How To Win On "Jeopardy!"
Jeopardy! is the Ivy League of game shows, and winning requires razor-sharp skills. Here's how to match wits with the best.
Step 1: Know The Score
Jeopardy! is one of the hardest shows to get on, so try out when you're in your prime. Past champion Karl Coryat recommends playing along with the show, and keeping score by drawing two six-by-five grids on a piece of paper to simulate the board. Put a check mark on each question you get right, subtract the ones you get wrong, and total the dollar amounts at the end of the round. If you're scoring $24,000 or higher per show, you're ready to try out.
Step 2: Fill In The Blanks
Even the biggest trivia buff has gaps in their knowledge. You can't study everything, but you CAN study Jeopardy"s greatest hits. Legendary champion Ken Jennings encourages you to brush up on U.S. Presidents, world capitals, and Shakespeare. Other former players suggest raiding the encyclopedia on world religions, currencies, political leaders and Western literature.
Step 3: Beat The Buzzer
The "Jeopardy!" buzzer is very tricky. Here's how it works. After a clue is read, lights come up on each side of the podium, indicating it's time to buzz in. But veteran contestants recommend NOT waiting for the lights. Instead, they hit their buzzer repeatedly, hoping to get an edge. If you're asking yourself, "What would Jennings do?" the all-time champ has not been able to, shall we say, put his finger on the secrets of the buzzer. But seriously, his secret was to "zen out" and react without thinking.
Step 4: Bet On It
Once you make it to Final Jeopardy, you have some choices to make. Many Jeopardy contestants lose because they wager too much. So take a moment to evaluate the competition. On a category you know neither very well nor very poorly, determine the minimum amount that would put you over the top contestant.... if they get the question wrong. If you're in the lead, wager the minimum that will give you double your closest rival's score.
