Current Champion
Nikolas Polsinelli, career statistics:
44 correct, 6 incorrect
2/2 on rebound attempts (on 5 rebound opportunities)
35.96% in first on buzzer (41/114)
4/5 on Daily Doubles (Net Earned: $10,600)
1/2 in Final Jeopardy
Average Coryat: $17,500
To win:
3 games: 64.111%
4: 41.102%
5: 26.351%
6: 16.894%
7: 10.831%
Avg. streak: 3.786 games.
(Click Here for Methodology)
Upcoming Encore Presentations
September 26-27: S42 E174 (May 7, 2026)
October 3-4: S42 E175 (May 8, 2026)
October 10-11: S42 E176 (May 11, 2026)
(Source: Bell Fibe TV program guide)
All Time Winnings
All Time Jeopardy! Winnings, Regular Play Only:
1. Ken Jennings $2,520,700
2. James Holzhauer $2,462,216
3. Matt Amodio $1,518,601
4. Amy Schneider $1,382,800
5. Jamie Ding $882,605
6. Cris Pannullo $748,286
7. Mattea Roach $560,983
8. Jason Zuffranieri $532,496
9. Scott Riccardi $455,000
10. David Madden $430,400
11. Julia Collins $428,100
12. Matt Jackson $411,612
13. Austin Rogers $411,000
14. Ray Lalonde $386,400
15. Harrison Whitaker $373,999
16. Adriana Harmeyer $349,600
17. Caleb Groen $346,968
18. Adam Remsen $306,415
19. Ryan Long $299,400
20. Arthur Chu $297,200
All Time Jeopardy! Winnings, Including Tournaments (and Consolation Prizes):
1. Brad Rutter $4,968,436
2. Ken Jennings $4,372,700
3. James Holzhauer $3,614,216
4. Matt Amodio $1,964,601
5. Amy Schneider $1,864,800
6. Yogesh Raut $1,598,403
7. Victoria Groce $1,023,801
8. Mattea Roach $897,983
9. Jamie Ding $885,605
10. David Madden $785,733
11. Cris Pannullo $754,286
12. Roger Craig $706,200
13. Andrew He $684,365
14. Larissa Kelly $671,930
15. Matt Jackson $623,612
16. Jason Zuffranieri $549,496
17. Paolo Pasco $548,717
18. Scott Riccardi $533,000
19. Jerome Vered $499,102
20. Julia Collins $495,767
21. Austin Rogers $493,000
22. Juveria Zaheer $491,000
23. Ben Ingram $449,201
24. Adriana Harmeyer $446,600
25. Buzzy Cohen $441,603
It’s playoff time! From nearly 400 episodes, 21 players have qualified for the 30th Tournament of Champions! Over the next 13 to 17 games, these players will do battle, and only one will emerge victorious! Make sure to tune in starting Monday, October 31st for an incredible event!
One thing that I’ve found interesting: Jeopardy! has actually paired this Tournament of Champions in a very orderly fashion—assuming that the automatic qualifiers (Jaskaran, Sam, Rowan, and Jessica) were placed between the 4- and 5-time champions. Ranking otherwise by wins and money, the six quarterfinals were paired 4–10–21, 5–11–20, 6–12–19, 7–13–18, 8–14–17, and 9–15–16.
As always, my prediction model starts by taking a contestant’s net average correct on low-value (top three rows) and high-value (bottom two rows) clues, weighting the average low-value and high-value clues to account for the more difficult Tournament of Champions material, and then making additions based on how well a contestant has played on Daily Doubles and Final Jeopardy. Variance is introduced by Final Jeopardy play, Daily Double aggression, and the standard deviation of the contestant’s net low-value and high-value data. From those numbers, a Monte Carlo simulation of the tournament is run 100,000 times in order to create the various predictions.
One further note: Because I have not heard definitively as to how the semifinals were paired, my prediction model randomly pairs two quarterfinal winners with each seeded semifinalist through each run-through of the prediction model.
