The Final Wager – Tue 02 Dec 2014

Q: What is S-T-U-P-I-D?
A: It’s how you spell what having a spelling category is on Jeopardy!.

See, there’s no way to even make a spelling “answer” sound legitimate. Tonight, it cost us several clues and the first-round Daily Double.

Let’s skip The Final Wager for now and look at tonight’s Penultimate Wager. Ryan had it with the game nearly locked up.

Adam Barrow: 5,200
Krissy Brzycki: 8,400
Ryan Elkins: 16,600 (DD)

It’s clear he has to wager at least $201 to get the lock. He wagered $400, got it right, and sewed up his victory. Some quick math yielded a smart play. Nice work, Ryan!

Now, for some practice: What would you say is his maximum acceptable wager in this situation? My thoughts are below.

Now, as for our players’ Final Wagers, Ryan needs to stay small ($199 at most) while Krissy has Adam in a “crush” situation – Adam has less than 2/3 of Krissy’s score.

Look at those wagers!

Remember what I said last night about showing the adults a thing or two? Wow!

And for The Penultimate Wager, here are my thoughts:

[spoiler]In case he misses, Ryan should both

(1) maintain his crush over Krissy, which forces her to respond correctly in Final to have a shot (≥$12,601), and
(2) remain above the sum of second + third (≥$13,601), which keeps Adam out of contention.

The most he can wager, therefore, is $2,999.

[/spoiler]

 

The Final Jeopardy! clue

KINGS & QUEENS

TECHNICALLY THIS MONARCH IS THE HEAD OF STATE OF 16 COUNTRIES INCLUDING JAMAICA & NEW ZEALAND

[spoiler]Who is Queen Elizabeth II?[/spoiler]