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9 Secrets Of The Price Is Right's Plinko

The game's name is simpler than you might think.

The game's name is simpler than you might think.

When Bob Barker unveiled the newest addition to The Price Is Right family on Jan. 3, 1983, he also revealed how they came up with the name. They called the game Plinko, he said, because of the "plink, plink, plink" noises the chips make as they bounce from peg to peg. 
 
The first ever Plinko contestant scored big.

The first ever Plinko contestant scored big.

A woman named Judy was the first person to ever play Plinko on TV. While she didn't take home the $25,000 prize, Judy did walk away with $6,500 and the amazing feeling that comes with making TPIR history. Sounds like a win to us!
There are only 10 official Plinko chips—and they're protected.

There are only 10 official Plinko chips—and they're protected.

Many dream of competing on TPIR, but not all get the chance. Out of the people who are lucky enough to have "come on down," even fewer have had the privilege to play Plinko and get their hands on one of the 10 exclusive game chips. These chips are so valuable that they have to be locked away in a special box after each use. 

One special Plinko chip currently resides in a time capsule at CBS Television City. 
The crew must follow a specific set of rules each time Plinko is played.

The crew must follow a specific set of rules each time Plinko is played.

The rules are as follows: 

1. Lower the Race Drop.
2. Bring Plinko onto the stage.
3. Plug in all of the equipment. 
4. Test the sensors to ensure operation is up to par. 
5. Do a final inspection. 
6. Play Plinko!
Plinko made TPIR history.

Plinko made TPIR history.

When the game was debuted in 1983, contestants played for $25,000, making Plinko the first game on TPIR to offer such a large monetary prize. The center slot was a valued at $5,000. 
Drew Carey threw an on-air Plinko party.

Drew Carey threw an on-air Plinko party.

TPIR celebrated 42 years of being on the air with an all Plinko episode on Sept. 27, 2013. In addition to cash prizes, contestants had the chance to win a new car, an ATV, an air hockey table, a trip to London, an elliptical, and a computer. 
The hosts always come prepared.

The hosts always come prepared.

During the early years, Barker made sure to have a Plinko stick nearby just in case one of the chips got stuck in a peg. If this happened, he explained that he would use the stick to free the chip and would then return the chip to the contestant, who would get another shot. 

Today, Drew Carey keeps the same stick handy in case of emergency. 
Season 43 contestants played a lot of Plinko.

Season 43 contestants played a lot of Plinko.

There were 20 games of Plinko played during the 43rd season of TPIR, and contestants took home a grand total of $164,300. The biggest winner of the season was Linda Holfield, who took home a $21,500 prize. 
One lucky contestant had the chance to win $1,000,000.

One lucky contestant had the chance to win $1,000,000.

Flash-forward 32 years, and you'll find that Plinko has become a high-stakes game. In fact, during Season 43: Big Money Week, Plinko was played for $1,000,000. Unfortunately, the Million Dollar Plinko contestant only walked away with $600 after hitting the $0 slot during the first round, the $500 slot during the second round, and the $100 slot during the third round. We bet he wished he hit that $200,000 center slot!