Monday, October 31:
Ryan Long
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
405 correct, 64 incorrect
12/19 on rebound attempts (on 55 rebound opportunities)
42.68% in first on buzzer (411/963)
14/22 on Daily Doubles (Net Earned: $23,000)
8/17 in Final Jeopardy
Average Coryat: $16,788
Predictions:
48.647% to win quarterfinal
13.236% to win semifinal
2.898% to win tournament
Megan Wachspress
Berkeley, California
112 correct, 31 incorrect
7/8 on rebound attempts (on 32 rebound opportunities)
31.57% in first on buzzer (125/396)
2/3 on Daily Doubles (Net Earned: $3,000)
5/7 in Final Jeopardy
Average Coryat: $9,314
Predictions:
26.806% to win quarterfinal
3.956% to win semifinal
0.229% to win tournament
Maureen O’Neil
Cambridge, Massachusetts
73 correct, 15 incorrect
10/13 on rebound attempts (on 25 rebound opportunities)
26.02% in first on buzzer (70/269)
1/1 on Daily Doubles (Net Earned: $2,000)
3/4 in Final Jeopardy
Average Coryat: $7,120
Predictions:
24.547% to win quarterfinal
3.459% to win semifinal
0.171% to win tournament
Andy’s Thoughts: My first thought here was that Ryan Long got a favorable draw, playing against Megan Wachspress and Maureen O’Neil. But then I got to thinking further, and my conclusion is that this is probably the most deceptively intriguing matchup of the entire round. On paper, Ryan is the strongest of the three players, and I think that Ryan has the best chance of leading going into Final Jeopardy. However—and this is where it gets incredibly interesting—knowing what we know about Ryan’s and Megan’s respective Final Jeopardy! strategies, a contested Final Jeopardy! in this match is going to be one of the most intriguing betting situations in the entire history of the show. Megan’s strategy has been specifically “bet to stay ahead of the leader by $2 if the leader bets to cover”. However, with Ryan, “if the leader bets to cover” is certainly not a guaranteed situation. Any non-runaway game going into Final is going to be a “grab your popcorn” moment for the betting wonks. Ryan is the favorite to make it out, but things are certainly far from guaranteed, with a high likelihood of there being very angry know-it-alls on the Internet who think they know what to do, but don’t quite understand every nuance.
Tuesday, November 1:
Jonathan Fisher
(originally) Coral Gables, Florida
306 correct, 38 incorrect
12/14 on rebound attempts (on 45 rebound opportunities)
44.05% in first on buzzer (300/681)
12/18 on Daily Doubles (Net Earned: $12,400)
8/12 in Final Jeopardy
Average Coryat: $20,167
Predictions:
30.242% to win quarterfinal
7.572% to win semifinal
1.292% to win tournament
Andrew He
San Francisco, California
159 correct, 19 incorrect
11/12 on rebound attempts (on 23 rebound opportunities)
43.57% in first on buzzer (149/342)
7/11 on Daily Doubles (Net Earned: $37,800)
3/6 in Final Jeopardy
Average Coryat: $21,533
Predictions:
45.431% to win quarterfinal
15.904% to win semifinal
5.573% to win tournament
Christine Whelchel
Spring Hill, Tennessee
114 correct, 15 incorrect
8/9 on rebound attempts (on 29 rebound opportunities)
37.46% in first on buzzer (106/283)
3/9 on Daily Doubles (Net Earned: -$8,500)
4/5 in Final Jeopardy
Average Coryat: $15,280
Predictions:
24.327% to win quarterfinal
4.678% to win semifinal
0.511% to win tournament
Andy’s Thoughts: The numbers say that Andrew He is the favorite, and he certainly would have been seeded higher had he not lost to Amy Schneider in one of the most significant Final Jeopardy! clues ever. However, he does have some weaknesses—Jonathan is stronger in Final Jeopardy. Plus, Christine comes in with absolutely nothing to lose—though, I will say that I think she got an unfavorable draw. A movie- or theatre-heavy board will mean an advantage to Jonathan, but Jonathan could very well be the first super-champion to fall if things suit Andrew better.
