Jeopardy! fans spot change in behavior from new champ Neilesh Vinjamuri and reveal ‘hope’ for his winning streak

JEOPARDY! fans think new champion Neilesh Vinjamuri is poised for a winning streak after noticing a change in his behavior.

Viewers suggested that the software engineer from Lionville, Pennsylvania, seemed more confident going into Tuesday night’s episode as they hoped Neilesh would end the season with a winning streak.

Jeopardy!’s Neilesh Vinjamuri during Monday night’s episode of the beloved game showCredit: Jeopardy!

Host Ken Jennings praised Neilesh Vinjamuri’s ‘dominant performance’ against Sean Duffle and Monica Anderson on MondayCredit: Getty
Neilesh was crowned champion after he ended Illinois-based government relations manager Jay Fischer’s three-day run on Friday.

He successfully defended his title on Monday in what host Ken Jennings declared was a “dominant performance” against Spanish teacher Sean Duffle and Monica Anderson, a master control operator.

“He knows a lot of stuff,” one person praised his performance on the official Jeopardy! Facebook page. “Hope he continues to grow in confidence and self-assurance.”

Another wrote, “I guess he got over those jitters, eh?”

A third fan predicted, “Neilesh seemed nervous for a while during Friday’s episode before taking over that game. Seems like those nerves are gone and the rest of this week’s competitors may have been in for a tough time.”

“This champion is already one of my favorites,” one comment read. “He knows ‘real’ stuff like literature, art, and music, instead of pop culture and modern television.”

Another viewer added, “He was so nervous at first. I felt so sorry for him. So glad he is winning. Hope he continues.”

Neilesh narrowly clinched a third victory on Tuesday, after one of his challengers made a fatal error that cost her the game.

Going into the game with $41,000, Neilesh faced off against New York-based writer Lindsay Denninger and Michigan PhD student Tim Herd last night.

By the end of the Jeopardy! round, Neilesh had earned $6,600 and was trailing behind Lindsay with $9,600.

Jeopardy! contestant nearly beats 3-day champ Neilish Vinjamuri – but botches final wager that leaves fans stunned
Meanwhile, Tim’s earnings totaled $3,600.

After Lindsay incorrectly guessed the second Daily Double in the Double Jeopardy! round, Neilesh was in the lead with $19,000.

Lindsay had $13,000 and Tim, who only made $2,400, was eliminated from the game.

The Final Jeopardy category was revealed as “Historic Spots,” with “OK Corral” being the right answer.

Jeopardy! Universe

Jeopardy! first aired in 1964 until 1975. Then the nighttime version began in 1974. Since then, spinoffs of the game show have emerged. Here are all of those

Jeopardy! – (primetime) 1974 to present, weekdays on ABC at 7pm

Tournament of Champions – 1984 to present, features the top champions who have appeared on the show since the last tournament

Celebrity Jeopardy! – 1992 to present, has celebrities comepete against each other to raise money for chairty

Jeopardy! Masters – 2023 to present, features six notable recent Jeopardy! champions competing against each other

Jeopardy! National College Championship – 2022 to present, undergraduates from 36 colleges and universities across America compete to win $100,000

Other versions of Jeopardy! have fizzled out throughout the years

While neither contestant got this one right, Lindsay dangerously wagered $8,000, which significantly diminished her odds of beating Neilesh.

In the end, he secured his third consecutive win despite dropping $7,001, bringing his total to $53,099 ahead of Wednesday’s episode.

Fans noticed that Lindsay had posed a real risk to Neilesh’s streak, with one Reddit user writing she “could have won with a small wager.”

“Lindsay… what was that wager?” asked another, commenting on a game thread. “Despite that, I’d probably recommend her for a second chance. Especially if Neilesh goes on a long run.”

A third wondered, “What was wrong with it? Her only win there was to bet very low, 1000 or less. then you’re gambling on him getting it wrong and not betting 0. Is a $0 bet the suggested bet there?”

In response, one person explained, “The leader nearly always bets to cover a double-up by second place. So the best bet is to stay ahead of what they will have with that bet if they get it wrong. So cap it at $1,000.”

“That was a case where I think Lindsay forgot to ask herself ‘Wait, what if we both miss?'” another reflected on the episode.

“To be fair to her, it is very difficult to rationalize taking the game out of your own hands, even if (as in this case or in certain three-way scenarios) it is perfectly logical if not the correct play,” they continued. “Neilesh was playing lights out yesterday, and in spite of Lindsay’s best effort, had a big lead today; just not that big.”

The final episode of Jeopardy!’s ongoing season will end on Friday.