Wheel of Fortune Fans Slam Final Puzzle After Contestant Misses $50,000
Abhi Bhatt solved the puzzle as 'Shining Up The Car' when the answer was 'Souping Up My Car,' missing a $70,348 total. Reddit users called the puzzle unfair.
Viewers criticized Wheel of Fortune after contestant Abhi Bhatt failed a Bonus Round puzzle during the episode that aired on November 6, 2026, according to comingsoon.net. Bhatt, from Los Angeles, had reached the Bonus Round with $20,348 after solving three Fortune Frenzy puzzles.
Bhatt selected the category "What Are You Doing?" and was given the letters R, S, T, L, N, E along with his chosen letters C, D, H and A. He guessed "Spinning Up A Car" and "Shining Up The Car," but the correct answer was "Souping Up My Car." The envelope contained $50,000, which would have brought his total to $70,348.
Host Ryan Seacrest called the puzzle challenging, especially with no clues in the first word. Earlier in the episode, Bhatt won a trip to Vietnam by solving "Posing for a Family Photo." He defeated Maureen Staser, who finished with $3,200, and Andrew Dugger, who left with $8,850.
On Reddit, users criticized the final puzzle as bad or impossible, according to comingsoon.net.
Quick answers
What was the answer to the Wheel of Fortune Bonus Round puzzle?
The correct answer was "Souping Up My Car." Contestant Abhi Bhatt guessed "Shining Up The Car."
How much money did Abhi Bhatt miss out on?
The Bonus Round envelope held $50,000, which would have raised his total to $70,348.
Who else competed on the episode?
Bhatt defeated Maureen Staser, who finished with $3,200, and Andrew Dugger, who left with $8,850.