Adapted from the British TV trivia game show of the same name, The Chase premiered in the United States in 2013 and has since enjoyed 7 seasons. The show originally aired on GSN from 2013 to 2015 and later on ABC from 2021 to 2023. Each episode features a new team of contestants who test their general knowledge against some of the world’s top quizzers.
The Chase rules
The Chase is a trivia show where three contestants challenge their general knowledge against a top quiz expert known as the Chaser. Each contestant starts by completing a cash builder round to accumulate potential winnings. They then compete head-to-head with the Chaser to determine their individual bank amounts. If they succeed, they join forces for a final chance to win their share of the jackpot by facing the Chaser as a team.
Cash Builder
The show begins with the Cash Builder round, where each contestant has 60 seconds to answer as many questions as possible, with each correct answer adding a monetary value to their total. This total determines their offers and starting position in the next round.
In the subsequent round, contestants can choose to play for their earnings from different positions relative to the Chaser: starting 3 steps away offers a standard amount, 2 steps away provides a higher amount, and 4 steps away results in a lower or potentially negative amount. After discussing with their team, confident contestants typically choose the highest offer, average players often select the middle option, while those less confident usually go for the lowest offer.
The Chase
The following round is The Chase, where both the contestant and the Chaser face multiple-choice questions with three possible answers. Once one player locks in their answer, the other player has just 5 seconds to respond. This rapid exchange of answers adds to the intensity of the competition.
- Both correct: Both the contestant and the Chaser advance 1 step towards their respective goals.
- Contestant correct & Chaser incorrect: The contestant advances 1 step, while the Chaser remains in place.
- Contestant incorrect & Chaser correct: The contestant remains in place, and the Chaser advances 1 step.
- Both incorrect: Neither the contestant nor the Chaser advances.
If a contestant successfully reaches the bank without being caught by the Chaser, they will bank the amount they chose at the start of the round. However, if the Chaser catches them, the contestant is eliminated from the game.
The remaining two team members will then each go through the Cash Builder and Chase individually. If neither of these contestants wins their Chase, the team will select one contestant to play the final round alone. The final round’s prize amount will be divided evenly among the team if they win.
The Final Chase
In the Final Chase round of the show, the surviving contestants (or an elected eliminated player) compete as a team against the Chaser. This round is divided into two parts: the contestants’ turn and the Chaser’s turn.
Contestants’ Turn:
- Contestants have two minutes to answer as many questions as possible without discussing answers.
- Players use buzzers to answer or pass questions; only the player who buzzes first is allowed to respond.
- The number of contestants determines their head start on the board (e.g., 2 contestants start 2 spaces forward).
- Each correct answer increases their score by 1 point.
Chaser’s Turn:
- The Chaser then answers questions for two minutes.
- Each correct answer increases the Chaser’s score by 1 point. Incorrect answers stop the timer and allow the contestants to discuss and answer the question.
- If contestants answer correctly, the Chaser is moved 1 point back (or contestants gain a point if the Chaser hasn’t scored).If the contestants answer incorrectly, the Chaser continues answering questions to the timer.
Outcome:
- When time is up, if the contestants have more points than the Chaser, they win and share the total cash prize equally.
- If the Chaser matches the contestants’ score at any point during the time limit, the Chaser wins, and the contestants leave empty-handed.
Broadcasting history of The Chase
- As of 2024, The Chase (US) has aired 7 seasons and 98 episodes.
- Of these, 51 episodes (52.04%) were from the original GSN series (2013-2015), and 47 episodes (47.96%) were from the ABC reboot (2021-2023).
- The show originally ended in 2015 but was reintroduced in 2021.
- There have been two hosts: Brooke Burns (2013-2015) and Sara Haines (2021-2023).
| Years | Series number | Number of episodes | Broadcaster | Main host |
| 2013 – 2014 | 1 | 8 | GSN | Brooke Burns |
| 2013 – 2014 | 2 | 9 | GSN | Brooke Burns |
| 2014 | 3 | 14 | GSN | Brooke Burns |
| 2015 | 4 | 20 | GSN | Brooke Burns |
| 2021 | 1 (reboot) | 9 | ABC | Sara Haines |
| 2021 – 2022 | 2 (reboot) | 18 | ABC | Sara Haines |
| 2022 – 2023 | 3 (reboot) | 20 | ABC | Sara Haines |
If you’re a fan of The Chase and enjoy keeping your general knowledge sharp with trivia games like The Crossword or The Mini, check out the WordsRated Word Finder! This user-friendly tool helps you find words by entering any available letters (including wildcards) to match the letter count of your puzzle, providing a list of potential solutions. It’s a great way to enhance your word game experience!
