A woman from Rogers, Arkansas, had a lucky day on the popular game show Wheel of Fortune. She won over $24,000 in cash and prizes, including a trip to the Grand Canyon.
A Dream Come True
Linda Smith has been a fan of Wheel of Fortune since she was a child. She always dreamed of being a contestant on the show and spinning the wheel. She finally got her chance when she auditioned online and was selected to appear on the show.
She flew to Los Angeles with her husband and daughter to tape the episode, which aired on Monday, November 27, 2023. She said she was nervous but excited to meet the hosts, Pat Sajak and Vanna White.
“I couldn’t believe it when I saw them in person. They were so nice and friendly. They made me feel comfortable and relaxed,” she said.
A Winning Strategy
Smith said she had a strategy for playing the game. She studied the categories and the puzzles before the show. She also practiced spinning the wheel at home with a homemade version.
“I wanted to make sure I could spin it hard enough and not land on bankrupt or lose a turn,” she said.
She also tried to guess the letters that were most likely to appear in the puzzles. She said she followed the advice of Sajak, who told her to treat it as a fun experience and not worry too much about the outcome.
“I just tried to have fun and enjoy the moment. I didn’t think about the money or the prizes. I just focused on the game and the puzzles,” she said.
A Grand Prize
Smith’s strategy paid off. She solved several puzzles and accumulated a total of $24,450 in cash. She also won a trip to the Grand Canyon, valued at $6,000. She said she was thrilled to win the trip, as she had never been to the Grand Canyon before.
“It’s one of the places I’ve always wanted to visit. It’s such a beautiful and amazing natural wonder. I can’t wait to go there with my family and see it for myself,” she said.
She said she plans to use some of the cash to pay off some bills and save for her daughter’s college education. She also wants to donate some of the money to her church and to a local animal shelter.
“I feel very blessed and grateful for this opportunity. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I’m so glad I got to do it,” she said.
