Did 'Jeopardy!' Whiz James Holzhauer Break the $2.5 Million Total Prize-Money Record?

SPOILER WARNING: This article contains news about the outcome of Monday’s broadcast ofJeopardy!.

After 32 straight wins,James Holzhauerwas poised to makeJeopardy!history on Monday.

With $2,462,216 in earnings, Holzhauer needed just $58,484 to overtake Jennings.

“Nobody likes to lose,” Holzhauer toldThe New York Times. “But I’m very proud of how I did, and I really exceeded my own expectations for the show. So I don’t feel bad about it.”

James Holzhauer.Jeopardy

Holzhauer, who lives in Las Vegas and has a background in professional sports gambling, is one of only three players tocross the $2 million mark. He dominated the game with a strategy that involved going for all of the high-value questions first, hunting for the Double Jeopardy items, and when he found them, betting all he had.

“A lot of the opponents have adjusted to the strategy,” he told theTimes. “But not all of them have had the guts to actually back it up with a big bet.”

Though he did eventually lose, Holzhauer’s statistics will be tough to beat. According to theTimes, he won an average of $77,000 per game, more than double Jennings’ rate.

In an interview withthe WashingtonPostin April,Holzhauer said he had dreamed of being on the show since he was a kid.

“I promised my dear Granny that I would appear onJeopardyone day, and I never take promises lightly,” he said. “So here we are.”

source: people.com