Isaac Hirsch, a standout competitor on the game show “Jeopardy!,” ended his nine-game winning streak unexpectedly due to a mathematical error during the Final “Jeopardy!” round. The episode, which aired on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, saw Hirsch, who had so far garnered $215,390 in winnings, aiming for his tenth straight win when the mistake occurred.
The episode saw Hirsch, a customer support team lead hailing from Burbank, California, competing against Erika Stromerson from Woodinville, Washington, and Jay Fisher from Lisle, Illinois. Hirsch started the “Jeopardy!” round in an unusual position, grappling with the questions and ending up in the last place. As the round ended, Fisher was leading with $7,000, followed by Stromerson with $600, while Hirsch trailed with just $400.
The intensity of the game rose during the Double “Jeopardy!” round. Hirsch discovered both Daily Doubles but could only answer one correctly with a conservative bet. When Final “Jeopardy!” began, Hirsch was in second place with $15,300, trailing Fisher’s $16,200, while Stromerson remained at $600.
The Final “Jeopardy!” clue, under the category of 1960s People, was: “He said that California prison psych tests he took were ones he had designed, so he made himself look docile and unlikely to escape; then he did.” All the contestants failed to correctly identify Timothy Leary.
Hirsch made a wager of $14,000, expecting to overtake Fisher if he answered correctly. However, his incorrect answer and hefty wager reduced his total to $1,300. Fisher bet $14,001, ending with $1,799 and taking the championship in a surprising turn of events. Hirsch’s loss was due to a miscalculation, which he later clarified on Reddit: “I was trying to subtract $14,401 from $16,200 and somehow came up with $1,300 instead of $1,800 as the number I needed to arrive at if I got it wrong, hence the $14,000 wager.”
Hirsch expressed his shock and disappointment at the error, saying, “I spent the weeks after the taping seeing the bad math in my sleep. I remembered nothing about most of the games last week, but EVERYTHING about this game.” Hirsch will, however, have another shot at the “Jeopardy!” Tournament of Champions, an event for top players who win five or more games.
Following Hirsch’s loss, fans of the show expressed their support. “You had a great run and were a joy to watch, Isaac!” commented one fan. Another stated, “That’s brutal. I’d imagine you secured a recurring nightmare for the rest of your life.” Hirsch acknowledged the support, noting the game’s challenges and his plans to return stronger for the Tournament of Champions.
Throughout his “Jeopardy!” journey, Hirsch, a part-time stand-up comedian, charmed viewers with his humorous anecdotes and quick wit. His stories ranged from impersonating actor Jeff Goldblum for a pool ballet gig to performing a challenging stand-up set at a minor league baseball field.
Although Hirsch brought a comedic touch, his gameplay demonstrated serious dedication. He answered 272 clues correctly, missed 47, and achieved an impressive 14/20 on Daily Doubles and 7/10 on Final “Jeopardy!” His distinctive’ 70s-inspired attire and signature mustache made him a memorable contestant.
Reflecting on his time on the show, Hirsch mentioned the mental fatigue of filming multiple episodes in a day. “‘Jeopardy!’ can be a grueling experience, and the fast-paced environment means you’re often using only a fraction of your brain capacity,” he said. Despite the challenges, his success on the show brought him significant recognition and a sense of accomplishment.
Hirsch follows in his father’s footsteps, who competed on “Jeopardy!” in the 1980s. This family connection added a personal layer to his pursuit of victory. Hirsch’s game show history includes winning $140,000 on The Chase in 2023 and $5,000 on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? in 2017.
As he prepares for the Tournament of Champions, Hirsch aims to strengthen his weaker areas, such as geography and science, and maintain his competitive edge. “I’ll have much to prove in the ToC,” he said. “Not least that I can do basic arithmetic.”
