Warning: This page contains spoilers for the December 31, 2025, game of Jeopardy! — please do not scroll down if you wish to avoid being spoiled. Please note that the game airs as early as noon Eastern in some U.S. television markets.
Here’s today’s Final Jeopardy (in the category Medical History) for Wednesday, December 31, 2025 (Season 42, Game 83):
Now associated with women in labor, it was first used by French doctors in 1901 to treat sciatica with cocaine
(correct response beneath the contestants)
Today’s Jeopardy! contestants:
Dan Puma, a salesperson from Chicago, Illinois
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Jenna Hayes, an attorney from New York, New York
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Ryan Sharpe, a recent graduate from Oakville, Ontario, Canada
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Andy’s Pregame Thoughts:
Our final game of 2025 today features our last set of Second Chance returnees in Ryan Sharpe, Jenna Hayes, and Dan Puma. The prediction model thinks Ryan is the favorite here to win—but I should also note that there’s a lot of variance in Jeopardy!—and the model did think Ricky had the best chance of advancing yesterday.
One minor issue if you’re in a market that airs Jeopardy! in the mid-afternoon: we are into bowl game season. Due to coverage of the Sun Bowl on CBS and the Citrus Bowl on ABC today, there are going to be some pre-emptions. Check your local listings, or Matt Carberry’s Google sheet.
I should also make a specific note that I am making changes to merchandise sales in early 2026; in preparation for these changes, I have chosen to pause sales. Don’t worry, though—nothing has changed with any previous sales.
(Content continues below)
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Correct response: What is an epidural?
More information about Final Jeopardy:
(The following write-up is original content and is copyright 2025 The Jeopardy! Fan. It may not be copied without linked attribution back to this page.)
Most commonly used today to administer an anesthetic around the spinal column to women entering labor, an epidural was first deliberately used in 1901 by Fernand Cathelin in order to block the lowest sacral and coccygeal nerves. (However, the first epidural was accidental in 1885, when neurologist James Corning accidentally injected 111mg of cocaine into the epidural area of a healthy volunteer.
I’m hoping that this is a relatively straightforward Final Jeopardy clue for everyone—I like clues like this because it keeps wagering honest, especially from the lead.
In order to redesign our merchandise area to serve you better in 2026, all merchandise sales have been temporarily taken offline. Look for a return in early 2026! All previous orders will still be supported.
Game Recap:
Dan Puma had the best time on the buzzer in the main game, holding down a lead entering Final Jeopardy. Unfortunately, Jenna Hayes tying a record by finding Daily Doubles on both of the first two clues of Double Jeopardy ended up being for nought, as she didn’t bet aggressively enough, leading to both Dan and Ryan overtaking her throughout the rest of Double Jeopardy.
Ryan overtaking Jenna on that last clue proved crucial, as Ryan and Jenna were the only players correct in Final, making Ryan a finalist.
Scores going into Final:
Dan $15,800
Ryan $12,400
Jenna $12,000
Tonight’s results:
Jenna $12,000 + $3,801 = $15,801 (What is an epidural?)
Ryan $12,400 + $11,601 = $24,001 (What is an epidural?) (Finalist)
Dan $15,800 – $9,001 = $6,799 (What is Tylenol)
Chances of winning Second Chance:
Abigail Arnold 36.255%
Dondi DeMarco 30.340%
Ryan Sharpe 33.405%
Andy’s Thoughts:
- Those fans who care about such matters will be very happy to see a full credit roll in today’s game.
- “Last correct response amongst the tied players gets control entering Double Jeopardy” has been that tie breaker for a few years now. It doesn’t usually matter as much as it does today, but I’m glad Ken said something.
- I’m surprised that Ken and the judges interpreted Dan’s call of “all of it” to mean “maximum possible bet” and not “my current score” on the opening Daily Double. Thankfully it did not affect the outcome of the game.
- Today’s J!6 clues can be found at the monthly archive.
Final Jeopardy! wagering suggestions:
(Scores: Dan $15,800 Ryan $12,400 Jenna $12,000)
Ryan: You can’t both cover Jenna and play for a Triple Stumper. If you do play for the Triple Stumper, bet no more than $399. If you do cover Jenna, bet at least $11,601. (Actual bet: $11,601)
Jenna: Bet between $3,801 (thereby forcing Dan to be correct to pass you) and $5,199 (winning on a Triple Stumper if both Ryan and Dan cover). (Actual bet: $3,801)
Dan: Standard cover bet over Ryan is $9,001. (Actual bet: $9,001)
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