How to Become a Contestant on Wheel of Fortune

How does someone become a contestant on "Wheel of Fortune?" How many people apply every year to be on the show? Are any tests given to prospective contestants? How hard are the tests? If I apply to be a contestant, what are my odds of being on the show?

Those are questions you may have, if you would actually like to be on the most popular syndicated show on television, which has been on the air since 1975. Indeed, if you are thinking of being on the show, your odds are not great, as more than 6 million people apply every year, and only 600 become contestants. There are things you can do to increase your chances, however.

If you live in the Los Angeles area, or plan to visit, send a postcard to: "Wheel of Fortune" Contestant Auditions, 102002 West Washington Blvd., Suite 5300, Culver City, CA 90232.

You need to include your name and phone number and type or print the exact dates you will be in California.

If an audition is being conducted during the time you will be in California, you may be contacted.

As a potential contestant, you will audition in a hotel ballroom. You will be with about 70 potential contestants and will compete in a mini "Wheel of Fortune" game with a miniature wheel and actual puzzles. Each potential contestant will take turns standing, calling out letters, and solving puzzles. You will take a 5 minute written test, which will have 16 puzzles. You will be required to fill in missing letters. Your test, along with the tests of the other potential contestants will be graded, and prizes will be handed out to those in attendance. Some people will be sent home, and others will stay around to play more "Wheel of Fortune." The whole process takes about two hours.

Even if you make the cut, however, and stay around for more simulated "Wheel of Fortune," you are not assured of being on the show. You will have to wait, for an indefinite period, for the possibility of them writing to you. The selections of the next contestants will be made in part on the scores on the test scores, but also the impressions of the judges on how you would perform on the game show itself.

"We love players who are at ease, fun, and good game players," staff members of the game said on the show's website, www.wheeloffortune.com. "It's important that the game moves along as quickly as possible, that players are decisive in calling out their letters (in a loud voice), and in choosing their game strategy (whether to buy a vowel or solve a puzzle). We want contestants to call logical letters."

Needless to say, with so many trying to be contestants, your odds might be small. The more you practice, however, and the more confident you are in your skills in playing the game, and as a person, it would seem as though your odds of being on the show would increase.

There is a link on the show's website to receive tickets to watch the show.

If you can't make it to California, however, you still have a chance to be a contestant. Watch for the Wheelmobile. Often local television stations run promotions with the Wheelmobile veterans looking for contestants all over the country to appear on the show.

Your chances may seem small, but you may have been watching since it first appeared in 1975 with Chuck Woolery and Susan Stafford, before Pat Sajak took over in 1981, followed by Vanna White a year latter. The show started as a nighttime show in 1983, and the daytime version ran until 1991. Regardless how long you've been watching, if you think you might try to be a contestant, be positive and practice, practice, practice.