Today’s Final Jeopardy – Monday, March 9, 2026

Current Champion

Nikolas Polsinelli, career statistics:
44 correct, 6 incorrect
2/2 on rebound attempts (on 5 rebound opportunities)
35.96% in first on buzzer (41/114)
4/5 on Daily Doubles (Net Earned: $10,600)
1/2 in Final Jeopardy
Average Coryat: $17,500

To win:
3 games: 64.111%
4: 41.102%
5: 26.351%
6: 16.894%
7: 10.831%
Avg. streak: 3.786 games.
(Click Here for Methodology)

Upcoming Encore Presentations

October 3-4: S42 E175 (May 8, 2026)
October 10-11: S42 E176 (May 11, 2026)
(Source: Bell Fibe TV program guide)

All Time Winnings

All Time Jeopardy! Winnings, Regular Play Only:

1. Ken Jennings $2,520,700
2. James Holzhauer $2,462,216
3. Matt Amodio $1,518,601
4. Amy Schneider $1,382,800
5. Jamie Ding $882,605
6. Cris Pannullo $748,286
7. Mattea Roach $560,983
8. Jason Zuffranieri $532,496
9. Scott Riccardi $455,000
10. David Madden $430,400
11. Julia Collins $428,100
12. Matt Jackson $411,612
13. Austin Rogers $411,000
14. Ray Lalonde $386,400
15. Harrison Whitaker $373,999
16. Adriana Harmeyer $349,600
17. Caleb Groen $346,968
18. Adam Remsen $306,415
19. Ryan Long $299,400
20. Arthur Chu $297,200

All Time Jeopardy! Winnings, Including Tournaments (and Consolation Prizes):

1. Brad Rutter $4,968,436
2. Ken Jennings $4,372,700
3. James Holzhauer $3,614,216
4. Matt Amodio $1,964,601
5. Amy Schneider $1,864,800
6. Yogesh Raut $1,598,403
7. Victoria Groce $1,023,801
8. Mattea Roach $897,983
9. Jamie Ding $885,605
10. David Madden $785,733
11. Cris Pannullo $754,286
12. Roger Craig $706,200
13. Andrew He $684,365
14. Larissa Kelly $671,930
15. Matt Jackson $623,612
16. Jason Zuffranieri $549,496
17. Paolo Pasco $548,717
18. Scott Riccardi $533,000
19. Jerome Vered $499,102
20. Julia Collins $495,767
21. Austin Rogers $493,000
22. Juveria Zaheer $491,000
23. Ben Ingram $449,201
24. Adriana Harmeyer $446,600
25. Buzzy Cohen $441,603

Here’s today’s Final Jeopardy (in the category Reptiles) for Monday, March 9, 2026 (Season 42, Game 131):

Studying a hormone in the venom of this reptile species that may allow it to eat infrequently led to the weight-loss drug Ozempic

(correct response beneath the contestants)

Today’s Jeopardy! contestants:

Jonathan Rosales, a university fundraiser from Glendale, California

Katie Hoppenjans, a luxury travel marketer from Atlanta, Georgia

James Denison, a college professor & museum curator originally from Alexandria, Virginia (1-day total: $36,199)

Andy’s Pregame Thoughts:

It’s time for a new week of Jeopardy!; James Denison became your new champion on Friday with some aggressive wagering. Today, he faces off against challengers Katie Hoppenjans and Jonathan Rosales.

As I alluded to on Friday, there would have been a time where I would have wholeheartedly applauded James’s choice to bet very aggressively in Final Jeopardy. However, that applause comes with reservations, as I am of the belief—especially after as much close study as I have done—that “game theory optimal” strategy only works with your opponents also betting “game theory optimal”, and assuming that your opponents will bet optimally may end up losing games that were otherwise potentially winnable.

Correct response: What is the Gila monster?

More information about Final Jeopardy:

(The following write-up is original content and is copyright 2026 The Jeopardy! Fan. It may not be copied without linked attribution back to this page.)

In the 1980s, scientists began studying various reptile venoms in search of substances that might be able to be beneficial to human physiology. In the venom of the Gila monster—known for being able to eat only once or twice a year—a substance called exendin-4, now known for activating the GLP-1 receptor to reduce appetite and reduce blood sugar. This research led Novo Nordisk to develop semaglutide as a medication to treat diabetes—and for weight loss for those who could afford to do so; demand for the medication for its latter vanity use has been in the news for crowding out those whose require Ozempic for medical purposes.

I fully expect that the show’s choice to characterize Ozempic as a “weight-loss drug” and not “diabetes prevention drug” is going to receive a significant amount of negativity online this evening. This is a medication that diabetics need in order to potentially live, and the perpetuate the “weight-loss drug” stereotype is very harmful, especially as the vanity usage of Ozempic is preventing diabetics from being able to access medically necessary medication. Shame on the writers and shame on Jeopardy. You can and should be a lot better here, and the show deserves every last bit of negative publicity that will emanate from this characterization this evening.

In order to redesign our merchandise area to serve you better in 2026, all merchandise sales have been temporarily taken offline. Look for a return in late 2026! All previous orders will still be supported.

Game Recap:

Scores going into Final:

James $31,000
Katie $8,200
Jonathan $7,000

Tonight’s results:

Jonathan $7,000 – $3,700 = $3,300 (What is Komodo dragon?)
Katie $8,200 – $6,000 = $2,200 (What’s a viper?)
James $31,000 + $14,599 = $45,599 (What is the Gila monster? (Thanks Mr. Pelenberg <3)) (2-day total: $81,798)

Game Stats:

James $21,400 Coryat, 25 correct, 1 incorrect, 40.35% in first on buzzer (23/57), 1/1 on rebound attempts (on 4 rebound opportunities)
Jonathan $7,000 Coryat, 9 correct, 2 incorrect, 19.30% in first on buzzer (11/57), 0/0 on rebound attempts (on 3 rebound opportunities)
Katie $7,800 Coryat, 16 correct, 2 incorrect, 29.82% in first on buzzer (17/57), 0/0 on rebound attempts (on 3 rebound opportunities)
Combined Coryat Score: $36,200

If you are looking for more detailed statistics about today’s game of Jeopardy!, as well as the ability to leave a comment, make sure to check out the Daily Details section.

James Denison, to win:

3 games: 71.061%
4: 50.497%
5: 35.883%
6: 25.499%
7: 18.120%
Avg. streak: 4.456 games.

Andy’s Thoughts:

• A reminder that when it comes to song titles, an “overfull” song title is still judged as correct as long as the extra words given are correct lyrics from the song that come on either (or both) sides of the actual title of the song.
• Using forklifts to steal ATMs? Pshaw. Real ATM thieves use backhoes.
• Today’s J!6 clues can be found at the monthly archive.

Final Jeopardy! wagering suggestions:

(Scores: James $31,000 Katie $8,200 Jonathan $7,000)

James: Bet no more than $14,599 and enjoy your victory. (Actual bet: $14,599)

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Katie: Standard cover bet over Jonathan is $5,801. (Actual bet: $6,000)

Jonathan: For the best chance of finishing second, bet between $2,401 and $4,599. (Actual bet: $3,700)