Who won Jeopardy! tonight? January 9, 2025, Thursday

The episode of Jeopardy! aired on January 9, 2025, featured a close contest among three participants: Enzo Cunanan, Sam Cameron, and Drew Goins. The episode constituted the finals for Week 2 of the Winter 2025 Second Chance competition.

Enzo triumphed with a remarkable score of $21,800. No official winner has been announced, as scores will be carried over to tomorrow, with Enzo maintaining a substantial lead entering Day 2.

The Final Jeopardy round significantly influenced the standings. The clue in the Animals in Science category was:

The inaugural mammal species launched into space, renowned primarily for an antigen present in its blood.

Enzo and Sam accurately identified the rhesus monkey as the correct answer, whereas Drew provided an incorrect response. Enzo's robust performance in preceding rounds and a calculated bet in Final Jeopardy reinforced his advantage.

Jeopardy! consistently engages audiences through its distinctive format that amalgamates trivia and strategy. The contestants' abilities are evaluated across various categories, making the competition exhilarating for participants and spectators. Episodes such as tonight's underscore the competitive nature and expertise necessary to succeed in the program.

Jeopardy! episode highlights January 9, 2025, Thursday

Jeopardy round

The first round included categories such as World History, All Around The U.S., Foia & Find Out, We Shall Endure, Movie Lines, and "Dis" Is How You Say It. The contestants started strong, with a mix of correct and incorrect responses.

Below are the scores at the first break (15 clues):

• Enzo: $2,400 (5 correct, 1 incorrect)
• Sam: $2,400 (3 correct, 0 incorrect)
• Drew: $1,200 (5 correct, 2 incorrect)

During the interviews, Enzo shared that he's working on a novel about Henry VIII. Sam thanked his mom for a geography-learning toy, and Drew mentioned being recognized at the gym after his first appearance. By the end of the Jeopardy! round the scores were:

• Enzo: $3,600 (9 correct, 2 incorrect)
• Drew: $3,200 (10 correct, 2 incorrect)
• Sam: $400 (7 correct, 1 incorrect)

Double Jeopardy! Round

The Double Jeopardy round featured categories such as Word History, Literary Biography, All In The Family, Oceania, Fabrics & Textiles, and Classic TV. Drew correctly answered Daily Double #2, while Sam, initially in the negatives, wagered carefully on Daily Double #3 and ultimately recovered by the conclusion of the round.

Statistics after Double Jeopardy:

• Enzo: 16 correct, 4 incorrect
• Drew: 18 correct, 3 incorrect
• Sam: 15 correct, 3 incorrect

Scores going into Final Jeopardy:

• Enzo: $13,600
• Drew: $10,400
• Sam: $1,700

Final Jeopardy! Round

The Final Jeopardy clue under Animals in Science challenged contestants with a historical and scientific question. Both Enzo and Sam correctly answered, What is a rhesus monkey? Drew's incorrect answer, What is a mouse? cost him a significant amount.

Final scores:

• Enzo: $21,800 (+$8,200 wager)
• Drew: $5,000 (-$5,400 wager)
• Sam: $3,400 (+$1,700 wager)

Contestant profiles

Enzo Cunanan: A student from Orlando, Florida, Enzo exhibited remarkable aptitude and strategic acumen. His performance in the Jeopardy! and Double Jeopardy rounds, coupled with a decisive wager in the Final Jeopardy round, secured him the lead.

Sam Cameron: A finance manager from Fargo, North Dakota, Sam encountered difficulties in the initial two rounds but successfully recuperated in the Final Jeopardy round with an accurate answer.

Drew Goins: A journalist hailing from Honolulu, Hawai'i, Drew participated in the competition as a frontrunner due to prior performances. Although he answered the majority of questions correctly in the Double Jeopardy round, an erroneous Final Jeopardy response adversely impacted his score.

Insights about the show

Jeopardy!'s diverse trivia topics, strategic wagering, and fast-paced gameplay make it unique. Contestants must be knowledgeable and have quick thinking. The show's three rounds and rising stakes ensure dynamic competition.

This episode showed how Daily Doubles and Final Jeopardy affect results. Sam's cautious bet on Daily Double #3 and Drew's incorrect Final Jeopardy response highlight the game's strategy. Enzo's strategy-knowledge balance was crucial.

Jeopardy! episode recap: Thursday, January 9, 2025

Jeopardy round

Categories:

• World History
• All Around The U.S.
• Foia & Find Out
• We Shall Endure
• Movie Lines
• "Dis" Is How You Say It

Statistics at the first break (15 clues):

• Enzo: 5 correct, 1 incorrect.
• Sam: 3 correct, 0 incorrect.
• Drew: 5 correct, 2 incorrect.

Player interviews:

• Enzo: Working on a novel about Henry VIII.
• Sam: Thanked his mom for bringing him an old geography-learning toy.
• Drew: Recognized by people at the gym after his first appearance.

Statistics after the Jeopardy round:

• Enzo: 9 correct, 2 incorrect.
• Drew: 10 correct, 2 incorrect.
• Sam: 7 correct, 1 incorrect.

Scores after the Jeopardy round:

• Enzo: $3,600
• Drew: $3,200
• Sam: $400

Double Jeopardy Round

Categories:

• Word History
• Literary Biography
• All In The Family
• Oceania
• Fabrics & Textiles
• Classic TV

Key events:

• Drew found Daily Double #2 and answered it correctly.
• Sam, in the negatives when he found Daily Double #3, wagered an amount insufficient to leave the negatives but managed to finish the round above zero.

Statistics after Double Jeopardy:

• Enzo: 16 correct, 4 incorrect.
• Drew: 18 correct, 3 incorrect.
• Sam: 15 correct, 3 incorrect.

Scores going into Final Jeopardy:

• Enzo: $13,600
• Drew: $10,400
• Sam: $1,700

Final Jeopardy

• Clue Response: "What is a rhesus macaque?"
• Enzo: Correct, wagered $8,200, final score $21,800.
• Drew: Incorrect ("What is a mouse?"), wagered $5,400, final score $5,000.
• Sam: Correct, wagered $1,700, final score $3,400.

Final notes

• Total number of unplayed clues this season: 26 (none unplayed today).
• Scores will carry over into Day 2 tomorrow.

Tonight's Jeopardy! featured a thrilling match between skilled players. Enzo Cunanan had a big lead with a final score of $21,800 for his knowledge and strategy. Both Drew Goins and Sam Cameron played well, but they weren't as consistent as Enzo.

Since scores will be carried over to tomorrow's show, the winner of the Second Chance competition is still unknown.

​