: All you have to do is get both halves of the car key that you see on the big board and you can drive out of here in style. And the player that's in the lead at the end of the game gets to go last in the final round.

Question Round
“I'm gonna ask you questions and your correct answers will earn you spins at the big Press Your Luck game board. The more spins you have, the more money you can win, because our board is loaded with thousands of dollars in cash and fabulous prizes, and every time you stop the board like this—STOP!—you'll add money to your total as I just did when I added $750 to mine, unless, of course, you hit a Whammy. If you do that, that little devil comes out, and takes back everything you've won so you want to be very careful. The player with the highest total at the end of the game gets to keep it all and returns tomorrow and do it all over again. Are you all ready to Press Your Luck?” - Peter Tomarken (Pilot)

“I have four questions and your correct answers will earn you spins at the big Press Your Luck game board. The more spins you have, the more money you can win, because our board is loaded with thousands of dollars in cash and fabulous prizes, and every time you stop the board like this—STOP!—you'll make money (insert amount). However, you have a chance as it were to hit a Whammy and if you do that, he [random facts] and takes away all your money. So you want to be very careful. The player with the most money at the end of the game gets to keep it all and return to play tomorrow. Are you all ready to Press Your Luck?” - Peter Tomarken (Rule explanation, episodes 1-75)

“I have four questions and your correct answers will earn you spins at the big Press Your Luck game board. A correct buzz-in answer gives you three spins, a correct multiple choice answer gives you one spin. The more spins you have, the more money you can win, because our board has thousands of dollars in cash and fabulous prizes and every time you stop the board like this—STOP!—you'll make money (insert amount). On occasion you can hit a Whammy and if you hit a Whammy, he'll take away all your money so be very careful.” - Peter Tomarken (Full rule explanation from Epsiode 76 onward. This rule explanation was used when new stations joined Press Your Luck.)

"You give me a buzz-in answer, three spins, and a multiple choice answer, one spin. And you know what's on that big board." - Peter Tomarken (Partial rule explanation from mid-1984 onward.)

"I have four more questions and that means four more chances to earn some mighty big spins. Remember, the more spins you have, the more money you can win at that big board. And the player with the most money at the end of the game gets to keep it all and return to play tomorrow." - Peter Tomarken (at the start of the second Question Round in the first few weeks)

"I have four more questions and the answers will become spins, and in this round each spin could be as much as $5,000." - Peter Tomarken (at the start of the second Question Round)

"Believe it or not, I have dollars in my hand. (holds up question cards, as everyone is confused) Yes, these *are* dollars. They're actually questions, for which correct answers produce spins; and in this round, a spin could be as much as $5,000." - Peter Tomarken (at the start of the second Question Round)

"Gang, do you want to know what I have in my hand here? (holds up question cards) I have dollars in my hand here. (everyone's confused) You wanna know why they are dollars? Because they are actually questions, and your correct answers will earn you spins. In this round, a spin can be worth as much as $5,000." - Peter Tomarken (at the start of the second Question Round)

"If (insert contestant) gets it right, he'll/she'll pick up three spins. I'm going to give (insert contestant)'s answer and two others to (insert the other two contestants names). If they’re right, they'll pick up a spin apiece." - Peter Tomarken

"I'll give to you in multiple choice. If you get it right, you'll pick up a spin apiece." - Peter Tomarken (if nobody buzzes in during the Question Round)

"You didn't get an answer after you buzzed in, so you're locked out for now. I'll give to (insert two opponents) in multiple choice. If they get it right, they'll pick up a spin apiece." - Peter Tomarken (if a player buzzes in and didn't get an answer during the Question Round)

"Is the correct answer (insert answer), (insert answer) or (insert answer)?" - Peter Tomarken

"(contestant) gets a spin." - Peter Tomarken

"(contestant) gets three (big) spins." - Peter Tomarken

"(contestant) goes to (insert number)." - Peter Tomarken

"(contestant) stays at (insert number)." - Peter Tomarken

"You're all wrong! The (correct) answer is (insert correct answer). No spins." - Peter Tomarken (when all three contestants answered incorrectly during the Question Round.)

"You all have a chance to turn/convert those spins into (big (Press Your Luck)) dollars/bucks, so stay with us, we'll be back." - Peter Tomarken (at the start of the commercial break after the First Question Round.)

