Randall Nulph can take the heat. After all, he is accustomed to performing under pressure when he battles forest fires. But his appearance on the Big Spin got the forest service worker a little hot under the collar.

“I was very excited to be on the TV show,” remarked Nulph, “but the anxiety level is so high because there is so much going on in such a short time span. Yeah, I was very nervous.”

The Hoopah resident nonetheless retained his composure as he made his way through several turns at “The Big Spin”® show on April 7, 2001. The tumbling black and gold balls netted the 42-year-old $25,000 on his first try. The second round added $75,000, leaving Nulph with a very difficult decision to make. He could have spent half his winnings — $50,000 — to buy an “improved” rack of balls that held better odds of winning the grand prize, $250,000. Worse yet, he had to make his decision instantly.

“I had decided that  $100,000 was a lot of money,” recalled the fire fighter. “Giving up  $50,000 would have meant risking a whole year’s salary.”

His third turn bore no fruit, but the contestant was very content to come away from the Big Spin with his hundred grand. He concluded, “I was playing it smart and I was playing it safe. Later on at home, I felt very comfortable with my decision.”

Playing it safe is a worthwhile goal for Nulph, who encounters danger often in his line of work. Why does he like working for the forest service so much?

“It’s the only occupation I know where you can go camping and get paid for it,” he said. “It’s not just a job. It’s an adventure in a way, too.”

RANDALL NULPH played it safe, and chose not to play for a larger cash prize.

Millionaire’s Row
Since its inception, “The Big Spin”® show has had 10,420 contestants win a total of $775,597,720. Of those contestants, 373 players have won $1 million or more, winning an actual total of $518,085,000. The Big Spin® Show can be seen in 12 television markets statewide.

LOTTOpeople. Copyright © 2002. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.