Opening Spiels[]
1978 opening spiels[]
Original Spiel: "Ace is high, deuce is low, call it right, and win the dough… onnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn CARD SHARKS!"
Finale Spiel: "Ace is high, deuce is low, let's make some money, and go, go, go… on CARD SHARKS!"
Host Spiel: "And here's the host of Card Sharks, JIM PERRY!"
Rest of Spiel: "Thank you, and welcome to Card Sharks, a game of decisions, where you can win a fortune on the turn of a single card. Now, let's (open up the board and) get to the cards!"
1986 opening spiels[]
Spiel #1 (1/6/1986 – 10/24/1986 on CBS): "From Television City in Hollywood, it's CARD SHARKS!"
Spiel #2 (9/8-26/1986 in syndication): "Where can you win $32,000 on the turn of a (single) card? Right here on CARD SHARKS!"
Spiel #3 (9/29/1986 – 5/8/1987 in syndication & 10/27/1986 – 9/18/1987 on CBS): "You can win $32,000 on the turn of a (single) card on CARD SHARKS! And if you play your cards right, you could win this beautiful (name of car)!"
Spiel #4: "You can win this beautiful/sporty (name of car)....
- ...on the turn of a single card... - 9/21/1987 – 7/1/1988
- ...with just one answer... - 7/10/1988 - rest of CBS run
REST OF SPIEL: ...on CARD SHARKS! And if you play your cards right, you could win $32,000!"
Spiel #5: "It's Young People's Week! It's their turn to win cash/money and prizes (here) on CARD SHARKS! And if they play their cards right, they can win a trip to Hawaii, and a chance to take/bring home $32,000!"
Spiel #6: "It's Young People's Week on CARD SHARKS! And they can win a trip to Hawaii if they play their cards right."
Spiel #5A (CBS premiere week of audience polling bonus round): "Answer just one question, and you could win this beautiful/sporty (name of car) on CARD SHARKS! And if you play your cards right, you can win $32,000!"
Host Spiel: "And (now,) (here's) the host of Card Sharks, BOB EUBANKS/BILL RAFFERTY!"
Rest of Spiel: "Hello everybody, and welcome to Card Sharks. This is the game where you can win a fortune on the turn of a single card. And to guarantee that, our players get a fair deal. Let's meet our dealers, Lacey Pemberton and Suzanna Williams."
Pilot opening spiels[]
1978 pilots: "Ace is high, deuce is low, call it right, and win the dough on CARD SHARKS! And here's the host of Card Sharks, JIM PERRY!"
1985 pilot #2: "It's CARD SHARKS! and here's the host of Card Sharks, BOB EUBANKS!"
1996 pilot: "Today on CARD SHARKS! ten rock video supergirls, three special guests and two players are trying to get lucky. Now, for the host of Card Sharks, the man who holds all the cards, please welcome TOM GREEN!"
2000 pilot: "Today on CARD SHARKS! we set up a table where we pretended to sell a new gourmet dog food Man's Best Food. Good enough for a man, but made for a dog. (Jaws-like music plays) Our pitchman is trying to get this guy to taste it; it's really nothing more than corn beef hash. (Jaws-like music plays) Will he try it? (Jaws-like music plays in the background) If our contestants know the answer, and they play their cards right, they can win over $50,000, here on CARD SHARKS! And here's the star of our show, PAT BULLARD!"
2000s opening spiels[]
2001 Spiel: "If one of these people plays their cards right, they could win over $50,000. It's time for the all-new CARD SHARKS! And now, the host of our show, PAT BULLARD!"
2006 Gameshow Marathon Spiel: "Aces are high, deuces are low, play your cards right, and win the dough… onnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn CARD SHARKS! And now, here's your host, RICKI LAKE!"
2019 (Season 1 first episode Spiel): "Tonight, fortunes can be won on the turn of a single card. And fortunes can be lost. Lives will be changed, but only if you play your cards right. This is CARD SHARKS! Is luck in the cards? Turn 'em and see. It could very well bring you some cash currency... on CARD SHARKS! And here's your host, JOEL MCHALE!"
