Jeopardy! Masters 2025: AI Predictions, Analysis, Player Power Rankings
Who does AI think is going to win Jeopardy Masters 2025 with Victoria attempting to defend her title and James "High Roller" Holzhauer MIA?
Jeopardy Masters 2025 is on deck with an April 30th start date. Apparently this year will be a bit different from prior versions — featuring 9 contestants (as opposed to just 6 in prior years).
I used to watch Jeopardy somewhat religiously over the past few years (2021-2024) and for some reason just stopped watching this past year… I think I may have only watched 2-3 episodes in 2025.
Caught some of the celeb matches with Mina Kimes and saw a game or two with Adriana Harmeyer (a Masters 2025 contestant).
I missed all the tourneys this year and can’t keep up. In the past I’ve typically enjoyed watching:
Tournament of Champions: Annual event featuring the best contestants from the “regular season” games. (Contestants who had the longest streaks of elite performance.)
Second Chance Tournament: Launched in 2022… this gives selected non-winning contestants (solid performers) from prior years a chance to compete with the prize of being entered into the Champions Wildcard.
Champions Wildcard: Started in 2023, this features 1, 2, and 3-day champions from the prior season, providing a pathway to the Tournament of Champions.
Jeopardy Invitational Tournament: Debut was in 2023 and invites past notable contestants a chance to compete for a slot in Jeopardy Masters.
Celeb Jeopardy: Has been going on since 1992. Features some celebs you know, and some celebs that you’ve never heard of (*that person* is a celeb?).
Jeopardy College Championship & High School Reunion Tournament: These featured some smart students competing.
Anyways… I won’t be missing the 2025 Jeopardy! Masters… many of the big dogs (with some exceptions) have crawled out of the woodwork to compete.
Who is the best player of Jeopardy of all time? Zero competition… it’s the host: Ken Jennings. Ken mopped the floor with everyone in his path… so good that he quasi embarrassed some of the most elite contestants Jeopardy has ever seen.
Perhaps the talent pool for Jeopardy will accumulate 2025-2030 and some turbo mutants will emerge with the chops to take on GOAT Jennings in another GOAT tournament; but at this point unlikely. Even with some age-related cognitive drop-off for Ken, I think he’d handle his biz against challengers.
This year when glossing over Jeopardy Masters contestant names I was a bit disappointed to see that Troy Meyer did not make the cut.
Last year he was in the Tournament of Champions and I felt he should’ve been given 1 of the 6 slots in the Masters… not that it would’ve mattered, but I he played the most consistent Jeopardy! of any contestant… likable guy too — just got burned in Final Jeopardy in the trifecta duel with Yogesh and Ben Chan (ChanGPT).
Mildly disappointed that James “High Roller” Holzhauer isn’t returning to avenge his 2024 loss against Victoria. Figured he’d be motivated to steamroll in 2025.
I would like Mark Labbett a.k.a. “The Beast” to take a shot at Jeopardy… clearly he has the trivia knowledge and reaction time given his history on the show The Chase which went downhill when they axed him from the cast.
2025 Jeopardy! Masters Prediction
It’s really hard for me to bet against Victoria Groce here in 2025. I knew she was a very solid Trivia contestant, but she exceeded even my wildest predictions.
Last year my prediction was that James would secure the bag, Yogesh would give him a run… and Amodio would third wheel it. I catch myself often pulling for Amodio… good vibes. (Read: Jeopardy Masters 2024: Season 2 Predictions)
But as I noted last year, Victoria put on a clinic… taking a break from watching her Danish knitting show to mollywhop the entire crew. Unfazed by Yogesh’s buzzer pressing theatrics, James talking some shit, and the spotlight.
Who wants the smoke from Victoria this year? Last year my prediction was that she’d place 4th… wasn’t even close. Should I pick her again this year just because she won last year? Maybe. This is a high stakes tournament with elite pressure and she showed zero sign of weakness.
That said, even one year between shows or a bit of stress or weird psychological pressure can throw someone off their game. Who knows what’s happening in the personal lives of each contestant leading up to the Masters… hopefully nothing too mentally taxing so we see them at their best.
I think Yogesh has a good shot… very tough contestant. To me he applies psychological pressure with his embellished buzzer pressing in attempt to draw attention from others — ideally contestants would have blinders… but this is a subtle part of the strategy (others could leverage it too — there’s fat stacks on the line.)
I haven’t watched the 2025 TOC so no idea what happened but heard some mispronunciation cost someone bigly.
I’m familiar with the OG that is Brad Rutter. Subjectively seems like a good guy. Don’t think he’ll win but solid competition.
So if Victoria is fully dialed like she was last year… good chance to repeat. Any psychological vulnerability or distraction and Yogesh coming for the jugular.
Who do I want to win? IDK whoever plays consistently the best. What don’t I want to happen? Someone dominates then fumbles the bag at a key moment in the final to lose.
Prediction: Victoria Groce (low confidence)
Jeopardy Masters 2025: Tournament Analysis by AI (o1-pro & Deep Research)
I also had ChatGPT’s o1-pro to do some “deep research” on the 2025 Jeopardy Masters tournament and come up with its own prediction — without reflexively just picking the favorite to win.
I had it cover a variety of things, including: The qualification process (from regular season play, TOC, Second Chance, Invitational, past Masters), full player list, notable absences, format (and any changes from last year), key player strengths, performance analysis from past seasons and recent games, tactical tendencies, and deep player-by-player breakdowns.
I also had it develop independent objective Jeopardy Masters “Power Rankings” based on its perceived chances of each winning. This model includes statistics, strategy, psychology, the format/rules of the Masters 2025, and dynamics among specific contestants.
Note: I cannot guarantee that every tiny factoid in this piece is accurate. o1-pro + deep research occasionally makes mistakes. I did not verify everything here (typically I do more of a deep dive/verification).
Research time: ~45 minutes. (This was the longest I’ve ever seen “deep research” research any topic. Typically it spends anywhere from 8-15 minutes — occasionally 20-30 minutes… but this broke its PR for me.)
Qualification Formula for Jeopardy! Masters 2025
Masters Invitation Criteria: Jeopardy! Masters is an invite-only tournament featuring the top-performing champions from recent events. Initially, the Masters field was hand-picked (Season 1 in 2023) based on notable champions, but a more defined formula has since emerged. By 2025, the qualification works as follows:
Defending Masters Finalists: The top finishers from the previous Masters tournament automatically qualify for the next. In practice, the reigning Masters Champion (Victoria Groce) and the runner-up (Yogesh Raut) received automatic invitations for 2025. (James Holzhauer, who placed 3rd in 2024, would have qualified but is not participating due to a personal hiatus, see below.)
