Jeopardy! rules go far beyond the written playbook. Fans and players alike admit that there are some unwritten dos and don’ts of the iconic game show.

With a recent contestant taking an opportunity to “air grievances” with a rival on the Jeopardy! stage, fans are wondering what the actual code of conduct is for the game show.

Of course, this doesn’t just extend to official in-game rules, but also the more player-driven limitations. A fan on Reddit inquired: “As a more recent fan who loves to see how contestants interact on the show, I’ve noticed a few things that that I’d call good/bad sportsmanship. Things like loud celebration, taunting, interjecting to Ken, not shaking hands, or even doing huge wagers seem to be on the no list. Clapping after correct daily doubles (even if it means you lost the lead), shaking hands immediately after final, and using brevity when talking seem to be in the do list.”

The more veteran fans were happy to clear up some of the confusion, but were also baffled by the suggestion that “huge wagers” were any sort of issue. “Why would huge wagers be bad sportsmanship? The goal is to win,” another fan answered.

A few fans noted that shaking hands was a highly variable decision depending on the contestants and individual game. “As for not shaking hands. Sometimes they do, sometimes they don’t. There’s no pattern there. And they may in fact be shaking hands but the camera’s not on them so you never know,” wrote one fan.

A former contestant chimed in
Jennifer Quail, a contestant, also added her insight on handshaking. She said: “Nobody really thinks about shaking hands that much. If anything the show might discourage it because especially with the spaced-out podiums you have to get off your riser and that’s one more tripping hazard. I’ve had games I was NOT to move until they lowered it because it was a big step down. (I had one regular-season game where both my opponents were over six feet and I was a good 10″ up, and in the JIT semis you had Amy and I, who are not particularly tall, next to Dave, who…is.) And of course in my TOC there was NO TOUCHING anywhere ever they could see you. If you watch fast at the end of the tournament you can see me saying to Sam that I’d hug him if I didn’t think the Covid compliance guy would taze us.”

One fan pointed out a moment where they felt there was a bit of unsportsmanlike conduct occurring. They wrote: “The worst single incident of sportsmanship that I can think of is when Yogesh mansplained the correct answer to Emily while beating her in the TOC when she missed a Daily Double answer before Ken had even ruled her incorrect. Jawdroppingly rude.”

Jennifer continued to give additional insight, telling fans that the biggest no-no was about arguing with the host. “If you have an objection, you wait for the break and tell your minder, who will pass it to the judges,” she said. Plus, she explained that celebrating was allowed if it was contained enough. She said: “Nobody ever said anything about applauding during DDs, it’s just something people tend to do.”

As for the huge wagers question, the general consensus was that it was nothing more than a strategy. Fans seemed to think that it wasn’t offensive, just a chance to be sure they’d secure a win.