Winter 2024 Second Chance Competition: Week 1 Preview

As of the writing of this preview, there is one episode of strike replacement programming left. On Tuesday, December 19, the Road to the 31st Tournament of Champions begins, with the first week of Second Chance play for those who lost in their initial Season 39 appearance. One of these nine players will advance to Champions Wildcard in January.

Tuesday, December 19, 2023:

Jason Carpenter Santa Rosa Valley, California 22 correct, 4 incorrect 3/3 on rebound attempts (on 4 rebound opportunities) 36.84% in first on buzzer (21/57) 1/1 on Daily Doubles (Net Earned: $4,000) 0/1 in Final Jeopardy Average Coryat: $16,800 Jason’s first game: February 15, 2023 In Stephen Webb’s first game, Jason put up $19,200 going into Final against both Stephen and 2-day champion Kendra Westerhaus.

Eva Thomas Brooklyn, New York 22 correct, 3 incorrect 1/1 on rebound attempts (on 5 rebound opportunities) 40.35% in first on buzzer (23/57) 0/0 on Daily Doubles 0/1 in Final Jeopardy Average Coryat: $16,200 Eva’s first game: June 1, 2023 Eva’s game saw her leading going into Final Jeopardy against 3-day champion Jared Watson and 2-day champion Ilhana Redzovic.

Mike Elliott Derry, New Hampshire 20 correct, 3 incorrect 1/2 on rebound attempts (on 5 rebound opportunities) 33.33% in first on buzzer (19/57) 1/1 on Daily Doubles (Net Earned: $11,600) 0/1 in Final Jeopardy Average Coryat: $17,200 Mike’s first game: October 11, 2022 Mike was a slam-dunk inclusion in this event; his score of $26,800 going into Final Jeopardy—against Cris Pannullo of all people—was $200 short of the all-time record non-leading score after Double Jeopardy. (Let’s just hope that the local papers in New Hampshire choose to credit me this time around if they think my work is worthy of re-publication.)

Overall Thoughts: All 36 of the players coming back for Second Chance are absolutely worthy of their spot and could have become champion had things broken slightly differently for them. That being said, Mike did put up one of the best non-winning games of all time against Cris Pannullo, and I think that there would be a lot of people disappointed if he didn’t win at least one game. 

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Wednesday, December 20, 2023:

Juveria Zaheer Whitby, Ontario, Canada 20 correct, 6 incorrect 0/0 on rebound attempts (on 0 rebound opportunities) 42.11% in first on buzzer (24/57) 1/1 on Daily Doubles (Net Earned: $7,000) 0/1 in Final Jeopardy Average Coryat: $11,600 Juveria’s first game: May 8, 2023 Juveria was a challenger in Hannah Wilson’s 4th game; she had $17,000 going into Final Jeopardy in her appearance.

Sam Claussen Santa Clarita, California 23 correct, 1 incorrect 1/1 on rebound attempts (on 2 rebound opportunities) 38.60% in first on buzzer (22/57) 0/0 on Daily Doubles 0/1 in Final Jeopardy Average Coryat: $18,400 Sam’s first game: April 20, 2023 Sam had $18,400 going into Final Jeopardy before running into a very difficult Triple Stumper Final Jeopardy clue (the “metaverse” one).

Jake Garrett Trussville, Alabama 22 correct, 3 incorrect 2/2 on rebound attempts (on 4 rebound opportunities) 38.60% in first on buzzer (22/57) 0/0 on Daily Doubles 1/1 in Final Jeopardy Average Coryat: $12,400 Jake’s first game: March 20, 2023 Jake had over 20 correct responses in his game, the game where 3-day champion Melissa Klapper won her first.

Overall Thoughts: Another game where all three players were very strong. I do think Sam had the better initial game of the three, though (Final Jeopardy notwithstanding), so I potentially think he’s favored in this one.

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Thursday, December 21, 2023:

Iris Masucci Rockville, Maryland 17 correct, 2 incorrect 1/2 on rebound attempts (on 7 rebound opportunities) 26.32% in first on buzzer (15/57) 1/1 on Daily Doubles (Net Earned: $3,000) 0/1 in Final Jeopardy Average Coryat: $15,800 Iris’s first game: March 29, 2023 Iris put up $17,200 going into Final Jeopardy in a losing effort to Lisa Sriken back in March.

Karen Morris Christiansburg, Virginia 21 correct, 5 incorrect 2/2 on rebound attempts (on 4 rebound opportunities) 36.84% in first on buzzer (21/57) 1/2 on Daily Doubles (Net Earned: -$4,000) 0/1 in Final Jeopardy Average Coryat: $16,200 Karen’s first game: March 22, 2023 Karen got a late-game Daily Double incorrect against Melissa Klapper—from a runaway position to boot—and then lost, for Melissa’s third victory. It’ll be interesting to see what she does with the Daily Doubles this time if she finds them.

Michael Vaz Mississauga, Ontario, Canada 22 correct, 3 incorrect 1/2 on rebound attempts (on 5 rebound opportunities) 35.09% in first on buzzer (20/57) 2/2 on Daily Doubles (Net Earned: $5,600) 1/1 in Final Jeopardy Average Coryat: $15,200 Michael’s first game: December 21, 2022 Michael lost “the Battle of Ontario” to Ray Lalonde in Ray’s fifth game; Ray led by just $800 going into Final Jeopardy. Another obvious choice for Second Chance, in my opinion.

Overall Thoughts: I’m glad that Karen’s been brought back for a shot at redemption; that said, actually getting that redemption will be very difficult against Iris and Michael. I do think Karen is most likely to win this one, though.

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