Jeopardy! has been one essentially the most beloved recreation reveals in America for many years, and ever for the reason that five-game restrict was lifted in 2003, the viewing expertise has solely improved for its loyal viewers. This virtually instantly created the primary Jeopardy! tremendous champion in Ken Jennings, when he went on his 74-game successful streak in 2004, giving us a personality to cheer for (or in opposition to, in case you desire the underdog). However each hero story wants a villain, so say whats up to James Holzhauer.
What Ken Jennings did with longevity on Jeopardy!, James Holzhauer did with massive single-game wins. The Las Vegas sports activities gambler turned recognized for his massive bets, leaping across the board to grab up the Each day Doubles. Each are undisputed masters of the quiz present, so is that why they appear to have such a heated rivalry? Jennings clarified how he and Holzhauer actually really feel about one another on Who’s Speaking to Chris Wallace?, the place the GOAT stated:
The factor you need to perceive about James is he determined at one level in making ready for the present that Jeopardy! wanted a villain, I believe. He is a professional wrestling fan. And he understands that it makes a recreation thrilling when the viewers has a rooting curiosity. And he places on this persona as an over-the-top, larger-than-life villain. I believe in actual life we get alongside nice. Um, so for TV, we’re mortal Jeopardy! enemies, and he likes taking part in that up.
James Holzhauer actually performs up his recreation present villainy, notably the place Ken Jennings is worried, and It’s been that method for the reason that two shared the stage with the greatest winner in Jeopardy! historical past, Brad Rutter, for the 2020 GOAT Event. Jennings got here out on prime — although he humbly maintains he “received some breaks” — and has been ducking a rematch ever since, a minimum of in response to the skilled gambler.
Smack discuss alone isn’t going to get you very far on Jeopardy!, although, so James Holzhauer additionally has to dominate the place it counts — within the recreation — and he has undoubtedly executed that. The Las Vegas resident gained each the 2019 Event of Champions and the inaugural Jeopardy! Masters event earlier this 12 months (the place he continued to troll Jennings). His intimidating model of play contributes to that villain persona, and Jennings defined why Holzhauer’s technique works:
That is the factor that James Holzhauer actually modified in regards to the recreation you realize, he introduced a sports activities gambler sense of analytics. He had run the numbers and realized that Each day Doubles traditionally have like a really excessive completion share like 80% conversion on Each day Doubles. Whereas Last Jeopardy is far tougher, 50%. So what you wish to do is get your chips on the desk for these Each day Doubles, discover them in any respect prices and make massive wagers then, so the sport is put away later.
James Holzhauer wasn’t satisfied his approach had really modified Jeopardy! again in 2019, however provided that Ken Jennings needed to undertake that aggressive play model within the GOAT Event simply to have a shot at maintaining is fairly compelling proof that he did.
The villainy could also be sturdy when the sport is concerned, however outdoors of competitors, as Ken Jennings stated, James Holzhauer isn’t actually the heel he portrays on Jeopardy! and The Chase. In line with his fellow Jeopardy! Masters contestant Andrew He, Holzhauer really provides some fairly good parenting recommendation too.
We must always see James Holzhauer again for the second Jeopardy! Masters event (anticipated in 2024), however till then, verify your native listings to seek out the quiz present in syndication, and catch Season 2 of Superstar Jeopardy! at 8 p.m. ET Wednesdays on ABC.
