Deal or No Deal for Windows

This challenging yet exciting PC game is based on one of my favorite modern TV shows. Everything is accurate, from the host, Howie Mandell, to the not-so-friendly Banker, who wants nothing more than to sell your choice of one of 26 cases containing different money amounts for as little money as possible.

First, at the start of the game, I would choose three "helpers" to help you along the way. Then, I would choose one of the 26 briefcases that you think contains the top amount (standard = $1,000,000). Next, I had to knock out a certain number of cases per round before the Banker makes an offer.

The play is as follows:
Round 1 = Open 6 cases
Round 2 = Open 5 cases
Round 3 = Open 4 cases
Round 4 = Open 3 cases
Round 5 = Open 2 cases
Round 6-9 = Open 1 case

The different dollar amounts inside the briefcases range from $1,000,000 all the way down to one penny.

Either way you slice it, I felt the game was so life-like that I thought I was playing for $1,000,000 without actually being on the show itself. I still have not challenged anyone to beat the Banker, but there is a two-player mode in case someone wants to challenge both me and the Banker.

Overall, I decided buy this game because it is similar to chess; the only difference is that there's $1,000,000 on the line, and you have to outsmart the Banker to do so. If you play chess on either a grand or a not-so-grand scale, try your luck, show your guts, and test your timing on this game. Maybe you can answer the all-important question that Howie Mandell asks: "Deal or No Deal?"