"That's the last question. These players are taking those spins to the (Big [Press Your Luck] [Game]) Board to decide who's gonna walk away with all the bucks, so come on back." - Peter Tomarken (at the start of the commercial break after the Second Question Round.)

Big Board Round
"All right, players, as you can see there are prizes, surprises, and over $13,000 in cash, and of course a few Whammies up there. Now each time you spin you have a chance to add anywhere from $100-$1,250 to your total, and you'll notice that our board is constantly changing. Now we're gonna find out just how courageous you are, just how much confidence you have, because if you don't want to press your luck, you can pass your remaining spins to another player at anytime during your turn and protect your money that way. Remember that it's always possible that the next spin could be a Whammy, and if you hit him & lose it all, you go back to zero; so everything's at stake each time you spin. And if you pick up four Whammies, you're out of the game. History... Gone... Bye-Bye." - Peter Tomarken at the start of Round 1 of the Big Board in the pilot

"All right, now players, we weren't kidding when we said earlier that the sky's the limit on Press Your Luck because as you can see the value of the board has changed dramatically. Not only the prizes are even more fabulous, but there's over $50,000 in cash up there waiting to be won. Now in any single spin you can pick up anywhere from $500-$5,000. But let me caution you that the one thing that hasn't changed is the proverbial Whammy. So you want to be very careful. Let's take a look at the money totals and some other totals. We've Jack with no dollars, two Whammies, eight spins. We've got Maggie with $2,371 and no Whammies, three spins. We've Matt with no dollars, two Whammies and five spins. - Peter Tomarken at the start of Round 2 of the Big Board in the pilot

"All right, players, as you can see there are prizes, surprises, and over $13,000 in cash, and of course a few Whammies up there on that game board. So each time you spin you have a chance to add anywhere from $100-$1,250 to your total, and you'll notice that our board is constantly changing. So if you feel a Whammy coming on and you don't want to press your luck, all you have to do is pass your remaining spins to another player during your turn and protect your money that way. Remember everything's at stake each time you spin, and four Whammies will put you out of the game." - Peter Tomarken at the start of Round 1 of the Big Board in the first few weeks

"Thank you, and now players, we weren't kidding when we said earlier that you can win a bundle on Press Your Luck because as you can see the value of that board has changed dramatically. Not only are the prizes even more fabulous, but there's over $50,000 in cash up there just waiting to be won. Now in any single spin you can pick up as much as $5,000. But let me caution you that the one thing that hasn't changed is the proverbial Whammy. He is still lurking in the bushes waiting to take all your money. And speaking of money... (insert scores) - Peter Tomarken at the start of Round 2 of the Big Board in the first few weeks

"All right, players, you have earn the right to hit the Board. The Big Board has $13,000, also some prizes, surprises and a few Whammies, so (beware and) avoid the Whammies. Remember, each spin can bring you up to $1,500. And that's important, because the player that ends this Round with most money gets to play last in the Final Round, that's a big advantage. Remember, you can pass your spins at anytime during your turn if you have a fear of the Whammy, and four Whammies will put you out of the game." - Peter Tomarken at the start of Round 1 of the Big Board (when $1,500 became the new top value)

"Welcome back to Whammy! The All New Press Your Luck. Time now for the final round. Players, look at our big game board, as you can see we have cash with over $100,000 in cash and prizes. And also some whammies up there, be careful (insert name) you have (insert number of whammies). Now, as that all were enough, the big Board now features double whammies. Not only the Whammy will come out and take all your cash and prizes, he will mess around with you a little. And in our final round, you can pass your remaining spins to the next player if they got money that they already have. And the player that's in the lead is our champion, and they'll keep the prizes and cash that they already won. OK?" - Todd Newton (at the Final Round of Whammy! The All New Press Your Luck - Season 1)

"Welcome back to the final round of Whammy. Players, look up there on our big board. Over $100,000 in cash and prizes. There are some whammies and even some double whammies and they're gonna grab everything and put in down there in the Big Bank which is now at (insert last Big Bank total.) If you hit 4 whammies, you will be eliminated from the game. But, if you hit Big Bank and get the question right, you've got everything that's in the Big Bank, you have whammied the Whammy. Only the player that's in the lead at the end of this game gets to keep all their cash and their prizes, and here in the final round, you can pass your spins. Don't forget that. (insert player's name) looks like you will be going first. You have no money, but (insert number) spins. Are you ready to go? Contestant: Ready. Let's put the big board in motion." - Todd Newton (in the Final Round of Whammy! - Season 2)

