Gambit - Full Rare Episode

[@Triona2662]

Wink, I won $9,167 when I was on your game show “DEBT” and I would love to see that re-aired so that I could save it to watch over again.

[@Bigbadwhitecracker]

I've totally forgotten about this show. I used to watch it when I was home from school, sick, which I was a lot. I don't think I've thought about it in 45 years. Nice to see Elaine Stewart again!! Thank you for the memories!

[@Kepley100]

This episode was well worth the wait, with two great wins at the Gambit Board! Thank you very much for posting it!

[@NathanielRussell1965]

Thank you Wink for putting this up. This was one of my favorite game shows.

[@jimdep6542]

Wink, I'd be thrilled with that 76 Vega ! Great seeing you again on Fox & Friends ! God bless you, sir .

[@4HBirtcher]

That Vega is a huge downfall for Chevrolet back then!

[@gilwood7530]

She took the words right outta my mouth ...AWESOME JACKET MR WINK !!!

[@Ian16545]

Now _that_, Wink, was a *21*-derful find! Congrats to the max.

[@austinl169]

Wink, of all the shows you did - and you did a LOT - Gambit was my favorite. Thanks for sharing this! ♠️♥️♦️♣️

[@christopherangel6690]

Gambit needs a reboot!

[@pressmin]

I wish as well. However under a different name. Can’t use the word “gambit” because of the “Street Fighter” character.

[@LittleRockElevatorsandmore]

Catch 21 is pretty much the Gambit reboot.

[@4HBirtcher]

@@pressminGambit is a X-men character!

[@tammylewis2408]

I have not seen Gambit in ages!!! Great to see you preserve classic game shows. Hope you have the ones from Tic Tac Dough.

[@StukInBuf]

Elaine Stewart... at that time, the epitome of beauty, and of class. May she forever rest in peace.

[@larkefedifero]

Yeah, she looks familiar! But I gotta laugh with her early show comments, "Hi! How are ya'? You well? I'm real happy!!" Early form of "interactive" entertainment, I guess! :-D

[@StukInBuf]

Back when celebrities knew that the regular folks were what drove their success.

[@WaltGekko]

And few today likely realize, she was actually I believe well into her 40s by the time this aired (I believe she was born in 1929).

[@sabster74]

She was married to producer Merrill Heatter.

[@4HBirtcher]

When did she die?

[@StukInBuf]

Bless your heart, Wink, for putting forth these good old game show clips on KZbin. Watching these clips today reminds us(namely myself) of how good and decent daytime television entertainment was once upon a time... before trash-talk took over the airwaves. Even Game Show Network has started cutting away from the old classics and is showing programs that kind of match the trash talk seen too many other places on the dial. There should be a Game Show Retro Channel, or put some of these classics on MeTV/Antenna TV. Then again, with a good many soaps biting the dust, some of the good old game shows need to make a comeback on network TV.

[@therealbrentrolland]

Absolutely wonderful! This is a diamond of an episode, and the outcome was priceless. Thank you for posting this, Wink, and thank you to all the fans for your dedication! Let's get more classic game shows from the Golden Age out there!

[@JL-bv4wg]

Thank you for posting the game show, I loved this show.

[@radionoakmont7756]

a rare and beautiful gameshow what a great game everyone came out winners with a great finish too really amazing and awesome.

[@BobChanceBand]

I used to watch Gambit when I was a kid - I always wanted a deck of those cards!

[@briansheil9763]

Me too. No doubt, because of the designs. Especially the face cards. ♠️♥️♣️♦️

[@angeladay1534]

Yeppers! 🎴♥️♠️♦️♣️🃏

[@williambone7724]

Love this show and I love seeing that toy Vega on the turntable!

[@steve760]

Kenny Williams was the go-to announcer for all of Merrill Heatter's shows back then. Gambit, the original Hollywood Squares, the original High Rollers. I wish he'd done more stuff before we lost him.

[@jonathanashbeck3740]

There were only two shows he never did. Magnificent Marble Machine was done by Johnny Gilbert. I can’t remember the other show he didn’t do.

[@mbclev]

@@jonathanashbeck3740 Heatter-Quigley's "Temptation" (hosted by Art James) was announced by Carl King.

[@Huuudge25]

Kenny did High Rollers

[@WaltGekko]

@@Huuudge25Yes, Kenny did the second incarnation.

[@steve760]

@@WaltGekko Kenny announced the first two runs, both of which were hosted by Alex Trebek. Wink hosted the 1980s revival, which was announced by Dean Goss.

