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Post by sportsjock on Jun 4, 2019 5:14:53 GMT -5
My wife and I have been following James Holzhauer's amazing run on Jeopardy from his onset. This human computer, spit out instantaneous and accurate responses, with calculated precision for 32 episodes.
His final conquerer, was a most worthy and knowledgeable librarian. However, having studied James calculated mannerisms over the past month, this episode proved very strange and out of character. Firstly, one must take into account the stories this week of his young daughter expressing her wish that daddy lose, so he can be home with her and her mother. Even James shared his daughter's sentiments. I have a feeling, his surprising exit, didn't go without his willing assistance. The final question seemed to confirm these thoughts, as James, uncharacteristic, modest wager, by far his smallest in his long run. In other words, he certainly was not playing to win. Of course, James got the question correct, as did the winner.
I just came away with the strong feeling, he was intent on this being his final appearance and content with his $2.4 million in winnings. In the end, family won out.
Your thoughts?
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Post by Green Falcon on Jun 4, 2019 6:09:25 GMT -5
He bet the small amount to stay in front of third play in case the leader got it wrong because she had too much money to catch
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Post by shelbyrr11 on Jun 4, 2019 6:58:59 GMT -5
If he had bet his entire bankroll on the final Jeopardy, he still would have lost by $1.
I'm sure he also had a stomach punch of being behind and losing out on his DD so early.
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Post by sportsjock on Jun 4, 2019 7:07:03 GMT -5
In recent pre-game comments, he said he was getting quite homesick. I think he purposely went out on his own terms.
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Post by clb6110 on Jun 4, 2019 7:21:49 GMT -5
My wife and I also watched every episode.It was leaked earlier in the day so we knew it was over. By knowing it was over we watched and he did seem to act differently. When the lady hit both DD in the 2nd round I think he was ready to walk away. I've always watched the show and typically root against the champ but this was different and my wife and I found ourselves pulling for this guy ever night. It was fun to watch.
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Post by BellevueBuckeye on Jun 4, 2019 7:37:58 GMT -5
Jeopardy tapes 5 episodes at a time. If he wanted to lose on purpose, why do it on the first one of the day if he was already there? Especially when he was only one of his average total wins away from beating Ken Jennings' money record. If he was intentionally going to lose it would have made more sense to win 4 more games that day and then bow out on the episode that will air on Friday.
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Post by shelbyrr11 on Jun 4, 2019 7:50:20 GMT -5
How often do they tape those episodes? Once a week? Twice? I read James' final episode was taped in March.
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Post by Green Falcon on Jun 4, 2019 10:32:35 GMT -5
His opponents were no slouches, only one question went unanswered
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Post by fanofthegame on Jun 4, 2019 11:42:52 GMT -5
You obviously have to know the answers, but sometimes it’s a buzzer thing. You have to time it not to be too early (how often do you see someone machine gunning the button because they hit it too early and got locked out) or too late because you want to be sure you know the answer. I often think he was good at timing it AND knew everything. Maybe the person who knocked him off was quicker on the draw.
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Post by fanofthegame on Jun 4, 2019 11:46:24 GMT -5
I also think they dumbed it down a little to get him off. On an average show I answer 8-12 in single, 6 in double, and get a handful of finals a year. The last few shows I answered whole categories AND got 2-3 finals.
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Post by sportsjock on Jun 4, 2019 12:08:20 GMT -5
Jeopardy tapes 5 episodes at a time. If he wanted to lose on purpose, why do it on the first one of the day if he was already there? Especially when he was only one of his average total wins away from beating Ken Jennings' money record. If he was intentionally going to lose it would have made more sense to win 4 more games that day and then bow out on the episode that will air on Friday. All very good points for sure. Don't discount the possibility that James felt this woman was perhaps the most worthy opponent to relenquish his crown to. She shares his calm, cool mannerisms and reveals few emotions, much like James. I really don't think breaking the all-time record held by Ken Jennings was that important to him.
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Post by sportsjock on Jun 4, 2019 12:12:34 GMT -5
I also think they dumbed it down a little to get him off. On an average show I answer 8-12 in single, 6 in double, and get a handful of finals a year. The last few shows I answered whole categories AND got 2-3 finals. My wife and I commented to one another, how so many questions were strangely simplistic from the very beginning.
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Post by shelbyrr11 on Jun 4, 2019 12:12:55 GMT -5
I guess that would depend on how far in advance the questions are made. I would think the Jeopardy folks already have the questions generated for a season before they start taping, rather than making them on the fly ala South Park episodes.
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Post by sportsjock on Jun 5, 2019 19:00:15 GMT -5
Quotes from Sports Illustrated:
SI- What from your gambling career did you apply to jeopardy!
Holzhauer- People should be betting big on DD's, and people who have a normal day job may not feel as comfortable betting this much money. I think there's a mental block for betting big amounts that doesn't exist for me.
SI- Have you set any goals for your Jeopardy run?
Holzauer- I was hoping to win one game-that seems a little silly now, but that was the goal. Though I did want to win exactly $110,914 because that's my daughter's birthday.
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