Each ensuing player made a bid above the previous in turn.

Bidding started with the first player and the bids started low. They were shown items of merchandise which were described in detail by the announcer (Don Pardo on NBC, Johnny Gilbert on ABC). They sat at a panel desk fronted by tote readouts by the American Totalizator Company. The original version of The Price Is Right pitted four contestants (called 'the bargain hunters') in what is a variation of an auction. It was cancelled in 1965 after losing too many viewers to Jeopardy! and not having enough market clearances when it moved to ABC (as many markets did not have an ABC affiliate in the early-to-mid 1960s).

In addition to a daily daytime episode throughout its run, it also featured a weekly nighttime version from 1957 to 1964. This version, which featured Bill Cullen as host, aired on NBC with announcer Don Pardo from 1956 to 1963, and on ABC with announcer Johnny Gilbert from 1963 to 1965. The Price Is Right is the original incarnation of the popular game show The Price Is Right.

The price is right host