Wheel of Fortune’ Player Misses Out On $83,000 After Failing To Solve This Hard Puzzle

“Wheel of Fortune” kicked off its Halloween week with plenty of treats — and one heartbreaking trick.

Monday’s episode, themed “Happy Halloween,” featured an unforgettable performance from Chicago native Anastasia Armitage, whose sharp puzzle-solving left both host Ryan Seacrest and fans in awe — right up until the final round, when the night took a spooky twist.

Before the games began, Armitage charmed the audience with her upbeat energy, sharing that she’s a fan of fall outings — apple orchards, donuts, and pumpkins — but admitted something few could relate to: she’s never tasted coffee, despite loving its smell.

Facing off against Tony Ambrose, a teacher from New York, and Kym Adams, a former biker turned pool player from Texas, Armitage started off slow. Her competitors took early leads, solving the first two puzzles. But soon, the Chicago contestant took control — and never looked back.

Her momentum began with the Same Letter puzzle, winning her a Halloween-perfect getaway to Salem, Massachusetts, worth over $7,000. She followed that up with the Mystery Round, nailing the “Pet Peeve” puzzle and boosting her total winnings to nearly $15,000.

Then came the Express Round, where she proved unstoppable. Armitage cracked the “What The Fun!” puzzle to claim another trip — this time to London, where she’ll walk the historic streets once haunted by Jack the Ripper. By that point, she’d racked up more than $23,000, leaving her rivals far behind.

But her most jaw-dropping moment came during the Triple Toss-Up puzzles — all starting with the word “Be.” In seconds, she guessed “Be Prepared,” “Be Persistent,” and the tricky “Be Afraid Be Very Afraid.” The crowd erupted.

She sealed her lead with one final triumph — solving “Chain Saws And Lawn Mowers” in the Speed-Up Round — finishing the main game with an impressive $38,324 in cash and prizes.

Heading into the Bonus Round, Armitage seemed poised for a clean sweep. She chose the category “People” and picked her letters carefully: B, D, P, and A. The board revealed: “_ _ _ A L / _ P P _ N E N T S.”

Viewers held their breath. Armitage quickly spotted “Opponents” but stumbled on the first word, trying “Coral,” “Moral,” and “Jural” before the buzzer sounded. The answer? “Rival Opponents.”

When Seacrest opened the envelope, the reveal was bittersweet — she’d missed out on an additional $45,000.

Still, Armitage left the stage smiling. “I feel so lucky to have had my moment on the Wheel,” she told Maggie Sajak after the show. “It was such a joy to play with Ryan, Vanna, and all the contestants.”

Fans online weren’t shy with their praise. “One of the best puzzle solvers I’ve ever seen,” wrote one viewer. Another added, “Jaw-dropping solves! She should be proud.”

Even- without the bonus win, Armitage proved she’s a powerhouse on the puzzle board — and a fan favorite heading into “Wheel of Fortune’s” spookiest week of the year.