# 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:** 91
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2021, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/1801 "2021-02-09T14:13:27Z")
I knew it was Crime and Punishment, but since it’s been more than 20 years since I read that book, I couldn’t remember where it took place, so guessed Moscow just to be in Russia… ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2021, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/1802 "2021-02-09T15:42:41Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > I suspect Poe would come under the category “American Literature,” anyway. That’s how I ruled out London and Paris. US authors are “American Literature” or just “Literature.” English/Irish authors are “British Literature.” French authors are “French Literature.” “World Lit” is not any of those three areas… combined with the year and a map and the expectation it’s widely read enough to be a Jeopardy answer, it does kind of leave Moscow, St. Petersburg, or maybe somewhere in Germany as plausible answers. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2021, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/1803 "2021-02-09T16:11:17Z")
> [@Kamino\_Neko](#): > > I knew it was Crime and Punishment, but since it’s been more than 20 years since I read that book, I couldn’t remember where it took place, so guessed Moscow just to be in Russia… Same here. I read it in high school, almost 60 years ago (!). I guessed Moscow. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2021, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/1804 "2021-02-09T17:18:43Z")
An interesting aspect of _ **C&P** _ is that it’s clearly set in St Petersburg, which I gather was Dostoevskii’s home patch. Reference is made to landmarks you would recognize if you ever visit the city. If you get the chance, I recommend you watch the Soviet version of the film (1970) sometime. Chief Inspector Porfiry Petrovich is a lot like Columbo. He knows who the murderer is but can’t prove it, so he basically hounds him until he confesses. The murderer’s name is Rodion Raskolnikov. In addition to being derived from “split”, which is what he does to the two women’s skulls, “Raskolnikov!” was Boris Badenov’s favorite curse word. ---
**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:** [February 9, 2021, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/1805 "2021-02-09T18:36:26Z")
> [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > No clue for final. Never read that book. I guessed Paris thinking maybe it was something by Victor Hugo. I guessed Paris thinking “Murders In The Rue Morgue” but expected it to be incorrect. ETA: not only me, I now see. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2021, 8:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/1806 "2021-02-13T08:05:47Z")
Dopers the world over are supremely disappointed with the Final Jeopardy performances of the entire panel tonight. ---
**Author:** ![BigDfromLA](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8491ac/32.png) [@BigDfromLA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigDfromLA)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2021, 8:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/1807 "2021-02-13T08:53:39Z")
Is Ken Jennings’ run as guest host almost over? I have really liked him from day one and yet, I can see that he has even gotten better in all areas. Outside of Aaron Rodgers, I am not very interested in watching any of the others who have been mentioned as guest hosts. I would be glad to see Ken do it permanently. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2021, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/1808 "2021-02-13T15:12:41Z")
> **[Ken Jennings’ Interim Jeopardy! Stint Ends Soon — Should GOAT Contestant Be...](https://tvline.com/casting-news/ken-jennings-last-jeopardy-episode-guest-host-1234635737/)** > > Ken Jennings’ run as Jeopardy!’s inaugural guest host is nearing its conclusion. > Jennings kicked off his six-week stint as guest host on Jan. 11. If I counted correctly, he’s got one more week. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2021, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/1809 "2021-02-13T16:48:06Z")
Unless you recognized the quote, there were just so many to choose from! I think I guessed Aristarchus, figuring that it wouldn’t be one of the most prominent, like Plato or Aristotle. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2021, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/1810 "2021-02-13T16:48:58Z")
Ditto! ---
**Author:** ![gregorio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/fbc32d/32.png) [@gregorio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gregorio)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2021, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/1811 "2021-02-13T16:53:42Z")
I got it from the descriptor and a former, prolific poster on these boards. Thanks Straight Dope! ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2021, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/1812 "2021-02-13T17:07:23Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > Unless you recognized the quote, there were just so many to choose from! Or, like me, you never studied ancient philosophers. We all have our blind spots I guess. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2021, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/1813 "2021-02-13T18:05:41Z")
I know next to nothing about Greek philosophers but got it correctly because of the former poster here Diogenes the Cynic. ---
**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:** [February 13, 2021, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/1814 "2021-02-13T18:55:55Z")
> [@BigDfromLA](#): > > Is Ken Jennings’ run as guest host almost over? I have really liked him from day one and yet, I can see that he has even gotten better in all areas. Outside of Aaron Rodgers, I am not very interested in watching any of the others who have been mentioned as guest hosts. I would be glad to see Ken do it permanently. Agreed. ---
**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:** [February 13, 2021, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/1815 "2021-02-13T19:03:41Z")
> [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > I know next to nothing about Greek philosophers but got it correctly because of the former poster here Diogenes the Cynic. I also know next to nothing about them, but “cynic” instantly made me think of Diogenes “searching for an honest man.” Until reading this thread I hadn’t even thought of our former poster, possibly because I haven’t missed him. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2021, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/1816 "2021-02-13T19:43:46Z")
I guess his looking for an honest man would make him a Cynic, wouldn’t it? I just didn’t make the connection. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2021, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/1817 "2021-02-13T20:25:04Z")
As a former Philosophy student with a special interest in ancient Greeks, this was a no-brainer for me. ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2021, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/1818 "2021-02-17T23:04:07Z")
Two easy ones for me Named for a game, this is Wisconsin’s largest city on Mississippi La Crosse – I work there (in non pandemic times) and can almost see it from my house And Final Jeopardy – winter sport whose name isn’t used in competition Figure Skating – I remember watching it when they were needed – not exciting, but kind of interesting Brian ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2021, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/1819 "2021-02-17T23:27:43Z")
Terrible betting today by the player in 3rd place going into FJ. ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2021, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/1820 "2021-02-18T05:10:43Z")
A lot of supposedly smart people seem to do this. ISTM that the best move for the third-place player going into FJ is very often to bet nothing, because #2 is probably going to bet almost everything to try to beat #1, and #1 is going to bet enough to beat #2’s highest possible total. In that situation, if #2 is wrong, #3 will almost certainly get second place by standing pat, and if #1 is also wrong, could end up winning. If tonight’s #3 (Natalie) had bet nothing, she would have won with a very respectable $8,800. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696.md?page=90) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696.md?page=92)