(NOTE: The first season intro of the McHale version has a reference of its British counterpart hosted by the late Sir Bruce Forsyth also the saying was used in the 1986 version as well.)
2020 (Season 2 first episode Spiel): "The host's name is Joel, last name of McHale. Handing out so much dough, you might need a pail... on CARD SHARKS! And here's your host, JOEL MCHALE!"
Quotes[]
"Thank you. Oh, you're a good group. Thank you for joining us, that's nice. Thank you for joining us at home, for Card Sharks. That's great on our first show to have a nice group like this down in the studio audience. Card Sharks, a game of decisions where you can win a fortune on the turn of a single card. Now, let's get to the cards!" – Jim Perry (1978 NBC premiere show)
"Thank you. Thank you. Thank you very much. Hello everybody, and welcome to Card Sharks. This is the show where you can win a fortune on the turn of a single card, and to guarantee that our players get a fair deal, I want you to meet our two very lovely dealers, and here they are, aren't they pretty: Susannah Williams and Lacey Pemberton." – Bob Eubanks (1986 CBS premiere show)
"Oh, yeah! Why, thank you! Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. What a nice group. Thank you. Welcome, everybody, to Card Sharks, where you can win a fortune on the turn of a single card, and to guarantee that our players get a fair deal, let's meet our lovely dealers; that's Lacey Pemberton and Susannah Williams." – Bill Rafferty (1986 syndicated premiere show)
"Listen, I just want to let you know. Our staff has just checked. Now, we've had the young people on over the last three years in various times during this ho- Just want to let you know, that- that is the biggest single win by a young person we've had on the show." – Jim Perry, on Mitch's $22,200 Money Cards Win
"You realize that your win of $29,000 is the biggest single win we've had on The New Card Sharks. So congratulations to you." – Bob Eubanks, on Faith's $29,000 Money Cards win
From the infamous Four Threes in a Row show[]
"That is the first time, and I don't think I'm mistaken, it is the first time in over two years on the show that four in a row have come up. Doesn't that make you feel better, Toby?"
"You know, you play so well, and you have such terrible luck over there."
From the 1981 Finale[]
"Well, that wraps it up for three-and-a-half years on Card Sharks. Thank you. Um… glad we have a couple of moments. I think you might be interested in this, uh, why I mentioned from time to time in the three-and-a-half years, the way people send in poems and taken part in polls and been a part in the show. We have polled in the last three-and-a-half years 3,875,000 people on Card Sharks. And I'm delighted to say in three-and-a-half years, we have given away $3,218,550 on this show, to a lot of very nice people who came down here as contestants, thank you all who send in poems and were a part of the show. I do want to thank the NBC staff and crew; these guys and girls have been sensational with us for the last three-and-a-half years are grateful to all of you. We are grateful to you for your support that enable us to have three-and-a-half years of Card Sharks on NBC. But, I especially want to thank these people who are standing behind me and for the one of the few times in my hammy life, I'm going to get the hell out of the way here now, (audience laughter) as they roll the credits by so you can take a good look at these wonderful people from Goodson-Todman and Card Sharks who have made this thing go. I love each and every one of them. For Card Sharks on NBC, goodbye, my friends." - Jim Perry
From the 1989 Finale[]
"When we walked on the stage, we were three, ah, strangers. We walk off the stage (choking tears) with lifetime friendships, and I would like to dedicate the last three years… to, uh… to Carole Costello, who left us right after the show started, and Donna Jean (Steines) took over, so thank you for that. Bye-bye, see you next time!" - Bob Eubanks
Catchphrases[]
"(sometimes recapping the opening poem) Opening poem sent in by (insert name and town)(, watching us on (insert NBC station))." – Jim Perry after recapping the opening poem.
