Wheel of Fortune Player Loses $83,000 After Failing to Solve a Brutal Puzzle
Wheel of Fortune launched its Halloween-themed week offering an abundance of treats—alongside one devastating trick.
The Monday broadcast, titled “Happy Halloween,” showcased a memorable appearance by Chicago resident Anastasia Armitage. Her brilliant puzzle-solving skills thoroughly impressed both host Ryan Seacrest and the viewing audience—until the ultimate round, where the evening took a terrifying turn.
Prior to the start of the competition, Armitage captivated the crowd with her vibrant enthusiasm. She mentioned her love for autumn activities—such as visiting apple orchards, enjoying donuts, and picking pumpkins—yet she confessed a highly unusual fact: she has never actually consumed coffee, even though she adores the aroma.
Competing against New York educator Tony Ambrose and Texas-based pool player and former biker Kym Adams, Armitage had a sluggish beginning. Her rivals grabbed the early advantage by cracking the initial two puzzles. However, the Chicago native quickly seized command of the board—and absolutely refused to surrender it.
Her hot streak kicked off during the Same Letter puzzle, which earned her an ideal Halloween vacation to Salem, Massachusetts, valued at more than $7,000. She maintained that energy in the Mystery Round, flawlessly solving the “Pet Peeve” challenge and increasing her total bank to almost $15,000.
Next arrived the Express Round, in which she demonstrated that she was a completely unstoppable force. Armitage deciphered the “What The Fun!” puzzle to secure an additional vacation—this time heading to London, where she will wander the historic avenues previously stalked by Jack the Ripper. At that juncture, she had banked in excess of $23,000, completely distancing herself from her competitors.
However, her most astonishing display occurred throughout the Triple Toss-Up segment—where all the answers commenced with the word “Be.” Within mere seconds, she correctly identified “Be Prepared,” “Be Persistent,” and the highly challenging “Be Afraid Be Very Afraid.” The studio audience exploded with cheers.
She locked down her massive lead with a concluding victory—figuring out “Chain Saws And Lawn Mowers” during the Speed-Up Round—and concluded the primary portion of the game with a staggering $38,324 in overall cash and rewards.
Advancing into the Bonus Round, Armitage appeared perfectly positioned for a flawless victory. She selected the “People” category and thoughtfully chose her additional letters: B, D, P, and A. The board then displayed: “_ _ _ A L / _ P P _ N E N T S.”
The audience waited in intense anticipation. Armitage rapidly identified the word “Opponents” but struggled with the initial term, guessing “Coral,” “Moral,” and “Jural” right before the timer expired. The actual solution? “Rival Opponents.”
Once Seacrest unsealed the prize envelope, the revelation was tough to swallow—she had just narrowly missed out on an extra $45,000.
Nevertheless, Armitage exited the stage beaming. “I feel so lucky to have had my moment on the Wheel,” she shared with Maggie Sajak following the broadcast. “It was such a joy to play with Ryan, Vanna, and all the contestants.”
Internet fans did not hold back their admiration. “One of the best puzzle solvers I’ve ever seen,” one viewer posted. A second fan contributed, “Jaw-dropping solves! She should be proud.”
Even absent the ultimate bonus victory, Armitage firmly established that she is an absolute powerhouse at solving puzzles—and a beloved fan favorite kicking off the most frightening week of the year on Wheel of Fortune.
Sources: TV Insider