Sooner Or Later

James Holzhauer* was such a dominant Jeopardy! contestant that it almost seemed like he was unbeatable.  Almost.

He had a 32-game winning streak, but more than that, the games were never close.  He won by huge margins, guaranteed victory by the time he got to Final Jeopardy.  So powerful was his game that he broke the record for single-show winnings 14 times.  If I had to compare what he did to anything, it would be the season Wilt Chamberlain averaged over 50 points a game.  No one had ever seen anything like it.

Holzhauer was on the edge of surpassing Ken Jennings record for total winnings, and in less than half the time, when he lost last night.  Any loss would have been dramatic, but this made it extra exciting.

Of course, it was always a matter of time--no one lasts forever.  It just required the right conditions.  First, he had to be up against one or two (in this case it was two) good players who not only knew most of the answers (as most contestants do) but who were about as quick on the draw as he is. Then there's the luck of getting categories for which they're just as good as Holzhauer, or better.

But the real key would be the Daily Doubles.  Holzhauer, who understood strategy (but was also brave) would bet a lot, putting himself out of reach by the Final Jeopardy round.  However, if it happened that either Holzhauer lost a big Daily Double in the second round, or if any good opponents lucked into picking one or both Daily Doubles in the second round, that could put them in a position to win.

Which is what happened.  Emma Boettcher was behind, but had been keeping pace with Holzhauer when she picked the first Daily Double in the second round and bet big. She got it right and was ahead for the rest of the game.  She also picked the second Daily Double and didn't bet that big, but keeping it out of Holzhauer's hands was enough--if he'd picked it he certainly would have bet big and probably won the game.

There was a chance he could still pull it out in the final round, but the last clue was easy.  All three contestants got it and history was made.  Or unmade.

Now we'll get to see how far Boettcher goes.

*I had a professor in law school named James Holzhauer.  Not the same guy.