Tournament of Champions (TOC) Winner: The champion of the most recent Jeopardy! Tournament of Champions earns a Masters spot. For 2025, that is Neilesh Vinjamuri, who won the 2025 TOC in February.
Jeopardy! Invitational Tournament (JIT) Winner: The JIT is a newer event (started in 2024) featuring past greats and notable players. Its champion gets a Masters berth. Matt Amodio secured this by winning the 2025 Invitational in March.
Additional Top Finalists: In 2025 the field expanded to 9 players (from 6 in prior years). Thus, beyond the automatic invites above, producers invited other high achievers:
TOC Runners-Up: Both finalists who lost to Neilesh – Adriana Harmeyer and Isaac Hirsch – were invited. (They placed 2nd and 3rd in the 2025 TOC, respectively, after a multi-game final.)
JIT Runners-Up: The two Invitational finalists alongside Matt – Roger Craig and Juveria Zaheer – were also invited. This was a departure from 2024 when only the JIT winner got in; in 2025 the Invitational’s top three were included.
Producer’s Pick / Special Invite: Typically, one slot is reserved for a producer’s choice (a wildcard entry). In 2024, for example, Amy Schneider was chosen in this manner after finishing as the JIT runner-up. For 2025, the special invite was the legendary Brad Rutter, who returns to the Alex Trebek Stage for the first time since the 2020 GOAT tournament. His invitation filled the void left by Holzhauer’s absence and capitalized on his status as the all-time money leader.
Role of Regular Season, Second Chance, Wildcard: The road to these qualification events is rooted in regular season play. Typically, contestants who win at least 4–5 games in regular play qualify for the next TOC (or at least a chance at it). Those who fell just short or had bad luck can get another opportunity via the Second Chance Tournament. For instance, Juveria Zaheer lost her first game in 2022 but was so impressive she was invited to the 2023–24 Second Chance competition, which she won. Second Chance winners (and some other standout non-champions) advanced to the Champions Wildcard event, a qualifier for the TOC. Juveria continued her run by winning the 2024 Champions Wild Card, earning a spot in the 2025 TOC quarterfinals. Neilesh Vinjamuri similarly had only a three-game streak in regular play, but he qualified for the TOC, likely via the wildcard path, and made the most of it by winning the whole tournament. In summary:
Regular Season Champions feed into TOC (or Second Chance if they didn’t win enough games).
Second Chance Tournament gives select strong non-winners a path to re-enter the champion pool.
Champions Wildcard (if held) lets Second Chance and other recent winners compete for any remaining TOC slots.
TOC and JIT winners then graduate to Masters, along with returning Masters finalists and any producer picks.
This cascading structure ensures the Masters field truly represents the elite performers of the past season or two, whether their success came via long winning streaks, tournament victories, or standout performances that earned a second chance.
The 2025 Masters Field: Newcomers, Returnees, and Notable Omissions
Nine contestants will vie for the 2025 Masters title – the largest field in Masters history. Below is the roster, including how each qualified and their status relative to previous Masters:
Victoria Groce – Returning Champion (Masters 2024 winner). Victoria earned her spot by winning the 2024 Masters tournament. Interestingly, she was a relative underdog last year: a one-time Jeopardy winner from 2005 who qualified for Masters via the first JIT (which she won in 2024). Her victory over titans James Holzhauer and Yogesh Raut in the 2024 finals cemented her elite status. As the reigning champion, she automatically returns to defend her title in 2025.
Yogesh Raut – Returning Finalist. Yogesh was the runner-up in Masters 2024, which guaranteed him an invitation this year. He qualified for the 2024 Masters by winning the 2024 Tournament of Champions, showcasing his trivia prowess in that high-stakes event. Yogesh is thus both the reigning TOC champion of 2024 and a returning Masters finalist, a rare combo. His inclusion was never in doubt – he has been a dominant force on the show.
Neilesh Vinjamuri – Newcomer (2025 TOC Champion). Neilesh clinched the 2025 Tournament of Champions in a dramatic finals in February. He emerged victorious in a field that included two higher-seeded streak holders, thereby earning the TOC title, $250,000 prize, and the automatic Masters berth that comes with it. This will be Neilesh’s first appearance in a Masters tournament.
Matt Amodio – Returning Competitor (2025 JIT Champion). Matt is no stranger to Masters, having competed in the 2023 and 2024 editions (he finished 3rd in 2023 and 6th in 2024). He didn’t auto-qualify for 2025 based on last year’s Masters (only the top 2 returned), but he punched his ticket by winning the 2025 Jeopardy Invitational Tournament. Matt’s JIT victory in March confirmed his return to the Masters stage. (Matt is widely known for his 38-game winning streak in 2021, the third-longest in history, and he remains a formidable figure in any Jeopardy competition.)
Adriana Harmeyer – Newcomer (2025 TOC Finalist). Adriana is a fresh face in Masters. She was a 15-game regular-season champion – an exceptional run in 2024 – and went on to reach the finals of the 2025 TOC. She ultimately finished as co-runner-up in that TOC (losing to Neilesh), but her performance earned her an invitation to Masters. This is her first Masters appearance.
Isaac Hirsch – Newcomer (2025 TOC Finalist). Like Adriana, Isaac is making his Masters debut thanks to his strong TOC showing. He was a 9-game champion in regular play and joined Adriana and Neilesh in the TOC finals, where he, too, was a runner-up. His consistency and finals appearance secured him a Masters spot. This is Isaac’s first time competing in Masters.
Roger Craig – Newcomer (2025 JIT Finalist). Roger is a blast from the past and a new Masters competitor. A famed 6-game champion from 2010 and 2011 TOC winner, Roger once held the single-game scoring record ($77,000) for nearly a decade. He returned for the 2025 Invitational Tournament and made it to the three-way final (ultimately finishing as co-runner-up to Matt). His strong performance in the JIT, combined with his legendary status, earned him an invite to his first Masters event.
Juveria Zaheer – Newcomer (2025 JIT Finalist). Juveria’s journey is highly unconventional. She initially lost her only regular-season game in 2022, but impressed producers enough to be invited to the Second Chance Tournament, which she won decisively. She then also won the 2024 Champions Wildcard (a special tournament for recent champions and Second Chance winners) to secure a spot in the 2025 TOC. Juveria made the TOC quarterfinals and later reached the finals of the 2025 Invitational (tying for second place). This string of tournament successes – Second Chance, Wildcard, and JIT finals – propelled her into the Masters field. It’s her first Masters appearance.
