Card Sharks 1978 vs 1986

[Combs]

I really like the Eubanks/Rafferty era. I watched those shows as a child and I still enjoy them today. Too bad Buzzr isn't showing the Rafferty episodes.

[howierules86]

I voted for the Eubanks/Rafferty versions, which I thought had the better rules for the Money Cards myself (oh, and don't forget about Lacey Pemberton and Suzanna Williams  ).

[vnisanian2001]

Buzzr did show them, about 25 episodes.

As for the Poll, that's a tough one. Because both eras have their fair share of strengths and weaknesses. However, one advantage of the original was because it didn't have other things that could potentially slow the gameplay down, that meant there was always one or two playings of the Money Cards in each episode.

[geniusinmath]

I am more into the 86-89 version because of the educated guess questions.

[JayC]

I like the Jim Perry version a little bit more just because I thought he was a better host for the show than Eubanks (although he's a great host in his own right) and although I haven't seen that much of the Rafferty version I didn't like his hosting that much, but I did like the addition of car bonus game in the Eubanks version.

[pannoni1]

I'd give a slight edge to the CBS era. First off, there was a greater variety of questions, including the educated guess and the audience guests, of which the later gave a better chance at the cash bonus. Players also seemed to take more risks in this version, with a lot of players going on a 6 or 10 for example, whereas it wasn't uncommon to freeze on a 5 or a Jack in the NBC era.

The car game in itself could have a poll, since that had two different formats. I liked the Joker format of course, but others could point to the second format that uses the audience members. Finally, a like the theme better.

[tpirsuperfan99]

I am not a huge fan of the Eubanks version, and I have never seen Rafferty. So I have to say that Jim Perry is definitely my favorite host, but I do like the format better in the Eubanks/Rafferty version with the push rule and changing 1 card per level.

I do think the 1978 set was better than the 1986 set as well. Also, nothing can beat the original theme song, it’s  just so good.

[Superballer]

Another tough one, but I'd give a slight edge to the Eubanks/Rafferty version for more streamlined rules and a better set, at least in my opinion, plus the addition of a car. 

[b_masters8]

Another tough one, but I'd give a slight edge to the Eubanks/Rafferty version for more streamlined rules and a better set, at least in my opinion, plus the addition of a car.

Indeed! Why many people playing under Jim Perry on NBC would go all-in on deuces or aces (despite that possibility of being burned on a double [as Jim called it]) baffles me beyond belief (granted, later in that first run w/Jim Perry, that "lose-on-a-double" rule was changed).

[Grand_game2004]

The Jim Perry version, hands down. First of all, I love the opening with the catchy theme, and the words CARD SHARKS doing the alternate flashing, and what about the Game Show Hosts Round Robin tourney? That in itself was a great idea. I will give some credit though to the Eubanks version because of the fact that you could win a car. I think in the early run, they'd run the DSW alarm if you won the car, in addition to the dings you hear. The educated guess and the audience guests was a great addition. Wasn't there a bonus if you got one of the regular poll questions on the nose?

[IncoG5nito]

The DSW sirens were played about twice as fast, yes.

Wasn't the bonus $100 for an audience poll question and $500 for a regular question?

[Combs]

I voted for the Eubanks/Rafferty versions, which I thought had the better rules for the Money Cards myself (oh, and don't forget about Lacey Pemberton and Suzanna Williams  ).

Oh yeah, Lacey Pemberton really catches my eye. I wonder what became of her?

To reiterate what others have said, I prefer the Eubanks/Rafferty era because:

educated guess questions
10 person audience polling questions
the car game
prize cards in the decks of the main game (Rafferty only)
$32,000 in the Money Cards (Perry's was $28,800)
A better set and theme music

[imhomerjay]

I give all the edges to the Eubanks/Rafferty version for my tastes. Nicer set, nicer theme, and ultimately the variety of questions made the game more interesting and allowed Bob and Bill to have great interactions with the audience group.

Adding the car (trip for kids' weeks) game was fun--and it seemed really special when the kids won those trips.

As a sub vote, I actually preferred the Rafferty version, including the prize cards in the main game, and Bill's overall style. Granted, technology today would make for a better display of the prizes they accumulated in the game, but they did what they could with what was available at the time.

[Chief-O]

Oh yeah, Lacey Pemberton really catches my eye. I wonder what became of her?

She's the casting director for "The Bachelor/Bachelorette".

[Combs]

Buzzr did show them, about 25 episodes.

That's not much. Being that Rafferty's CS ran for a full year/season, I would imagine there would be approximately 180 episodes. I wish Buzzr would start airing them again. We just recently switched from DirecTV to Dish Network after having DirecTV since about 1995. (Before that we had one of those huge C-Band satellites that moved when you changed satellites.) Anyway, I've been DVRing Eubanks' CS on GSN and Buzzr as well as Combs' FF on Buzzr. One thing I've noticed is that Buzzr seems to only air 1988 and early 1989 episodes of the CBS Combs FF. With such a wealth of episodes, they don't seem to get very far.