Ballin' A Jack is a recurring challenge that debuted in Survivor: San Juan del Sur and has since reappeared in Cambodia, Island of the Idols, and Survivor 44.
Rules[]
Each castaway must stand on a small block with only enough space for one foot while stabilizing a ball against an overhanging piece of wood. If at any point they lose their concentration or their balance, the ball will drop and they are out of the challenge. The last person left standing wins.
History[]
United States[]
The challenge was first used as the final seven Reward Challenge in its first appearance in San Juan del Sur. It ultimately came down to Jaclyn Schultz and Natalie Anderson, with Natalie outlasting Jaclyn to win reward.
The challenge appeared as the final ten Immunity Challenge in Cambodia. Before the challenge started, host Jeff Probst offered to have the Orkun tribe's shelter rebuilt by Production if at least five people sat out of the challenge. Everyone but Joe Anglim and Keith Nale elected to sit out to have a new shelter. Joe then outlasted Keith to win his fourth individual immunity in a row.
The was used as the final eight Immunity Challenge in Island of the Idols. Ultimately, the challenge came down to Elaine Stott and Lauren Beck. After nearly 15 minutes, Lauren began to visibly struggle, but Elaine suddenly dropped, granting Lauren individual immunity.
The challenge returned at the final nine of Survivor 44. Prior to the challenge, the Va Va tribe was informed that, if four castaways gave up their shot at immunity, the tribe would receive a bag of rice; Carson Garrett, Heidi Lagares-Greenblatt, Kane Fritzler, and Lauren Harpe agreed to sit out of the challenge. Within minutes, only Danny Massa and Frannie Marin were left in the challenge, with Frannie outlasting Danny to win her second individual Immunity Challenge.
Australia[]
In Blood v Water, this challenge was used for individual immunity ahead of the Double Tribal Council. Instead of putting both feet on the same stand, the contestants stood on two narrow pegs. Shay Lajoie solidified her strong reputation in endurance challenges by defeating the rest of her Blood tribemates to win a crucial Immunity Necklace. On Water, Khanh Ong agreed to give up the necklace to Sam Gash if he won, and both parties held on until Sam collapsed from exhaustion, allowing Khanh to win the challenge.
Winners[]
| Episode | Challenge Type | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| San Juan del Sur "Still Holdin' On" |
Individual Reward |  Natalie Anderson |
| Cambodia "Like Selling Your Soul to the Devil" |
Individual Immunity |  Joe Anglim |
| Island of the Idols "A Very Simple Plan" |
Individual Immunity |  Lauren Beck |
| Survivor 44 "Under the Wing of a Dragon" |
Individual Immunity |  Frannie Marin |
| Episode | Challenge Type | Winners | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blood v Water Episode 12 |
Individual Immunity |  Shay Lajoie |
 Khanh Ong |
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- Joe Anglim is the only man to win this challenge.
- Keith Nale is the only player to compete in this challenge twice. He lost both times.
- The Cambodia iteration of the challenge currently holds the record for lowest percentage of contestants participating in a single Immunity Challenge, with only two of the ten remaining contestants (20%) competing.