Mill Valley resident Matt Jones, right, will appear on the “Wheel of Fortune” show to be aired on Friday, January 8, 2021. (Carol Kaelson/Quadra Productions, Inc.). Aside from chances to win, joining the Wheel Watchers Club has other benefits including the chance to get VIP tickets to tapings of the show, discounts off purchases from the Wheel of Fortune eStore, advance notice of Wheel of Fortune events in your area, and more.

A lot of us would love the chance to compete on the legendary game show Wheel of Fortune, and winning lots of cash or an awesome trip would really be the icing on the cake. After all, walking away from the experience with winnings is the object of the game, but what if winning Wheel of Fortune wasn't everything it seemed.

For starters, just doing well on the show is a bit of a challenge. It's one thing to be able to shout out all the answers from the comfort of your favorite chair at home, but actually doing so on live TV is a whole other beast. Former executive producer Harry Friedman told San Francisco's ABC7 that half the battle includes being the type of person who already likes to solve problems and puzzles.

Fox News

Host Pat Sajak added that success on the show really rests with a contestant's approach. 'The trick is just treat it as a fun experience ... it doesn't hurt to watch a show occasionally because there are strategies involved.' And so if one can do all that, and actually win cash, a car, or a trip, what of the victor's spoils. How much do winning contestants get to actually keep?

UPROXX

Wheel of Fortune winnings are taxed

Many of the prizes on Wheel of Fortune seem almost too good to be true. Contestants regularly win enormous sums of money, expensive cars, and trips around the world. It turns out that there is a reason the prizes might feel unrealistic: winners end up paying taxes on everything they take home from their TV experience.

Cached

When you win big on the show, the IRS treats the price tag of your winnings just like income: You're taxed in a big way. CinemaBlend explored the case of Wheel of Fortune winner Matt McMahan, who walked away with over $16,000 in cash and two trips worth more than $15,000. The show does allow winners to find less expensive versions of their trips to avoid a higher tax hit. McMahan took this option, ending up with trips for $10,000.

Once the taxes were paid out, McMahan estimates he walked away from Wheel of Fortune with about $6,000 out of over $30,000 in prizes. It really makes you think. When speaking to MarketWatch, he did say that the trips were worth it, saying that even with all the strings attached, 'experiences are worth more than money right now.'

Getting on the Wheel of Fortune

Everybody loves Wheel of Fortune! From spinning the big wheel to just spending time with hosts Pat Sajak and Vanna White, it’s not surprising that it’s America’s longest-running syndicated television game show.

If you would like a shot at the show’s fabulous prizes, you’ll need to know how to get on Wheel of Fortune. It’s actually fairly simple to qualify, but you will have to compete against plenty of other prospective contestants. Last year, for example, less than 600 people appeared on Wheel of Fortune out of over one-million applicants.

Be Realistic

Due to the high number of applications they receive, the producers of Wheel of Fortune will not be able to audition everyone. And even if you are auditioned, it is not a guarantee that you’ll appear on the show.

Keep this in mind when applying for an audition. You should also know that there’s no limit to the number of times you can apply. If you don’t make the show the first time, you can keep trying until you’re finally accepted.

Apply Online

If you would like to get on Wheel of Fortune, you can log on to their official website and fill out an application. The site is located at wheeloffortune.com.

Apply To Get On Wheel Of Fortune

The online application will ask you a number of questions. Some of these are designed to learn more about you, while others may be used to determine if you’re suited for a particular theme show.

For example, the application asks you to list your favorite NFL team and player. Each season, Wheel of Fortune features a whole week of NFL players teaming up with their fans to play the game. If the player you listed as your favorite is going to appear on the show, you just might have a shot at teaming up with them.

Wheel Of Fortune Qualifications and Restrictions

The following qualifications and restrictions are in effect when applying for Wheel of Fortune:

• You must be at least 18 years old. If you’re applying for the special Teen Week, you must be between the ages of 13 and 18.
• You cannot have previously appeared on Wheel of Fortune.
• If you have appeared on a game show/dating show/reality show in the last year, you are not eligible. You are also disqualified if you’ve appeared on three dating shows/relationship shows/reality shows within the last 10 years.
• The applicant is responsible for all expenses which might arise while auditioning for the show (airfare, etc.)
• Applicants will be selected at the discretion of the producer.
• You are prohibited from appearing on Wheel of Fortune if you work for, or are related to, anyone who works for Sony Pictures Television International, Sony Pictures Television, Quadra Productions, Sony Pictures Entertainment, CBS Television Distribution Group, suppliers of game show prizes, or any television network which broadcasts Wheel of Fortune or Jeopardy!.

Wheelmobile

Besides traveling to Los Angeles to audition, you may also be able to take advantage of the roving Wheelmobile. This 32-foot-long Winnebago travels to select cities and serves as a preliminary screening process for Wheel of Fortune. Potential contestants can fill out an application and then get up on stage to play a brief version of the show.

Applicants who stand out will then be invited to the final audition process. These occur in the Wheelmobile host cities, so you don’t have to trek all the way to California to have a shot at being a contestant.

You can fill out an online form in order to be contacted when the Wheelmobile will be in your area. In addition, local television stations which broadcast Wheel of Fortune will also run promotions to inform potential applicants.