Inspired by KP's posts, this is my first attempt at a recap, so be easy with me.

You can watch the first game on Youtube, here. Takes 45 minutes to watch, but if you have the time, well worth watching.

If this is the first time you've heard of the game, or don't know what's different to the UK edition, here's how it works. The game follows the original version of Deal or No Deal from the Netherlands, Miljoenenjacht, with an Irish feel. 26 boxes, with offers after opening 6, then 5, 4, 3, and 2 boxes, then an offer after every box. Here's the board:

1c
5c
10c
50c
€1
€5
€10
€25
€50
€100
€250
€500
€750
€1,000
€2,000
€3,000
€5,000
€10,000
€15,000
€20,000
€35,000
€50,000
€75,000
€100,000
€150,000
€250,000

The board is an expanded version of the UK board, with the same 22 amounts, plus four new amounts: 5c, €25, €2,000, and €150,000. The board is more stable with an amount between €100k and €250k, though there are 10 amounts of €100 or less, proportionally more than the UK version.

To be on the show, players buy a DoND-themed scratchcard from the Irish National Lottery, which costs €3, with potential to win prizes even if they don't get to appear on the show. If it says 'Deal', their name is put into a draw, and the winnning names are chosen randomly on TV.

First player is Anna Lee from Monaghan, a care worker for her local community. She's joined by her friends and family, who are opening some of the boxes, with the help of "The Green Box Club"; People who volunteer to open boxes and give advice.



From the 26 boxes to choose from, Anna chooses box 13. Keith Barry explains the rules of the show to those who haven't seen the UK edition, and the game begins.

First round:

9: €1,000
25: 50c
19: €35,000, gets a groan. One of the "Super Six", as Keith calls it.
22: €2,000
11: €20,000. Keith says we didn't want that, 3 reds in a row.
24: 1c, cheers from everyone.


Board after €1,000 goes

A round with mixed fortunes; 4 reds, but the top 5 intact, and two of the lowest six gone (I call them the Shabby Six, due to the wear and tear that you find on them).

The Banker calls, and is gushing about Anna's work and personality. He says Anna's son, Aaron, is a dead ringer for Mick Hucknall! Aaron admits he's been called that "once or twice before".



First offer is €10,000. Anna says it's a nice offer, but it's a no deal.

Second round:

5: €250
8: €5,000
15: €15,000. Low, but the board is looking blue-heavy.
3: €500. Cheers for that one.
6: €750, more cheers.

Keith Barry believes she has the banker on the run after two rounds. He asks how much she wants. "As much as I can!" is her response. €75,000 would be life changing for her.

Banker admits it's going well. He says she has the support of her friends and family. She mentions her brother Shaun, who has lived in New York for 25 years. Anna wanted to be an air hostess as an early ambition to see him more, but was turned down because of her height! Banker says Anna could be achieving "great heights", to whoops of the audience.

Offer is €17,500. "That'll buy a few tickets to New York", Keith says. The question's asked, and a considered no deal from Anna.

Third round:

1: €3,000. Keith remarks on the amount of low reds taken out.
7: €1, with whoops and applause, emphasis on the top 5.
4: 10c, and more cheers. "This is a seriously strong game now."
10: €150,000. Groans, and supportive clapping.



"It's still all to play for. €250,000 is still there." says Keith. He seems to have a fixation on the amount. Anna is spooked when the banker rings. The banker says it's dangerous to forget him, and thanks Cieran for revealing the second highest amount, who knows a false compliment when he hears one!

The offer drops to €12,000, to a mixture of gasps and boos from the audience. Anna says she's finding this offer difficult. Sinead from the GBC says it's low, and that Anna can't take all of the top 4 in one round.

Keith notes that though the €250k is on the board, she could still walk home with 5 cents. He asks the question, to a quick no deal and applause.

Fourth round:

Anna picks 12, and Keith makes fun of John's haircut, who admits he needs one.


Would you trust a man with a haircut like this?

12: €25, to excited cheers. Keith goes on about psychic feelings and intuition.
15: €10,000. "That's not too bad, actually", according to Keith.

Keith says one more to open before the banker calls, and he rings anyway, which spooks Anna! The banker's "a bit worried", calling Anna unflinchable. He makes some prodding questions to find out what she wants, and she keeps her cool.

Apparently, the banker needs a break, and while he does, Ireland gets to watch Coronation Street for half an hour!

We return, and Keith tells Anna there's a surprise in store after the next box. A blue chant begins from the audience!

18: €100,000. The cheers quickly turn to groans.