Brad Rutter – Newcomer (Special Invite). Brad is the all-time highest money winner on Jeopardy and a household name in trivia circles. He has never played in Jeopardy! Masters before (the Masters format didn’t exist during his prime years), making this a much-anticipated debut. Brad was invited by producers as a ninth entrant to expand the field. His Jeopardy résumé is unmatched: he was undefeated in regular play (a 5-game champ back when winners were limited to 5 games) and has won a record five Jeopardy tournaments, including the 2001 TOC, the Million Dollar Masters, the Ultimate TOC (2005), the Battle of the Decades, and the All-Star Games. He last appeared in the Jeopardy GOAT event in 2020 (placing 3rd behind Ken Jennings and James Holzhauer). Brad’s return to competition is a headline story for Masters 2025.
Who’s New vs. Returning: Of the above, Victoria and Yogesh are returning from the 2024 Masters, and Matt is also a “veteran” of previous Masters (though qualifying via a new route this year). The other six (Neilesh, Adriana, Isaac, Roger, Juveria, Brad) are new to the Masters stage in 2025. This marks a significant influx of fresh blood into the competition.
Notable Omissions:
James Holzhauer – James was the defending Masters third-place finisher and, under normal circumstances, would have been invited back (he won the 2023 Masters and placed third in 2024). However, James is not competing in 2025. The show announced that he declined participation – it’s “presumed [he] has elected to take a sabbatical” – so his spot was effectively filled by others. This is a major storyline, as James is one of the most dominant players ever; his absence opened the door for the expanded field.
Mattea Roach – Mattea was the 2023 Masters runner-up and played in 2024 (finishing 5th). She did not qualify for 2025. Since she wasn’t a finalist in 2024, Mattea had no automatic bid, and she didn’t win any new tournaments (her TOC was back in 2022 and she did not compete in the 2025 TOC or JIT). With a limited number of slots, Mattea is sitting out this Masters. Essentially, others leapfrogged her by winning recent events.
Amy Schneider – Amy was a special wildcard pick in 2024 after finishing second in the 2024 JIT. In 2025, no similar wildcard was extended to her. Like Mattea, Amy had no automatic qualification and was not chosen again by producers. (Having had her Masters chance last year, the producers opted for a new face – Brad Rutter – in the “invite” category, rather than re-inviting Amy.)
Other big names from 2023’s inaugural Masters (e.g., Sam Buttrey, Andrew He) also aren’t in the 2025 mix, as they did not qualify through the recent events. The field each year is essentially refreshed based on the latest cycle of competitions, so some fan-favorite champions cycle out if they haven’t remained at the very top of results.
The 2025’s Masters lineup blends two returning powerhouses (Victoria, Yogesh) with seven new entrants who earned their way via the TOC or JIT. The stage is set with a mix of recent super-champions and legendary figures – and one glaring absence in Holzhauer. This dynamic will undoubtedly shape the tournament’s narrative and level of competition.
Tournament Format & Format Changes in 2025
The 2025 Jeopardy! Masters adopts a league-style tournament with multiple stages, a format similar in spirit to the previous Masters seasons but expanded and tweaked for the larger field. Key details of the format include:
Number of Players: 9 champions (up from 6 in prior seasons).
Episodes and Games: The event spans 9 one-hour episodes, each featuring two complete Jeopardy games (half-hour each). In total, 18 games will be played before a winner is crowned, stretched out on a weekly broadcast schedule (one episode per week).
Masters Stages: The tournament is divided into four phases:
Knockout Round: The first 3 episodes (6 games total) comprise the opening phase with all 9 players competing. After these games, the bottom three players in the standings are eliminated. This trims the field from 9 to 6.
Quarterfinal Round: The next 3 episodes (another 6 games) involve the remaining 6 players. After these, the bottom two of the 6 are eliminated. This reduces the field to 4 semifinalists.
Semifinal Round: Over the following 2 episodes (4 games), the final 4 battle for 3 spots. The lowest-ranked player of the 4 is eliminated here.
Finals: The tournament culminates in a one-episode Final featuring the top 3 players, played as a two-game total point affair (just like a traditional Jeopardy tournament final). The highest combined score across those two games wins the Masters title and $500,000 (the prize structure awards $250k for 2nd, $150k for 3rd).
Match Points System: For all games before the Finals, a point system is used to rank players:
Winner of a game = 3 points; Second-place (runner-up) = 1 point; Third-place = 0 points. Importantly, any player who fails to qualify for Final Jeopardy (i.e. finishes with a negative score) also gets 0 points, regardless of placement.
These match points accumulate across the stages. Eliminations are determined by cumulative points totals at the end of each phase (knockout, quarterfinal, semifinal). In other words, the Masters functions like a mini-season: every game contributes to an overall leaderboard.
Tiebreakers: If players are tied in points for a cutoff, the ties are broken by, in order: number of games won, total correct responses, then total non-wagered score. This discourages “playing for points” alone – winning matters most, as does consistent clue performance.
Finals Scoring: The point system is only used to determine who reaches the Finals. The championship final itself reverts to the standard two-game cumulative dollar score format to decide 1st, 2nd, 3rd place. All players’ point totals are essentially reset once the Finals begin – the slate is clean, and the winner is purely based on those final two games’ scores.
Changes from Previous Years: The Masters format in 2025 introduces a few important changes compared to 2023 and 2024:
Expanded Field & Multi-Phase Structure: Prior Masters tournaments had 6 contestants and were structured as a round-robin or group stage (each player faced all or most others) with the top three advancing to a final. In 2025, with 9 players, the format is more complex: effectively a season-long points race with successive cuts. This is a significant change – it adds a Knockout round and Quarterfinal round that did not exist before, introducing new strategic considerations (more on that below) and extending the tournament’s length. The producers have essentially created a “regular season” and “playoffs” within Masters.
Weekly Broadcast: Masters 2025 airs weekly on network TV (ABC) rather than as a consecutive-night event. This was true in previous seasons as well, but it’s worth noting as it gives players more time between games (taping is presumably done over a shorter period, but from a viewer’s perspective the event spans two months). It also means the points standings and storylines will unfold more gradually to the audience.
Emphasis on Consistency: With elimination after every three episodes, a slow start can be fatal. In the prior format, a player could recover from one bad game if they performed well in others, since all 6 played a similar number of games and only the final cut mattered. Now, the first cut happens after just two games per player (since in the first 6 games, with 9 players, each contestant will likely appear in about 2 games). A top champion who comes out cold in their first couple of games could find themselves surprisingly eliminated in the Knockout stage. As one analyst noted, “a cold start could leave a player in danger of being eliminated early”. There is much less margin for error.
