Today’s Final Jeopardy – Thursday, December 29, 2022

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Current Champion

Matthew Riggle, career statistics:
47 correct, 6 incorrect
1/1 on rebound attempts (on 4 rebound opportunities)
41.23% in first on buzzer (47/114)
3/3 on Daily Doubles (Net Earned: $7,600)
1/2 in Final Jeopardy
Average Coryat: $21,300

To win:
3 games: 68.027%
4: 46.277%
5: 31.481%
6: 21.415%
7: 14.568%
Avg. streak: 4.128 games.
(Next game: September 14)
(Click Here for Methodology)

Upcoming Encore Presentations

August 12: S42 E98 (January 21, 2026)
August 13: S42 E99 (January 22, 2026)
August 14: S42 E100 (January 23, 2026)
August 15-16: S41 E141 (March 24, 2025)
August 17: S42 E101 (January 26, 2026)
August 18: S42 E105 (January 30, 2026)
August 19: S42 E102 (January 27, 2026)
August 20: S42 E103 (January 28, 2026)
August 21: S42 E104 (January 29, 2026)
August 22-23: S41 E142 (March 25, 2025)
August 24: S42 E106 (February 2, 2026)
August 25: S42 E107 (February 3, 2026)
August 26: S42 E108 (February 4, 2026)
August 27: S42 E109 (February 5, 2026)
August 28: S42 E110 (February 6, 2026)
August 29-30: S41 E143 (March 26, 2025)
(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 $1,098,403
7. Mattea Roach $897,983
8. Jamie Ding $885,605
9. David Madden $785,733
10. Victoria Groce $773,801
11. Cris Pannullo $754,286
12. Roger Craig $706,200
13. Larissa Kelly $671,930
14. Matt Jackson $623,612
15. Jason Zuffranieri $549,496
16. Andrew He $534,365
17. Scott Riccardi $533,000
18. Jerome Vered $499,102
19. Julia Collins $495,767
20. Austin Rogers $493,000
21. Ben Ingram $449,201
22. Paolo Pasco $448,717
23. Adriana Harmeyer $446,600
24. Buzzy Cohen $441,603
25. Juveria Zaheer $441,000

DISCLAIMER

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Here’s today’s Final Jeopardy (in the category Gods & Goddesses) for Thursday, December 29, 2022 (Season 39, Game 79):

Each morning she began her ride in her chariot across the sky ahead of her brother Sol, or Helios

(correct response beneath the contestants)

Today’s Jeopardy! contestants:

Rachel Cohen, a consultant from Denver, Colorado

Emily Kawaler, a bioinformatician from New York, New York

Ray Lalonde, a scenic artist from Toronto, Ontario, Canada (10-day total: $285,100)

Andy’s Pregame Thoughts:

Yesterday, Ray Lalonde became the 16th player in Jeopardy! history to win at least ten games. All of the previous fifteen won game #11. On the one hand, that’s not a particularly promising statistic for Emily Kawaler or Rachel Cohen. On the other, it’s a chance to make history.

I would also like to take this time to remind Jeopardy! viewers: comments regarding a contestant’s mannerisms that they have no control over are completely inappropriate in any forum. It has been reported on that Ray has suffered spinal cord damage that often prevents him from being able to stand still. By commenting on (and mocking) him, you only serve to paint Jeopardy! fans as a whole as a callous, insensitive group that lacks compassion towards others—and it needs to stop.

PSA: The best way to keep COVID-19 at bay (and keep Jeopardy! producing new episodes) is for everybody to get their vaccinations as soon as they can, including any boosters as recommended. When wearing a mask, please ensure that your mask covers both your nose and your mouth.

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Correct response: Who is Aurora (or Eos)?

More information about Final Jeopardy:

(The following write-up is original content and is copyright 2022 The Jeopardy! Fan. It may not be copied without linked attribution back to this page.)

The Roman Aurora (Greek Eos) is the Greco-Roman personification of the dawn; her daily chariot ride across the sky was said to bring the dawn.

One important point here: the fact that both Sol and Helios were mentioned in the clue leads me to believe that the show is prepared to accept either the Roman name Aurora or the Greek name Eos on this Final. If you said either name at home, give yourself credit!

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Game Recap:

Jeopardy! Round:

(Categories: Along The Mississippi; Classic Flute Rock; You’Re Wearing Your Food; 3-Named Writers; Sheer Misery; Don’t Get…)

For the first time in his entire run, Ray missed a Daily Double! That put him behind the eight ball through most of the opening round; meanwhile, both Emily and Rachel played very well!

Statistics at the first break (15 clues):

Rachel 5 correct 1 incorrect
Emily 2 correct 0 incorrect
Ray 6 correct 1 incorrect

Statistics after the Jeopardy round:

Emily 10 correct 1 incorrect
Rachel 9 correct 1 incorrect
Ray 8 correct 1 incorrect

Double Jeopardy! Round:

(Categories: The Comedy Of Eras; Break The “Code”; State Of The Heart; TV To See In 2022; The House Of Power; Rings Of Dragons)

Rachel got to the first Daily Double; unfortunately, she dropped $4,000. Then, she didn’t seem to want to find the third—Emily eventually found it and took a small lead! While Ray did re-take the lead for a couple of clues, Emily battled back to take a slim lead going into clue #61! Scores going into Final were Emily at $14,200, Ray at $13,200, and Rachel at $11,800.