"Now, let's (open up the board and) get to the cards!" – Jim Perry
"And, as you can see, we have a game in progress with these two Card Sharks!" – Jim Perry
"Did you cut the cards (backstage)?" – Card Sharks host
"Each player has their own/a deck of 52 playing cards. They are shuffled and cut (in front of the players)/the players cut them before we go on the air. The upper cards, the red cards, will be played by (insert champion), the lower cards, the blue cards, will be played by (insert challenger)." – Jim Perry
"The object of the game is to work your way across the board (by) predicting whether each of these cards is higher or lower that the one that precedes/preceding it. Before you can begin calling high or low with the cards, you must first answer a high-low toss-up question, based on a poll of 100 people." – Card Sharks host
"(insert contestant), we asked 100 (insert group)…"
"(insert contestant), we surveyed 100 (insert group) and we asked them…"
"(insert contestant), before the show, we asked these 10 (group members for the week)…"
"This is an Educated Guess question. (insert contestant), what is the (insert educated guess question)?" – Bob Eubanks/Bill Rafferty
"How many of (insert group) said yes?" – Card Sharks host
"If it's higher/lower you go to the board/play your cards first, if not, then (insert opponent) will go to the board/play his/her cards first. (And I'll find out as you do.)" – Card Sharks host
"If you get it right on the nose/hit the answer on the head, it's a $500 bonus." – Jim Perry (in the final few months of the 1978 NBC version, regarding a perfect guess on a question)
"The actual number of (insert group) who (insert situation) is…" – Card Sharks host
"…(insert answer). It's not higher/lower, it's lower/higher." – Card Sharks host upon a wrong higher or lower guess
"…(insert answer). It is higher/lower." – Card Sharks host upon a right higher or lower guess
"Since you guessed it right on the nose, you get a $500 bonus!" – Bob Eubanks/Bill Rafferty (on a perfect guess on the 100-person survey/educated guess questions on the 1986 CBS/Syndicated versions)
"ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR! FIVE!" – Audience (counting out $100 bills for the perfect guess on the 100-person survey/educated guess questions on the 1986 CBS/Syndicated versions)
"And this question involves our 10 (group members for the week)." – Bob Eubanks/Bill Rafferty (upon the introduction of the 10-member audience poll question)
"Since you guessed it right on the nose, there's $100 for you; and we also have $100 to share with our audience group." – Bob Eubanks/Bill Rafferty (on a perfect guess on the 10-member audience poll question)
"Now, since you won the high-low question, you have the right to change this card if you'd like." – Card Sharks host (to the contestant who won the question, asking if they'd like to change their base card)
"You can't change it; you didn't win the (high-low) question." – Card Sharks host (if a contestant is taking a free play)
"Higher/lower than a (preceding card). (Remember, (as in the game,) if it's another (preceding card), you lose; it must be higher/lower than a (preceding card)). – Jim Perry (in the early years)
"Higher/Lower than a (preceding card)… IT'S A (insert card)!" - Card Sharks host
"Neither player could advance." – Jim Perry upon a double miss at the cards
"We made no progress at all." – Bob Eubanks upon a double miss at the cards
"Cards are not happening at all." – Bill Rafferty upon a double miss at the cards
"Good in poker, not on Card Sharks." – Bill Rafferty upon a pair at the cards
"The first player to reach the end of the board wins the game and $100. If you win two games, you win the match and go on to play the (Big) Money Cards." – Card Sharks host
"This is our final question, which means it's Sudden Death. Someone's gotta win the game of the next play of the cards. So, control is very important." – Card Sharks host (upon the final question in Sudden Death)
"Now, remember, this is Sudden Death. Now (insert name with high-low toss-up question correct), you got a couple/few choices to make, you can play the (insert card) (and change it if you wish). If you make a mistake/goof, (insert opponent) wins the game. Or you can pass off to (insert opponent), and he/she must play the (insert card). If he/she makes a mistake/goofs, you win the game." – Card Sharks host (upon the Sudden Death playing cards.)
