James Holzhauer on Jeopardy
James...are you on here?!?!
He has to be. Correct??
Quote: SkittleCar1On Jeopardy tonight, James, a professional sports gambler, from Las Vegas Nevada.
James...are you on here?!?!
He has to be. Correct??
I was just going to mention the same thing. Last name Holtzhauer. Probably about 33, 6', medium build, dark hair with kind of a high flip/side part.
Fwiw, if you ever watch Jeopardy, this is one worth seeing/taping for later.
Edited to correct the last name.
Quote: beachbumbabsI was just going to mention the same thing. Last name Holtzmann or something close. Probably about 33, 6', medium build, dark hair with kind of a high flip/side part.
Fwiw, if you ever watch Jeopardy, this is one worth seeing/taping for later.
Now that it has aired....I haven't done any research, but I'm thinking he played the correct strategy. He went after the high dollar clues first, and answered them. It's nearly impossible for his opponents to catch up that way. With so much discussion on strategy for anything here, I assume he has to be a member or a lurker. :-)
Quote: SkittleCar1Now that it has aired....I haven't done any research, but I'm thinking he played the correct strategy. He went after the high dollar clues first, and answered them. It's nearly impossible for his opponents to catch up that way. With so much discussion on strategy for anything here, I assume he has to be a member or a lurker. :-)
I think that's considered the Arthur Chu, to attack random catagories at top dollar, and bet it all when you find a DD. Several recent champions have mentioned him in discussing their strategy.
Quote: wikiChu first became known for the unusual style of play he adopted during his eleven-game winning streak on Jeopardy! When the shows aired, Chu attracted criticism from many for jumping from category to category rather than selecting clues in sequential order, a strategy known as the "Forrest Bounce", after former champion Chuck Forrest.
Chu prepared extensively before his Jeopardy! appearance by reviewing tapes, study guides, game theory and Jeopardy! strategy. He made his debut on January 28, 2014, winning $37,000 in his first game. After winning 11 games, he lost his 12th game (which aired on March 12, 2014) to Diana Peloquin. Chu is the sixth highest-earning Jeopardy! champion in non-tournament gameplay, with a grand total of $298,200. Chu also won an additional $100,000 for taking second place in the 2014 Tournament of Champions.
Anywhoo....Good luck Wizard.
‘Jeopardy!’ Contestant Shatters Single-Game Record With $110,000 Win
The guy is a “professional sports gambler” from Las Vegas according to the article...
Link to the show yet?Quote: ams288Not sure if this deserves its own thread, but did anyone see this last night?
‘Jeopardy!’ Contestant Shatters Single-Game Record With $110,000 Win
The guy is a “professional sports gambler” from Las Vegas according to the article...
Quote: ams288Not sure if this deserves its own thread, but did anyone see this last night?
‘Jeopardy!’ Contestant Shatters Single-Game Record With $110,000 Win
The guy is a “professional sports gambler” from Las Vegas according to the article...
He is a friend of a friend. I’m pretty sure I played poker with him in college, but that was 15 years ago, so who knows.
We were going to get together in June when I was in Vegas with the friend of mine that is his friend, but he was busy.
He is a sharp sports bettor. I remember one of his big scores from a while ago was a future bet on the Rays the year they made it to the World Series.
My friend told me to do it because Jamie had it. Of course I thought it was crazy so I passed.
Quote: ams288The guy is a “professional sports gambler” from Las Vegas according to the article...
He is also a rock climber, as evidenced by the story he told yesterday in the "meet the contestants" portion. He is moving up on my list of idols quickly.
He is averaging $61K per episode! Love his wagers on Daily Doubles. Most of the time it is all of his money, unless he has a huge lead at the time, then it is 50%-60% of his total.Quote: ams288Not sure if this deserves its own thread, but did anyone see this last night?
‘Jeopardy!’ Contestant Shatters Single-Game Record With $110,000 Win
The guy is a “professional sports gambler” from Las Vegas according to the article...
I think it was his second show where he hit the Daily in Single Jeopardy and doubled up. Then his opponent (with about $9,000 to the champ's roughly $20,000) gets the 1st Daily of Double Jeopardy and wagers... $3,000! I said out loud right then, "You just lost the game, dude!"
And yes, if he continues winning, this needs its own thread.
Only $54K last night. His average is slipping. ;) Although, kudos to James as he busted out on the first Daily Double and still made it a runaway victory.
Anyone care to make a friendly wager how long he lasts? Just to throw out a number, I predict he makes it through April 26 at least. I absolutely promise I have no inside information.
I haven't had a chance to watch him yet, although I have read an article or two on him. I will have to make a note to turn it on tonight. I'll take you up for $20 that he does NOT last until April 26th.Quote: WizardJames is a perfect example of proper Jeopardy strategy. I may write an article about it. This guy is really good.
Anyone care to make a friendly wager how long he lasts? Just to throw out a number, I predict he makes it through April 26 at least. I absolutely promise I have no inside information.
