A “Jeopardy!” Champions Wildcard Tournament contestant has revealed an unconventional approach to advancing in the competition by implementing a calculated strategy focused on a specific target score rather than winning his match outright.
Jay Fisher took to Reddit on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, to detail his game plan for the tournament, where contestants can advance either by winning or by securing one of four wildcard spots reserved for non-winners with the highest cumulative dollar amounts. According to “Jeopardy!” official tournament rules, these wildcard positions are crucial for determining who moves forward to the semifinals.
“I’m excited to watch later today as I have forgotten everything about this game except DD2, DD3 [daily double 2 and 3], and [host] Ken [Jennings] afterword [sic] complimenting me on a state capital get,” Fisher wrote in his Reddit post. “I expect there may be some grumbling on the board about gameplay in this tournament format.”
Fisher’s research led him to target a specific dollar range. “From my research I posited that $14,000-$16,000 would give me a great chance of advancing as a wild card if I didn’t win,” he explained. “When I wagered on the DDs [daily doubles] my goal was not to get ahead of Drew [Goins] but to get to $14,000. The potential harm from missing was higher than the benefit of getting it right.”
In a statement to PEOPLE on Thursday, January 16, Fisher provided additional context about his approach: “I wouldn’t say losing was part of my strategy. My sole goal was to advance to the semis. One advances by winning or being among the highest-scoring non-winners.” He emphasized that his strategy was focused on advancement rather than defeat.
During the “Double Jeopardy!” round, Fisher found and correctly answered both Daily Double questions, but deliberately calculated his wagers to reach his target amount instead of attempting to surpass the leader. Upon entering “Final Jeopardy!” with $15,400, he strategically wagered zero dollars to maintain his position. Fisher later explained that he chose not to risk his score since his objective wasn’t to beat Drew Goins but to secure a spot in the semifinals.
The contestant demonstrated sportsmanship by acknowledging his competitors’ strengths and challenges. “Drew was Drew. A powerhouse on the buzzer with an amazing range of knowledge,” Fisher noted. Regarding his other opponent, he added, “Aiden had a bad day on the buzzer, and in tournament play, it is hard to get your momentum back. Another day, he could easily have won.”
Fisher’s strategy appears to have positioned him well for advancement. According to an analysis from “Jeopardy!” Fan website, his $15,400 total gives him a 99.96% chance of securing a wildcard spot. With only two matches remaining in this round, Fisher’s score currently leads the Wildcard standings, nearly doubling the nearest competitor’s total.
“Jeopardy!” fans have responded positively to Fisher’s strategic approach. One Reddit commenter noted, “Props on the approach and successfully pulling it off. At least in context to how the first two games played out (which, of course, you didn’t know), $15,400 looks real strong for a wild card spot. Heck, ALL FOUR non-winners from tomorrow’s and Friday’s games will have to surpass that for you to not advance.”