"All right players, it's time for Big Bucks. Big Bucks has $50,000/$80,000/$100,000 at stake. One/some prize(s) worth more than $5,000 and also some Whammies, so avoid that/be careful." - Peter Tomarken at the start of Round 2 of the Big Board

"Are you ready to Press Your Luck?"- Peter Tomarken

"Big Bucks, No Whammies, STOP!" - Contestant

"Big Bucks, and NO WHAAAAAAAAAAAAMMMIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSS!!! STOP!" - Steve Bryant (upon a prolonged catchphrase in July 1985)

"Stop at (insert amount/prize/trip). That prize/trip is worth (insert amount)." - Peter Tomarken

"Stop at (insert money) [and a spin]." - Peter Tomarken

"Stop at Big Bucks...(insert amount) and a spin!"- Peter Tomarken

"Stop at a Whammy!"- Peter Tomarken

"(Insert amount) dollars, (insert number) spins. (What's your pleasure?) Press Your Luck or Pass?"- Peter Tomarken

"You have one Whammy, and (x) spins. Do you want to start again?" - Peter Tomarken

"You're back in the chips." - Peter Tomarken (when a contestant is back on the board after getting a Whammy)

"You have two Whammies and (x) spins. You want to be careful about picking up a third Whammy in Round 1. (What's your pleasure?) Press Your Luck or Pass?" - Peter Tomarken (if a contestant has two Whammies in Round 1)

"You have three Whammies. One more Whammy, and you'll be out of the game." - Peter Tomarken (if a contestant has three Whammies).

"(Insert third place contestant score), (insert second place contestant score), and (insert first place contestant score), you have first place and the advantage. And we're coming right back after these words for a whole new round." - Peter Tomarken (at the start of the commercial break after the First Big Board Round)

"Sorry (insert contestant), that's means you're out of the game." - Peter Tomarken (if a contestant whammies out)

"(Insert Home Player), grab something lucky, because whatever (insert contestant) wins, you'll also win. But, if (insert contestant) hits a Whammy, he'll/she'll lose all his/her money (and he/she will also be out of the game {upon a 4th Whammy}), but you'll receive $500 courtesy of the Whammy. But, if (insert contestant) hits money plus a spin, you'll receive the money, and (insert contestant) will get the money *and* the spin." - Peter Tomarken (about a Home Player Spin)

START OF SPIEL: "If you choose to keep going you'll have to get something with an additional spin to stay in the game..."
 * "If you pass to (insert contestant) and he/she whammies,
 * ...you win the game."
 * ...(insert contestant name) will win the game/(insert funny joke)"
 * ...you and (insert contestant)/all three of you will came back [tomorrow/next time]."

"If you can hit something worth more than (insert amount), you'll win the game."

"If you can avoid/avert the Whammy, you'll win the game. If you Whammy/Otherwise, (insert contestant), will win the game."

"Stop at (insert amount), you did it. You're the champion for today with (insert winning total) - Peter Tomarken (if a contestant wins the game on the final spin)

"Stop at (insert amount), that's not enough. And (insert contestant), you're the champion for today with (insert winning total)." - Peter Tomarken (if a contestant lost the game on the final spin)

"Stop at a Whammy and (insert contestant), you're the champion for today with (insert winning total) - Peter Tomarken (if a contestant Whammied on the final spin)

"We'll be back and find out how much you've won right after these words." - Peter Tomarken (at the start of the final commercial break after the second Big Board Round)

Final Total
"I (just) wanna congratulate to (insert today's Home Player) of/from (insert city, state). You have won (insert money/trip) (Insert description of a prize/trip if applicable)/(from the Whammy). It's on the way to you right now. Now let's get back to Peter Tomarken, and today's Press Your Luck winner (insert contestant). - Rod Roddy (to recap today's Home Player winner; only if it's all in cash for the winner of today's contestant)

"We're back with today's big Press Your Luck winner, (insert contestant) with (insert winning total)"  - Peter Tomarken