Renewed Focus on Winning (Match Points): The match point system remains from earlier Masters, but its impact is amplified by the shorter phases. Securing a win (3 points) is hugely valuable; a player who wins even one game in the Knockout or Quarterfinal stage gains a big edge over those who might accumulate several second-place finishes. With fewer total games per player before each cut, it’s harder to advance on a strategy of “always finish second.” In fact, the updated format likely “will cause players to emphasize winning games…and betting aggressively in Final Jeopardy to win” rather than settling for a safe finish. For example, a contestant in second place in a game might be more inclined to wager big on Final Jeopardy to try to leap into first (3 points) instead of cautiously holding their position, because three 1-point finishes (three second places = 3 points total) can easily be outranked by someone who has even one win (3 points) plus perhaps a zero in another game (still 3 points). Every game is an opportunity to grab 3 points.
Continuous Points vs. Reset: Notably, the cumulative nature of points means that performances carry through the stages. The leaderboard doesn’t reset after the Knockout or Quarterfinal rounds – it’s an ongoing tally (unlike, say, some sports playoffs where records reset each round). This rewards players who rack up points from the get-go and consistently stay near the top. It also means a player who just sneaks past a cut (e.g., in 6th place after the Knockout) will have to make up any point deficit in the next round. There was some fan confusion initially about whether points might reset at each phase, but official communications clarify it’s cumulative until the Finals. Essentially, the Masters operates like a mini-league: you keep the points you earn through the semifinals, and only then do points give way to raw scores in the championship match.
Finals Unchanged: The final itself remains the familiar two-game total score format, as used in traditional TOCs and previous Masters finals. This format tends to reward consistent performance (since an unlucky Final Jeopardy in one game can be offset in the other game) and adds an extra layer of strategy in wagering across two games. Masters veterans from last year will be accustomed to this; newcomers who have played in TOC finals or other two-day finals have some experience, though not all finalists will have been in a two-game final scenario before.
Strategic Implications of the Format:
The 2025 format significantly impacts how players will approach their games:
Urgency in Early Rounds: With three players cut after the first six games, contestants cannot afford to ease into the tournament. There’s immediate pressure to accumulate points. We may see aggressive Daily Double hunting and high wagers early on, as a single big win can virtually ensure advancement past the first cut. Conversely, a player who finds themselves with two low or zero-point games is likely done. This incentivizes bold play – better to swing for a win in one game and maybe bomb another (ending up 3 points), than to play conservatively and finish second twice (only 2 points) which might not be enough to survive. Ken Jennings (the host) hinted on the Inside Jeopardy! podcast that he expects players to adapt their wagering knowing the new stakes (for example, making sure they’re not locked out of a win going into Final) – and indeed, analysts “come out in favor of this updated format” for exactly this reason.
Matchmaking and Scheduling: With 9 players, not everyone plays everyone in the round-robin portion. The schedule of who faces whom could matter. The first round will have each player in two games (likely against a variety of opponents). If someone gets particularly tough matchups twice, they might fall behind. There was fan speculation about how the matchups would be arranged to keep things fair. It’s likely producers balanced the schedules as much as possible, but randomness plays a role. This adds a small element of luck – e.g., if two top buzzer-ringers keep meeting each other, one might cannibalize the other’s points. By the semifinal, however, the four best will definitely have faced high-level competition.
Point Targets: It’s hard to know exactly how many points are “safe” to advance each round, but roughly: In Knockout (9 players, 6 games, each plays ~2 games), we might expect at least a couple players to have 2 wins (6 points) or 1 win + maybe a second-place (4 points). Likely the cut for 6th place could be around 1–3 points. In such a scenario, a single win (3 points) might be sufficient to get into the top 6, whereas someone with only a couple second-place finishes (2 points) risks elimination. In the quarterfinal (6 players, 6 games, each plays ~3 games), a total around 5–6 points might be needed to make top 4. The strategy, then, is clear: get at least one win in each phase. A player who never wins a game is unlikely to reach the finals.
Risk vs. Reward in Final Jeopardy: The match point distribution (3-1-0) creates situations where going all-in on Final Jeopardy to move from second to first can be rational, even if it risks falling to third. For example, if you’re in second place and within reach of the leader, the difference between 3 points and 1 point is huge, whereas falling to 0 (by dropping to third) might not be drastically worse if you can make up points later. Every contestant will be aware of the standings and the limited number of games. Expect some tournament-specific wagering tactics: calculating not just dollar outcomes, but the point outcomes. (Jeopardy analysts often talk about “betting to win vs. betting for points” in wild-card situations; here it’s all about the points. The Jeopardy Fan site even has a guide for “betting in tournament quarterfinals” for scenarios like this)
Maintaining Momentum vs. Surviving: Once a player is safely above a cut line, they might subtly adjust strategy. For instance, if by the semifinal a contestant has a substantial lead in points above the 4th-place player, they may play a bit more conservatively to ensure they don’t crash out (since only one person is eliminated in the semis). On the flip side, those below the cut line in points will have to take bigger swings in the remaining games to try to leapfrog the competition.
Finals Strategy: Because the finals revert to cumulative scores, the strategy resembles a classic two-day final. Players often treat Game 1’s Final Jeopardy like it’s not the end – e.g., wagering more conservatively if they’re leading, knowing there’s another game to play, or conversely making a bold wager if behind to close the gap before Game 2. Some Masters veterans remember how James Holzhauer in 2023 perhaps overbet in a two-game final scenario and it backfired, something he himself reflected on. In 2024, Victoria Groce’s steadiness over two games is what defeated Holzhauer’s more high-variance approach. So in 2025, if we get, say, a Yogesh vs. Victoria (vs. X) final, watch for a clash of styles: a player who might push the envelope to get a big lead in Game 1 versus one who is comfortable playing the long game and keeping it close.
The 2025 format ups the stakes on each individual game and rewards sustained excellence. The changes have been viewed positively by many, as they “force the overall winner to be consistently strong” and add drama at multiple points. For the contestants, it means adjusting tactics: balancing the need for big wins with the danger of elimination. Masters 2025 is effectively a marathon with crucial sprints at regular intervals – a true test of both knowledge and game strategy over several weeks.
