‘Jeopardy!’ Fans Think Amy Schneider ‘Threw Game’ in Tournament of Champions
The Jeopardy! Tournament of Champions continues with Game 6 tonight, Monday, November 21, as Amy Schneider and Andrew He are both just one win away from winning the whole competition. But will Sam Buttrey play spoiler once again?
That’s what happened during Friday’s (November 18) episode, when the beloved professor won his first game of the finals, sending the tournament to a sixth game. The finals kicked off last Monday (November 14), with He securing the first win; super-champ Schneider fired back on Tuesday while He won again on Wednesday. Schneider then tied things up on Thursday, meaning one more win was all it would take.
It looked like Schneider was about to become the TOC winner on Friday as she went into Final Jeopardy! with $15,800 compared to Buttrey’s $11,200 and He’s $6,200. Both Schneider and Buttrey answered the clue correctly, so it all came down to the wagers. In a shocking move, the Professors’ Tournament winner bet his entire $11,200, doubling his pot and securing the win over Schneider, who wagered just $1800.
The studio audience erupted with applause and cheers after Ken Jennings announced Buttrey as the episode’s winner. However, some fans on social media wondered if Schneider had purposely thrown the game to get Buttrey a win.
“Amy threw it,” tweeted one viewer, though they later claimed to be joking. However, others agreed, with one fan writing, “I kinda thought the same. I think they wanted Sam to get on the board.”
I kinda thought the same. I think they wanted Sam to get on the board
— Maggie (@___mryan) November 19, 2022
“I think there was a silent pact to make it last seven games …or it was discovered that Sam was right on the final question about the Bible and he was owed a win,” said another commenter, referring to last Wednesday’s game when Buttrey was deemed incorrect for a Final Jeopardy answer many viewers felt should have been accepted.
I think there was a silent pact to make it last seven games …or it was discovered that Sam was right on the final question about the Bible and he was owed a win…
My humble opinion…😌Again Ken is a super host…👍
— MA1946 (@MoallardMonique) November 19, 2022
Not everyone agreed with the throwing accusations. “No possible way. Amy’s love of this game is too pure,” tweeted one fan. “And Andrew’s been wagering like that every game. Why do some people need to crap on every single thing?”
No possible way. Amy’s love of this game is too pure. And Andrew’s been wagering like that every game. Why do some people need to crap on every single thing?
— Jan Winter (@Nostrajanus) November 19, 2022
As for Schneider, she shared her thoughts on the game afterward, tweeting, “I have no real regrets about my Final Jeopardy wager. I think it was the right move, and would make it every time in that scenario.”
She also shared her appreciation for Buttrey, writing, “And, while I was disappointed, I was glad that Sam got a win, I think you could tell that the audience was glad as well. He played well enough to deserve a win, and he’s so charming!”
Post-game thoughts (11/20):
-I’ll get this out of the way first: I have no real regrets about my Final Jeopardy wager. I think it was the right move, and would make it every time in that scenario. But I’m getting ahead of myself!— Amy Schneider (@Jeopardamy) November 20, 2022
And, while I was disappointed, I was glad that Sam got a win, I think you could tell that the audience was glad as well. He played well enough to deserve a win, and he’s so charming!
— Amy Schneider (@Jeopardamy) November 20, 2022
Jeopardy!, Tournament of Champions, Weeknights, Check your local listings
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Comments are closed on this story.
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People do love their conspiracy theories. Is it possible, and I am just throwing it out there, that Amy was hedging her bet and playing strategically? Let's see: In order for Amy to cover Sam's bet, she would have to risk almost 7k. If she does that and Amy and Sam both get it wrong but Andrew gets it right and bets big; then he wins the title. Since Sam had zero wins, Amy could hedge against Andrew.
It is not as exciting as someone throwing a game, but I think it seems plausible.
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As a former Jeopardy! contestant accustomed to the various game theory scenarios associated w/ Final Jeopardy, and bearing in mind the unique factors associated w/ a "first to three wins" multi-game format, I am certain you are 100% right about that.
Amy did not have to be concerned about Sam achieving win #1. However, if Andrew were to have won his third match, it would've been "game over" for the championship (& she'd be "runner up"). She wagered to deny Andrew the win ... & to "live to fight another day."
With a similar scenario, she'd (she'll) do the same in tonight's match. It's only if both competitors were poised to end the competition (i.e., •each• w/ two wins) that the betting strategy might have to change.
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Same thing happened all the time on Master Minds when Ken Jennings clearly held back so he wouldn't always win. And MM also supplied the trio with tidbits of additional obscure trivia to spout after the answer is revealed. It's TV not a legit competition. They can tailor the boards to play to the strengths of one player over another and can manipulate the outcome.
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Susi, what is wrong with you?
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I'm guessing "she" is jealous.
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I think she was bidding to prevent Andrew from winning if she was wrong
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Glad Schneider won last night mainly because I wont have to see her for a while hopefully
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Who cares
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I really think Ken Jennings really SUCKS!
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I think Ken is smooth and witty but don't like his voice. I wish they had chosen Brad Rutter as host. What does Bialik bring to the show?
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