Holzhauer claims ‘Jeopardy!’ crown after two-day battle
James Holzhauer’s day job as a professional sports gambler came in handy this week as he claimed the title of undisputed champion of “Jeopardy!” season 35.
After a tense two-day battle, the Naperville native walked away with the $250,000 prize after finishing with a total of $76,923.
But it was no runaway for Holzhauer, who faced off against Chicago librarian Emma Boettcher, the woman responsible for ending his 32-game winning streak in June.
The clash of the two trivia titans was the rematch “Jeopardy!” fans had been waiting for, and the win could have easily gone to Boettcher had it not been for Holzhauer’s betting bravura.
After losing the first game Thursday, Boettcher won Friday, her $38,600 total topping Holzhauer’s $27,597 by just over $11,000.
However, because the scores of the two-day finals are combined to determine the winner, Holzhauer’s first day total of $49,326 gave him a commanding lead over Boettcher’s $26,400 going into the second day.
In the end, his $76,923 two-day total topped her $65,000 final amount by nearly $12,000.
Boettcher’s secondplace win netted her $100,000 in prize money.
Third place and $50,000 went to New York physics teacher Francois Barcomb. He tallied $5,000 over the two days.
Family and friends of Holzhauer packed Quigley’s Irish Pub in downtown Naperville Friday afternoon to cheer on the native son who now lives in Las Vegas.
All were on the edge of their seats until final wager reveal because the game was back and forth between Holzhauer and Boettcher. “I don’t know where they pull this (information) out of their brains,” said pub owner Nancy Quigley, reacting to some of the questions and the intensity.
Holzhauer was ahead after the initial Jeopardy! Round with a score of $8,800 to Boettcher’s $6,600 and Barcomb’s $1,200.
Boettcher came back in the Double Jeopardy! round, ending with $21,600 to Holzhauer’s $17,785. Barcomb only added $400 to his score.
Final Jeopardy was all about the wager, because all three managed to give the correct response — What are Japan and Russia? — to the answer, “A dispute over Etorofu, Habomai, Kunashiri & Shikotan has kept these 2 countries from ever signing a WWII peace treaty.”
Boettcher bet $17,000, bringing her one-day total to $38,600.
Holzhauer wagered $9,812 and ended with $27,597, $11,003 behind Boettcher.
Holzhauer’s father, Juergen Holzhauer, said the game came down to the wire. “It was not a slam dunk,” he said.
“I trusted that he could do it. I had no doubt,” the elder Holzhauer said. “She (Boettcher) was a worthy opponent.”
James Holzhauer’s stepmother, Allie Holzhauer, said so many of the games in the spring were won by James in a landslide.
“I think James enjoyed competing against someone who was so intelligent. I think he really admires her,” she said.
“It was nice to see it was so close,” she added.
Now that his son’s “Jeopardy!” commitments are over, the Holzhauer patriarch said James can focus on his Las Vegas charity, Project 150, which helps homeless, displaced and disadvantaged high school students.
Juergen Holzhauer said James’ celebrity has opened doors.
One of the trivia phenom’s next adventures will be playing in a poker tournament in the Bahamas.
After that, the father said he’s not sure what his son will do. Jurgen Holzhauer said the family typically doesn’t find out until all the paperwork is inked. “We’re on a need-to-know basis,” he said.
James Holzhauer’s “Jeopardy!” regular game winnings totaled $2.46 million with 32 consecutive wins, both the second-best numbers in show history, not counting tournament winnings.
Ken Jennings is the record holder with $2.52 million over 74 consecutive victories.