JEOPARDY! fans were all left saying the same thing after a returning champion made a bold wagering decision on tonight’s episode.
The game was slammed as “boring” by viewers who criticized the players’ tactics.
Jeopardy! fans have slammed returning champ Steve Clarke’s tactics[/caption]
It comes as he outsmarted fellow contestant Ben Caller during Final Jeopardy![/caption]
Tonight’s instalment of Jeopardy! saw lawyer and returning champ Steve Clarke compete against history teacher Ben Caller and business developer Tehmeena Malik.
Steve was $10,000 in the lead as they went into Final Jeopardy!, for which Mayim Bialik presented the category: “pairs in astronomy”.
The 46-year-old host read the clue: “Discovered in 1877, they were named for siblings of the Greek god of love.”
Ben had got the answer right with: “What are Phobos and Deimos?”
However, he had only wagered $3,000, still leaving him $7,000 short of Steve’s total.
Steve incorrectly guessed: “What are Sagittarius?”
But he had protected his lead by only wagering $1.
Many viewers felt short-changed by the players’ defensive wagering tactics.
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“A wimpy Final Jeopardy! wager cost Ben the win,” wrote one on social media.
Another agreed: “If Ben had bet it all at the end, he would have won. Terrible strategy.”
Meanwhile, one fan wanted lawyer Steve to risk more, writing: “Steve is such a boring champion,” while another slammed his $1 bet as a “dumb wager”.
THE PAY OFF
Although viewers were irritated by his tactics, Steve walked away with $19,999 dollars, putting his two-day total at $38,400.
He won his first game on Monday by a $2 margin, defeating math professor Robert Won in the Final Jeopardy! round.
Steve made a precise calculation to overtake the then-reigning champ in an episode that came right down to the buzzer.
He will be back tomorrow to try and continue his winning streak.
Jeopardy! airs every weekday on ABC, and actress Mayim shares hosting duties with former champion Ken Jennings, 48.
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Ken and Mayim began filling in for the legendary Alex Trebek after his death in 2020 and a fleet of Season 37 celebrity guest hosts, including the now-disgraced Mike Richards.
Between them, many fans largely prefer Ken after a season of split hosting and some controversial episodes under her watch including stilted games, repeated misjudged clues and questionable rulings.
Mayim Bialik is currently a co-host of Jeopardy![/caption]
She shares the job with Ken Jennings[/caption]
Show legend Alex Trebek passed away in 2020[/caption]
