Jeopardy! Missed Opportunities & Memorable Fails

Jeopardy! is known for cerebral triumphs, but sometimes the drama unfolds when contestants miss easy clues, misstep on wagers, or buzz too soon. These misfires—whether by buzzer timing, strategic misjudgments, or Final Jeopardy surprises—make some episodes unforgettable. Here's a deep dive into the show's most jaw‑dropping missed opportunities and fails.

Buzzer Beater Blunders

One of the most painful missteps comes from buzzing too early. Jeopardy!'s signaling system will lock out contestants who buzz before the host finishes reading—a ¼‑second window makes a world of difference. Top-tier players have been caught by this rule, costing them easy points and control of the board.

For example, during a tournament, contestant Mark Palmere repeatedly buzzed too eagerly—viewers dubbed it “Freddie Mercury-style”—but just this micro‑timing often led to lock‑outs, allowing opponents to steal Daily Doubles or high‑value clues

Daily Double Disasters

Missing a Daily Double—either by failing to ring in or answering incorrectly—can derail a contestant’s entire game. In May 2025, Keegan Olson missed two Daily Doubles in the same game, costing him thousands; fans called the scenario “absolutely brutal”

Other contestants gamble big and lose big. In 2024, Episcopal priest Kevin Laskowski wagered $3,000 on a Daily Double but answered incorrectly, dropping his lead—though he recovered later. These moments underscore the high‑stakes gamble Daily Doubles present.

Final Jeopardy: Wagering Missteps

Final Jeopardy is where missed opportunities often leave the biggest sting. In one notable case, English professor Katie Kornacki risked it all but wagered wrong—losing her multi‑day streak and missing out on TOC eligibility.

In 2021, Ben Chan, emboldened by a nine‑day run, lost it due to a spelling error: he wrote “Benedict” instead of “Benedick” on a Shakespeare clue—fans were outraged over the harsh ruling.

Past stunners include Adriana Harmeyer, who overcame an initial Whiffs—but her Final Jeopardy save was more triumph than fail. Others, like Scott McCann, lost by betting too conservatively, missing their shot at victory.

Triple Stumpers & Blank Boards

Occasionally, the Final Jeopardy clue is so easy that watchers are stunned contestants still blank. One case in March 2025 saw a clue about “Cheers” leave all three unable to answer correctly—a "triple stumper" fans couldn’t believe.

Season 41 set a low‑score record with 16 wrong responses and ten triple stumpers; all three Daily Doubles went unanswered. These episodes highlight both the difficulty of the game and the pressure players face.

Super‑Champions Who Fumbled

Even Jeopardy icons aren’t immune:

  • Ken Jennings missed two Daily Doubles in his 75th game—causing his streak to end after earning legendary status.
  • Julia Collins, after winning 20 games and $428K, bet all in and missed Final Jeopardy in her elimination, shocking fans.
  • Matt Amodio’s teammate Alex Jacob

Spectacular Clue Fails

Beyond wagers, some clues just trip up contestants:

  • A contestant was stumped by a $200 Lord’s Prayer clue—missing “hallowed”—prompting social media backlash.
  • Another unable to identify Drake slang had viewers in disbelief over Generational disconnect.
  • Choyon Manjrekar swapped “Rock of Ages” for “Kinky Boots” on Final Jeopardy—earning laughs but losing money.

Strategic Blunders and Control Loss

Buzzer timing and wagering aside, missing control at key times is a frequent error:

  • Contestant Mark Palmere’s buzzer “squats” may have earned attention—but early buzzing cost him big clues.
  • On tournament stages, tense buzzer races lead to lock‑outs that shift control dramatically, as seen with Yogesh Raut’s “buzzer technique” criticized for disrupting rhythm.

What We Learn from Fails

These fail moments teach key lessons:

  • Timing over knowledge: A brilliant answer means little if you can’t buzz in.
  • Practice wagers: Misjudged bets can cost victories worth thousands.
  • Stay calm: Pressure exacerbates errors—visible in buzzer fumbles.
  • Know the game rules: Underestimating tool like Final Jeopardy strategy or Daily Double value is a common downfall.

Notable Fails in Context

Compare them to feats like Ken Jennings’ run or James Holzhauer’s bold strategies—they’re two sides of Jeopardy!’s competitive coin. Fails heighten the drama and remind us how human champions are, even amid high IQ battles.

Conclusion

Jeopardy! isn't just trivia—it’s a pressure cooker where timing, strategy, and composure matter as much as knowledge. While champions’ streaks are inspiring, the greatest missed opportunities often teach more. From buzzer misfires to wagering miscalculations, these memorable fails capture what makes Jeopardy! both thrilling and relatable: everyone’s just one misstep away from history—or regret.