# The Jeopardy thread \[was James Holzhauer\]\[contains spoilers\] **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** reality-or-game-show\ **Created:** [April 17, 2019, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696 "2019-04-17T21:53:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2019, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/21 "2019-04-18T14:38:36Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > Jenning’s run was ended by a fairly mediocre player who got lucky. She didn’t even win her next game. Didn’t he only lose because he got FJ wrong? He was in the lead at the end. ---
**Author:** ![MrAtoz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MrAtoz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrAtoz)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2019, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/22 "2019-04-18T14:50:40Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > All it would take to end his run is for him to come up against an above-average player while missing one of his huge Daily Double bets. There have already been a couple of games where he got one of the Daily Doubles wrong and lost everything. He was able to climb back and still have a runaway victory. His strategy with the “all-in” Daily Doubles is that he only does them relatively early in the game, leaving himself enough time to recover if he gets them wrong. When he hits a Daily Double late in the game, with fewer clues left, he will bet more conservatively. Still a big number, usually, but limited enough that he will maintain his lead if he gets it wrong. Of course it helps that he’s fast on the buzzer, and has a very broad knowledge base so that he rarely answers incorrectly. He also doesn’t seem to guess. Except on Daily Doubles, when he has no choice but to answer, if he’s not confident of the answer he doesn’t ring in. The best chance others have of beating him is to find the Daily Doubles before he does. Of course, that means getting control of the board for a long run, which isn’t easy given how fast he is. Get someone else on there who is also good with the buzzer and has a good command of trivia, and it would be an interesting match-up. While I can’t deny James’s skill, I’m not entirely thrilled about his winning streak. I don’t really like huge blow-outs like he’s been delivering. I enjoy it when games are competitive. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2019, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/23 "2019-04-18T14:51:28Z")
I get a kick out of his wagers - I have to wonder if the amounts have significance to him or he’s just having fun. And I also think his smiles are a bit forced and uncomfortable when he’s on camera. I watched at the end of the show one evening when the credits were rolling, and he seemed a lot more relaxed and his smile was more genuine. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2019, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/24 "2019-04-18T15:42:46Z")
> [@FairyChatMom](#): > > I get a kick out of his wagers - I have to wonder if the amounts have significance to him or he’s just having fun. Yes and yes. Alex asked him about it once, and he said a lot of them were special dates like birthdays and anniversaries. He has run out of these dates, however, and the last couple of shows he has made even number bets. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2019, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/25 "2019-04-18T17:52:06Z")
> [@AlsoNamedBort](#): > > > [@panache45](#): > > > > Jenning’s run was ended by a fairly mediocre player who got lucky. She didn’t even win her next game. > > Didn’t he only lose because he got FJ wrong? He was in the lead at the end. I remember that. The question was something about a company with peak employment from January-April and the answer was H&R Block. I think he guessed Fedex. As for James, I’ve been enjoying watching him, except for the little bit at the end where he kisses the tips of his fingers. It just annoys me irrationally. ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2019, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/26 "2019-04-18T18:30:23Z")
> [@AlsoNamedBort](#): > > They didn’t show it, but after the “Cash Builder” segment there’s the Chase, where you face head to head with the Beast answering multiple choice questions. You have to answer five right before he answers eight. At the tart, he offers you a chance to get less money for one less question or more money for one more question. Looks like this: [https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/6/67/Chase\_gameboard.png](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/6/67/Chase_gameboard.png) One of the earlier contestants must have taken him up on the offer. I’m surprised James didn’t since it probably would have been over 100K. Aha! That’s it - the presenter meant “that’s the most money anyone has earnt in the cash-builder phase…” Thanks. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2019, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/27 "2019-04-19T00:11:42Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > He’s a machine. I can’t see anything obnoxious or really unlikable about him, unlike some recent big winners. Even so, I’m beginning to wish he’d lose. I don’t know why - I admit it is irrational. We liked him from day one, but after his 6th win we’ve stopped watching until he loses. He’s no longer fun to watch. Here’s why: > [@MrAtoz](#): > > While I can’t deny James’s skill, I’m not entirely thrilled about his winning streak. I don’t really like huge blow-outs like he’s been delivering. I enjoy it when games are competitive. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2019, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/28 "2019-04-19T05:52:24Z")
