‘Jeopardy!’s Brennan Lee Mulligan Confuses Upcoming Contestants With Final Clue Bidding Trick

Most Jeopardy! hopefuls know that if you are going into Final Jeopardy in a close game and want to win, you have to bid at least $1 higher than first place. The YouTube Edition champion Brennan Lee Mulligan tried to explain that to the upcoming contestants, but they just got confused.

Mulligan played in the first-ever version of the game against Rebecca Black and Monet X Change. He did not have the correct response, but had a lead of $2,800. Mulligan wagered $2,401, $1 more than Monet’s total, and won with $5,599.

Now, the champion is trying to prep the new Jeopardy! YouTube contestants on how to play and how to wager in the final clue. The spinoff is set to return on October 22 with creators Angela Giarratana, Michelle Khare, and Mythical Chef Josh Scherer. All three of them are competing for money for their chosen charities.

“Brennan wants the contestants to soar, but how will they score?” the Instagram post was captioned on October 19.

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“Before @michellekhare, @angelagiovanagiarratana and @mythicalchefjosh hit the Alex Trebek Stage to compete in Jeopardy! YouTube Edition Vol. 2, we had them sit down with reigning champ @brennanleemulligan to get a little advice,” it went on.

Giarratana opened the video by trying to figure out the riddle Mulligan laid out for them. “$1 more. Then, the next…”

“Then, double the next biggest score,” Mulligan said. Giarratana tried to comprehend what he was saying, so Mulligan simplified it. “Double the score, $1 more.”

It then clicked for her, and she repeated the mantra again. Khare, however, still appeared confused.

“But maybe you’re not in first place,” Mulligan said, “So, then you might say, ‘Okay, well, how much do I need to bet if they get it wrong? Double the score, $1 more, minus their floor.”

Giarratana looked horrified at the addition to the trick. “Bet, I implore,” Mulligan said. “Right? Remember that.”

She tried to mimic it, but got it a little turned around. Mulligan joked, “The dragon will come when it hears the drum.”

“I’m gonna cry,” Giarratana said. “I’m gonna barf and cry!” Her opponents tried to calm her down.

Find out who will win in the 20-minute episode on Thursday.

Jeopardy! YouTube Volume 2, October 22, 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT, YouTube