Pre-Tournament Odds & Betting Markets
Although Jeopardy outcomes are determined in advance (the tournament is taped), there has been significant interest in forecasting the Masters results. Traditional Las Vegas sportsbooks generally do not post odds on Jeopardy due to the risk of spoilers. However, prediction markets and fan analysts have offered odds and rankings for the 2025 Masters field:
Betting Odds (Unofficial): As of early March 2025 – before taping – predictive odds circulated in the Jeopardy fan community. One source listed the following moneyline odds for the Masters title:
Victoria Groce: +340 (approx. 22% implied chance)
James Holzhauer: +360 (~21% chance) – note: listed before his withdrawal
Yogesh Raut: +400 (~20% chance)
Matt Amodio: +490 (~17% chance)
Neilesh Vinjamuri: +690 (~13% chance)
“Producer’s Pick”: +740 (~12% chance) – this referred to the yet-unannounced 9th slot (ultimately Brad Rutter).
These odds (shared by The Jeopardy Fan site and on social media) pegged Victoria as a slight favorite, with Yogesh not far behind. James Holzhauer was originally in the mix as a top contender; after his absence was confirmed, one can assume the odds shifted further in Victoria’s favor. Essentially, the betting markets and fan consensus view Victoria and Yogesh as the two to beat, with Matt as a strong dark horse. The rest of the field have longer odds reflecting the general expectation that one of the recent champs (Victoria, Yogesh, or formerly James) would likely triumph.
Prediction Markets: Sites like Polymarket have been known to host markets on various game show outcomes. I’m not yet seeing a Polymarket for the 2025 Jeopardy Masters (there should be though). Victoria and Yogesh would likely have the highest win probabilities. Because the event is pre-taped, Polymarket trading tends to be cautious (any leaks would destroy confidence), but as of the start of Masters, no spoilers were known and trading was based on skill assessments.
Expert Power Rankings: Apart from betting odds, analytic models have ranked the players using past performance statistics. One such measure is the Adjusted Performance Mean (APM) from the Unified Prediction Model (a metric that considers buzzing, accuracy, difficulty of competition, etc.). By this model, the nine players ranked as follows (APM in parentheses):
Victoria Groce – (21,489)
Yogesh Raut – (19,658)
Matt Amodio – (17,153)
Brad Rutter – (16,304)
Roger Craig – (15,521)
Neilesh Vinjamuri – (14,418)
Juveria Zaheer – (13,892)
Isaac Hirsch – (13,033)
Adriana Harmeyer – (12,240)
This ranking also places Groce at the top, closely followed by Raut. Interestingly, it rates Brad Rutter quite high (4th) despite his long absence, suggesting that his historical dominance is respected in the model. It also puts Adriana Harmeyer, despite her 15-game streak, at the bottom – possibly indicating that her playing style (or maybe lower scoring pace) in regular play doesn’t project as well against this ultra-elite field. These numbers shouldn’t be taken as gospel, but they reinforce the general sentiment: Victoria and Yogesh are the frontrunners, while players like Adriana, Isaac, and Juveria have more to prove statistically.
Fan and Social Media Sentiment: On platforms like Reddit and Twitter (X), fans have actively speculated about outcomes. Many point out that without Holzhauer, “Victoria is a tougher opponent than anyone [the others] faced last year”, and Yogesh’s buzzer speed and knowledge make him a serious threat as well. Some bettors/commenters noted that Holzhauer’s absence fundamentally changes the tournament’s landscape – removing the most aggressive player means the remaining field might play more conservatively, and it boosts the chances of players like Groce who defeated James before. There’s also excitement about Brad Rutter’s return – though opinions vary on his chances. Some say “never count out Brad” given his legacy, while others acknowledge the unknown: “how is Brad right now?” after years away.
Not Relying on Odds for Predictions: We won’t rely solely on odds to make our predictions, but they provide valuable insight. They indicate that Victoria Groce enters as the favorite (a rare position for a previous one-time Jeopardy winner, but earned by her Masters and JIT victories) and that Yogesh Raut is nearly co-equal in expected strength. The odds for others reflect a perceived gap – though as we’ll analyze, many of those “longer shots” have credentials that could easily translate into an upset victory if things break right (especially in a format with so many games and potential volatility).
Informal betting markets and expert models broadly agree on a top tier (Victoria, Yogesh), a strong second tier (Matt, Brad, Roger, perhaps Neilesh), and an underdog tier (Adriana, Isaac, Juveria). But Jeopardy is not played on paper – upsets can and do happen, and every player in this field has the talent to beat any other in a given game. The odds are merely a starting point for deeper analysis of each participant’s strengths and weaknesses, which we turn to next.
Participant-by-Participant Analysis (2025)
Let’s examine each of the nine Masters participants in detail – reviewing their Jeopardy history, recent form (especially in 2024–25), gameplay tendencies (buzzer skill, wagering, category strengths), and any relevant psychological or off-show factors (such as social media presence or mindsets) that could affect their performance.
Victoria Groce
Credentials: Victoria enters as the defending Jeopardy! Masters Champion (2024). She earned that title by defeating James Holzhauer and Yogesh Raut in last year’s final – an impressive feat that instantly vaulted her into Jeopardy elite status. Prior to that, Victoria won the inaugural Jeopardy! Invitational Tournament (JIT) in 2024, which is how she qualified for Masters in the first place. It’s worth noting her unique background: she isn’t a super-champion from regular season play (she won only one game back in 2005, famously ending David Madden’s 19-game streak), but she’s a quiz bowl and trivia veteran outside Jeopardy. In fact, she became well-known on the trivia circuit and even serves as a “Chaser” on ABC’s trivia show The Chase. This broad quizzing experience is what got her invited to the 2024 JIT, and she proved the producers right by winning that tournament and then Masters.
Recent Form: Victoria has been on a tear. In the 2024 Masters, she was consistently strong throughout the round-robin and then “walked away with the win” in the finals, claiming the $500k prize. She showed clutch ability: for instance, in the first game of the 2024 final, she hit a true Daily Double early in Double Jeopardy, boosting her score to $20,400 and putting pressure on Holzhauer. She maintained her lead across the two-game final. In 2025, since winning Masters, she hasn’t had to compete again until now (Masters champions sit out of the TOC and other events, as they’re already at the summit). However, she surely prepared intensively to defend her title. Her track record suggests she’ll be ready – she’s shown she can beat every player in this field (she has head-to-head wins over Yogesh, Matt, and others from last year, and she didn’t face the newcomers yet).
