It’s a been a great treat past few days for viewers of the popular trivia quiz show “Jeopardy!”. In 12 wins aired so far James Holzhauer has averaged an astonishing ~ $70K/game and has broken previous single day winning total 4 times already. To put it in context the previous record for win in one game was $77K and James’ average win/game itself is close to that amount 🙂
His strategy for winning has been quite simple actually: Start with the big $ amounts at the bottom of each category, build up a huge total, hit a daily double and bet it all/bet big, respond correctly, swell the lead to such proportions that the other contestants are forever trying to play catch up or resigned to playing for the consolation prize. Typically contestants on the show, even the winningest, have tended to start cautiously at the top or middle of each category, consolidate their lead and bet safe amounts in Final Jeopardy to ensure victory. The traditional way is akin to middle distance running: Get a decent start, gradually build a lead and then have enough for a big push down the stretch. Extending the racing analogy what James has achieved in his wins so far is the equivalent of doing a Usain Bolt over a full marathon distance, then coming back and waiting at the one mile mark to shake hands with the other two competitors still trying to make it there! This strategy to win just requires a preternatural ability to buzz in early, incredible breadth of knowledge, oodles of confidence, get almost all responses right and then have the heart of a gambler to bet big and win bigger! All that’s needed is a near perfect game and ability to replicate the strategy in each game. Very simple indeed 😀 When you witness such a display of incredible brilliance on a regular basis all you can do is shake your head in disbelief, let out a loud guffaw and tip your hat 🙂 If rumors are to be believed the producers of Jeopardy! have filed for bankruptcy in the wake of James’ incredible wins 😉 😀
Surprise! Surprise! In real life James is a professional sports gambler 🙂 He attributes some of his knowledge to reading children’s books with pictures. If his offspring/s are reading the same books I want to bet big on their winning Jeopardy! in future, breaking records. And make it a true daily double please 😀 It’s possible that the strategy could backfire, maybe even spectacularly, and James could die by the proverbial sword when the reign ends. It hasn’t happened so far and it’s time to enjoy the run as long as it lasts.
I know dream of a lot of trivia buffs out there is to take on James and beat him at his own game. The Raj lives to make such dreams come true. To get a crack at it here’s the Final Jeopardy category: 9-letter plural word describing emotional reaction
The clue: In a stunning finish resulting in defeat of the defending champion the winner witnessed ——— of delight from the viewing audience!
Put your thinking caps on for the opportunity of a lifetime with the correct response 😉
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