Amy Schneider’s “Jeopardy!” winning streak has come to an end. She won a total of 40 games before finally getting tripped up on a question that lost her the game.
The question that tripped up Schneider was a final Jeopardy! question about countries of the world. Going into final Jeopardy!, Schneider was in second place which was unusual. In most games, she has already been in the lead at this point.
Schneider’s final final “Jeopardy!” clue was “The only nation whose name in English ends in an ‘h’ and which is also one of the 10 most populous.” She didn’t know the answer. She didn’t even guess.
Rhone Talsma knew the answer. He correctly guessed “What is Bangladesh?” That answer won him the game, the bragging rights of beating Schneider, and $29,600.
Talsma was surprised and excited that he won. In a statement he said, “I did not expect to be facing a 40-day champion, and I was excited to maybe see someone else slay the giant. I just really didn’t think it was going to be me, so I’m thrilled.”
Watch the video below to learn more about Schneider’s winning streak and why you will be seeing her again in the future.
Schneider is both disappointed and a little bit relieved that her winning streak is over. She told the Associated Press, “I had a feeling my time was winding down, even though it didn’t look that way in the scores.” After beating Matt Amodio’s winning streak of 38 games in a row, she found it pretty daunting to try to beat Ken Jennings’ winning streak of 74 games in a row.
Contestants get paid their winnings after their final game airs. Schneider plans to travel and go shopping.
Besides the money, Schneider thinks the best part of the experience was helping the trans community. Schneider is a trans woman. She explained, “I’m here because of the sacrifices countless trans people have made, often to the extent of risking their lives. To do my part to move that cause forward, it’s really special.”
Are you surprised that Schneider’s winning streak has come to an end?