We've seen in recent shows contestants being asked what they think the banker will offer them before the phone call. The players have aired on the side of a relatively low amount for the board, and the banker has offered no more than that, although at other times it's been the reverse.

If you were the contestant, and were asked by Noel to predict what kind of offer you're going to get from the banker at the end of a round before his call, would you pick an amount that is fair reflecting the board, or go lower or higher, maybe calling his bluff? I'd like to know if people think that it makes a difference to the banker's offer what prediction the contestant makes.

I'd say "Ooh, I wouldn't like to say!" or something neutral like that....actually naming a figure can only get you into trouble.

i don't know. In sophie's game I would have been tempted to push it by saying 21/22K. probably I wouldn't say but if i had to say I would make up a realistic fair offer. I knew full well that double 10K had been offered on that board before. I guess unfortunately not all contestants can remember the details of previous games which is understandable.

I think I'd want to avoid it as well if possible... say a low figure and he will offer it, but say a very high one, even as a joke, and he will think you're taking the piss and punish you for it.

If absolutely forced to, I'd go towards the higher end of realistic. And perhaps give some mathematical justification for it!

I wouldn't quote a number, I'd quote the mean and a few statistical things about the board... and end with 'Banker, remember. If you make me go on, your liability is <mean>. If you are prepared to pay out that, and potentially <top amount on board>, make a joke offer. Then watch as nobody takes you seriously ever again.'

I wouldn't mention any kind of financial sum of money throughout the show, or make a comment like Usha did about £7500. That just gets you into trouble. If I was asked for a prediction, I'd just say that I didn't know.

Same here. Quoting a low amount would make the banker offer you it straight away, and quoting a high amount will make the banker irritated and he'll probably offer you half of it.

Therefore I'd just say "Ooh, we'll have to wait and see" or something... or maybe say "I hope it's nice".

My reply would be straightforward.

'You can offer whatever you like, I'm not dealing.'

It would most likely be 6 swaps for you then!

Good question this, well from what I've observed if you have a good board and are getting near 8 box 26k is a cert for a prediction, in terms of how to play it well...the Banker is a first class gamesman and listens hard when things are in the balance, so I'd go for it especially if i'm planning on dealing soon...

If i had a maximum of, say, £50k in the game, and was at 11-box, i'd say no more than £4,500 at the most, although it depends what sort of £50k board it was. If i had 10 blues and the £50k, i'd say no more than £500

But all this offer prediction stuff all depends on the sort of board you have, and with mike's 8-box board i'd say definitely the magic £26,000

although £7,500 seems to have worked a treat recently