"We're gonna play a Tiebreaker, it goes like this: Lacey/Suzanna will be dealing out only three cards, with a maximum of three (high-low) questions. This will determine the winner becomes the champion who will go on to the Money Cards and play for the big money." – Bob Eubanks/Bill Rafferty (upon the Tiebreaker from 1986-1988)
"We're gonna play a Tiebreaker, it goes like this: Lacey/Suzanna will be dealing out only three cards. It's a one question Sudden Death game to find out who the winner becomes the champion, goes on to the Money Cards and play for the big money." – Bob Eubanks (upon the Sudden Death Tiebreaker in 1988)
"Now, remember, this is Sudden Death. We're going to reveal both base cards (reveals both base cards). Now (insert name with high-low toss-up question correct), you got a couple/few choices to make, you can play the (insert card) (and change it if you wish). If you make a mistake/goof, (insert opponent) wins the game. Or you can pass off to (insert opponent), and he/she must play the (insert card). If he/she makes a mistake/goofs, you win the game." – Bob Eubanks (explaining the rules of the card portion of the Sudden Death Tiebreaker game in 1988)
"Let's open the board and get to the Money Cards. We're gonna deal out brand new cards from a deck that you cut during the commercial break. You know how this works, the $200 you've won (so far) is yours to keep no matter what happens. Now, we're giving you new betting money to play with. We'll start you off on the bottom row with $200. You can bet as much as you like, on these three cards. When you move up to the second level, we'll give you another $200 and three more cards. Minimum bets are $50 until you get to the top card, the Big Bet, where you must bet at least half the money. (And remember, unlike the main game, you don't lose on a tie. Your bet just carries over.) Good luck, here's $200! And remember, you have a choice of two base cards (on each of the three levels). (Thank you, Lois.)" – Jim Perry (explaining to the Champion about the Money Cards)
"You know how we do it. There are seven cards up there. And if you can go double, double, double, all the way through and get the right cards, you can win a total of $28,800." – Jim Perry (abbreviated Money Cards rules)
"Now remember, unlike the main game now, we want to give you every opportunity; so if you get a tie/double, you don't lose; your bet just carries over." – Jim Perry (explaining the push rule towards the end of his run)
"We're about to play the Money Cards. Here come Lacey & Suzanna, and they have a deck of cards that you cut before the show. Now, the money you've won so far is yours to keep no matter what happens. Now, we're giving you new betting money. We'll start you off on the bottom row/line with $200 and you can bet your way across there by calling high or low, and when you get to the second row/line, we'll add another $400 to your betting money, again, by working your way across the line. Remember, minimum bets are $50, until you get to the top row (the Big Bet), where you must bet at least half of your money/dollars. And don't forget, you'll have three chances/opportunities to change any card you don't like by selecting/picking/choosing one of the three spare cards that Lacey/Suzanna is dealing out." – Bob Eubanks (explaining to the Champion about the Money Cards in earlier weeks)
"We're about to play the Money Cards. Here come Lacey & Suzanna, and they have a deck of cards that you cut before the show. Now, the money you've won so far is yours to keep no matter what happens. Now, we're giving you new betting money. We'll start you off on the bottom row/line with $200 and you can bet your way across there by calling high or low, and when you get to the second row/line, we'll add another $400 to your betting money, again, by working your way across the line. Remember, minimum bets are $50, until you get to the top row (the Big Bet), where you must bet at least half of your money/dollars. And don't forget, you'll have a chance/an opportunity to change one card on each/per line/row by selecting/picking/choosing one of the three spare cards that Lacey/Suzanna is dealing out." – Bob Eubanks/Bill Rafferty (explaining to the Champion about the Money Cards)
"We're about to play the Money Cards. In addition to all the money that you can win, we've added three Jokers to the deck. And anytime that one of them turns up in the Money Cards, you'll have a chance to win a new car. And just for winning the match, we'll give you an extra Joker for you." – Bob Eubanks/Bill Rafferty (explaining to the Champion about the Money Cards one step closer to the Car Round)
