Wheel of Fortune Contestant's Simple Mistake Costs $61,000 Loss

Fans slam contestant for not knowing common phrase that would have led to big win.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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A Wheel of Fortune contestant was roasted by fans after failing to solve a puzzle that would have led him to win the game. Instead, his opponent advanced to the Bonus Round and lost out on $61,000. The contestant later spoke out about the phrase he had never heard of.

Why it matters

Wheel of Fortune is one of the most popular game shows, with millions of viewers. Mistakes by contestants, especially on easy puzzles, often generate strong reactions from the passionate fanbase.

The details

Contestant Jack Marquardt, from Chicago, Illinois, thought he had solved the 'Before & After' puzzle correctly by guessing 'Having a Shake of a Good Time.' However, the correct answer was 'Having a Whale of a Good Time,' which his opponent Alexis Wiggley, from Westhampton, New Jersey, went on to solve. Marquardt later admitted he was not familiar with the common phrase. Despite solving two of the three Triple Toss-up puzzles, Marquardt's mistake cost him the game, as Wiggley advanced to the Bonus Round.

  • The episode aired on February 25, 2026.

The players

Jack Marquardt

A contestant from Chicago, Illinois, who was turned into a meme at a concert 15 years ago.

Alexis Wiggley

A contestant from Westhampton, New Jersey, who is a frequent traveler but has yet to visit Europe.

Rachel Anderson

A contestant from Ionia, Iowa, who is a fisherwoman and has received several big state fish awards.

Ryan Seacrest

The host of Wheel of Fortune.

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What they’re saying

“Ok, to be fair, I knew it was a digraph with an h and 's' was still on the board. 'Shake' followed the digraph-vce pattern based on what was left. Unfortunately, I'm a moron and didn't know the phase 'whale of a good time,'”

— Jack Marquardt (Reddit)

“I had 2 goals 1) win big or 2) say something really stupid. I made goal number 2!!!”

— Jack Marquardt (Reddit)

“I applied a year ago after not watching for 30 years, failed upwards. Good times!”

— Jack Marquardt (Reddit)

“I said, glamping”

— Alexis Wiggley, Wheel of Fortune contestant (tvinsider.com)

What’s next

The episode featuring Marquardt's mistake aired on February 25, 2026. Wheel of Fortune fans will likely continue to discuss and debate the incident on social media in the days and weeks following the episode's airing.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the high stakes and intense scrutiny contestants face on Wheel of Fortune, where even a simple mistake on a common phrase can cost them a chance at a life-changing cash prize. It also showcases the passionate and sometimes merciless nature of the game show's fanbase.