The Chase FAQ
Who is the host of The Chase?
- Sara Haines, the host of the most recent series of The Chase, is known for her extensive career in television and journalism.
- In addition to hosting The Chase, she is widely recognized for her roles as a talk show host on The View and GMA3.
- Her work has earned her six Daytime Emmy nominations, with one still pending as of 2024.
Why did Brooke Burns leave The Chase?
- Brooke Burns stepped down from her role as host of The Chase after the final season with GSN in 2015.
- She subsequently took on various roles in TV shows and became the host of Master Minds in 2020.
- It is speculated that she left The Chase to explore new opportunities.
- When The Chase was rebooted in 2021, ABC chose Sara Haines as the new host, likely due to contractual considerations and a desire to refresh the show’s direction.
Will The Chase be back in 2024?
As of 2024, The Chase has not been officially canceled or renewed for a 4th season by ABC. However, considering its ratings in comparison to other similar game shows, it remains a strong contender for renewal.
Who are the Chasers?
As of 2024, The Chase has had 7 different Chasers, as listed below:
- Mark Labbett (The Beast): 56 shows
- James Holzhauer (The High Roller): 13 shows
- Brad Rutter (The Buzzsaw): 9 shows
- Ken Jennings (The Professor): 8 shows
- Victoria Groce (The Queen): 6 shows
- Brandon Blackwell (The Lightning Bolt): 4 shows
- Buzzy Cohen (The Stunner): 2 shows
FAQ’s
What is The Chase?
- The Chase is a trivia game show where contestants compete against a general knowledge expert, known as the Chaser, to win cash prizes by answering a series of questions.
When did The Chase first air in the US?
- The Chase premiered in the US on August 6, 2013, on the Game Show Network (GSN).
Who was the original host of The Chase (US)?
- Brooke Burns was the original host from 2013 to 2015.
Who hosted the reboot of The Chase (US)?
- Sara Haines hosted the reboot of The Chase when it returned in 2021 on ABC.
What is the Cash Builder round?
- In the Cash Builder round, each contestant has 60 seconds to answer as many questions as possible to build their potential cash prize, which will be used in their subsequent head-to-head against the Chaser.
How does the contestant’s head start in the Final Chase work?
- The number of contestants playing determines the head start: for instance, 2 contestants start 2 spaces forward on the board.
What happens if a contestant answers a question incorrectly during their head-to-head with the Chaser?
- If a contestant answers incorrectly, they remain where they are while the Chaser advances one step.
How does the Chaser’s turn in the Final Chase work?
- The Chaser answers questions within a 2-minute time limit, and any incorrect answers by the Chaser allow the contestants to discuss and answer the question for a chance to move the Chaser back.
What is a rebus in a crossword?
- A rebus is a crossword puzzle feature where multiple letters are input into a single square, often representing part of a word or phrase.
How many seasons of The Chase (US) have aired as of 2024?
- As of 2024, there have been 7 seasons of The Chase (US).
- What is the role of the Chaser?
- The Chaser is a general knowledge expert who competes against contestants by answering questions to prevent them from winning their cash prize.
When did The Chase end its original run on GSN?
- The Chase ended its original run on GSN in 2015.
When did the reboot of The Chase begin airing on ABC?
- The reboot of The Chase began airing on ABC on July 6, 2021.
How many Chasers have appeared on The Chase (US)?
- As of 2024, several Chasers have appeared, including Mark Labbett, James Holzhauer, Brad Rutter, Ken Jennings, Victoria Groce, Brandon Blackwell, and Buzzy Cohen.
What happens if the contestants score more points than the Chaser in the Final Chase?
- If the contestants score more points than the Chaser, they win the total cash prize banked, which is shared equally among the team members.
Can viewers play along with The Chase at home?
- While viewers can’t play the exact game, many trivia fans enjoy testing their knowledge with similar quiz formats and trivia games.
What types of questions are asked in The Chase?
- The questions cover a wide range of general knowledge topics, including history, geography, science, entertainment, and more.
Are there any notable changes in the rules between the original and rebooted versions of The Chase?
- The core format remains largely the same, though there may be minor changes or updates to rules and presentation in the reboot.
What is the typical format of an episode of The Chase?
- Each episode typically includes the Cash Builder, the head-to-head rounds with the Chaser, and the Final Chase.
How are the Chasers selected for The Chase?
- Chasers are selected based on their extensive general knowledge and expertise, often including individuals with impressive quiz competition