[@douglasgriffiths3534]

I was 19 when this show aired. I used to watch Gambit when I could (was in college), and it was one of my favorite game shows. I miss the 70s and 80s with all the good game shows. The ones now suck, except for Family Feud. This rare episode was great to see, and memories came flooding back. Thanks so much for uploading. (Jan Griffiths).

[@LeotheTiger1234]

It was 50 years ago today (the day I typed this comment) that we saw the debut of Gambit, alongside "The Joker's Wild" and what ended up being television's longest-running and most beloved game show, "The (New) Price is Right."

[@horatiohawkins3751]

Wink Martindale is one of my favorite game show emcees of all time. I used to watch Tic Tax Dough, Headline Chasers, and High Rollers. May God bless you Wink and please come back, Daytime television needs you sir!

[@JL-bv4wg]

It's called Tic Tac Dough not Tax

[@jimmypatterson9472]

The king of game show hosts Wink Martindale !! I do remember this game show. Love that suit Wink !! Nice music also .

[@jtf10570]

I must have seen that episode where the Livingstons get three straight Aces on the Gambit board countless times. This topped it with the wins and the wardrobe along with that little flub. Can't wait to see what else is in that vault!!!

[@gene_takavic57]

My grandparents were on Gambit back in the 70s. I was able to watch it on live tv back in the day. They won a trip to Acapulco, a grandfather clock, and a few other goodies. It would be awesome to be able to view that episode again, somehow.

[@lorraineburgess4802]

We are losing a lot of the game show announcers. Kenny Williams, Johnny Olsen, Rod Roddy, Charlie O’Donnell, Jay Stewart, Gene Wood, and Don Pardo

[@johnnyrock978]

thank you very much ,for these episodes. i remember watching tic tac dough on wmtw tv channel 8 .

[@TheMisterJ]

I love the music in this show. Mort Garson really knew how to jam on a Moog.

[@kkare657]

I love your recording "deck of cards" It was a few years before my time, when I heard it for the first time a few years ago it made me cry

[@robwargo]

I loved this show. THANKS for posting. (BTW, I was a contestant on Debt, among other shows, and you were the nicest of all the hosts I met over the years).

[@WinkMartindaleGames]

Rob Wargo Thank you Rob...that's wonderful to hear! Did you win big on Debt? Be sure to head over to my Facebook page at facebook.com/winkmartindalegames and post your Debt experience, I'm sure the fans would love to hear! - The Winker

[@robwargo]

Wink Martindale Yes! I won close to $16,000 on Debt. That was a great day -- I was able to pay off my student loan and take a nice trip to Greece with the money.

[@puppyshoes2]

Wink Martindale I use to see Gambit & Tic Tac Dough when I was a boy.My name is Jonathan.

[@zacheryalderton7797]

I remember you

[@fredmckinney8933]

I remember Gambit from when I was a kid (debuted when I was 4, ended production when I was 8). Wink, you're one of my all-time favorite emcees.

[@friedchickenicedtea]

From a former resident of a town just north of your hometown of Jackson, TN...This Union City, TN boy thanks you so much for posting this!!!

[@woflover]

Not only is it an episode of Gambit (which would've been great in any capacity), but it's one that amazing! GREAT find, sir! :D

[@allenjones3130]

Wink's actual first name is Winston. He billed himself as Win Martindale when he emceed the NBC game show "What's This Song?" back in the sixties.

[@brycelandon6387]

You know, this feels like a fun show to watch. But holy crap, your outfit is the epitome of "What has been seen cannot be unseen"!

[@artytoons]

"You have the knowledge...You know the odds...All the rest are in the cards!..on 'Gambit!'" On a scale of ten...this ranks a 21!

[@dophilliYT]

Great episode Wink! Excitement from beginning to end. Thank you very much for sharing this rare episode!

[@32rodrick]

Like that Rare Classic episode of "GAMBIT" This is what TV Game Shows are really made for...

[@chrislang9442]

SuperGamer7 who cares what YOU think!

[@jonathanashbeck3740]

Dude it’s his opinion

[@JBTHREAT]

great, great episode...I never had a chance to see an episode in its heyday...but thanks to KZbin, I can see all the game shows and feel like a kid again!! Thanks for the post, can't wait to see what else is in 'Wink's Vault'!!!

[@andrewgallagher596]

Hi Wink, I was in middle school in New York when I used to watch your show on CBS (only on days when I didn't have school or if I was home sick and of course during summer and Christmas/New Year's vacations). Too bad time machines don't exist, I would happily go back in time. Watching this episode of "Gambit" is second-best! I would say of all the game shows you hosted, "Gambit" was my favorite. One show you hosted that I wished stayed on the air longer was "Debt."