"And now to tell you what you've won, here [are the dulcet tones of the illustrious (one,) Rod Roddy." - Peter Tomarken

"(after descriptions of the prizes) That prize is worth/those prizes total (insert amount)! Combined with the (cash total) in cash you've won (today and the (insert previous total winnings) in cash & prizes you've won previously), gives you a grand total (insert contestant), of (insert grand total winnings)! Congratulations!" - Rod Roddy

"You don't get to hear the dulcet tones of the illustrious (one,) Rod Roddy,/Normally/Usually, you get to hear [are the dulcet tones of the illustrious (one,)] Rod Roddy, but you don't. I'll do it/take it over, because it's all in cash! ((insert winning total) added to your previous total of (insert previous total winnings), gives you a grand total of (insert grand total winnings)!)" - Peter Tomarken

"Congratulations, (insert contestant), (insert [previous] grand total winnings). (Well done.) You'll get to come back and do it again. ([insert previous champion], you're leaving us with [insert total previous winnings]. Thanks for being with us.) And (insert one or two losing contestants), you won't be leaving empty-handed, we have some nice prizes for you. I thank you for being with us." - Peter Tomarken.

"Congratulations, (insert contestant), (insert previous grand total winnings), which means you exceeded our (insert goal limit), which means you can keep your (insert previous grand total winnings) and you're now going into the Press Your Luck Hall of Fame, so you won't come back. You're done/out of here." (Insert two contestants), you won't be leaving empty-handed, we have some nice prizes for you. I thank you for being with us." - Peter Tomarken (when the champion exceeded the limit of $25,000 until Oct. 31, 1984, $50,000 limit, or exceeded five days starting November 1, 1984)

"Before we go/leave, I need (insert two remaining contestants) to read the cards in front of you. (Insert contestant #1), who do you have? CONTESTANT #1: (Insert name) of/from (insert city, state) PETER: And (insert contestant #2), who do you have? CONTESTANT #2: (insert name) of/from (insert city, state) PETER: (Insert two Home Players), sorry, you didn't get the lucky spin today, but you're gonna get the Whammy T-shirt. Thanks for being with us." - Peter Tomarken (to recap the two Home Players who didn't get the lucky spin before signing off)

"Before we go/leave, we have a poem for/some words of wisdom from (insert name) of (city, state) (, who is (insert child age if applicable). (Insert Whammy poem story). There you go! I love it! Thank you, (insert name)!" - Peter Tomarken (when a poem was sent from the home viewer; usually before signing off)

Taglines
START OF THE SPIEL: “Until next time..."
 * "...remember that the Whammy is actually a cute little guy, as long as he shows up when someone else is spinning. (and other Whammy poems)” (early 1983)


 * "...when we see (insert winner), (and two other players)..."


 * "...when we see three new players...." (after a retired champion)

REST OF THE SPIEL: "This is Peter Tomarken saying so long for Press Your Luck.” (September 19, 1983-June 26, 1984)

REST OF THE SPIEL: "This is Peter Tomarken saying, 'Thanks for pressing your luck. Bye-bye." (June 27, 1984-September 26, 1986)

In episodes from November 1985 through September 26, 1986 finale, Peter will sometimes omit "saying."

REST OF THE SPIEL: "This is Peter Tomarken--and Steve Bryant--saying 'BIG BUCKS AND NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO WHAAAAAAAAAAAAMMMIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSS!!" (after Steve Bryant's first day as champ in 1985)

"Some members of our studio audience will receive..." - Rod Roddy and sub-announcers John Harlan and Charlie O'Donnell

"Here's what we have for our departing contestants!" - Rod Roddy and sub-announcers John Harlan and Charlie O'Donnell

"This is Roddddddddd Roddy/John Harlan/Charlie O'Donnell, speaking for Press Your Luck! A Carruthers Company Presentation!" - Rod Roddy and sub-announcers John Harlan and Charlie O'Donnell

"Thank you so much for playing, and guys, thank you for joining. And it was great seeing you too. Thank you for joining us. We will see you next time on Whammy, The All New Press Your Luck. Bye-bye! - Todd Newton (Season 1)

"Folks, it was great having you here, and it was great having you too. Thanks for joining us today. We will see you next time on Whammy. Bye-bye, everybody! - Todd Newton (Season 2)

To see some more quotes, click here.