Statistics after Double Jeopardy:

Emily 19 correct 2 incorrect
Ray 18 correct 2 incorrect
Rachel 19 correct 4 incorrect
Total number of unplayed clues this season: 12 (0 today).

Rachel and Ray both went for Eos. Unfortunately, Emily went for Luna—and that means Ray is now an 11-day champion! He goes for win #12 tomorrow after surviving a scare.

Tonight’s Game Stats:

Looking to find out who won Jeopardy! today? Here’s the Thursday, December 29, 2022 Jeopardy! by the numbers:

Scores going into Final:

Emily $14,200
Ray $13,200
Rachel $11,800

Tonight’s results:

Rachel $11,800 + $11,000 = $22,800 (Who is Eos?)
Ray $13,200 + $13,200 = $26,400 (Who is Eos?) (11-day total: $311,500)
Emily $14,200 – $12,201 = $1,999 (Who is Luna?)

Scores after the Jeopardy! Round:

Emily $5,200
Rachel $4,600
Ray $1,200

Opening break taken after: 15 clues

Daily Double locations:

1) 3-NAMED WRITERS $800 (clue #9)
Ray 3000 -3000 (Emily 200 Rachel 0)
2) STATE OF THE HEART $1600 (clue #16)
Rachel 13000 -4000 (Ray 8000 Emily 8000)
3) THE HOUSE OF POWER $800 (clue #24, $5200 left on board)
Emily 9600 +3000 (Ray 11200 Rachel 10200)
Overall Daily Double Efficiency for this game: -100

Clue Selection by Row, Before Daily Doubles Found:

J! Round:
Ray 3 4 5 2 1 4*
Emily 3
Rachel 1 2

DJ! Round:
Ray 3 4 5 3 4 5 5 4 5 2
Emily 3 5 2 3 2*
Rachel 1 2 3 4 4 4* 1 2 1†

† – selection in same category as Daily Double

Average Row of Clue Selection, Before Daily Doubles Found:

Ray 3.69
Rachel 2.27
Emily 3.00

Unplayed clues:

J! Round: None!
DJ! Round: None!
Total Left On Board: $0
Number of clues left unrevealed this season: 12 (0.15 per episode average), 0 Daily Doubles

Game Stats:

Ray $16,200 Coryat, 18 correct, 2 incorrect, 28.07% in first on buzzer (16/57), 3/3 on rebound attempts (on 5 rebound opportunities)
Rachel $15,800 Coryat, 19 correct, 4 incorrect, 36.84% in first on buzzer (21/57), 1/1 on rebound attempts (on 3 rebound opportunities)
Emily $12,000 Coryat, 19 correct, 2 incorrect, 33.33% in first on buzzer (19/57), 1/1 on rebound attempts (on 4 rebound opportunities)
Combined Coryat Score: $44,000
Lach Trash: $1,400 (on 2 Triple Stumpers)
Coryat lost to incorrect responses (less double-correct responses): $8,600

Ray Lalonde, career statistics:

280 correct, 32 incorrect
23/26 on rebound attempts (on 41 rebound opportunities)
41.31% in first on buzzer (259/627)
15/16 on Daily Doubles (Net Earned: $41,100)
9/11 in Final Jeopardy
Average Coryat: $20,273

Emily Kawaler, career statistics:

19 correct, 3 incorrect
1/1 on rebound attempts (on 4 rebound opportunities)
33.33% in first on buzzer (19/57)
1/1 on Daily Doubles (Net Earned: $3,000)
0/1 in Final Jeopardy
Average Coryat: $12,000

Rachel Cohen, career statistics:

20 correct, 4 incorrect
1/1 on rebound attempts (on 3 rebound opportunities)
36.84% in first on buzzer (21/57)
0/1 on Daily Doubles (Net Earned: -$4,000)
1/1 in Final Jeopardy
Average Coryat: $15,800

Ray Lalonde, to win:

12 games: 80.056%
13: 64.090%
14: 51.308%
15: 41.076%
16: 32.884%
Avg. streak: 15.014 games.

Today’s interviews:

Rachel does triathlons.
Emily really enjoys watching niche sports.
Ray remembers watching the Art Fleming version with his mother.

Andy’s Thoughts:

• Ray moves to #12 all-time in terms of regular play winnings on the show.

• Today’s box score: December 29, 2022 Box Score.

Final Jeopardy! wagering suggestions:

(Scores: Emily $14,200 Ray $13,200 Rachel $11,800)

Ray: Standard cover bet over Rachel is $10,401. (Actual bet: $13,200)

Emily: Standard cover bet over Ray is $12,201. (Actual bet: $12,201)

Rachel: If Ray and Emily make cover bets, they’ll fall to $1,999 and $2,799, respectively. Limit your bet to $8,999. (Actual bet: $11,000)

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