Rob “Boston Rob” Mariano, a former Survivor winner, feels confident that he has set the tone for success on Deal or No Deal Island. He believes that his fellow Survivor alums will have a hard time matching his accomplishments on the new NBC competition series. Despite having a target on his back due to his reputation, Mariano entered the game with the mindset of proving his worth to his competitors early on to avoid being eliminated.
Mariano, who has experience with island-themed shows, aimed to show his fellow players that he could be an asset in increasing the prize total by winning challenges and helping build the pot. He believed that being a valuable player early in the game would dissuade others from targeting him for elimination. While he has been a frontrunner in the competition, winning immunity four times, he also recognized that luck plays a significant role in the game, as demonstrated during a game of Deal or No Deal early in the season.
During his faceoff against the banker, Mariano initially knocked off many high-value cases, which improved his chances of making a good deal and staying in the game. He acknowledged the strategic aspect of the show, where players must balance building the prize pot while ensuring their own survival. Mariano believes that the audience may not see the bigger picture of the game, as players must prioritize staying in the game over accumulating a large pot.
Mariano’s experience against the banker proved successful, and he advises future Deal or No Deal Island players to prioritize having control over their fate in the game. He highlights the importance of being perceptive of one’s position in the competition to avoid situations where they may lose control of their fate. Deal or No Deal Island airs on NBC on Mondays at 10 p.m. EST, giving viewers a glimpse into the strategic and luck-based challenges faced by contestants on the show.