Knowledge & Gameplay: Victoria is often described as an “all-around” player with deep knowledge across categories. Her trivia background (Quiz Bowl, etc.) means she’s comfortable with a wide range of subjects, from academic topics to pop culture. One might think her long gap between her original Jeopardy appearance (2005) and her return in 2024 could be a disadvantage, but she demonstrated zero rust – if anything, her quizzing in between made her stronger. She tends to have excellent recall and clue recognition. In Masters 2024, she frequently won on the buzzer against even the likes of James, indicating her reflexes and timing are top-notch. In terms of category strengths, she likely excels in literature, history, science – the typical quiz bowl canon – but also held her own in areas like sports and pop culture (for example, navigating a Jason Kelce-themed category with ease in the 2024 final).
Buzzer and Speed: Coming into 2024, some underestimated Victoria’s buzzer speed given her lack of recent play, but she quickly proved them wrong. She was often first on the buzzer. In one stretch of the 2024 Masters, she went on a “hot streak” of ringing in and responding correctly, which was key in building her leads. There is a notion that the buzzer would be the demise of many contestants against Holzhauer, but Victoria showed she can neutralize that advantage. Her muscle memory from The Chase (a different format, but still involving quick buzzing in a way) and dedicated practice likely contributed to her proficiency. We can consider her one of the top buzzer operators in this field.
Wagering and Nerves: Victoria’s wagering style in 2024 was balanced. She made a bold true Daily Double in the Masters finals when she felt confident, but she’s also capable of strategic restraint. She tends not to make wild, unnecessary bets – she plays the percentages. In Final Jeopardy, if she has a lock game or a strong position, she wagers rationally to secure the win. Importantly, she has poise under pressure. After her Masters win, she revealed that at the start of the finals she thought her chances were “slim to none,” but once she took the lead, her confidence grew (as she mentioned in a post-game interview). This self-awareness and ability to manage expectations might help her handle the pressure of being the defending champ.
Psychological/Other Factors: Victoria comes off as calm, focused, and somewhat modest. She doesn’t have a big social media presence (certainly not controversial like some others). Instead, she’s known for diligent studying and a love of trivia for its own sake. That mindset – treating the game as an intellectual challenge and not getting caught up in drama – likely serves her well. One could say the target is on her back as the reigning champ, but given she already beat this caliber of field, it may actually be the opposite: she knows she can do it, which boosts her confidence. Her experience as a Chaser on TV also means she’s comfortable under the lights and enjoys high-level competition. In short, Victoria is a steady powerhouse – few weaknesses, and a proven ability to rise to big occasions.
Yogesh Raut
Credentials: Yogesh is the reigning 2024 Tournament of Champions winner and was the Masters 2024 runner-up (second place to Victoria). He earned his TOC spot by winning 3 games in regular play (Season 39) – normally 3 wins might not guarantee a TOC berth, but Season 39 had the “Champions Wildcard” path. Yogesh actually didn’t go through the wildcard; he directly qualified by being one of the top champions of that season. In the 2024 TOC, he ran the table, defeating tough competitors like Ben Chan, Luigi de Guzman, and others, and won the final in a thrilling come-from-behind game. That TOC performance included some dominant moments: in one semi-final, Yogesh answered 17 clues correctly in Double Jeopardy alone, surging to victory. He then nearly won the 2024 Masters – he actually led going into the final game of the finals but was overtaken by Victoria. So his pedigree is unquestioned: he’s beaten elite players and has a Masters finals appearance on his resume. Total winnings aside (nearly $600k in his Jeopardy career so far), what stands out is Yogesh’s reputation in trivia beyond the show. He has been a quiz bowl champion and is famously analytically minded about Jeopardy.
Recent Form: Yogesh’s recent form is excellent. In 2024, he was arguably the strongest overall player in the Masters field through the preliminaries. During the 2024 Masters round-robin, he accumulated the most match points (tying with Victoria) and was in peak form on the buzzer. In the 2024 Masters finals, he had some uncharacteristic misses (including a crucial Daily Double miss that put him behind). Still, finishing second in that tournament and then going on to win the TOC (which aired afterward, but taped earlier) shows consistency. Importantly, he has stayed active in trivia. Yogesh is known to blog about quizzing; he critiques question quality and has discussed how he prepares. There’s little doubt he spent the time between TOC and Masters 2025 keeping his knowledge fresh. One could say he has a score to settle: after coming so close to the Masters title, Yogesh will be highly motivated to grab the Trebek Trophy this time.
Knowledge & Gameplay: If any player in this field has an encyclopedic knowledge base, it’s Yogesh. During his TOC run, fans observed that “his knowledge base is deeper than most of the field”. In one TOC game, he posted an all-correct Coryat (no wrong answers) of $26,800, an enormous score especially against fellow champs. This indicates both breadth and precision. Harder clues actually play to his advantage – he thrives on high-difficulty material that might stump others. He has particular strengths in history, geography, literature, and pop culture (he’s a big movie buff). One possible relative weakness might be sports; however, he’s far from ignorant there too.
Yogesh is also a student of the game: he studies opponents’ tendencies and has written about Jeopardy game theory. He is known for Daily Double hunting and capitalizing on them. In regular play and TOC, he had a stunning 16/17 success rate on Daily Doubles – meaning not only does he find them, he almost always answers correctly. That kind of conversion is lethal. He typically makes large DD wagers when he’s confident (and he often is). For Final Jeopardy, Yogesh is a solid solver (though not infallible – like any top player, he has misses, but he calculates wagers well).
Buzzer and Speed: One of Yogesh’s biggest assets is his buzzer speed and timing. Competitors have commented that “Yogesh is just too good on the buzzer”. He often anticipates clue endings and times the signal perfectly. In high-level play, buzzer dominance can make the difference, and Yogesh has shown he can beat very fast buzzers like Rowan Ward and others he faced in TOC. In Masters 2024, facing James (one of the fastest buzzers ever), Yogesh still held his own, indicating elite reflexes. He’s known to practice buzzer timing at home (many top players do, using a pen or a simulated signaling device while watching the show).
Wagering and Risk Profile: Yogesh’s approach to wagering is generally aggressive but calculated. In Daily Doubles, he often goes big – for example, in the TOC he frequently went true Daily Double or close to it, especially if he sensed category strength. Fans loved his boldness (“loving these huge DD wagers” one Reddit thread noted). This often paid off by giving him runaway leads. However, big bets carry risk: a miss can drop him out of contention. In the Masters final last year, a missed DD cost him a lead. Still, he doesn’t shy away. In Final Jeopardy, Yogesh typically wagers to win (he’s not one to timidly lock up second place). For instance, in the TOC finals (a one-game final in 2024), he wagered enough to cover second place and won despite all players missing Final. In a multi-game Masters format, he will think more in terms of points: Yogesh will be cognizant of when he needs a win for 3 points and might bet accordingly.
