Contestant Breaks Record with Stunning ‘Jeopardy!’ Victory
In an exciting episode of Jeopardy! aired on November 17, contestant Harrison Whitaker set a remarkable record for Season 42 with his impressive win. The stakes were high as he aimed for his fifth consecutive victory, which would secure him a spot in the 2027 Tournament of Champions.
Victory Overview
Harrison Whitaker, hailing from Terre Haute, Indiana, entered the competition with a four-day total of $116,600. He faced off against Lawrence Suba from Verona, Wisconsin, and Rachel Bernstein from Los Angeles, California.
Game Progression
During the game, Whitaker quickly established dominance. By the first commercial break, he accumulated $7,400, while his opponents struggled. Bernstein, a teacher, eventually found the Daily Double with a question about Martin Luther, correctly answering “What is a heretic?” to reach $1,200.
Double Jeopardy Highlights
- Whitaker answered correctly to claim the first Daily Double, increasing his total to $20,000.
- He later found the second Daily Double and answered correctly, bringing his total to $30,000.
At the end of Double Jeopardy, Whitaker led with $35,200, while Bernstein followed with $13,000 and Suba trailed with $600.
Final Jeopardy Challenge
In the Final Jeopardy round, the category was “Poetic Objects.” All contestants answered correctly, but their wagers varied. Suba added $500 to his score, totaling $1,100. Bernstein wagered $11,799, leading to a total of $24,799. Whitaker, wagering $9,199, concluded with an impressive total of $44,399.
Record-Breaking Win
With a five-day total of $160,999, Whitaker achieved the highest payout of Season 42, as noted by host Ken Jennings. This landmark victory ensures his participation in the upcoming Tournament of Champions in 2027, marking a significant milestone in his Jeopardy! journey.
Fans can catch new episodes of Jeopardy! on weekdays, with options for streaming available on Hulu and Peacock.
