First million

To participate in the game, participants have to register by phone, where they need to give the correct answer to the contest question. From those candidates who select the correct answer, a computer database of potential players is created. Then, using a random number generator, the computer selects a group of 100 individuals each month for the next stage of selection.^[6]

For each game, 10 players are selected (+2 reserve, in case any of the main participants are unable to attend the game).^[7]

At the beginning of the game, one out of 10 players is chosen, specifically the one who completes a simple intellectual task the fastest. They then get the opportunity to answer the main 15 questions and compete for a cash prize for the correct answers. During the game, each of the 10 players has several chances to become the primary player, as the qualifying round under certain conditions can be repeated.^[7] Since 2021, the qualifying round has been canceled.

Following this, the main stage of the game begins, during which the host sequentially presents a series (up to 15) of questions to the player, each with four possible answers. For every correct answer, the player receives a specific cash prize. The level of question difficulty gradually increases; however, each subsequent question "costs" more than the previous one and is presented only after answering the previous question. Thus, the prize amount increases from 50 to 1,000,000 hryvnias.^[8]

During the game, the player is entitled to 3 hints (from 2021, 4 hints):

• 50:50 (the computer eliminates two incorrect options)
• "Ask the audience" (studio audience voting should help in choosing the answer). In 2021, due to the COVID-19 epidemic, it was replaced with the "+1" hint.
• "Call a friend" (the opportunity to receive a hint via phone call). Between 2000 and 2002, the friend providing the hint could receive a mobile phone from sponsors.
• "Replace the Question" (replaces the question if it proves difficult for the player).

The player can use each of the three (from 2021 – four) hints only once, but in any order and at any point in the game, whether answering different or the same question. Using hints does not affect the amount of winnings.^[8]

If a player doubts their ability to answer a question correctly, they have the right to take the money and stop the game until they give a final answer.

If a player gives an incorrect answer to questions 1–5, they exit the game without any winnings. If this occurs between questions 6 and 10, they receive a guaranteed amount for the fifth question. If they reach questions 11-15 and provide an incorrect answer, they exit the game, receiving a guaranteed amount for the tenth question.

If the main player exits the game before reaching level 15, the host can offer the remaining nine players to go through the qualifying round again and determine a new main player. The game then continues with the same sequence as with the previous main player. If a player retains the right to continue the game and the time in the studio is over (the final siren announces this), the game is interrupted and the same player continues it in the next session.^[8]

• Sergey Karabinsky, 1 million MDL, broadcast on June 6, 2003
• Svyatoslav Vakarchuk, 1 million UAH, broadcast on January 22, 2005^[3]
• Oleg Moroz, 1 million UAH, broadcast on December 22, 2021^[9]
• Ruslan Stokolos, 1 million UAH, broadcast on December 9, 2024^[10]