Psychological and Social Factors: Yogesh is perhaps the most talked-about player off-stage. He made headlines in early 2023 with a series of blog posts criticizing Jeopardy for what he perceived as a lack of respect for the quizzing community and highlighting issues of question quality and representation. This sparked controversy – some fans appreciated his candor, others were put off. However, he backed up his words by winning the TOC, silencing any doubters about his skill. On stage, Yogesh is serious and focused; he’s not there to play the showman or crack jokes (in contrast to, say, James Holzhauer’s playful villain persona). He’s analytical and can appear intense. This intensity is a double-edged sword: it can fuel him to excellence, but if things start going wrong, one wonders if he can get rattled. So far, he’s shown strong composure; even when trailing, he methodically works his way back (as seen in several come-from-behind wins).
Yogesh’s awareness of the meta of the game could also influence his strategy. He knows, for example, that Victoria is one of the few who beat him, so he might be particularly keen to outperform her this time. He also might have studied the new players’ JArchive records to identify any weak spots in their gameplay. On social media, he hasn’t been shy about engaging with fans and critics, but come tournament time he tends to go a bit quiet and let his gameplay speak.
Overall: Yogesh is a formidable contender to win the Masters. His combination of deep knowledge, fast buzzer reflexes, and fearless wagering makes him a threat to run away with games. If there’s a vulnerability, it might be overaggression – a couple of unfortunate misses on big bets could put him in a hole given the limited games in early rounds. Additionally, being such an analytical player, if the game throws a curveball (like an unexpected ruling or a category that completely blindsides him), it could momentarily throw him off. But generally, Yogesh projects immense confidence. As long as he keeps his focus and plays his game, he is very likely to be in the mix at the end.
Neilesh Vinjamuri
Credentials: Neilesh is the freshly minted 2025 Tournament of Champions winner. His Jeopardy story is a bit different: he isn’t a mega-streaker from regular play (he won 3 games in Season 40), but he proved his mettle in the champions arena. In the 2025 TOC, Neilesh navigated quarterfinals and semifinals and then triumphed in a finals field that included two higher-seeded players (Adriana and Isaac). The TOC finals were competitive – in fact, it went four games with each finalist winning at least one game, and Neilesh clinched the title by being the first to win three games. His championship came with $250,000 and a Masters invitation. It’s notable that Neilesh was something of an underdog in that TOC; Adriana’s 15-game streak and Isaac’s 9-game streak overshadowed Neilesh’s 3-game streak. Yet he pulled off the upset, demonstrating clutch performance and coolness under pressure.
Recent Form: Neilesh’s TOC performance in February 2025 is our best indicator of form – and it was impressive. In the finals, he won Game 3 and Game 4 to reach the required three wins (the finals format was first to three wins). He actually clinched the TOC due to a bit of drama: in one game, an opponent (Adriana) mispronounced an answer and lost points, which helped Neilesh maintain a lead. But that shouldn’t overshadow that Neilesh led heading into Final Jeopardy of the deciding game with a big $30,000 score, effectively sealing his win with a zero wager. Since the TOC, Neilesh hasn’t played in other events (the Masters is directly after). So he should be riding high on confidence from that victory. However, the Masters field is even tougher: it includes the people he beat in TOC plus other elite players he hasn’t faced. One question is: was Neilesh’s TOC win a sign that he’s truly at the same level as the long streakers, or did he benefit from some favorable circumstances? Masters will be the proving ground.
Knowledge & Gameplay: Neilesh is a well-rounded player. As a software engineer by profession, one might guess he’s strong in science and tech categories, but he’s also shown proficiency in literature and history during his games. His regular-season run wasn’t the kind that blew away records – 3 wins, each by a decent margin, but he did have to play tiebreakers and close games. In the TOC, he clearly had studied up. Notably, Neilesh was very effective on Daily Doubles. He took a page from the Holzhauer book by often betting big on DDs when he found them. In the TOC finals, he went all-in on the first Daily Double in one game, which helped him surge to a commanding lead. Fans observed that he “has been doing [that] throughout the competition” – indeed, he consistently made large wagers, suggesting confidence in his knowledge and a desire to put distance between himself and his opponents.
On regular clues, Neilesh’s accuracy is high but perhaps not as extraordinarily high as someone like Yogesh. He compensates with those big moments (DDs). He also showed good strategic sense: in the final TOC game, holding a large lead, he wagered $0 on Final Jeopardy, ensuring he couldn’t be caught – a textbook endgame play. This mix of aggression (when trailing or mid-game) and caution (when leading) implies a flexible strategy based on game situation – a very healthy sign for tournament play.
Buzzer and Reflexes: Neilesh appears to have strong buzzer timing, though perhaps not the very fastest in this field. In the TOC finals, at times Adriana out-buzzed him (she’s known to be quick), but Neilesh often compensated by capitalizing on others’ mistakes or the Daily Doubles. However, by Game 4 of the TOC finals, it seemed he was beating his opponents on the buzzer more frequently, which could be due to getting “in the zone” or adjusting his timing. He hasn’t faced someone like Yogesh or Matt on the buzzer yet, so that will be a new challenge. It’s likely he practiced extensively for TOC and will continue to do so for Masters. His buzzer performance in Masters will be crucial: if he finds himself consistently second to ring in, he might struggle to put up points.
Wagering and Nerves: As noted, Neilesh’s wagering behavior is confident. He “bet all of his money during his first Daily Double” in the TOC final and frequently made gutsy bets. This indicates he doesn’t play scared and trusts his knowledge when he hits a topic he likes. It endeared him to many fans who enjoy aggressive play. At the same time, he’s not reckless – his Final Jeopardy wagers have been situationally smart. In terms of nerves, Neilesh openly discussed feeling stress during the TOC. In an interview he said the trick was making himself feel like he’s just playing from the couch at home, to reduce stress. He even joked with Ken Jennings about bringing a couch on stage. This self-awareness is good: he acknowledges the pressure but has techniques to handle it (breathing, visualization, humor). When it came down to it, he delivered correct answers when they mattered, showing he can perform under pressure.
Notably, in one TOC game he bet $0 in Final despite knowing the correct response – because that was the percentage play given his score. That shows discipline and calm decision-making in the moment. Masters will be another high-pressure environment, but having just navigated a TOC final series, Neilesh is battle-tested.
