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Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?

Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?

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How to play Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?

To start playing, a contestant must choose an answer from the multiple-choice options provided for each question.


With each correct choice, the questions become progressively more difficult. If, as a contestant, you are right, you'll climb the money tree and win increasing amounts of virtual money—one incorrect answer, and it's game over.


Need help while you're in the hot seat? Here are four lifelines to help you along the way:

  • Phone-A-Friend: Call a virtual friend for their advice. They might know the right choice.
  • Ask the Audience: Poll the virtual audience to see which one they think is correct.
  • 50:50: Remove two incorrect options, leaving you with a 50:50 chance.
  • Switch the Question: Swap out a difficult one for a new one.
  • Use your lifelines wisely. If you're unsure and want to avoid losing your current winnings, you can choose to walk away with the money you've already earned instead of the million dollar prize.


    Fun Facts

  • The Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? online game is based on the iconic British TV show, which was later adapted into an American version aired on ABC.
  • The format has been adopted in over 120 countries, demonstrating its global popularity and cultural significance.
  • From 2010 to 2019, the game featured 14 multiple-choice questions, unlike the current 15-question format used today.
  • The first-ever jackpot winner was Judith Keppel in November 2000, making trivia history.
  • The game introduced catchphrases like “Is that your final answer?” and “I’d like to phone a friend,” which have since become part of pop culture.
  • Some celebrity editions feature famous personalities competing for charity, showing that even stars enjoy a good trivia challenge.
  • The game's structure helps players sharpen their general knowledge, which can be beneficial beyond the game.
  • The online version retains the suspense and drama of the TV show while adding interactive features.
  • Whether you’re playing solo or competing with family, each round offers new information and a chance to learn in a fun, pressure-filled setting.
  • The mix of easy and tough questions caters to both casual and hardcore trivia fans.
  • Every correct answer brings you one step closer to virtual wealth and glory.
  • Celebrity and themed editions keep the game fresh and engaging for regular players.
  • Winning the final prize is challenging, but each correct choice is a step toward that goal.
  • About Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?

    This is a quiz-style game show that captivated audiences worldwide. Premiered in 1998, its popularity skyrocketed soon after. People often boast over one hundred versions worldwide; the show holds the Guinness World Record for the most international versions of a quiz-format TV show. The American version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, aired on ABC, has captivated people of all ages with each thrilling episode, where a contestant sits across from the host, testing their knowledge to reach a new level of wealth, often cheered on by their family from the sidelines.

    who-wants-to-be-a-millionaire-game


    Let's take a quick look at this game's history, as well as some of the million-dollar questions asked on the show.


    Each episode is a chance for the host to guide a person through a life-changing journey, often sharing their words of wisdom and stories of hard work, wise investments, and memorable moments that have returned years later—including contestants who, after just one week on the show, changed their trajectory for years to come.


    Let's look at its rich History

    The show aired from September 1998 to February 2014, an impressive 16-year run. It was created by three British TV executives—David Briggs, Mike Whitehill, and Steven Knight—and it follows a simple format.


    Contestants respond to a series of multiple-choice questions with increasing difficulty to win cash prizes ranging from £100 to £1,000,000.


    Approximately 160 countries adopted their versions. Initially, subsequent versions were required to closely resemble the UK original, particularly in terms of the host's attire, music, and set design. However, several of these rules have been relaxed as the game continued to evolve in international settings.


    In the United States and around the world, the success of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? has inspired special moments where contestants who won big often share in their own words the impact it had, whether by paying off tax debt, recognizing the true value of money, or finding the courage to start something new—proving that after years of dreaming, anyone who wants it and takes time to read carefully can win big.


    Million-Dollar Questions From the Game

    As contestants work through the questions, they have several lifelines in case they need help. These include:

  • 50:50 (Fifty-Fifty): Two of the four multiple-choice answers are eliminated, leaving the contestant to choose between one right and one wrong option.
  • Phone-a-Friend: The contestant can phone a friend for 30 seconds. Perhaps they know the correct response.
  • Ask the Audience: The people in the crowd help the contestants by voting for the option they think is correct, with the poll results displayed as percentages.
  • Switch the Question: The contestant can swap the current question for a different one.

  • Question: On February 22, 1989, what group won the first Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance?

    A. Metallica
    B. AC/DC
    C. Living Color
    D. Jethro Tull

    Answer: D: Jethro Tull


    Question: Which of these U.S. presidents appeared on the TV series Laugh-In?

    A. Lyndon Johnson
    B. Richard Nixon
    C. Jimmy Carter
    D. Gerald Ford

    Answer: B: Richard Nixon


    Question: In what language was Anne Frank’s original diary first published?

    A. Dutch
    B. English
    C. French
    D. German

    Answer: A: Dutch


    Question: The Earth is approximately how many miles away from the Sun?

    A. 9.3 million
    B. 39 million
    C. 93 million
    D. 193 million

    Answer: C: 93 million


    Question: In what country are all U.S. Major League baseballs currently manufactured?

    A. Costa Rica
    B. Haiti
    C. Dominican Republic
    D. Cuba

    Answer: C: Dominican Republic


    Question: What Shakespeare character says, “Something is rotten in the state of Denmark”?

    A. Hamlet
    B. Marcellus
    C. Horatio
    D. Laertes

    Answer: B: Marcellus


    Question: Which insect shorted out an early supercomputer and inspired the term “computer bug”?

    A. Moth
    B. Roach
    C. Fly
    D. Japanese beetle

    Answer: A: Moth


    Question: Which of the following pieces of currency was the first to use the motto “In God We Trust”?

    A. Nickel
    B. One dollar bill
    C. Two-cent piece
    D. Five dollar bill

    Answer: C: Two-cent piece


    Question: Who was the first NFL player to answer “I’m going to Disneyland” in the popular series of TV ads?

    A. Doug Williams
    B. Marcus Allen
    C. Phil Simms
    D. Joe Montana

    Answer: C: Phil Simms


    Question: Playwright Anton Chekhov graduated from the University of Moscow with a degree in what?

    A. Law
    B. Medicine
    C. Philosophy
    D. Economics

    Answer: B: Medicine


    Source: TV Insider


    Do you think that you, as a contestant, have what it takes to respond to these tough questions correctly? Will you climb the money tree and reach the top, or will the pressure get to you in the hot seat? Feel the excitement build as you respond and get closer to the grand prize.


    With just a few clicks on a smartphone, tablet, or computer, you can enjoy thousands of fun and interesting questions meticulously crafted by the production teams. There's no need for downloads or installations; simply click and play instantly for free. Experience the thrill of this iconic game show on Arkadium anytime, anywhere.


    Arkadium's collection of free online games offers mahjong, chess, checkers, tic-tac-toe, bingo, and more. We also have a variety of Solitaire games, like classic Solitaire, Addiction Solitaire, Tripeaks, and others.



    Produced under licence from Sony Pictures Television © 2024 CPT Holdings.,Inc.  All Rights Reserved. “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?” and all associated logos, images and trade marks are owned and/or controlled by Sony Pictures Television. 

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