Edit: I have no inside information either. I have seen some VERY strong players in the past, and they all, of course, eventually lose. If this guy is "going crazy" with some of his betting, it may catch up to him soon. April 26th is more than ten shows away. That's a lot of players he has to defeat in the meantime.
I would like to stipulate that next week or the week after isn't interrupted by Teen Week or the Tournament of Champions or anything like that.
I think a better way to look at it is how will he rank in terms of money won. His strategy lends itself to huge wins, but not necessarily longevity. From what I can tell, his ~$300K already puts him 5th on the all-time list** behind David Madden, Julia Collins, Matt Jackson & Ken Jennings.Quote: WizardJames is a perfect example of proper Jeopardy strategy. I may write an article about it. This guy is really good.
Anyone care to make a friendly wager how long he lasts? Just to throw out a number, I predict he makes it through April 26 at least. I absolutely promise I have no inside information.
By my count, there are 12 episodes between now & April 26, inclusive. I would wager $20 that he is beaten before winning the next 12 episodes. I also have no knowledge of how he ended up doing.
I do think he will make it to #2 on the all-time money list** when all is said & done. I wonder if there is a parlay opportunity here. ;)
** -- Not including tournament winnings, just regular game winnings.
In 2014, he won the Trivia Championship of North America, which is (to my knowledge) the top in-person competition/convention among the elites, including many Jeopardy champions. Alex the poker player goes to it, I think both Ken Jennings and Brad Rutter have competed, lots of others.
But I think he's doing a terrific job, and I'm really enjoying seeing his stuff.
I'll go the over April 26 for $20 if anybody wants the bet.
Quote: beachbumbabsMy biggest question about him is, what took him so long to get on Jeopardy? Full disclosure requires me to mention this.
In 2014, he won the Trivia Championship of North America, which is (to my knowledge) the top in-person competition/convention among the elites, including many Jeopardy champions. Alex the poker player goes to it, I think both Ken Jennings and Brad Rutter have competed, lots of others.
But I think he's doing a terrific job, and I'm really enjoying seeing his stuff.
I'll go the over April 26 for $20 if anybody wants the bet.
I will take the under on that.
Quote: MaxPenI will take the under on that.
If you accept that the program airing April 26, if he loses that night, it's a draw. Any night losing before that, you win. If he wins April 26 (is still on at all in the first place, but must win), I win.
Then It's a bet.
Quote: MaxPenI will take the under on that.
I hate for this to look like I'm trying to steal Barb's bet, but in my defense I did throw out the date and the idea first. Plus, it is a free market. The show will air on the east coast soon, so here is my offer, James will survive 11 shows from the time the bet is made. It should not include today. So, if we close on a bet before early Monday, I'm saying he will be on and win the 4/29 show, assuming he wins today.
Quote: beachbumbabsIf you accept that the program airing April 26, if he loses that night, it's a draw. Any night losing before that, you win. If he wins April 26 (is still on at all in the first place, but must win), I win.
Then It's a bet.
Accepted
Quote: WizardI hate for this to look like I'm trying to steal Barb's bet, but in my defense I did throw out the date and the idea first. Plus, it is a free market. The show will air on the east coast soon, so here is my offer, James will survive 11 shows from the time the bet is made. It should not include today. So, if we close on a bet before early Monday, I'm saying he will be on and win the 4/29 show, assuming he wins today.
Accepted for the same $20 as BBB if you still want action.
Quote: MaxPenAccepted for the same $20 as BBB if you still want action.
Agreed!
Quote: WizardI hate for this to look like I'm trying to steal Barb's bet, but in my defense I did throw out the date and the idea first. Plus, it is a free market. The show will air on the east coast soon, so here is my offer, James will survive 11 shows from the time the bet is made. It should not include today. So, if we close on a bet before early Monday, I'm saying he will be on and win the 4/29 show, assuming he wins today.
Your bet got accepted before I put mine up, which is why I put mine up without reference to yours. Let me scroll back and double check...
Yeah. Ed Collins took the no on yours.
https://wizardofvegas.com/forum/questions-and-answers/casual-corner/32828-james-holzhauer-on-jeopardy/2/#post711768
Not that you can't accept both Ed and Max. But I wouldn't cut you out on purpose. Sorry to have crowded your action if I did.
Ken won $2,520,700 with 74 wins. Second through fifth are all grouped together between $411,000 and $430,400. James is currently 6th on the money list with $325,877, but 2 more "average" wins (for him, at least) would vault him into 2nd.Quote: gordonm888Holy crap. Superman. What is the record?
If you scroll down a little on this page, you can see the all-time money list (not including tournament winnings).
Quote: JoemanKen won $2,520,700 with 74 wins. Second through fifth are all grouped together between $411,000 and $430,400. James is currently 6th on the money list with $325,877, but 2 more "average" wins (for him, at least) would vault him into 2nd.
If you scroll down a little on this page, you can see the all-time money list (not including tournament winnings).
Spoilers for tonight’s episode:
Brings to mind poker player Alex Jacob a couple years ago. Rash, confident winner.