Final 8:

5c
€5
€10
€50
€100
€50,000
€75,000
€250,000

There's some banter between Keith and Anna about Irish celebrities. Banker rings, says Anna's in a meditative state, which Anna says yes to in a slightly bemused way. He wants to break that state, and mentions her brother again. Anna mentions she can feel his spirit from afar. The surprise is a voice message from Shaun, with a giant photo of him replacing the board!



That has the desired effect. She loses her composure, but isn't as unnerved as the banker had hoped. She's keeping calm in the circumstances.

Fourth offer is €17,500. Supportive comments from friends and family to continue, as there would be at least one red on the board next round, though Tom from the GBC notes that the 5 blue amounts are "very low". Keith reminds Anna that there is 5 cents.

She's over the shock of hearing her brother, and confidently no deals. More blue chants begin.

Fifth round:

20: €75,000. The chants turm into an odd scream by a few of the audience. Keith says it's crucial that the next amount is blue. More chants begin.
21: €100, to rapturous applause and cheers.



Keith calls it a fascinating game. Anna admits that's she's more nervous than when she started. Banker rings, and she says the same, "But not too nervous!" after being pressed! Anna mentions the support of "guardian angels". Banker says he wants Anna to know that this is a real offer, that doesn't rely on luck... though some might debate that!

The offer is €23,000, to whoops and applause. Even if there were just 3 blues, that would convince a lot of players on the UK version to deal. There's no indication as to what the banker would do on a blue - €250k pairing, and the lure of opening one box at a time can persuade players to continue.

Her friends and family are quiet. Keith asks for their advice. Brenda says it's a lot of money on the table, and says for Anna to think carefully. Two members of the GBC have a positive feeling continuing.

Keith says he has no idea what Anna will do. He asks the question, and Anna says no deal, though looks uncomfortable for a few seconds, before smiling again.

Sixth round, part 1:

17: €50,000. "It's all or nothing now."

Aaron tries talking up Anna's "aura", but there's no mistaking it's a tense situation. Anna looks increasingly uncomfortable. "You've got to stay positive", says Keith. Banker calls, asks why Anna picked box 13. She replies it's her birthday number. Banker says it a "birthday present for him".

Keith tells Anna the offer is €10,000, to disappointed sounds from the studio. The problem with an offer after each box, is that there's no obligation to make a decent offer when things go wrong, and the banker has full control of what happens next.

Gene says the offer will be "very high" if she can find a blue, though he doesn't sound convinced himself it will be. Keith asks the question, and with a momentary grimage, Anna says no deal.

Sixth round, part 2:

23: €5. Blue chants are successful this time. "He has to take you seriously now."

Banker calls, and there's a bit of banter. He mentions that Anna is a positive person, and gives out a lot of warmth to friends and family. Keith passes the message to Anna that he won't pay off all her bills, but will pay off quite a few of them. The offer is €20,000.



Keith talks up the next offer if it's a blue, then remembers it could seriously backfire, and mentions 5 cents. Anna asks Catherine, who says she would deal, and would have dealt €23k. Louise says to play on, Keith thinks the banker's "running scared", while Brenda recommends dealing. Anna S notes €20k is a lot of money, but it's only one box to open. Donna gives the best advice, for Anna to go with her gut feeling.

"With €250,000 still on the board, we don't know what you're going to do." Keith asks the question, and after a few seconds thought, Anna deals, to applause.

Proveout:

A red chant starts this time.

26: €50, to disappointment from the audience.

Banker's laughing at Anna's expense. Offer would have been €32,000, surprisingly realistic.

16: €250,000! Cheers for that one, and relief. 5c and €10 remain.

Banker says that her calm and caring nature has beaten him. Offer would have been the price of a scratchcard, €3. Inside 13 is €10, 14 has 5c.

Keith says Anna had "an absolute blaster of a game", and I'm inclined to agree! Anna says she enjoyed it, and joins friends and family, taking home €20,000.

A bit longer recap than I expected, the next few should be shorter. And one question remains. Is the Irish Banker... Irish?! Stay tuned for more!

I see the influence from my Miljoenenjacht recaps, particularly in the presentation of the screengrabs.

Very much appreciated, and an interesting game. Very difficult indeed to play that situation when you don't have an established Banker protocol - with the Miljoenenjacht or US offer patterns I'd probably have gone on very quickly at €20k, but with the reward most uncertain at the end as here? Totally different story.

Hard to improve on the master recapper. Not intending to copy, but the screenshots do liven up the text.

The offer structure probably favours the Banker, as with just one red remaining, it's to his benefit for players to have no idea what he would do next. And with a limited budget, the Banker is forced to play as best as he can, so this won't be an easy ride for players.

I would love to see more recaps

I'll do my best, Big-Davey!

They're taking a while as there's so much to fit in to one show, at 45 minutes. I'll see if I can get more recaps up without compromising too much on the show itself.