This is not Jim, but we also played Deal or No Deal for a family fun night. The following was from a different thread that I started after we did it. (You can find the original thread by searching "Deal or No Deal Bingo")

This is how we did it, there are probably other ways. We did not do it as a fundraiser, we charged admission just to break even.

We charged parents and kids 2$ admission, just so the event paid for itself. (I do not want any parent saying they sold all the wrapping paper just to pay for Bingo prizes.) We played about 20 games of Bingo from 6:30 - 8:00. That seemed to be the right amount, so we gave out $5 gift certificates as prizes, so $100 on Bingo. We had teachers be the Bingo callers.

Then we cleared the stage and played Skyview's version of "Deal or No Deal." It was our school's 10 year birthday, so we only used ten suitcases.

The suitcase were the plain only file folders you use in your filing drawers. On the front we had a clipart of a suitcase, with the numbers 1 - 10 inside the clipart. Then inside we had large numbers with the dollar amount. We used ten middle school girls, they would parade out on stage holding their file folder with the numbers on it. They did not know what money amount was inside their folder. When it was time to open the folder, they released two paper clips holding it shut, and let the top of the file folder fall down revealing the money. We made up ten whole sets of these file folders, so each time the girls would grab one of the next set.

As for dollar amounts, we struggled some with that, but I think what we ended up with went over fantastic. First we thought candy bars etc, but we figured nothing works better than money. So we used the following $ amounts.
.01, .25, .50, $1, $2, $5, $10, $25, $50.

Assuming you know how the game works, you must pick your suitcase first. So the odds of picking any suitcase is one out of ten. So the odds of them picking the 50 dollar is the same as them picking the penny.

We then had an Excel spreadsheet with all these dollar amounts listed, which we displayed on a screen using a projector. First they picked their suitcase, which we set aside on a music stand. Then they had to pick three more to open. These dollar amounts we erased off the excel spreadsheet. Then we used a simple average of the seven dollar amounts left, which we used as the bankers offer. If you try it, if you take out some high numbers and low numbers you end up with an offer between 10 - 15 dollars. So the Howie Mandell person asked Deal or No Deal, and almost always they said No Deal. So then we had them pick three more, leaving 4 numbers left. We took the average of them, and that was their offer. I would say 90% of the time the kids said No Deal. Then we had them pick one more, get aqn offer. Then they picked one more, get an offer. Finally at this point we were down to only two suitcases, which the mc gave them a chance to switch. They never switched. Finally they opened up their suitcase to see what they won.

We played nine games, and had a $50 winner, a $25 dollar winer, the rest were 10, 5 or 15, and we had a .25 cent winner and two that won a penny. It was unbelievabl how many time it came down to a penny showing and a larger number showing. The boy who won 50 had a 50 showing and a dollar, so the offer was 25.50. His mom was telling him to take the offer, but he risked it and won the fifty. But there were others with a penny showing and 15, and they rejected the 7.50 offer and got stuck with a penny. (We had no sympathy, you win a penny you get a penny, no consolation prize. Next time take the banker's offer. That is how the game works.)

So all told we played nine games in an hour, and we spent at most $125 on money paid out. As I said, the odds are thatsomeone might win the fifty, but someone also is going to win the penny. I say if you pan on 12 - 15 dollars per game average you would be ok.

Anyway, it was a great time, even the suitcase girls were saying how much fun it was.

One final note, there is a internet game that you can play with all 26 suitcases just like the show, but 26 suitcases take a lot of time. We found ten worked just fine.

Jim - The Deal or No Deal is a GREAT idea! I love game shows.

My question is (I am new to all this) - is it a Fundraiser where u will be generating money from it?? Or is it a Free Family Fun Night?

Thanks and sorry for hte silly question. Our Middle School has not had an active PTO in 5 years so we are all new at it......

I've posted it back in January, but how about an "Are you smarter than a 4th grader" evening.

We plan on doing it this year and we are going with 4th grade since our school only goes up to 4th grade. The idea is to make it a free family evening for all, but only 4th grade parents/guardians can participate. Guess anyone could play, but only use 4th graders as the "classroom" students.

Talk with the teachers and find out the topics that have been covered so far in the year for 4th grade, as well as all K through 3rd grade curriculum subjects. Create categories and questions.

Just like in the TV show, have the 5 or 6 4th grade students sitting on the auditorium stage at desks, with paper and a marker. Have the "contestant" at the podium on the other side of the stage. Maybe have a smaller podium for the student near, but not directly next to the contestant's podium. (need to ensure that the contestant can not see the classmates answer).

We are planning on using a computer projector, but an overhead or just a board with printed topics/questions could be used.

As in the TV gameshow, the contestant selects a student as their classmate, who then takes their position at the small podium. Then the contestant selects a category from those listed. They can ask their classmate what topic they are good at.

Then reveal the question and have all of the students write their answer. Once done, markers down.

The contestant can then answer, or use one of their "lifelines". The three "lifelines" are Peak - where they get to first look at their classmates answer and then decide what they want to respond with, Copy - which means they have to use whatever their classmate wrote down as their answer, or they have one save, which means if they were wrong, but the classmate got it correct, then they get credit.

When they select "copy" or "peak" fun can be made of that cheating is not condoned, etc.

In the TV gameshow the prizes start at like $100 and goes up to $1000000. Obviously that isn't applicable, but my plan is to use Visa check cards up to $100. Mind you, just like in the gameshow, no one gets to the top prize. Maybe start with $5, go to $10, $20, $30, $40, $50, $75 and $100, or something like that. I would say at least 6 topics/questions for each contestant. Once past, say the $20 range they will win at least that amount, meaning if they keep going and lose they get the $20.

If someone gets to the final question they are allowed no help and must decide if they are going to go for it before seeing the questioin. (all of the other levels they get to see the question prior to deciding if they want to quite).

when a contestant decides to quite or loses then they must proclaim to the audience that they "Are not smarter than a 4th grader!!!".

It is possible that we will use our Principal as the host, or maybe I'll do it. Could even have a Vanna White dressed up helper controlling the screen.

Figured we'll probably have a bake sale, maybe sell pizza, etc. Should be a blast!!!

Good luck and if you have any questions, please post them.

PresidentJim

We did "Deal or No Deal" as part of the Family Game Night at our elementary last year and it was a blast. Even the youngest kids knew the show and how to play. Plus they had siblings and parents "encouraging" their decisions.

I was at a conference over the summer and someone mentioned they had a game show night. They had a "Deal or No Deal" night. We are any elementary school so I don't think that would do well here. Any suggestions? I thought about Family Fued, parents vs. students?