A NEW Jeopardy! loophole in the game show rules has allowed fan-favorite Drew Goins to continue to the Tournament of Champions despite today’s devastating loss.
After an impressive and entertaining run, the beloved breakout star’s time on Jeopardy! appeared to come to an end on Friday – but a change in the game has given him a second chance.
Drew Goins came in second on today’s Jeopardy! Champions Wildcard TournamentCredit: Jeopardy!
Ken Jennings hosts the tournament finalsCredit: Jeopardy!
Today’s nail-biting Jeopardy! Champions Wildcard Tournament came to a dramatic conclusion after dozens of contestants battled it out to make it to the finals.
The game is part two of the two-day finals – concluding the end of season 41 before heading into the prestigious Tournament of Champions.
Drew, a journalist from Honolulu, Hawaii, took on Will Yancey, a lecturer of history from Banquete, Texas and Mehal Shah, a software engineer from Seattle, Washington.
Their scores from yesterday’s game carried over to Friday – leaving Mehal to an early lead with $27,200, Drew with $17,600 and Will with $5,600.
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Like yesterday’s game, Mehal was off to an early lead which only increased when he found the first Daily Double – adding $1,000 to his score.
However, by the time the Double Jeopardy! round started, Drew had overtaken the lead with $9,200.
Mehal was in second with $5,400 while Will remained in third with $1,200.
Drew’s lead got deflated when he found the second Daily Double under “Historic States & Territories” but ultimately guessed the wrong answer – costing him $3,400.
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Jeopardy! players from L-R: Will Yancey, Drew Goins, Mehal ShahCredit: Jeopardy!
Rounding out the trio of Daily Doubles, Mehal found the third under the category “Change the Middle Letter” – accurately guessing the clue and adding $4,000 to his fortune.
After swapping leads throughout the game, heading into Final Jeopardy!, Mehal had garnered $19,000.
Drew fell back to second with $10,200 – meaning he would most likely need to wager everything and hope for a mistake from Mehal for a chance to win.
Will had just $3,600 as he stayed in third for the second consecutive game.
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Host Ken Jennings, 50, then introduced the final category as “Composers” and after the players placed their bets, read the clue: “‘Troll Hill’ is the name of his country home, the grounds of which include a concert hall & a lakeside cabin where he worked.”
“Who was Grieg?” was the correct response – which no one was able to accurately guess.
Mehal wisely bet $0 as he was already set up for a runaway lead while Drew and Will were both forced to bet everything they had – leaving them with nothing by the end of the game.
After adding up their combined two-day scores, Mehal was the standout winner with $46,200.
Drew was in second with $17,600 while Will was in third place with $5,600.
It was expected that only the sole winner from the Champions Wildcard Tournament would move onto the most prestigious battle of the franchise – the Tournament of Champions.
However, a loophole in the game show rules will allow Drew to continue on in a shocking change of events.
In addition to the top-earning winners of the regular season and from the tournament, Jeopardy! also allows the champion of Celebrity Jeopardy! to compete in the Tournament of Champions.
Jeopardy! 2025 Tournament of Champions
Adriana Harmeyer (15 wins and $349,600 total)
Isaac Hirsch (nine wins and $215,390)
Greg Jolin (five wins and $135,002)
Survivor alum Drew Basile (seven wins and $129,601)
Alison Betts (5 wins and $121,500)
Mark Fitzpatrick (five wins and $107,201)
Dr. Amy Hummel (5 wins and $100,994)
Ryan Manton (four wins and $83,179)
Grant DeYoung (four wins and $81,203)
Will Wallace (four wins and $79,998)
Amar Kakirde (four wins and $55,899)
Lisa Ann Walter (winner of Celebrity Jeopardy! 2024)
The prize for winning the ToC is $250,000 and a coveted slot in Jeopardy! Masters.
Jeopardy.com notes: “All 4-time and over winning players starting from 04/10/24 will be eligible for a future Tournament of Champions.”
“Presence on this list does NOT guarantee an invitation to compete. Other eligibility rules apply and final selection is up to the producers’ sole discretion.”
The winner of the 2024 season was The Parent Trap legend and Abbott Elementary star, Lisa Ann Walter, 61.
Due to scheduling conflicts with Lisa Ann having to film the upcoming season of Abbott Elementary, she was unable to compete on Tournament of Champions – leaving her invitation up to the second place competitor from the Champions Wildcard.
Fans were thrilled with the news, with one saying: “Just when i thought i couldn’t possibly adore drew goins any more… so glad we’ll be seeing more of him in the ToC!”
“And just when I thought Drew couldn’t top the Taylor redemption moment, he walks off stage after missing the Celine clue… Iconic,” another said of Drew’s more lighthearted moment.
“That was an incredible game, including Drew’s reaction to the Celine Dion clue miss. Everyone played well and congrats to Mehal and Drew for going to the ToC!
“This means that the 2025 ToC will have two A(l)lison’s, two Will’s, and two Drew’s,” an observant fan wrote.
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Will and Drew will both walk away with $40,000 from the tournament while Mehal scored a $100,000 payday.
The pulse-racing Jeopardy! Tournament of Champions begins Monday, January 27th.
Drew and Will hug Mehal after his big winCredit: Jeopardy!
Mehal became the victor of the Champions Wildcard TournamentCredit: Jeopardy!
