It all makes sense now, knowing that this show was produced by Chuck Barris. Because it wasn't just a normal game show. This show was weird.
Starting with its host Geoff Edwards. I guess actually seeing Lee Harvey Oswald get shot in person (he was a Dallas reporter) must have whacked his brain a little. Although 'Treasure Hunt' was similar to 'Let's Make a Deal' Edwards wasn't snotty & subdued like Monty Hall, he was goofy and off-the-wall (much like Barris). He did a great job hamming it up and stretching out the excruciating time the contestant had to wait to find out whether they'd made the right choice (this was essentially the core of the show). He always kept you guessing by engaging in double and even triple false finishes (i.e. "Sorry you lose- Wait! What's this?! Oh, its nothing, you really did lose" etc.)
Plus he would always do this often hilarious little bit at the end of every show with the (supposed) "Bonded Security Agent, Mr. Emil Autouri". He would try and get him to break his stone-faced, emotionless demeanor by telling a risqué joke, trying to tickle him, or even pretending to break down crying that he just wanted him to like him!
But all Mr. Autouri would ever do is, when Geoff finally just asked, "Mr. Autouri can you verify that you hid a check for $25,000 in one of these boxes?", he would respond, "Yes I did" and then he'd give Edwards the piece of paper with the box's number on it and slowly go get the box to prove that the check was in there.
A real innovative show for bleak 70s television!