> [@Backwater\_Under\_Duck](#): > > Until he decides to stop. What we are witnessing, is the sublime end to a great, one of the greatest game shows ever. I think it’s over and this is a great way to always leave them laughing when you say goodbye, as the man says. It’s Michael Larson on Press Your Luck. It’s Ender Wiggins in the Battle Dome. Total dominance, and (even if there was a reason to keep battle school after the defeat of the buggers) battle school would never be the same again. You can’t go back to what existed before. The game will not be the same after. Even more than Arthur Chu, James has altered the way the game is played, probably permanently. Austin Rogers played a straight-up strategy for the game, so did Ken and Julia and Roger and everyone. Now along comes James with such a different way of winning that he just crushes his enemies and drives them before him. All that’s left is to hear the lamentations of the women. ---
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2019, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/29 "2019-04-19T15:13:46Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > Even more than Arthur Chu, James has altered the way the game is played, probably permanently. Austin Rogers played a straight-up strategy for the game, so did Ken and Julia and Roger and everyone. Now along comes James with such a different way of winning that he just crushes his enemies and drives them before him. All that’s left is to hear the lamentations of the women. I don’t know if the game will change that much. The strategy only works with the skill to back it up. He’s answering the question more than 50% of the time. Even if it wasn’t for the daily doubles, I bet most of these games would be runaways. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2019, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/30 "2019-04-19T15:19:57Z")
But he’s not the first one to start with the high values, or to bet aggressively on Daily Doubles. His dominance is due much more to his skill than to his strategy. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2019, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/31 "2019-04-19T15:29:45Z")
[Here’s an interview](https://www.vulture.com/2019/04/jeopardy-james-holzhauer-winning-strategy.html) with him where he talks about his strategy, other players trying to copy it, and other topics. He comes across as a likable person, but it’s pretty hard to stay likable when you are demolishing the competition like he is. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2019, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/32 "2019-04-19T15:34:28Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > It’s Michael Larson on Press Your Luck. My favorite gameshow moment! I was eight (almost nine) years old at the time, but I remember seeing that episode. I always just assumed I saw a re-run, but then I learned the episode was only aired once – in 1984 – until 2013. ---
**Author:** ![notfrommensa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f14d63/32.png) [@notfrommensa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notfrommensa)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2019, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/33 "2019-04-19T15:46:26Z")
I haven’t seen any of his episodes yet (I binge watch them) but I have seen some highlights. Just from the highlights, I find him a little off-putting. Most likely there is going to be a new host next year. To promote the new host, I think the producers are going to want a Brad Rutter vs Ken Jennings vs James Holzhauer showdown. ---
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2019, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/34 "2019-04-19T16:04:20Z")
> [@notfrommensa](#): > > Just from the highlights, I find him a little off-putting. I don’t really get the complaints about him. He’s pretty bland. You figure everyone who complained about Austin Rogers would be thrilled. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2019, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/35 "2019-04-19T16:14:37Z")
I used to record and watch daily, but I stopped doing that years ago. I just set my DVR… ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2019, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/36 "2019-04-19T16:55:40Z")
> [@AlsoNamedBort](#): > > I don’t really get the complaints about him. He’s pretty bland. You figure everyone who complained about Austin Rogers would be thrilled. I hated Austin. Still do. James does nothing to complain about. Even though I’m on record as hoping he’ll lose, that’s me, not him. "Go. Fight! Win! And call me when you get back, darling. I enjoy our visits. " ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2019, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/37 "2019-04-19T17:46:20Z")
> [@JohnGalt](#): > > He is certainly brave I wouldn’t consider bravery to be a characteristic of playing a game. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2019, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/38 "2019-04-19T18:13:05Z")
I checked in last night to watch, I hadn’t really watched Jeopardy in years. He seems like a nice enough guy, talking about his grandmother and his kids, but definitely is awkward. When the game is on, he’s totally in the zone, but as soon as it stops he seems kind of embarrassed by the whole thing. I always find it interesting when someone figures out a new way to win something that we all assume has its best practices set in stone. One of the other contestant would get a $200 clue right and try to go to the next one down, but as soon as Holzhauer got control it was all over. ---
**Author:** ![notfrommensa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f14d63/32.png) [@notfrommensa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notfrommensa)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2019, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/39 "2019-04-19T18:20:51Z")
Just now watching his first show. In the interview segment, he asked Alex if he was looking for any action on the [Stanley] Cup this year, and then added that he likes the Lightning. That was a complete whiffy! ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2019, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/40 "2019-04-19T23:53:45Z")
Just watched him for the first time. Holy hell that looked effortless. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696.md?page=3)