In the latest episode of Wheel of Fortune, the game show witnessed a blend of excitement and anticipation among the participants. Blake Swoboda, Brittany Collins, and Susan Meissner took the stage to compete for prizes by solving word puzzles. The episode concluded with Blake Swoboda emerging as the winner, having demonstrated exceptional skills throughout the rounds.
Brittany Collins, from Louisville, works at a children’s hospital and enjoys playing BINGO. Susan Meissner, hailing from Charleston, SC, is a car enthusiast with a pet dog named Ziggy. Blake Swoboda, from Houston, shared a personal story of his battle.
The Bonus Round
The highlight of the episode was the bonus round, where Blake faced the puzzle “THAT’S BAFFLING” under the category of Phrase. With only a few letters revealed after the standard guesses of RSTLNE, he successfully completed the puzzle, winning a luxury INFINITI QX50 PURE AWD along with the cash prize. This win brought his total earnings to an impressive $96,750 in cash and merchandise.
Key Moments and Strategies
The game unfolded with Brittany initially leading by solving the first two toss-ups, indicating her quick wit and readiness. However, Blake took over in the later rounds, securing significant earnings, including a trip to Fairmont Mayakoba. His strategic gameplay was evident as he navigated through the puzzles, especially during the prize round where he solved “COMING SOON TO A THEATER NEAR YOU,” boosting his total winnings.
Susan Meissner, despite a strong start and solving important puzzles like “FAMOUS LOCATION,” faced setbacks with several bankruptcies that hindered her ability to accumulate a higher score. The dynamics between the contestants kept the audience engaged, as the lead shifted multiple times throughout the episode.
Puzzle Solutions Table
Here is a summary of the night’s puzzles and their solutions:
| Round | Category | Puzzle Solution |
|---|---|---|
| $1,000 Toss Up | Things | FIRST-CLASS TICKETS |
| $2,000 Toss Up | Food & Drink | CRUSHED RED PEPPER |
| Round 1 | Phrase | ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE |
| Round 2 | Same Name | BASKETBALL & FOOD COURT |
| Round 3 (Prize) | Showbiz | COMING SOON TO A THEATER NEAR YOU |
| Triple Toss Up 1 | Place | POPULAR DESTINATION |
| Triple Toss Up 2 | Place | FAMOUS LOCATION |
| Triple Toss Up 3 | Place | SOMEWHERE OFF THE GRID |
| Round 4 | Event | THE KENTUCKY DERBY |
| Bonus Round (Phrase) | Phrase | THAT’S BAFFLING |