Quote: zippyboyHe did very well tonight, with weird bets based on.... birthdays?
Yes, he does birthdays. However he once ended a wager with $314. I'd like to think it was a reference to pi.
James has a BS in mathematics from UofI-Urbana and showed some skills as a math prodigy, so I would bet Wizard is right about the 314 bet relating to Pi.
This is a pretty useful, continuing blog tracking his appearances:
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.reviewjournal.com/sports/betting/las-vegas-sports-bettor-james-holzhauers-run-on-jeopardy-blog-1640121/amp/
Quote: beachbumbabsI'm pretty sure Alex Jacobs and James know each other and have for years. Alex may even be coaching/was coaching him, but James is taking Alex's strategy to new levels with applied game theory. (There is some hint of this from Alex, but no claim made I've heard.)
James has a BS in mathematics from UofI-Urbana and showed some skills as a math prodigy, so I would bet Wizard is right about the 314 bet relating to Pi.
This is a pretty useful, continuing blog tracking his appearances:
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.reviewjournal.com/sports/betting/las-vegas-sports-bettor-james-holzhauers-run-on-jeopardy-blog-1640121/amp/
Alex Jacob is also a great bridge player.
Quote: jopkeI used to run the computer lab for the mat department at UIUC and helped teach some classes during my undergrad stint as a computer science major. Anyone know how old he is?
He's 34.
I get a little nervous when he bets everything he has on those Daily Doubles!!
And how about that poor girl! She was completely outmatched tonight. She answered just three questions correctly all night, and the one she missed cancelled out the three questions she did get right!
And how did James do? Oh, he just won another $106,000+, that's all. Made it look easy, too.
I'mnow glad the Wiz didn't take me up on that date of not lasting until April 26th. I don't like my chances, and I'm having much more fun watching him win, than I would be for rooting for him to lose.
James is enjoying the attention.
Quote: FinsRuleMy friend talks to him regularly.
James is enjoying the attention.
Does your friend know how he finished
Quote: GWAEDoes your friend know how he finished
No, but he tried to bet me before it started that James would make it longer than a week.
I didn’t fall for that.
Quote: GWAEwholly crap, 60k final jeopardy answer
For his Gramma.
Quote: GWAEwholly crap, 60k final jeopardy answer
James won 131K today. That is amazing. I don't even watch jeopardy but have been watching the last couple of days because of the comments I've seen on here.
Does his strategy of picking the high dollar questions from each category first even help him strategically? Or is he just so knowledgeable that he would win no matter the dollar amount of the questions chosen? Probably a little bit of both??
Does anyone know if the contestants get study guides or if they get told what the categories are beforehand?
Quote: Mow21James won 131K today. That is amazing. I don't even watch jeopardy but have been watching the last couple of days because of the comments I've seen on here.
Does his strategy of picking the high dollar questions from each category first even help him strategically?
Apart from the daily doubles, every 1000 question he answers forces the other contestants to answer TWO questions to match him (an 800 and a 200). Same for Double Jeopardy and 2000:1600+400. If he answers all the 1000/2000 and 800/1600, the other contestants can clear the rest of the board and not catch him, even if only one of them answers.
I think I saw upthread (or perhaps it was another source) that his strategy is to jump from category to category so that his opponents can't get into a 'groove.' As for starting with the higher amounts, it allows him to build his total before he finds the Daily Double. Also, the daily Double is almost always found in the bottom three rows. So, starting at the bottom and working his way up helps him find the DD's more quickly.Quote: Mow21Does his strategy of picking the high dollar questions from each category first even help him strategically? Or is he just so knowledgeable that he would win no matter the dollar amount of the questions chosen?
Yes. This strategy only works if you are confident you will know the majority of the correct responses.Quote:Probably a little bit of both??
I'm pretty sure the contestants do not receive any such help.Quote:Does anyone know if the contestants get study guides or if they get told what the categories are beforehand?
The money doesn’t affect him like it affects other contestants.
If he thinks based on the category that he has more than a 50% chance to know final jeopardy, he’s going to wager as much as he can without fear of losing 1st.
This is because he knows he is making a good bet. He is built perfectly for this.
Quote: MoscaApart from the daily doubles, every 1000 question he answers forces the other contestants to answer TWO questions to match him (an 800 and a 200). Same for Double Jeopardy and 2000:1600+400. If he answers all the 1000/2000 and 800/1600, the other contestants can clear the rest of the board and not catch him, even if only one of them answers.
Are you aware the other contestants can buzz in?
Quote: beachbumbabsMy biggest question about him is, what took him so long to get on Jeopardy?
Took that long to get an insider on the questions?
I'm sorry, anyone "too good" reminds me of the phrase "If it seems too good to be true, it probably is."
But to explain, I'm always suspicious of long term gamblers more than anyone else, because as some people already know, many are looking for an edge every day. They're looking for a faulty promotion, catching flaws like hole carding, etc.,
I'm not saying he's doing anything illegal.
