 Two teams of three contestants each, all with something in common (e.g., beer tasters, mothers-to-be), competed. Host Cullen reads a question that has multiple answers. The questions could be based on a poll (e.g., "According to a poll of men, which female celebrity would they most like to be stranded on a deserted island with?") or fact (e.g., "Name the states that starts with the letter  M. "). Each team member could opt to answer or challenge a member of the opposing team ("toss the hot potato to") to answer. Giving an answer not on the list, or sometimes if an opposing player gives a correct answer during a challenge eliminates that player from further play on that question. A team won the round (and $500) by either giving the seventh correct answer to the question or if all three members of a particular team were eliminated. At one point in the series, a cash bonus was awarded if a team gave seven correct answers without a miss or challenge. Teams winning two rounds became champion and played the bonus round. Cullen reads a category (e.g., "Length") and gives two possible answers ("Which is longer, the longest earthworm or the longest Cadillac?"). Each correct answer is worth $500, with the teams having the option pass on one question. Five correct answers won the jackpot ($5,000 plus $5,000 for each show it goes unclaimed while that team is champion); an incorrect answer at any point stops the game and forfeits their bonus game winnings. A team could stop the game at any time and keep whatever they had won to that point. Toward the end of the show s run, the show became "Celebrity Hot Potato," with teams now consisting of two celebrities and one contestant.