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'Wheel of Fortune' fans call out a tough puzzle after player walks away with the lowest cash prize

"Twanda was caught up in the "Busy Highway" and missed out on the Mustang. She ended up with a disappointing under $15,000 in prize," a fan reacted.
PUBLISHED JAN 29, 2026
Vanna White and contestant Twanda on 'Wheel of Fortune (Cover Image Source: YouTube | Wheel of Fortune)
Vanna White and contestant Twanda on 'Wheel of Fortune (Cover Image Source: YouTube | Wheel of Fortune)

"Wheel of Fortune" is a game of 'hits and misses,' and tonight's episode was a disappointing watch. Contestant named Twanda walked away with the lowest cash prize of $14,199 after losing out on winning a Ford Mustang during the Bonus Round. Fans thought she got a tough puzzle since there were very few clues to identify the right answer. 

Ryan Seacrest and contestant Twanda on 'Wheel of Fortune' (Image Source: YouTube | Wheel of Fortune)
Ryan Seacrest and contestant Twanda on 'Wheel of Fortune' (Image Source: YouTube | Wheel of Fortune)

Twanda's only big win came during the Prize Puzzle (Praise category): "I'll believe it when I see it," which she won. Twanda earned an exotic 10-day trip to Switzerland worth $10,799, placing her in the lead to clinch the bonus round. She then went on to solve the Triple Toss and accumulated $14,199. Twanda was up for a car. 100 grand, 75k, 50k, 55k, and 45k. But before spinning the wheel, she introduced her husband, who was in the audience, cheering her on. 

Contestant Twanda's husband on 'Wheel of Fortune' (Image Source: YouTube | Wheel of Fortune)
Contestant Twanda's husband on 'Wheel of Fortune' (Image Source: YouTube | Wheel of Fortune)

She then chose the "Place" category and was given the standard letters R, S, T, L, N, and E. Twanda then added C, M, H, and A. The puzzle board looked tough with only four letters hinting towards the right answer: _, _, S, _, H, _, _, H, _, A, _. Twanda racked her brains to guess the tricky riddle. She blurted out "Posh Havana," but the answer turned out to be "Busy Highway". Twanda was left devastated when host Ryan Seacrest revealed that she had lost out on a brand new Ford Mustang worth $42,585. Twanda scored the lowest and took home only a grand all-expenses-paid Swiss vacation. 

Vanna White and contestant Tuana on 'Wheel of Fortune (Cover Image Source: YouTube | Wheel of Fortune)
Vanna White and contestant Tuana on 'Wheel of Fortune (Image Source: YouTube | Wheel of Fortune)

Fans were dismal with the loss, "If Twanda would won Ford Mustang Mach E Value $42,585 + $14,199 = $56,784 so far tonight total," @mmagecastillo2473 pointed out while calling out the low earnings. "Car missed... Losing streak has to stop...," @justinhall9231 lamented. "Bring back the old set and old 2008 bonus wheel and make the minimum $300 and Pat comes back and does the final spin and etc, 52 screen puzzleboard. Host lets the player grab the bonus round card and hand it to him, 2008 category strip, podiums go back together since season 37, bonus wheel isn’t on the wrong position and main wheel," @MorganNye reacted. 

Vanna White and contestant Tuana on 'Wheel of Fortune (Image Source: YouTube | Wheel of Fortune)
Vanna White and contestant Tuana on 'Wheel of Fortune (Image Source: YouTube | Wheel of Fortune)

"No car winner tonight, but we did get a grandma winning the car yesterday. Today's busy highway wasn't rough if she got the b on there," @Animegamespublishing chimed in. "Twanda was caught up in the "Busy Highway" and missed out on the Mustang. She ended up with a disappointing under $15,000 in prize money," @sy-kd6km added. "I knew it was BUSY HIGHWAY! Third episode in a row that the FORD envelope is landed on," @anthonyguarino4242 called out. 

You can watch the disappointing moment here

More on Market Realist 

'Wheel of Fortune' player wins a car and surprises viewers with an unexpected detail about her life

'Wheel of Fortune' contestant claims $50,000 year-end bonus after solving an easy puzzle

'Wheel of Fortune' fans call out player for fumbling 'easy' puzzle and losing out on a Ford car

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