Who won Jeopardy! tonight? January 27, 2025, Monday

In the first quarterfinal match of the Tournament of Champions for season 41, viewers of Jeopardy! were glued to their screens on January 27, 2025. In this episode, three players faced off in a high-stakes trivia competition. Will Wallace, a design director from Austin, Texas, advanced through the challenging rounds and is now in the semifinals.

None of the three players could easily navigate the "World Capitals" category in the Final Jeopardy question. During the "Roaring Forties," none of them identified Wellington, New Zealand, as the correct capital. Despite this, Will Wallace emerged victorious due to his lead entering the final round, winning $10,799 plus his wager.

The quiz show Jeopardy! has captivated viewers since it first aired in 1964. The show's constant testing of contestants across a wide range of subjects, coupled with its distinctive answer-and-question format, has made it a fan favorite among trivia fans all over the globe.

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Jeopardy! episode highlights: January 27, 2025

Jeopardy! round

The episode began with a competitive Jeopardy! Round, featuring categories such as “Lakes of America” and “Hell’s Kitchen, The Musical.” Alison Betts started strong by finding the Daily Double early in the game.

However, an incorrect response slowed her momentum. Will Wallace led the round, finishing with $3,800, while Alison and Rishabh Wuppalapati were tied at $2,200.

Key statistics after this round:

• Will: 8 correct, 4 incorrect
• Alison: 9 correct, 2 incorrect
• Rishabh: 6 correct, 1 incorrect

Double Jeopardy! round

In the Double Jeopardy! Round, the competition intensified with categories like “Literary Characters” and “Celebrity Memoirs.” Both Will and Rishabh found a Daily Double and answered correctly, but Will’s consistent performance on high-value clues gave him a strong lead.

By the end of the round, Will had $15,200, followed by Alison with $9,800 and Rishabh with $5,800.

Statistics after this round:

• Will: 18 correct, 5 incorrect
• Alison: 17 correct, 3 incorrect
• Rishabh: 12 correct, 2 incorrect

Final Jeopardy! round

The Final Jeopardy clue, “Home to more than 400,000, it’s the only world capital in the ‘Roaring Forties’ latitudes,” stumped all three contestants. The correct response, Wellington, New Zealand, went unanswered. Will’s cautious wagering strategy ensured his victory, with a final score of $10,799.

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Contestant profiles

Will Wallace: A game design director from Texas, Will demonstrated exceptional knowledge and strategic gameplay throughout the episode. His ability to capitalize on high-value clues secured his win and semifinal spot.

Alison Betts: A writer and creative executive, Alison showcased her trivia skills with a strong start but was unable to bridge the gap during Final Jeopardy.

Rishabh Wuppalapati: A student from the University of Pennsylvania, Rishabh impressed with his energy and correct responses but struggled to catch up to the leaders in the final round.

Each contestant added their own special touch to the game. Rishabh wowed the audience with his special dance, while Will shared a story about receiving the Tournament of Champions call while dealing with a flat tire. Alison remained determined despite her superstitions, choosing to compete without her family watching.

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How Jeopardy! stands out in the world?

Jeopardy! remains a fan-favorite show due to its challenging format and engaging gameplay. Its mix of general knowledge, quick thinking, and smart betting makes it unique compared to other shows. Episodes like the one on January 27, 2025, show that even experienced contestants can run into surprising difficulties.

Game recap & Tonight’s game stats

Jeopardy! Round:

• Categories: Lakes Of America; Game Time; Special Days; “Ch” As In Champ; Broken; Hell’s Kitchen, The Musical
• Alison found the Daily Double early but missed the correct response
• Alison performed well in “CH” AS IN CHAMP, while Will led the round

Scores after 15 clues:

• Will: $3,200 (5 correct, 1 incorrect)
• Alison: $1,400 (6 correct, 2 incorrect)
• Rishabh: -$400 (1 correct, 1 incorrect)

Scores after Jeopardy Round:

• Will: $3,800 (8 correct, 4 incorrect)
• Alison: $2,200 (9 correct, 2 incorrect)
• Rishabh: $2,200 (6 correct, 1 incorrect)

Double Jeopardy Round:

• Categories: Putting The Culture In Agriculture; A Weak Response; Literary Characters; It’s Got A Motor; That Happened; Celebrity Memoirs
• Will and Rishabh correctly answered their respective Daily Doubles
• Will dominated the high-value clues, increasing his lead

Statistics after Double Jeopardy:

• Will: $15,200 (18 correct, 5 incorrect)
• Alison: $9,800 (17 correct, 3 incorrect)
• Rishabh: $5,800 (12 correct, 2 incorrect)
• Total unplayed clues this season: 26 (none in this episode)

Final Jeopardy Round:

• Category: World Capitals
• Clue: “Home to more than 400,000, it’s the only world capital in the ‘Roaring Forties’ latitudes”
• Correct response: What is Wellington, New Zealand?
• All three contestants missed the clue

Final scores:

• Will: $15,200 – $4,401 = $10,799 (Semi-Finalist)
• Alison: $9,800 – $5,401 = $4,399
• Rishabh: $5,800 – $5,800 = $0

Key highlights:

• Will Wallace won with a strong lead despite missing the Final Jeopardy response.
• The Final Jeopardy category proved challenging for all contestants.
• Will advance as a semifinalist in the Tournament of Champions.

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Will Wallace's win on January 27, 2025, showed his strategic gameplay and strong understanding of the game. Although none of the contestants answered the Final Jeopardy question correctly, Will's lead allowed him to advance to the semifinals.