How to wager on Final Jeopardy

So many people goof up when betting on the Final Jeopardy portion of the game show "Jeopardy!". Here's the way to do it.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Scratch paper (show provides that)

1. If you're the leader
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   You'll have to assume the second place contestant will bet their whole score so double the amount the second place contestant has, subtract your score from that then add 1. Here's how it would look:
   
   Leader $10,000
   2nd place $7,000
   
   Double second place score: $14,000
   - Leader's score$10,000
   Add $1 to be lone winner$+1
   -------------------------------------
   Correct wager $4,001
   
   As long as the leader gets the question right, they will win no matter what the others do.
   
   There is no point in going for the tie. You're basically giving them money they didn't deserve!

2. If you're in 2nd place
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   You either bet all or $0. It all depends if you can win by default meaning can you win the game if the leader bets the required amount to clinch a win no matter what.
   
   Example:
   Leader:$10,000
   2nd place:$8,000
   
   The leader should bet $6,001 so the 2nd place contestant can win by default if the leader gets it wrong while the 2nd place contestant bets $0.
   
   When it's mandatory to bet it all
   ---------------------------------
   Example
   Leader $12,000
   2nd place: $7,000
   
   The leader will most likely only bet $2,001 to clinch the win so even if they get it wrong, the leader will still have $9.999. I don't think it's worth it for the 2nd place contestant to bet just a portion of the $7,000 so they might as well go all-in since if they get it wrong, they're going to lose anyway.

3. 3rd place strategy
   --------------------
   Lots of contestant have won from this position since the other 2 in front of them usually get the question wrong and they end up cancelling each other out.
   
   Bet $0
   -----------
   Example
   Leader $10,000
   2nd $8,000
   3rd $5,000
   
   The leader most likely will bet $6,001, the 2nd place contestant will most likely bet it all so it's a good strategy just to let those 2 fight each other out. The only drawback is if one of them chicken out and bet $0 themselves but usually they bet the former.

Tips & Warnings

• So many contestants have weird wagering methods so anything can happen.

[stevemar2]

on 6/2/2009 Interesting article! I'm not smart enough to be on Jeopardy!, but the strategy aspect of it fascinates me.