Wednesday, November 2:
Brian Chang
Chicago, Illinois
184 correct, 21 incorrect
5/6 on rebound attempts (on 29 rebound opportunities)
39.96% in first on buzzer (181/453)
8/10 on Daily Doubles (Net Earned: $14,500)
5/8 in Final Jeopardy
Average Coryat: $16,800
Predictions:
33.004% to win quarterfinal
7.592% to win semifinal
1.164% to win tournament
Tyler Rhode
New York, New York
131 correct, 13 incorrect
7/8 on rebound attempts (on 18 rebound opportunities)
37.54% in first on buzzer (128/341)
2/2 on Daily Doubles (Net Earned: $7,000)
4/6 in Final Jeopardy
Average Coryat: $15,767
Predictions:
31.998% to win quarterfinal
7.377% to win semifinal
1.084% to win tournament
Margaret Shelton
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
100 correct, 14 incorrect
13/13 on rebound attempts (on 30 rebound opportunities)
33.21% in first on buzzer (91/274)
4/5 on Daily Doubles (Net Earned: $12,100)
3/5 in Final Jeopardy
Average Coryat: $13,920
Predictions:
34.958% to win quarterfinal
8.674% to win semifinal
1.509% to win tournament
Andy’s Thoughts: If this were the best-of-seven final, the prediction model would very much lean toward a 6- or 7-game series. Tyler is slightly better at the bottom of the board, while Margaret was slightly more aggressive on Daily Doubles in her run. Brian’s got the best balance between everything. In all honesty, I think this game is the very definition of “too close to call”. In a note that will make Lilly happy, but not me, Brian’s contestant photograph does not have him wearing a quarter-zip sweater.
Thursday, November 3:
Courtney Shah
Portland, Oregon
139 correct, 16 incorrect
9/15 on rebound attempts (on 31 rebound opportunities)
28.04% in first on buzzer (127/453)
2/5 on Daily Doubles (Net Earned: -$1,200)
6/8 in Final Jeopardy
Average Coryat: $11,650
Predictions:
22.083% to win quarterfinal
3.901% to win semifinal
0.348% to win tournament
Rowan Ward
Chicago, Illinois
118 correct, 15 incorrect
6/7 on rebound attempts (on 14 rebound opportunities)
50.00% in first on buzzer (114/228)
6/8 on Daily Doubles (Net Earned: $16,800)
2/4 in Final Jeopardy
Average Coryat: $20,600
Predictions:
41.277% to win quarterfinal
14.457% to win semifinal
4.929% to win tournament
John Focht
originally El Paso, Texas
117 correct, 11 incorrect
5/6 on rebound attempts (on 13 rebound opportunities)
38.25% in first on buzzer (109/285)
7/8 on Daily Doubles (Net Earned: $20,300)
3/5 in Final Jeopardy
Average Coryat: $18,120
Predictions:
36.640% to win quarterfinal
11.017% to win semifinal
2.805% to win tournament
Andy’s Thoughts: After watching rowan lay waste to the Second Chance Week 2 field, it should come as no surprise that they are listed as the favorite to take this quarterfinal match. Daily Doubles should decide this one—Courtney’s stats on Daily Doubles are working against her, and rowan’s had a couple of high-value misses, which may prove crucial if it comes up at an inopportune time during the Tournament. John is sure to be well-positioned if his opponents make any mistakes. One note: As of the time of writing, the Jeopardy! website has rowan’s “Average Coryat” score as $200 too low, likely as a result of Jeopardy! originally crediting Sadie with the missed “Lord of the Flies” Daily Double in their box score/stats for last Thursday’s game.
Friday, November 4:
Eric Ahasic
Minneapolis, Minnesota
176 correct, 19 incorrect
13/14 on rebound attempts (on 33 rebound opportunities)
39.85% in first on buzzer (159/399)
13/15 on Daily Doubles (Net Earned: $47,600)
2/7 in Final Jeopardy
Average Coryat: $20,514
Predictions:
41.274% to win quarterfinal
16.169% to win semifinal
7.031% to win tournament
Jaskaran Singh
Plano, Texas
97 correct, 16 incorrect
1/2 on rebound attempts (on 13 rebound opportunities)
42.98% in first on buzzer (98/228)
7/9 on Daily Doubles (Net Earned: $21,400)
4/4 in Final Jeopardy
Average Coryat: $17,100
Predictions:
27.249% to win quarterfinal
7.761% to win semifinal
1.799% to win tournament
Jackie Kelly
Cary, North Carolina
102 correct, 8 incorrect
13/13 on rebound attempts (on 33 rebound opportunities)
30.58% in first on buzzer (85/278)
5/7 on Daily Doubles (Net Earned: $17,200)
3/5 in Final Jeopardy
Average Coryat: $18,080
Predictions:
31.477% to win quarterfinal
10.151% to win semifinal
3.139% to win tournament
Andy’s Thoughts: According to my prediction data the 4th, 6th, and 7th-ranked players are all in the same quarterfinal. Talk about a grupo de la muerte! I would not be surprised if this match saw the highest scores and combined Coryat of any of the quarterfinal matches in this tournament. All three players are very strong. If Eric regresses to the mean in terms of play in Final Jeopardy!, he could go on a run—that is why the prediction model has Eric as having the best chance of any unseeded player of winning the whole tournament. Final has been his Achilles heel, though—and that’s where Jaskaran is best. Jaskaran, who won the prime-time College tournament last February, has been pegged by some people to go on a run, and his quiz bowl background certainly makes him capable. However, quiz bowl isn’t Jeopardy!, and success isn’t guaranteed. Meanwhile, Jackie also competed alongside a Donegan twin sister—while Kristin Donegan was also in the College tournament, Jackie defeated Ciara Donegan for her first game and put up big numbers in her four victories! Whoever makes it out of this game has a very good chance of knocking off any member of the Big Three.