[@tomxconn]

9:53 “don’t do that!” 😄 OK, that was awkward!

[@mango4606]

Once again, Wink is back at it! Fantastic video.

[@trent100100]

it's always good to see even the best hosts aren't perfect

[@tvtimetravel]

Still eagerly and excitedly waiting for the next Concentration episode to be unveiled!

[@JonesDylan874]

I love this show, Gambit. Have it come back one day... this or Catch 21.

[@MelissaHash]

Wink, you still are quite a dashing fellow! #LongtimeFanOfYours!

[@jjgillmen]

I love the awesome synth music cues on this show--shame I can't find them anywhere save for the closing theme. lol

[@blozier2006]

Hey Bulldog, if you're still looking for them, hit me up on Facebook

[@scottnotsteve374]

I cannot wait to show this to my kids. The revamp "Catch 21" was good but not as good as this original. It was appointment viewing when I was on summer vacation.

[@kgruber17]

Well worth the wait! Thanks so much for posting!

[@jackbusby9602]

When the Nollans hit 18 after finding $10,000.00, I noticed that Wink never asked them if they wanted to freeze or go on.

[@JonesDylan874]

TBH, why would you, with all that big stuff there?

[@AarHan3]

21:59 - "Stay tuned for _Love Of Life_ over most of these CBS stations!" :)

[@KiddBloo86]

What an awesome episode! Thank you, Wink!

[@BlackwoodCompany]

Both winning couples in this must be the luckiest I have seen since the couple that got three aces in a bonus round AND won the car.

[@neumannsod]

Great graphic design--the logo, the cards, the Gambit board. Please Wink, show us an episode with "Beat the House." I've heard about it but never seen it. (My excuse is that I was busy with 3rd grade at the time.) And as someone else requested, original High Rollers with Ruta Lee. Thanks, Wink!

[@bryanlaw9262]

I hope more episodes resurface! I'm hooked on this show!

[@lorddalek]

Reportedly they're all intact. Just nobody wants to make a deal with MGM.

[@drquuxum]

Thank you, Wink! I vaguely remember Gambit being on in syndication when I was very young -- I couldn't remember all the rules until now.

[@crazyclimber80]

I remember not being able to see this much during its initial run (a bit too young at the time). Repeats after its initial run were shown late at night on weekends (10:30PM, if I remember correctly). When my mom would let me stay up late was when I'd be able to see it. But boy, did I enjoy this show and the weird face cards.

[@WaltGekko]

It's amazing how far Botany 500 fell in about a 20 year period (1986-2005) to where they are now simply a "name brand" for mail-order company Haband.

[@secondaryterryharrison6471]

ty wink 4 posting this episode of gambit.

[@timothywilliams9642]

I hope you have more of these gambit episodes.

[@rodney1279TheFlip]

I know Gambit was before my time but I love this Game Show Wink. We love you man!

[@blockinstitute8783]

rodney1279 #@fďß😅😁😀😂

[@PatrioticPirate]

This is a WONDERFUL win! And to the Video Poster- are you REALLY Wink Martindale??? I used to LOVE this show when I was what- 3-4-5 years old? I STILL want the "Giant Cards!" If this show comes back, YOU are the only person with any business behind the podium, and that's a FACT.

[@PatrioticPirate]

7:33- BLACKJACK!!! I dern near woke the whole house up at 3:30am!

[@WinkMartindaleGames]

PatrioticPirate This IS REALLY THE Wink Martindale! Thanks for joining us here...check out my Facebook page at facebook.com/winkmartindalegames

[@PatrioticPirate]

Wink Martindale Thank you, Sir! Much love and respect!

[@steve760]

@@WinkMartindaleGames - I'm shocked KZbin doesn't have the same sort of verification policy Facebook and Twitter do. There should be a little blue check mark next to your name.

[@timothywilliams9642]

I hope you have more eps of gambit. I know I was only a baby when this came on but I remember those large cards and I was old enough to watch las vegas gambit as well. Gambit was and still is my all time favorite game show.

[@LudoRex]

Spectacular episode.

[@setheriah]

I had a dream that you were doing a presentation and i heard the music going to the gambit board...

[@DougTrovinger]

Thank you so much Wink! :)

[@sk8terboi10003]

I love the graphics on these old game shows

[@LeroyBright]

I thoroughly enjoyed it, Wink!

[@louistenore2185]

show was revived twice first as Las Vegas Gambit then known as catch 21.

[@JayTemple]

Love seeing the contestant plug!

[@danielmaddox7792]

This was an excellent watch. Exciting

[@Mark-yy2py]

Nice jacket, Wink!

