Mark's Game Report

Hopefully the fortunes can turn around today after the past couple of horrible games. No silly costumes today, except for Noel's shirt!

It's Mark's turn in the crazy chair today and he has box 5. Mark is an electrician from London, he has his partner in the audience for support today, we learn is not romantic!! But is a big gambler and has won some big money on the horses which paid off his mortgage for 6 months, he also says he is superstitious and has a lucky charm with him today. It's a lucky charm that was given to him by birthday show David.

Round 1
3 - £1,000
20 - £750
Mark is unsure when to use his lucky numbers.....
16 - 50p
15 - £250
2 - 1p

A fantastic start and it's time for the banker, Noel loves the board and thinks its set-up a potentially great game. The banker picked up on Mark's big gambling, but also that he stopped after 6 months, he then offers £13,000. Mark says it's a great offer and says to his partner are you ready to go! He then says NO DEAL.

Round 2
Mark asks Mary for a blue
10 - £50 It works
9 - £75,000 oohhs for the first of the power 5
22 - £50,000 groans from the pilgrims

Noel says the banker will be delighted with that round and he is!! Noel asks Mark to predict the offer, he says around £4,000. The banker offers £13,000, he sticks, Mark says that is a great compliment to stick, but NO DEAL.

Round 3
13 - £10,000
14 - £1 Cheers and applause for the blue
6 - £5 More cheers

Mark says that round was quite good, Noel starts talking about Margaret (new contestant in the wings) not having a clue what's going on and she thinks she is in the Countdown studio!!! The banker calls and says he has a conundrum for her!! The banker thinks Mark might be impulsive, he offers £19,000. Mark says that impulsive is sometimes good, Noel goes to Steve who is now nicknamed 'The Terminator' with the £250,000 twice in 5 shows, Mark says that the banker is finding it hard to read Mark! Mark says NO DEAL.

Round 4
1 - 10p Cheers and applause for the blue
19 - £20,000
Noel says the next box is crucial now and really builds up the tension.......
4 - £100,000 Silence in the studio

Mark says that's a dent! But it's not the top one. Noel talks about the very long absence of the £250,000 on the pound table. Noel tells the banker to calm down! He wasn't happy with Steve's comment that the banker couldn't read Mark. The banker talks about his pal Howard and how much he likes him, he says Howard will get the highest ever opening offer when he plays!!!! He then offers £13,000, Mark says that's a fair offer. Noel goes to Steve who says it's a fair offer, he then goes to Howard who says 'you know I won't say anything other than it's a good offer'! Mark says NO DEAL.

Round 5
18 - £10 Cheers and applause for the great start
7 - £15,000 It's OK say Noel and Mark
21 - £35,000 Groans for that one

Noel calls it an all or peanuts game now with the £250,000 very isolated with £5,000 and £3,000 as it's backup, he wonders where the banker will pitch his offer. The banker says that this is a respectful offer and advises to take it, he offers £23,000.

Mark says it's a great offer and is struggling with what to do as if the £250,000 goes it's all over. Noel says that the banker could have an incredible victory if Mark takes the £23,000 and then has the £250,000 in his box..... Mark is taking his time over the decision, Noel tells everyone that the banker is sat in his office loving this as he is giving the gambler a tough choice.... Mark is ready and says DEAL, he says that is real money and he has witnessed some devastating games while waiting in the wings.

Round 6 - Proveout round
11 - £3,000
12 - £250,000 BIG Cheers and applause
8 - £5,000

Mark plays the perfect proveout round, the banker would have offered £230.

Noel opens Mark's box 5 and reveals £100, box contains the £500.

Mark plays the perfect game and deals for the highest amount available on the day, it was interesting to see how much pressure Noel seemed to put on Mark when deciding about the £23,000 offer, he was almost encouraging Mark to play on risk everything in an effort to produce the £250,000 game that has been absent for so long.