Card Sharks (1978)

In 1978, NBC introduced a riveting fusion of wit, strategy, and chance in the form of "Card Sharks." Hosted by the charismatic Jim Perry, the game show features two contestants, including a reigning champion, locked in a battle of minds and luck. The game begins with intriguing questions that probe the thoughts of 100 people from various walks of life. These questions, ranging from serious to humorous, set the stage for a fascinating prediction challenge where the contestants must estimate the number of people who responded in a particular way. The rival must then guess if the actual number is higher or lower, leading to a captivating card game reminiscent of Acey-Deucey. The contestants are dealt a base card and must predict if the next card in a sequence is higher or lower. The game intensifies as any misjudgment or duplicate card results in discarded cards, offering the opponent a chance to seize the momentum. Players can strategically "freeze" at any point, either to protect their cards or to gain an advantageous position. Over the course of a game, up to four questions are posed, culminating in a thrilling "sudden death" round. The first player to complete all 5 cards wins $100, and two games' victory rewards $200 and a chance to play the Big Money Cards. Here, the champion can wager on a series of seven cards, with the potential to win up to $28,800. The game's captivating format was largely retained in the 1986 CBS/syndicated revival, with some intriguing additions. The questions could now involve "educated guesses" or general knowledge with numerical answers. Also, the tiebreaker game was reformatted to a single sudden death question. The Big Money Card segment allowed one card change on each row, and a unique feature was introduced where players could find jokers in the deck to help them win a brand-new car. "Card Sharks" is a dynamic blend of intellect and chance where contestants navigate a sea of unpredictable cards and intriguing questions, all in a bid to outsmart their opponent and take home the grand prize. Whether you're a fan of strategy, trivia, or sheer luck, "Card Sharks" promises an exhilarating ride.

Card Sharks is a game-show show created by Mark Goodson.

Card Sharks is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Freevee.