[@jwavada]

Wink, I have always enjoyed your shows. I do admit, Gambit was the last of the shows I saw you on. First was Tic Tac Dough, then Headline Chasers, The Last Word, Trivial Pursuit, Boggle, Jumble, Shuffle, and Debt. Geez, I could be your biographer. Scary. Always admired your work though!

[@georgef551]

CBS Television City 7800 Beverly Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90036 Same as getting tickets for TPiR, which is still valid today. Not well known, but this option gets you a far better chance of actual seating, or interview to be a contestant, versus the internet entry.

[@steve760]

No longer CBS Television City, as CBS just sold the complex to a local investor group. The last time I was in the Fairfax District (which is where Television City is located), the CBS logo was still on the front and back of the building, but I believe they've removed it. CBS's only remaining production facility in Los Angeles is the CBS Studio Center in the San Fernando Valley (Studio City, to be specific), which is home to a bunch of sound stages and their two LA television stations.

[@semplenyc]

I really love this show... This desperately need a come back and no... catch-21 is not enough for its not the same.

[@semplenyc]

I'm also guessing that the family from the second game stopped at 18 after the $10,000 win? lol

[@semplenyc]

agreed. Catch 21 is a pretty good show but gambit has some original factors that are distinct from Catch 21.

[@brentrogers4774]

Two great bonus game wins, one couple wins a car, and another couple wins $10,000. Way to go Wink and Elaine.

[@germanname1990]

Oops, I can't believe I forgot to like you. Sorry about that, but I just liked you on Facebook. I'm still glad you were able to get 3000 likes over there because you deserved every last one of them. Anyway, thanks for showing us this full episode. Looking forward to more full episodes of any game show, whatever it is. I've seen you've made a mistake on the show too that almost proved costly for that couple. So, you've made one, I've made one, it happens. That's why I forgive everyone, whether they forgive me or not.

[@millenniumman75]

I was afraid they were turned off! I liked this video too!!

[@dougbradshaw7924]

Great episode!

[@ericsamuelson5656]

If anyone has an off air recording rerun of Gambit from the late 70s, can you PLEASE post them soon. Some stations reran this series from 1977-80 including WPIX Ch. 11 NYC, KHJ Ch. 9 Los Angeles, WGN Ch. 9 Chicago, etc.

[@mysticpuffy]

Couldn't get a real Vega for the show! LOL I've never seen a full episode of Gambit. Very interestingly shot show. Interesting music and rules.

[@johnnyballenatl]

Sean Lee Heatter-Quigley’s shows are notorious for showing either art cards or toy models of the cars being offered while others showed photos or videos/films of them or (in the case of Wink’s High Rollers) on stage.

[@jehobden]

I wonder if Wink has seen the 1977 tv movie "A Circle of Children". CBS aired it March 1977, 3 months after GAMBIT was cancelled, but footage from an episode starts up at 36:18 in this link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jJq4lWZ6m9SHiKc GAMBIT is key to reaching & understanding an autistic boy.

[@jamesmoss3424]

Gambit should be on buzzr it's a good idea.😀👍

[@wturner777]

@James Moss Except Buzzr is owned by Fremantle.

[@steve760]

@@wturner777 But GSN is owned by Sony. Based on what Mark Schildberg said, they could run Gambit reruns. Buzzr is a joint venture between Fremantle and Fox Television, as you point out, so they're never going to run it. The reason Buzzr exists is to showcase old Fremantle-owned shows (Goodson/Todman, Reg Grundy, and a handful of others).

[@johnnyballenatl]

Also, MGM owns Gambit…or what’s left of it.

[@Tubewings]

This must be from late '76, based on some of the questions in game two (such as "the next Summer Olympics"...I think we all know how well _that_ turned out, and Muhammad Ali's encounter with a professional wrestler {Antonio Inoki}).

[@millenniumman75]

David Groh was still on Rhoda in the Summer of 1976. That fall was when their marriage was to crumble.

[@megamanj2004X]

Another way you could tell this was a very late run Gambit episode is the Mary Hartman reference in one of the other questions since Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman just started around that time.

[@Wolfman12395]

Wink I'm sure a lot of people ask you, but I was wondering if I could get an autograph from you. We all REALLY appreciate these uploads you have posted for us!!!! =D =D

[@MountainHawkPYL]

Technically, Wink should have asked the Nollans if they wanted to continue after the last card taken in the bonus round.

[@Tubewings]

Considering that the "time's up" bell went off immediately afterwards, and since no sane person would continue on an "18" and *_ESPECIALLY_* after they just won $10,000, I think Wink assumed that they wanted to stand.

