Secret X

1978 - Present

Secret X is a game based on tic-tac-toe. The board is a tic tac toe board with a special middle column. The contestant is given one free X to start the game and can place it anywhere in the first or third column. The contestant can earn up to two more X's by guessing the prices of two small items from two prices shown on each. Once all the X's have been placed, the middle column is revealed, with one of the three squares showing a secret X. If tic tac toe is made after the Secret X is revealed, the contestant wins a bonus prize.

Strategy dictates that any X the contestant places should be placed on one of the four corners of the board. If the contestant earns all three X's, a win is not guaranteed. The contestant can at best be 2/3 assured of a win in this game. If the contestant does not win either of the small prizes the game is automatically over. For some reason, contestants have a tough time with the logistics of this easy game.

As noted on the premiere of the game, Secret X was developed by Kathy "Fingers" Greco.

Set Changes: Question marks were added to the middle column shortly after the game premiered. The colors of the board and podiums for the small prizes changed from white and red to yellow and red in the 1980s.

Here's the original Secret X from the first playing of the game.	These are the small prizes our contestant will have to guess. Doesn't Holly look adorable??

What on EARTH are you doing? NEVER put the X in the middle...you only have a 1 and 3 chance of winning!	Uh oh...this doesn't look good at all...

Yikes. This woman was nowhere near winning this game. Bob thought the middle column turned around by itself today. He needs to push that button to put things in motion.	Here are the question marks on the Secret X board from 1980.

What horrible luck! The Secret "X" was in the one position that could make this contestant lose. She did all she could, though.	Here's the current Secret X board from a 1998 ep.

Updated podiums...	...and a win! Finally!