Monday, November 7:
Zach Newkirk
Arlington, Virginia
133 correct, 20 incorrect
11/14 on rebound attempts (on 36 rebound opportunities)
30.91% in first on buzzer (119/385)
8/13 on Daily Doubles (Net Earned: $13,500)
4/7 in Final Jeopardy
Average Coryat: $15,943
Predictions:
31.532% to win quarterfinal
7.181% to win semifinal
1.082% to win tournament
Jessica Stephens
Nashville, Tennessee
73 correct, 5 incorrect
7/8 on rebound attempts (on 19 rebound opportunities)
27.63% in first on buzzer (63/228)
3/3 on Daily Doubles (Net Earned: $7,000)
3/4 in Final Jeopardy
Average Coryat: $14,800
Predictions:
25.748% to win quarterfinal
4.813% to win semifinal
0.447% to win tournament
Sam Buttrey
Pacific Grove, California
101 correct, 6 incorrect
5/6 on rebound attempts (on 16 rebound opportunities)
41.67% in first on buzzer (95/228)
2/2 on Daily Doubles (Net Earned: $4,400)
2/4 in Final Jeopardy
Average Coryat: $19,250
Predictions:
42.720% to win quarterfinal
11.371% to win semifinal
2.301% to win tournament
Andy’s Thoughts: The other member of Team Quarter-Zip, Zach Newkirk, has also elected for a suit and tie for his contestant picture, disappointing the legion of quarter-zip fans. Sam Buttrey is the favorite in this final quarter-final on the back of a very strong Professors Tournament performance; both Zach and Jessica have shown they can rise to the occasion against stronger opposition—taking into account the strength of a player’s schedule is one of the weaknesses of my prediction model, and I fear that this may lead to both Zach and Jessica being slightly underrated. Jessica will definitely be looking to continue her momentum from winning Second Chance Week 1. This will definitely be an interesting match!
Tuesday, November 8:
Amy Schneider
Oakland, California
1337 correct, 77 incorrect
60/67 on rebound attempts (on 152 rebound opportunities)
52.77% in first on buzzer (1230/2331)
66/76 on Daily Doubles (Net Earned: $210,200)
28/41 in Final Jeopardy
Average Coryat: $26,946
Predictions:
47.438% to win semifinal
19.858% to win tournament
Matt Amodio
Cambridge, Massachusetts
1305 correct, 122 incorrect
55/64 on rebound attempts (on 125 rebound opportunities)
56.00% in first on buzzer (1237/2209)
76/86 on Daily Doubles (Net Earned: $304,200)
29/39 in Final Jeopardy
Average Coryat: $27,913
Predictions:
52.168% to win semifinal
30.471% to win tournament
Mattea Roach
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
661 correct, 63 incorrect
33/39 on rebound attempts (on 93 rebound opportunities)
46.02% in first on buzzer (625/1358)
29/36 on Daily Doubles (Net Earned: $57,200)
17/24 in Final Jeopardy
Average Coryat: $20,275
Predictions:
41.138% to win semifinal
11.359% to win tournament
Andy’s Thoughts: On Election Day, Amy Schneider, Matt Amodio, and Mattea Roach will be taking part in an exhibition match — all three players will be seeded into the semifinals. I like this, as it gets the three players a chance to pick up buzzer timing again, leaving them on equal footing with the quarterfinal winners. I’m not going to make a prediction as to how this exhibition match will go, though!
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