Wheel of Fortune Contestant Loses $61,000 Over Missed Bonus Round Puzzle

A Wheel of Fortune contestant left viewers stunned after missing what many fans called an “easy” Bonus Round puzzle — costing him $61,000 in total winnings.

Eric Handzel, a Yankees superfan from Chadwicks, New York, played a strong game, racking up $21,350 and earning a South American cruise to Argentina and Patagonia. Facing off against Camila Santos of Sunnyvale, California, and Joanie White of St. Pauls, North Carolina, Handzel dominated most of the puzzles, including the Prize Puzzle “Don’t Forget Your Phone Charger.”

By the final buzzer, he had secured his spot in the Bonus Round. With his dad Joe’s booming laugh echoing from the audience — even acknowledged by host Ryan Seacrest — Handzel looked poised for a big win.

He chose the category “Around the House” and added C, P, H, and A to the standard letters. The puzzle revealed: “_ _ _ _ P_LL_ _.” Struggling for time, he guessed “pulley,” then “pillow,” before running out of options. The correct answer: Body Pillow.

The miss cost him an additional $40,000, leaving fans in disbelief. Still, Handzel walked away with $21,350 and a once-in-a-lifetime vacation — though the $40,000 “body pillow” will be hard to forget.