The Joker

The Joker (not to be confused with the famed clown prince of crime from Batman of the same name) is a fictional character from the 1970s and 1990s game show The Joker's Wild and it's short-lived kids spin-off ''Joker! Joker!! Joker!!!''.

(70's Version)
When one or two "Jokers" came up during a spin, a contestant could use them to match any displayed category and create a pair or triple, increasing the value of the question. They could also substitute a Joker for a category in play but not displayed on the wheels (which was referred to as going "off the board") for $50 using one Joker or $100 using two Jokers. In addition, if a contestant spun a natural pair and a Joker, he or she could discard the pair but use the joker to go "off the board" in that category for $50.

Spinning three Jokers allowed the contestant to choose any of the categories in play during the game. A correct answer automatically won the game, regardless of the contestant's score or whether a full round had been played or not. The winner received either $500 or the total amount he or she had accumulated to that point. whichever was greater. If unsuccessful, however, the opponent could not steal and the game continued as normal.

Using Joker's was optional, and contestants occasionally declined to use them if enough money was at stake for their opponents to win the game or take the lead. (e.g. spinning a natural pair and a Joker, then playing the pair for $100 instead of turning it into a $200 triple). By playing this way, the opponent had less of an advantage if the contestant missed the question and the opponent answered it correctly.

Joker! Joker!! Joker!!!
The Joker cards in this version contained a more juvenile-looking animated "joker" performing a handstand (with the word "Joker" written below the design).

(90's Version)
In the 90s version, Jokers can be used to match any of the prizes showing. spinning three Jokers won a "Joker's Jackpot" that started at $5,000 and increased by $500 each time until its won. However, this could only be done in one spin, as Jokers could not be frozen and had to be converted into other prizes on the board when they came up. (NOTE: The highest "Joker Jackpot" ever won was $36,000 on February 4, 1991 in the "Category" format.)

Shows appeared
The Joker's Wild

Joker! Joker!! Joker!!!