The November 13, 2024 episode of Wheel of Fortune brought excitement and challenges to the stage, as the contestants faced off with quick thinking and strategic gameplay. Host Pat Sajak and Vanna White welcomed three players: Debra Bell, a veteran of the Air Force Reserves, Shanon Woods, a 24-year Army vet, and Billy Kendra, a Navy veteran with a penchant for singing in a tiki bar band. The episode was packed with puzzling moments, from toss-ups to the bonus round, where one contestant managed to walk away with a significant prize.
$1,000 Toss-Up: U.S. NAVAL ACADEMY
The first toss-up of the evening was a Place puzzle. Debra quickly solved it with U.S. NAVAL ACADEMY, earning $1,000. Her military background likely helped her with the answer, which was a fitting tribute to her service in the Air Force Reserves. This was a strong start for Debra, who seemed confident and focused throughout the game. Shanon and Billy were both in the game early, but Debra took a commanding lead with this correct solution.
$2,000 Toss-Up: GRILLED CORN ON THE COB
The second toss-up puzzle fell under the category Food & Drink. Debra kept her momentum going, correctly solving GRILLED CORN ON THE COB for another $2,000. This gave her an early lead, as both Shanon and Billy struggled to keep pace. The toss-ups were proving to be a strong point for Debra, who was gaining more confidence as the game went on.
Round 1: GRAND MARSHAL OF THE PARADE
Round 1 featured a Person puzzle, and the contestants went back and forth, but Billy eventually solved GRAND MARSHAL OF THE PARADE for $2,900. The round saw some tough breaks for Debra and Shanon, both of whom landed on bankrupt spaces. Billy’s steady performance helped him close the gap, but Debra still led with $3,000 going into the next round.
Round 2: VEHICLES
The Vehicles category saw Shanon take the lead, solving the puzzle HELICOPTER, TANK, BOAT for $3,900. This round was filled with strategic choices, and while Debra had some setbacks, Shanon’s correct guesses kept her in the hunt. Billy also faced some challenges, but the round wrapped up with Shanon edging closer to the lead.
Round 3: BUILDING A SAND SCULPTURE
In the third round, the Fun & Games category, Billy came out strong, correctly solving BUILDING A SAND SCULPTURE for a trip to the Hotel Effie Sandestin. He added $3,900 to his total, which put him in a solid position going into the final rounds. Debra, despite a couple of bankrupt spaces, was still very much in the game, with $3,000 in her bank.
Triple Toss-Up Round: WHAT ARE YOU DOING?
The Triple Toss-Up round was a decisive moment in the game, and each puzzle tested the contestants’ speed and ability to think on their feet. Billy answered the first puzzle, BOOKING A RESERVATION, and then Shanon took the second, CONFIRMING MY RESERVATION. Debra wrapped up the Triple Toss-Up round with CANCELLING MY RESERVATION. These quick-fire puzzles kept the audience on edge and highlighted the contestants’ ability to solve under pressure.
Final Round: TIMING IS EVERYTHING
The final round, a Phrase puzzle, was a crucial one for Debra, who needed to solve it to secure a win. She did just that, solving TIMING IS EVERYTHING for $3,200. This brought her total winnings to $8,200, just enough to edge out Billy, who finished with $12,350. Unfortunately, the bonus round didn’t fall in Billy’s favor, as his guess for the Bonus Puzzle SAVVY CONSUMER was incorrect, and he did not win the car.
Bonus Round: SAVVY CONSUMER
Debra, however, had a different fate. The Bonus Round featured the category Person, and with the help of the letters R, S, T, L, N, E, and a bit of luck, Debra quickly solved SAVVY CONSUMER. This win earned her the Bonus Round prize, adding even more to her earnings. In total, Debra walked away with $8,200 in cash, a solid victory for the night.
Tonight’s Puzzle Solutions
| Puzzle Category | Solution |
|---|---|
| $1,000 Toss-Up: Place | U.S. NAVAL ACADEMY |
| $2,000 Toss-Up: F&D | GRILLED CORN ON THE COB |
| Round 1: Person | GRAND MARSHAL OF THE PARADE |
| Round 2: Vehicles | HELICOPTER, TANK, BOAT |
| Round 3: Fun & Games | BUILDING A SAND SCULPTURE |
| Triple Toss-Up 1: WAYD? | BOOKING A RESERVATION |
| Triple Toss-Up 2: WAYD? | CONFIRMING MY RESERVATION |
| Triple Toss-Up 3: WAYD? | CANCELLING MY RESERVATION |
| Final Round: Phrase | TIMING IS EVERYTHING |
| Bonus Round (Person) | SAVVY CONSUMER |
Overall, the November 13, 2024 episode of Wheel of Fortune showcased a thrilling night of puzzles, quick decisions, and high stakes. While Billy came close to winning, Debra’s solid performance across the rounds, especially in the Bonus Round, earned her the title of the evening’s champion. The game was a strong reminder of how strategic gameplay and quick thinking can make the difference in this fast-paced puzzle show.