[@MountainHawkPYL]

Tubewings Notice I said "Technically". That's why we say "Final Answer" on Millionaire. Also a technical fault of the buzzer operator, and directors, et. al. The contestants still had the option, although ill-advised, to play for more money.

[@LogoMan7777]

MountainHawkPYL That's what I was thinking, too. Wink should've said something like, "Well, you've got $10,000 in cash and a trip to Catalina; I suppose if you WANT you can try for the car, but I don't think you would want to try for a 3, would you? Ha ha ha ha."

[@michaelfalkner1186]

No. The car isn't even worth more than about 4K or so -- a Chevette.

[@LogoMan7777]

It's actually a Nova.

[@Clovershroom]

Why did they destroy tapes of so many game shows back then? I would've liked to see more of this.

[@illustriousrocket4476]

At the time they weren't considered to have any rerun value, so the expenses to store them were seen as wasting money. Destroying them or taping over them with newer content (such as what happened to ABC Password, I've heard it was taped over with Family Feud) had much more value.

[@williamboylejr.7440]

I wish I had a deck or two of those Gambit cards. I love this game so when I was a child and it started my hobby is collecting deck of playing cards.

[@2themoon863]

Videotape was very expensive back then, and while there was syndication and repeats it was common until later in the 70’s to reuse videotape and record over other shows.

[@TheMisterJ]

Hey Wink! Thanks for posting this! I've been a huge game show fan since I was 4 (I'm 24), & I've been waiting years to see a full episode of this game. I'd like to know, how much of this series has been preserved? CBS has been better overall at keeping episodes intact, although admittedly a large part of that might be at the behest of Mark Goodson wherever his shows are concerned. I'm wondering if there's a lost stash of these tapes somewhere like with the original CBS run of The Joker's Wild...

[@uh60donjr]

woah that's a loud suit. :P

[@JaySlammz]

sez: "You have the knowledge; you know the odds... everything else is in the cards!" :D

[@LogoMan7777]

"all the rest"

[@therealxunil2]

"I got a car! I got a car!" ... yeah, but it's a Vega.

[@markofly76]

Nice suit. Goes with the 70s style.

[@binahentz]

Love it! Thanks, Wink!

[@douglasghiz1287]

If I am not mistaken, This game show was where Wink Martindale met his wife Sandy. Am I right or wrong?

[@blozier2006]

1976 episode, I can tell by the question about Muhammad Ali going against Antonio Inoki (the professional wrestler) on June 26, 1976

[@TehJew22]

In addition to that, Ali also had a run-in with Gorilla Monsoon and unlike many of Ali's opponents, Monsoon was too much for Ali.

[@puppyshoes2]

Did you Muhammad Ali Passed away?

[@TehJew22]

Linda Gimbert Yes

[@raymondswenson5529]

I knew it was 1976. Wink gave that away.

[@loutenore33]

i guess you people forgot gambit was revived twice in 1980 las vgas version and under anthoner name known as catch 21

[@tirmyta]

Thank you, Wink!

[@sabster74]

Good stuff, Wink!

[@timothywilliams9642]

I actually found two decks of cards the exact size of the cards on Gambit. Though they are not the actual cards, I still am glad i found them.

[@timothywilliams9642]

I found them in a Spencer's around Christmas time.

[@timothywilliams9642]

If I remember the Card Sharks cards were bigger because Jim Perry said they were 2' by 1'. I think the Gambit cards were 8 1/2 by 11.

[@timothywilliams9642]

The ones i have are around 8 1/2 by 11.

[@2themoon863]

And as I remember they aren’t light in weight; Jim Perry once on Card Sharks showed what was done to get the decks ready for each match (at the request of several viewers) and I think he said the decks weighed something like 25-30 pounds (maybe it was nearly 50, I can’t remember).

[@horatiohawkins3751]

I was a baby back when Gambit was on CBS. I had no idea that Elaine Stewart died. She was a gorgeous and beautiful woman, And an excellent blackjack dealer! My heart goes out to Merrill Heatter and his family, God bless you sir

[@facebook51ify]

Gambit was cancelled in December, 1976 and replaced it with the Old Double Dare and not the NICK/FOX version.

[@ericandy88]

For the longest time, I expected Alex to get slimed when watching that.

[@lorraineburgess4802]

Gambit was produced by Merrill Heatter and Bob Quigley . They were the next best game show company compared to Mark Goodson and Bill Todman

[@markschildberg1667]

They produced some marvelous games, particularly Gambit, Hollywood Squares, Video Village, Temptation, PDQ/Baffle and High Rollers.