Week after week I watch contestants lose so much money because of pure GREED! Why are people so greedy??? I would be happy with ten grand (not that I know people usually win more, but it's the point)! It's unbelievable to me that hardly anyone on this show believes they can be happy with $200,000. They have to keep pushing and pushing until they're left with so much less.

It's quite sad in my opinion.

It bears repeating that people need to go on this show to make an effort to get the offer over something like $200k. Only on rare occasions should they go for a higher offer. Common sense would dictate that if such high prizes are offered on a show like this that people sit down before ever going on the show, look at whatever debts they have, essentials they need to buy but don't have the money for, and what they could use to put away as savings or in investments. Then, when they've got a total from all that, go on the show and forget about thinking "I HAVE THE MILLION IN MY CASE", and play the game so they're up to or perhaps past what they know they need to pay for all they realize they need.

As you say, though, greed comes into it. Sadly, their "friends" more often than not simply jerk their chain and egg them on. In fact, that's another thing. Call on friends you know who may be willing to take risks but who have sound business sense and would know it's time to stop.

I grew up with game shows where winners got something like $500 max and a case of Winston cigarettes, and were thrilled. These people don't know when to say no.

I was also wondering if the money they win are after tax or ?

Any prize money anyone wins on any game show is taxable. If a person on DOND takes the banker's offer of $250k, they're taxed on that amount.

California residents who win money in the state's lottery aren't taxed state taxes on it, but they ARE liable for federal income tax on the amount of the prize.