From the spectacular Trump Castle in world famous Atlantic City, it's time to play (the $100,000 championship on) television's non-stop game of knowledge...


Download the complete clean Trump Card theme here! (1.69 MB)

Broadcast History: September 10, 1990-September 6, 1991, syndicated Host: Jimmy Cefalo Hostess: Debi Massey Announcer: Chuck Reilly Producers: Rob Fiedler, Peter Berlin Packager: Fiedler-Berlin Productions/Createl Ltd. The main game Fourteen years before The Apprentice made Donald Trump a celebrity once again, The Donald lent his name to the game show Trump Card, which was taped at one of Trump's properties, the Trump Castle in Atlantic City. Trump Card, based on the British game show Bob's Full House, was one of five syndicated games to debut in 1990.  Like each of the other four shows, Trump Card did not last beyond the 1990-91 season. The game is played on a 15 square game board seen below. The contestant on the left, from the audience's point of view, has a card from 1 to 15. The center contestant has a card with 16 through 30. The rightmost contestant contestant on the right has the numbers 31 through 45. The object is to be the first to fill specific patterns on the game board, ultimately filling up all 15 spaces on the card.

You do this by answering questions in 4 categories for the 2 rounds of the game. In the final round, all the questions are general knowledge. If at any time a contestant gives an incorrect answer, that player is out of contention for the next question. In the first part of the game, the 4 corners of the game board must be filled. The first to do this wins $750. In the 2nd part, the center line across the game board (squares 6-10, 21-25, or 36-40) must be filled. The first to accomplish this wins $1500. In the final round of the main game, the complete card must be filled. The person who completes their full card wins $3000 and the opportunity to win $10,000 in the bonus round. It sounds simple enough but each contestant is given a "Trump Card" before the start of the 2nd round. The Trump Card can be used to halt one's progress by forcing them to get one correct answer before being able to continue filling up his/her card. A "trumped" player has a "T" on his/her screen until that person gives a correct reply. The Trump Card can be played by a contestant after that person gives a correct answer. There is an added bonus in the end game if the winner of the game holds does not play his/her Trump Card (see below).

4 corners $750

Center line $1,500

Completed board $3,000

The bonus game

The end game is reminiscent of the end game on the Jeopardy! revival from 1978-9. The contestant must get 5 squares in a row in 45 seconds. If successful, the contestant wins $10,000. Before this game begins, the contestant chooses a random card from a deck of 25 cards. Whatever number is on that card is given to the contestant. If the contestant does not use his/her Trump Card from the main game, that person chooses 2 cards. The contestant calls on a number and is read a question. If the answer is correct, the square turns gold and the contestant chooses another question. If incorrect, the square turns black and a new square must be chosen. If the contestant does not get 5 in a row, the player wins nothing in the end game but keeps everything won up to that point.

* The opening spiel uses the words located in parentheses at the top of this page.
* Each quarterfinal and semifinal game was played for a flat $3,000. Getting 4 corners or the center line was worth nothing. The end game was still played for $10,000.
* The 2 losing contestants in the finals game won $2,500. The winning contestant won $10,000.
* The winner from the $100,000 final had to earn his money by winning the bonus game. If won, he got $100,000. If not, he won nothing extra.

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