James Holzhauer is destroying "Jeopardy!" He did it again Friday, collecting $79,633 and bringing his total winnings to $2,462,216. Remember, Holzhauer had crushed the one-day record when he won $110,914. Then he topped his own record with a $131,127 game. The previous record was $77,000. Why does ESPN care? Because Holzhauer is a respected professional sports bettor, a former math major who took his chops to Las Vegas. Alex Trebek is impressed, and so are we. We'll track this 'til the end.
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THE LATEST SHOW
$59,484 – that’s how much more money James Holzhauer needs to win on “Jeopardy!” to become the show’s all-time leader in winnings. Holzhauer, a 34-year-old Las Vegas sports bettor, cruised to his 32nd straight victory Friday, winning $79,633 to bring his total to $2,462,216. Past champion Ken Jennings is No. 1 on show’s all-time, regular-play winnings list. Jennings won $2,520,700 during a 74-game winning streak in 2004. Holzhauer is on pace to break his record in just 33 games.
THE MONEY
Total won: $2,462,216
Average per win: $76,944
By the numbers
Stats courtesy of thejeopardyfan.com:
• Through 32 appearances, Holzhauer ranks second on the show's all-time regular-play winnings list with $2,462,216.
• In those 32 shows, Holzhauer has 1,160 correct and 36 incorrect responses.
• On the episode that aired April 9, the third day of Holzhauer's run, he won $110,914, the most on a single day in the show's 35-year history.
• According to thejeopardyfan.com, a site dedicated to the show and respected by "Jeopardy!" enthusiasts, only four contestants -- Ken Jennings, Matt Jackson, Roger Craig and Austin Rogers -- have earned more than $100,000 on Daily Doubles during their appearances. In his first five days, Holzhauer earned $218,199 on Daily Doubles.
SOCIAL REACTIONS
I don't feel I get enough credit for making small, sensible Jeopardy wagers, which helped the show with its prize budget.
— Ken Jennings (@KenJennings) April 23, 2019
This guy is going for Ken Jennings' "Jeopardy!" record 👀https://t.co/wFkOrhfwTW pic.twitter.com/pQWBZhPf3W
— ESPN (@espn) April 18, 2019
i get to jeopardy nine minutes in and the cyborg has $6,600.
— Bomani Jones (@bomani_jones) April 17, 2019
of course this cyborg on jeopardy is a sports gambler.
— Bomani Jones (@bomani_jones) April 10, 2019
Right back at ya bud. #Jeopardy pic.twitter.com/9wsdqsi90F
— Alex Jacob (@whoisalexjacob) April 10, 2019
VIDEO
James Holzhauer describes what it has been like being a contestant on Jeopardy! and how his sports betting background has helped him in the show.