Rob Mariano Relates to “Deal or No Deal Island” Showmance Since He Wasn't 'So Focused on Winning' “Survivor ”Early On (Exclusive)

• Survivor star Boston Rob Mariano will host the Deal or No Deal Island season 2 after show following his stint on season 1 of the NBC competition series

• Mariano married his Survivor: All-Stars ally Amber Brkich in 2005 and they've since welcomed four children together

• A showmance forms between Deal or No Deal Island season 2 contestants Maria-Grace Cook and Storm Wilson, and Mariano tells PEOPLE he can "see how it would help them in the game"

Boston Rob Mariano has become one of the biggest reality TV stars of all time — and he turned a showmance into a 20-year marriage after proposing to Survivor: All-Stars winner Amber Brkich in the show’s 2004 finale.

So when Mariano, 49, saw a showmance forming between Maria-Grace Cook and Storm Wilson early on in season 2 of Deal or No Deal Island, for which he’ll host the season 2 after show following his participation in season 1, he had some thoughts about the budding relationship.

“I wish them luck,” Mariano, who’s since welcomed four kids with his 46-year-old wife, tells PEOPLE. “They look like they're into each other. And I can see how it would help them in the game.”

Related: Dr. Will Kirby Returns to Reality Competition for Deal or No Deal Island Season 2 — Meet the 14 Contestants

But, unlike in Survivor, where a jury vote determines the winner, Mariano thinks that forming alliances in Deal or No Deal Island might be unwarranted.

“Deal or No Deal Island is different in that there's no vote,” the six-time Survivor player says. “So ultimately, a lot of these relationships and alliances are unnecessary, which is kind of crazy to say or think about. The alliances help you to a degree, but they will not keep you safe. There's a degree of luck and control that you can't have unless you get lucky.”

And with over $200 million in prize money in play on Deal or No Deal Island, Mariano thinks everyone should be concentrated on the competition. “It's tough to come into something like this and not be focused,” the Massachusetts native says. “And I can relate to it. I was 24 the first time I played [Survivor], and I wasn't necessarily so focused on winning.”

Beginning Wednesday, Jan. 8, Mariano will sit down with the week’s eliminated Deal or No Deal Island player to break down gameplay, discuss drama on the Banker’s Island and debut never-before-seen footage from the show.

The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!

“What's wild to me is doing this after show and having everybody come in here and almost double down on the moves that they made, even though I'll show them why they were incorrect,” Mariano, who will also compete on the upcoming third season of The Traitors, says. “Despite the result, they still sit and say, ‘I would do the same thing over again.’ It just speaks to people wanting to be right or happy about what they did, and they try to avoid looking at it objectively. And that's interesting to me.”

Mariano believes players like Survivor alums David Genat and Parvati Shallow will “have an uphill battle” to succeed on Deal or No Deal Island season 2. “They have big advantages, but also really big targets,” the Amazing Race alum says. “Those two are definitely two competitors that, before this game starts, if I have to place a bet, I'd put it on them.”

Related: Joe Manganiello Says Deal or No Deal Island Season 2 Winner Scores 'Most Money Anyone Has Ever Won' on TV (Exclusive)

Genat, 44, winning the Australian version of Survivor may work in his favor a bit more, according to Mariano.

“The anonymity combined with his experience and knowing how to manipulate the game in his favor is beyond a shadow of a doubt a huge advantage,” the father of four speculates. “Someone like David who I know has the acumen to play the game but is kind of unknown to everyone else, that's someone that I would work with long term for sure.”

However, if Mariano found himself competing on this season, “I would try to avoid Parvati,” he says. “I like Parvati, she's a friend of mine, but I think people would see that as too big of a threat.”

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Deal or No Deal Island season 2 premieres Tuesday, Jan. 7, at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.

Read the original article on People