Presumably, $500 would have also been added to the Jackpot if the player solved the puzzle incorrectly, although this never happened in the Jackpot round.Ĭontestants were generally encouraged to call vowels on Free Play if any remain.
Aside from this, Free Play acted as a $500 wedge: correct consonants were worth $500 each, and $500 was added to the Jackpot in Seasons 27-30 regardless of whether the player chose to call a consonant or vowel.
Simultaneously replacing the Free Spin token and the yellow $400 between Lose A Turn and Bankrupt, Free Play allowed contestants to call a letter, call a free vowel, or solve the puzzle right away, all without penalty or money loss. Free Play was one of the gameplay elements on Wheel of Fortune.
