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[Warning: The below contains MAJOR spoilers for the Tuesday, December 3 episode of Jeopardy!]
The latest episode of Jeopardy! delivered an unexpected twist for viewers as Evan Jones, a promising one-day champion, faced a surprising defeat at the hands of Stevie Ruiz. With the 2025 Tournament of Champions cutoff approaching and just a single slot remaining, the stakes were high for both players. In a dramatic Final Jeopardy moment, Ruiz’s clever wager ultimately turned the tide of the game.
Jones, a software designer hailing from Seattle, Washington, commenced the episode boasting a total of $17,199 from their previous victory, receiving accolades for their impressive gameplay from host Ken Jennings. This time, they were pitted against Ruiz, an adept front office manager from Montauk, New York, and Luca Gerace, a chef representing Toronto, Ontario.
During the Jeopardy! round, Jones showcased their trivia skills, confidently tackling a Daily Double question about religious sects, identifying “Sikhism.” As Jennings humorously noted, Jones, dubbed the “expert at Sects,” secured a lead with $5,200, while Gerace and Ruiz trailed with $2,800 and $2,000, respectively. The early momentum seemed to favor the returning champion.
As the game transitioned into Double Jeopardy!, a fierce back-and-forth battle emerged. Jones managed to find both Daily Doubles, initially doubling their score to reach $11,900 but later losing $4,000 with an incorrect response. Nevertheless, they maintained a lead, entering Final Jeopardy with $18,400, while Ruiz and Gerace had $15,100 and $2,000, respectively. Jennings remarked on Ruiz’s strong performance leading up to this pivotal moment.
The Final Jeopardy clue posed a challenge in the category of “19th Century European Literature,” stating, “An early version of this novel was first published as a serial under the title ‘The Year 1805.’”
Gerace stumbled first, wagering down to $1,980 with an incorrect answer of “A Farewell to Arms.” Next was Jones, who, after a brief moment of optimism, misidentified the work as “A Tale of Two Cities.” They wagered $3,301, leaving them with $11,799. It seemed they might escape unscathed as Ruiz’s wager would play a crucial role.
When Ruiz revealed his answer, he too was incorrect, guessing “Great Expectations.” Jennings then prompted him to disclose his wager. In a surprising turn, Ruiz had opted for a modest wager of $413, a strategic choice that propelled him to victory with a final total of $17,987. “That was the right wager!” Jennings exclaimed, celebrating the exceptional gameplay.
Viewers on Reddit quickly took to the platform to share their reactions to Ruiz’s clever Final Jeopardy strategy, which caught Jones by surprise. One fan remarked on the skillful wagering from all participants, noting how engaging the game was, while another expressed disappointment at seeing Jones depart but acknowledged Ruiz’s impressive gameplay.
Jones later joined the conversation, reflecting on their experience and acknowledging their initial assumption that Ruiz would make a more conventional wager to cover. They described the emotional intensity they felt during that critical moment when Ruiz’s incorrect response was revealed and the subsequent realization of his wager. Jones articulated the challenge of competing against someone as quick and smart as Ruiz, ultimately congratulating him and commending Gerace for their efforts.
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What did you think of the game? Were you expecting Stevie Ruiz’s well-played wager? With the Tournament of Champions cutoff looming, will he secure the final qualification? Share your thoughts in the comments!
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