# 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:** 95
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2021, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/1881 "2021-03-04T15:39:28Z")
But it wasn’t a tough category. “European Landmarks” is something that most Jeopardy players probably feel is in their wheelhouse. (hence the large bets) And when the question was finally revealed, it was an “I should have gotten that” (they know the Louvre, they knew it was French, they know I.M.Pei) kind of answer, not a “what the hell?” kind of answer. The large bets made sense even though it ended really, really badly. ---
**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:** [March 4, 2021, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/1882 "2021-03-04T15:40:26Z")
> [@amarinth](#): > > The large bets made sense even though it ended really, really badly. For them. It ended well for the new Champ! ---
**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:** [March 4, 2021, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/1883 "2021-03-04T15:43:06Z")
The Louvre would have been way down on my list, if I had thought of it at all. I know lots of European landmarks, but I would be very wary about giving a correct response in FJ. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2021, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/1884 "2021-03-04T15:48:26Z")
I laughed when the returning champ muttered “of course he did”. ---
**Author:** ![jaycat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jaycat/32/3015_2.png) [@jaycat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jaycat)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2021, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/1885 "2021-03-04T16:57:57Z")
Turns out Jon Spurney is Ronnie Spector’s guitarist! ---
**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:** [March 4, 2021, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/1886 "2021-03-04T17:07:41Z")
Is he the one who mentioned traveling the world performing music? ---
**Author:** ![jaycat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jaycat/32/3015_2.png) [@jaycat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jaycat)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2021, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/1887 "2021-03-04T17:29:52Z")
[Here](https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=285089369640147&set=a.211811110301307& __cft__ %5B0%5D=AZXE6blJvsQ8QS1Nj2VZhz-j3eLPzLgPToEhlUtNqFxjC408UBMJzkOyznUnuz-hMZaVJm1X8kFlmEsZaCkThVv3Ig_Gt5b5j34bj0HuQXbm7VVmwVTAkR_lErmZsgx7xWyQeYn9ZcSR_5N-a6cKiaRQ& __tn__ =EH-R) he is, at right. ---
**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:** [March 4, 2021, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/1888 "2021-03-04T17:44:31Z")
[Here](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0819946/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0) he is on IMDb. He’s done music for Amy Sedaris, Fred Armisen, and Seth Myers. ---
**Author:** ![MrAtoz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MrAtoz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrAtoz)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2021, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/1889 "2021-03-04T18:15:09Z")
Which is presumably why he did so well in the guitar category the other day. ---
**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:** [March 4, 2021, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/1890 "2021-03-04T18:19:50Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > The Louvre would have been way down on my list, if I had thought of it at all. The Louvre was the first thing I thought of. Then I thought, “Wait a minute, could it be Notre Dame? No, it’s gotta be the Louvre.” ---
**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:** [March 4, 2021, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/1891 "2021-03-04T18:36:49Z")
My first thought was Notre Dame. The Louvre didn’t even occur to me. ---
**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:** [March 4, 2021, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/1892 "2021-03-04T18:52:47Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > Winning by betting it all requires _two_ things, first, you get it right, and second, you win tie breaker. Not completely right. Winning by betting it all requires, first and foremost, that you get it right. Then there are two scenarios for you to win the game: one, that the other contestant misses, and two, that you win the tie breaker. ---
**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:** [March 4, 2021, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/1893 "2021-03-04T19:00:49Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > It ended well for the new Champ! She certainly made the right decision. There was no point in her risking anything. However, she did very poorly in the game. I doubt she’ll win a second time. ---
**Author:** ![JohnGalt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johngalt/32/184_2.png) [@JohnGalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnGalt)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2021, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/1894 "2021-03-04T19:07:49Z")
She did the right bet. If you’re in third place, bet nothing and hope the others lose it all. In this case it was certainly the right decision as @terentii said. The end result was unexpected, which makes for good viewing. Too bad there’s not a minimum amount the winner gets. If second place gets $2000, perhaps the winner should be guaranteed to get $4000. Yes, she gets to come back the next day, but her winnings then might be third place at $1000. ---
**Author:** ![Mark\_Finn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/34f0e0/32.png) [@Mark\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mark_Finn)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2021, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/1895 "2021-03-05T00:22:57Z")
Thursday’s Double Jeopardy - category “Borders”. Answer: “This state has the longest border with Canada.” Contestant #1: “What is Montana?” Contestant #2: “What is Quebec?” Contestant #3: “What is New York?” Of course - it’s Alaska. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2021, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/1896 "2021-03-05T00:51:27Z")
There was a category on alternate histories two or three days ago, and I think I may have caught an error. The title of a book was mentioned, “Ruled Britannia” and it mentioned that the Spanish Armada had suceeded, leaving Mary Tudor and (this monarch) on the throne. The contestant said Phillip II, who was indeed marryied to Mary Tudor. But she was long dead in 1588. I’ve read and very much liked the book. But England had a daughter of Phillip II on the throne, Isabella, and her husband Albert(English form) There was a revolt, and Elizabeth, who had not been killed, was returned to the throne of England. ---
**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:** [March 5, 2021, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/1897 "2021-03-05T00:58:02Z")
I can understand “Montana.” But “Quebec”?!? **DUH!** 😖 ---
**Author:** ![Mark\_Finn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/34f0e0/32.png) [@Mark\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mark_Finn)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2021, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/1898 "2021-03-05T12:33:57Z")
If you don’t count Alaska, Montana has the longest land border (counting water - Michigan, Maine, and Minnesota have longer borders). ---
**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:** [March 5, 2021, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/1899 "2021-03-05T13:24:33Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > I can understand “Montana.” But “Quebec”?!? **DUH!** 😖 And that guy wound up winning. And that wasn’t his only stupid response. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2021, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696/1900 "2021-03-05T14:47:25Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > And that guy wound up winning. And that wasn’t his only stupid response. I noticed that, too. I wonder if he was just nervous and will do better on his next show. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696.md?page=94) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jeopardy-thread-was-james-holzhauer-contains-spoilers/832696.md?page=96)