Welcome to Le Banquier Express, a faster-pased version of the beloved French Canadian case-opening game. I'm your host, Mark David.

We recently completed our first season of regular Le Banquier episodes, giving away over $1.1 million to five lucky contestants. As we wait for the new season to begin, we'll be playing a series of Express games leading up to the Season 2 premiere.

Here to open the cases today is... daniel123 !

If that name looks familiar to you, there's a reason for it. Dan made history in the last episode of Le Banquier's first season, as he became the first person to win the $500,000 top prize. In another recent game, Dan battled hard against guest Banker Gordon Ramsay, and won the most important £2 of his life .

Now, he takes on another guest Banker in Ben "American Coupon Boy" Rodriguez. And given our knowledge of Ben's personality, and his knowledge of mathmatics, probability and statistics, this battle will be one for the ages.

Since this is Le Banquier Express, there are some changes to discuss. First, this is a 16-case game with a top prize of $50,000. We'll be using this board:

$1
$5
$10
$20
$50
$100
$250
$500
----------
$1,000
$3,000
$5,000
$10,000
$15,000
$20,000
$35,000
$50,000

Second, here's the number of cases you'll be responsible for opening in each round.

Round 1 - 4
Round 2 - 3
Rounds 3 and 4 - 2
Round 5 - 1

Finally, the usual sponsor prizes aren't present in this version, but we do have a new feature called the Supercase. More on that later.

Now Dan, it's over to you to pick one of the 16 cases for yourself, followed by four more for Round 1.

Bonne chance !

Thank you once again, my friend, and I must say, if it wasn't clear already, I'm relishing this battle. I'm in pretty good form of late, and I daresay I know which side of the fence this magnificent audience is sitting tonight. Not to sound cocky, however; I have every respect for my opponent, who is a formidable statistician indeed. I'm hoping I'll be victorious in this tussle between old guard and young pretender, but I know I'll need a slice of luck, too.

With that, I'm ready to start. The very best to you, Mr Rodriguez.

I'll have case number 15 please, and for my first round, 2, 4, 6 and 9.

Case 15 is yours.

I'm quite looking forward to this as well. Not only will it be nice to have someone with a true analytical brain making the offers, but we'll also get a realistic, highly compelling battle of wits, complete with smack talk .

Le Banquier Express, c'est parti!

[2] - $1,000
[4] - $20
[6] - $5
[9] - $20,000

Aside from losing one of the larger amounts early, that was a decent round.

And now, let's call on your frenemy and mine, Ben, to make his first offer. Over to you, B-Rod.

Daniel, I know your EXTREMELY cautious when it comes to volatile boards, so I strongly suggest that you Deal before that situation arises:

BANKER'S OFFER

$4,444

Routine REFUSEE, thanks - and next, I'll have 5, 7 and 8, please.

First offers are usually desinged to not be taken. I don't think anyone's ever accepted one on any version of the game.

That being said, it's time for Round 2.

[5] - $5,000
[7] - $35,000
[8] - $10

Not the greatest of rounds there, but the $50,000 remains in play.

What sayeth you, O almighty Banker?

Hmm, a relative stick, plus an additional 44 cents. An offer like that might be considered unlucky in China.

Acceptee ou refusee, Dan?

Well, it's decent in the circumstances. I shan't be fooled just yet, however - you'll have to do much, much better than that to writhe me out of this chair, Monsieur Le Banquier.

REFUSEE, thank you, and I'll have 16 and 14 next, please.

Round 3 action coming at you right meow .

[16] - $3,000
[14] - $1

That was a much better round. Let's see what kind of an impact it has on your next offer.

If you have an all-red round now, you're next offer will be 10% of the mean, so you'd be stupid not to take this.

BANKER'S OFFER

$6,000

That's a pretty decent offer, actually. Very well-pitched.

Ben, what happens if Dan has an all-blue round instead?

Dan, acceptee ou refusee?

An all-blue round will produce an offer of £9,999.

Not bad, but I'll take the Banker a little more seriously when he's worked out where 'your' and 'you're' are correctly placed in a sentence.

Thank you, and REFUSEE!

I'll go with 13 and 11 next, please.

I'll also take him a bit more seriously when he remembers what currency we're using for this game .

On y va pour deux valises maintenant.

[13] - $250
[11] - $100

Ben, you were saying ...

As promised:

BANKER'S OFFER

$9,999

Hit both blues and I'll offer $23,000. Hit two reds and I'll offer either $1,023 or $2,300 depending or whether or not one of them is the $50k.

What happens if a red, non-$50,000 amount is eliminated along with one of the blues?

The board at this point:

$50
$500
----------
$10,000
$15,000
$50,000

Cases remaining: 1, 3, 10, 12, 15

It's a good offer, but his threat is hollow. I'm unmoved. REFUSEE!

Next up - 10 and 12, please.

A brave decision on your part, Dan. Let's see if it pays off.

[10] - $50 - That's good !
[12] - $10,000 - That's not so good .

I think he'll have to start taking you more seriously now, especially with the $50,000 still up there. One case to open in the next round if you decline what's coming next.

I would offer you $15,000, but I just got a lunch worth $2.46 and I don't want to pay for it.

BANKER'S OFFER

$14,997.54

NO OFFER GUARANTEES!!!