Monday, January 4, 2016

We started off 2016 with a nice slate of wagers. Will we continue that streak into the first full week of the year?

Ashley, our 2x defending champion, cost herself the lead on that last clue, so that could change the complexion of the wagers.

By the way, I published a new Fact Primer today called Biblical Groups of Twelve. Check it out if you want to learn more about the Bible.

Tonight’s Final Jeopardy! category is:

Plenty of really bad categories tonight; the writers aren’t starting the year off on a great foot.

I admit I knew that STATE CAPITALS Daily Double because of my research for that Fact Primer, but I didn’t include it because it was ‘hard’ knowledge (as opposed to ‘how long is this word?’)

First-order calculations

Ashley is in a good spot here if Terry misses.

Second-order calculations

There are mind games available, but Terry should just stick with the lockout wager or something small.

Zero wagers

Score differences:
Terry and Ashley: 1,000
Terry and Charlene: 4,000
Ashley and Charlene: 3,000

Then we add a dollar to the minimum wagers, and subtract a dollar from the maximum wagers.

What actually happened

Given Ashley’s wager from second in her first-first game, this one comes as no surprise. At least here it wouldn’t have made a difference.

We’ve got a new champ! And since it’s been a long time since a 4- or even a 3-time champ, maybe it’s time to put back up Streaks of Futility.

The Final Jeopardy! clue