How to Win on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire

Know the game. Nearly every question falls into one of the following categories: art, literature, history, politics, science, film, geography, sports and current events. Popular culture, nursery rhymes and advertising slogans are also recurring themes.

Select and contact your five allotted phone friends. View each one as a separate resource you can call on to cover subjects that are unfamiliar to you. Contest representatives will provide them with all the necessary details.

Choose a companion to accompany you on your trip. An ideal partner would bring encouragement, support and a lot of luck. The contest provides airfare, accommodations and transportation for you and your guest.

Pick out your favorite outfit. It should be comfortable and stylish because, hey, you'll be on prime-time television. Like your companion, your outfit should bring you good luck.

Use your "lifelines" wisely: Pick the right friend based on the category of the question. Know that the audience provides correct answers roughly 94 percent of the time (17 of 18 according to statistics from the August game). Of course, luck also plays an important role.

Relax. Clearing your mind can help you think more clearly and more quickly, particularly when millions of viewers across the world can watch your every move. Good luck.