{"id":41941,"date":"2025-09-22T05:30:28","date_gmt":"2025-09-22T05:30:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/popularnews.pw\/?page_id=41941"},"modified":"2025-09-22T05:30:28","modified_gmt":"2025-09-22T05:30:28","slug":"wheel-of-fortune-player-fails-to-solve-this-puzzle-loses-out-on-61k","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/popularnews.pw\/?page_id=41941","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Wheel of Fortune\u2019 Player Fails To Solve This Puzzle, Loses Out On $61k"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Sources: TV Insider<\/p>\n

A Wheel of Fortune contestant saw $61,000 slip away in the Bonus Round last week, leaving fans stunned over what many called one of the easier puzzles in recent memory.<\/p>\n

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Eric Handzel, a Yankees superfan from Chadwicks, New York, made it all the way to the final round on Thursday\u2019s episode after racking up an impressive $21,350 in winnings.<\/p>\n

But when it came down to the puzzle that could have sent him home with $61,000, Handzel missed the mark \u2014 and the reaction from his dad, who was cheering from the audience with a booming laugh, said it all.<\/p>\n

Handzel squared off against two other contestants: Camila Santos, a mother of two from Sunnyvale, California, and Joanie White, a hairdresser from St. Pauls, North Carolina.<\/p>\n

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White came out strong, solving both Toss-Ups to claim an early $3,000. Handzel, however, quickly took control of the game by nailing the first main puzzle, \u201cShameless Shoe Shopaholic,\u201d bumping his score to $3,500.<\/p>\n

White clawed back with \u201cAnnual Chili Cook-Off,\u201d pushing her to $4,650, but Handzel dominated the Prize Puzzle with \u201cDon\u2019t Forget Your Phone Charger.\u201d That win netted him a South American cruise to Argentina and Patagonia, bringing his total to $17,350.<\/p>\n

In the Triple Toss-Ups, Handzel solved two out of three, with White grabbing the last one. White later picked up the final puzzle, \u201cGone on a Blind Date,\u201d ending her night with $8,350. Santos was unable to secure a win but still left with the show\u2019s $1,000 consolation prize.<\/p>\n

With the most money at the buzzer, Handzel headed into the Bonus Round. Host Ryan Seacrest paused to acknowledge a hearty laugh coming from the audience. \u201cIs that your father laughing?\u201d Seacrest asked. Handzel smiled, confirming it was his dad Joe, whose infectious laugh quickly became a highlight of the episode.<\/p>\n

As the clock wound down, Handzel hesitated. At first, he muttered \u201cpulley,\u201d then switched gears to \u201cpillow.\u201d Laughing nervously, he threw out guesses like \u201cBed Pillow, Throw Pillow, Pillow.\u201d Unfortunately, the correct solution was \u201cBody Pillow.\u201d<\/p>\n

The miss cost him $40,000 in prize money, bringing his potential grand total to $61,000. Still, Seacrest kept the moment light, joking, \u201cI use one every night too,\u201d after Handzel admitted he actually sleeps with a body pillow.<\/p>\n

Fans at home quickly chimed in on social media. One YouTube viewer admitted, \u201cWow, I actually guessed \u2018Body Pillow\u2019 correctly \u2014 and it was just a lucky shot!\u201d Another added, \u201cWe don\u2019t have body pillows. But the good letters are W and B. Good attempt by the player, though.\u201d<\/p>\n

Although the Bonus Round didn\u2019t go his way, Handzel still walked off stage with more than $21,000 and a free vacation. But for the Yankees fan and his dad, it will likely be the $40,000 body pillow that\u2019s hardest to forget.<\/p>\n

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