"We're about to play the Money Cards. In addition to all the money that you can win, we've added a couple of Jokers to the deck. And anytime that one of them turns up in the Money Cards, you'll have a chance to win a trip to Hawaii. And just for winning the match, we'll give you two extra Jokers for you." – Bob Eubanks/Bill Rafferty (explaining to the Champion about the Money Cards one step closer to the Hawaii Round during Young Peoples Week)
"Give the man/lady $200." – Bob Eubanks (to start Money Cards)
"You can turn (that) $200 into $32,000." – Bob Eubanks/Bill Rafferty (during Money Cards)
"ALL OF IT, HIGHER/LOWER!" – Champion at the Money Cards upon betting it all (usually if a 2 or Ace show up)
"Shoot it All!" – Norma "Shoot it All!" Brown
"If another (insert card) comes up, it's a just a push, no win/loss." – Bob Eubanks/Bill Rafferty (explaining the push rule during Money Cards)
"It's another (insert card). No win or loss." – Jim Perry (when a duplicate card reveals during Money Cards)
"It's a push. No win or loss." – Bob Eubanks/Bill Rafferty (when a duplicate card reveals during Money Cards)
"You can't change it; you've already changed." – Bob Eubanks/Bill Rafferty (if a contestant has already changed on a row)
"You must bet at least (insert amount) on this card. (You can bet more.)" – Card Sharks host (when the Big Bet is played during Money Cards)
"In front of you are seven numbered cards, behind one of them is the word "CAR". If you find it, you'll win a brand-new car." – Bob Eubanks/Bill Rafferty (explaining to the Champion about the Car Round in the first format)
"In front of you are seven numbered cards, behind one of them is the word "HAWAII"/"WIN". If you find it, you're going to Hawaii." – Bob Eubanks/Bill Rafferty (explaining to the Champion about the Hawaii Round during Young People's Week)
"I'm gonna ask you a question about (insert 10 people sitting in the audience), and then I'm gonna ask you to register your answer on our Range Board. (insert question). Now, I want you to place the marker on your answer. (champion thinking of a number). If your answer is (insert correct number), you win the car. If you're off by one, or if it's (insert one or two numbers that was one away from the correct answer), you win another $500. (insert actual answer)." – Bob Eubanks (explaining to the Champion about the Car Round in the second format)
Contestant Plugs[]
Perry Run[]
Jim: "If you like to be a contestant on Card Sharks, listen to Gene!"
Gene: "Write to Contestants, Card Sharks, 6430 Sunset Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028!" - Version A
"Would you like to be a contestant on Card Sharks? All you have to do is send a postcard with your name and address to Contestants, Card Sharks, 6430 Sunset Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028. Or, when in Southern California, call/phone 213-467-5100!" - Version B
Eubanks Run[]
"Bob: If you like to be a contestant on our show. We love to have you try out. Here's Suzanna!"
"Bob: We are looking for children between 10 and 14 years of age for Young People's Week. If you like to be a contestant. Here's Susanna for some information."
Susanna: "Send a postcard to "Contestants/Young People's Week, Card Sharks, 6430 Sunset Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028. Or, when in Southern California, call 213-520-1234."
Ticket Plug[]
"If you like to see Card Sharks in person. Send your request along with a self addressed stamped envelope to Tickets, Card Sharks, CBS Television City, 7800 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, 90036."
Opening Poem Plugs (Perry Version)[]
Jim: If you have an idea for an opening poem, send a postcard with your opening poem along with your name and address and send it to: “Opening Poems, Card Sharks, 6430 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90028. If Gene reads your opening poem on the air, you’ll get a Card Sharks T-Shirt. One size fits all. We’ll be back with more Card Sharks in a moment.”
Taglines[]
"We'll meet (insert champion) and a new challenger the next time we play Card Sharks. Bye for now." – Jim Perry (1978–1981)
"For Card Sharks on NBC, goodbye, my friends." – Jim Perry at the end of the finale of the original Card Sharks (1981)
"I'm Bob Eubanks for Lacey Pemberton, Suzanna Williams, Gene Wood, and the whole gang, saying thanks/thank you for watching and (we'll) see ya/you next time on Card Sharks. Bye-bye." – Bob Eubanks (1986–1989)
"(From Television City in Hollywood,) This is (announcer) speaking for Card Sharks…
- A Mark Goodson-Bill Todman Production." – Card Sharks announcer (1978–1981)
- A Mark Goodson Television Production." – Card Sharks announcer (1986–2001)
"For Alexis, Jerry and all of us, I'm Joel McHale. Remember to spade and neuter your sharks! We'll see ya next time on Card Sharks!
(NOTE: This tagline is actually a reference to former host Bob Barker's & current host Drew Carey's reminder to "Have your pets spade or neutered" on end episodes of The Price is Right)