Psychological and Off-Stage: Neilesh isn’t as publicly outspoken as some others. He seems amiable and relatively low-key. He’s active on Twitter but mostly in a fun, lighthearted way about his experiences. One thing to consider: coming in as the TOC champion gives him a certain confidence and status. However, he’s about to face people like Victoria and Yogesh who didn’t play in that TOC but have even more impressive records. How will that affect him? It could be humbling, or he might relish the chance to prove he belongs among them. In any case, Neilesh strikes me as someone who prepares diligently and doesn’t psyche himself out. He’ll be aware that some might consider his TOC win an “upset,” and he might carry a bit of a chip on his shoulder to show it was no fluke.
Projection: Neilesh could either be a dark horse who overperforms again, or he might settle towards the middle of the pack if others outbuzz him. His ability to adapt to new opponents will be key. If he continues his hot streak on Daily Doubles and keeps nerves in check, he absolutely can win games in Masters. On the other hand, if the likes of Matt or Yogesh jump ahead early, Neilesh will be in the unfamiliar position of chasing players with even deeper resumes. One encouraging sign: in the TOC final, Neilesh faced being tied 1-1 in games with Adriana and Isaac and then proceeded to win the next two games straight – he got stronger as the finals went on. That bodes well for a multi-game format like Masters. Don’t count him out for a Finals berth, but he’ll need to sustain a high level of play throughout the tournament.
Adriana Harmeyer
Credentials: Adriana is best known for her 15-game winning streak on Jeopardy, achieved in Season 40 (2024). That streak made her one of the top regular-season performers of the past year, and one of only a handful of players in Jeopardy history to reach the 15+ wins milestone. She earned over $426,000 in that run. With that resume, she entered the 2025 Tournament of Champions as a favorite and indeed made it all the way to the TOC finals, where she finished as co-runner-up (2nd place tie) to Neilesh. In those finals, she did win one game (the format was first to 3 wins), preventing Neilesh from sweeping; ultimately Neilesh got to three wins first. Adriana’s TOC journey included some impressive moments, and even in the finals she was highly competitive. Her consistent excellence in regular play and strong TOC finish earned her the Masters invitation. This is her first appearance in a Masters tournament.
Recent Form: Adriana’s regular season dominance was in mid-2024, and by all accounts she maintained a strong form into the TOC. In the TOC finals (taped in early 2025), as mentioned, she won one of the first three games (so the score at one point was Neilesh 2 wins, Adriana 1, Isaac 1). This indicates she is capable of beating the best – she notched a finals win against Neilesh and Isaac in a game. However, she also had some tough breaks. One notable incident: in one finals game, Adriana gave a correct response but with a mispronunciation and was negged, which affected the standings. That moment was highlighted in coverage as possibly costing her a better shot at the title. Such an occurrence can be psychologically challenging, but Adriana handled it gracefully in post-game discussions. After the TOC, she hasn’t played further until Masters, so presumably she’s still in good shape knowledge-wise.
Knowledge & Gameplay: Adriana’s background is as an archivist, which suggests a strong affinity for history, literature, and possibly pop culture archives. Indeed, during her 15-game run, she showed a broad command especially in humanities categories. She also has solid knowledge in science and geography, though like any player there could be a few weak spots (for many, things like sports or current pop music can be softer areas – unclear if that’s the case for her). What stood out in her run was her consistency: she rarely had a bad game. She often led going into Final Jeopardy, and even if she didn’t, she found ways to win. This consistency carried into TOC: she won her quarterfinal and semifinal to reach the finals.
One of Adriana’s notable characteristics: she is generally cautious with wagers. For example, in the TOC finals, there was a situation where she answered a Final Jeopardy correctly but wagered $0. At first glance that seems perplexing in a finals scenario (usually you’d bet to win if you could). This might mean she knew she couldn’t catch Neilesh’s large lead and chose to preserve her standing (ensuring she didn't fall behind Isaac in total wins perhaps). Throughout her streak, her Final Jeopardy wagering was often conservative if she had a lock or if the risk of losing was high. She doesn’t typically make wild Daily Double wagers unless necessary. This caution helped her avoid self-destruction, but sometimes it meant missing a chance to put a game away definitively. In a match-points format, overly cautious play can be a drawback if it leads to a lot of second-place finishes.
That said, Adriana’s accuracy on clues is very high. She isn’t the type to ring in frivolously; she usually knows what she’s doing. During her streak, she had a high percentage of questions answered correctly and relatively few negs. This efficient style can accumulate a lot of money steadily.
Buzzer and Reflexes: To win 15 games, you must be good on the buzzer. Adriana indeed is a fast and agile buzzer player. She often beat out challengers to the punch. In the TOC, facing other strong buzzer players, she held her own. However, in the finals, some observers felt Isaac was a touch faster on certain categories, and Neilesh might have gained an edge as the finals went on. If Adriana has a weakness on the buzzer, it might be that she’s not as hyper-aggressive as someone like Yogesh – she might hold back from buzzing if she’s not 100% sure (leading to a clue going to someone else who might buzz on a guess). But on material she knows, her reflexes are excellent. She clearly has the timing down well, as evidenced by winning a high number of first-ring-ins during her streak.
Wagering and Risk Profile: As noted, Adriana leans conservative in wagering. In Daily Doubles, she often bet enough to maintain a lead or close a gap, but rarely “true Daily Double” unless it was a category she absolutely loved. In Final Jeopardy, she generally played the odds of retaining her position. For instance, if she was leading comfortably, she’d sometimes wager very low to ensure she’d win even if she missed (the “Stratton’s Dilemma” strategy). In a tournament like this, one concern is that she might not secure 3-point wins if she doesn’t press her advantages. For example, imagine a game where Adriana leads but not by a runaway; if she bets small in Final, a trailing player might overtake her with a big bet. In a standard game that could drop her to second (1 point instead of 3). She’ll have to calibrate her wagering strategy for match points – sometimes a bit more boldness may be required. It will be interesting to see if she adjusts and perhaps wagers more aggressively given the Masters format incentives.
Psychological and Personality: Adriana comes across as very poised and professional. She rarely showed extreme emotion on stage; even as she kept winning, she was composed and focused. Her training as an archivist might give her a methodical approach to studying and recall. She has mentioned being a fan of musicals and literature, which often came up in interviews – showing her well-rounded interests. Socially, she’s active in the online Jeopardy community in a positive way (no controversies).
One possible factor is how she rebounds from the disappointment of the TOC. There was some post-TOC chatter – particularly about the mispronunciation incident (she answered “Hyder Aly” instead of “Hyder Ali”, which was negged, costing her points). Adriana later commented that while disappointing, she understood the ruling. Such an experience could be motivating: she might come into Masters with extra determination to prove she can win a title. Conversely, it’s also a quick turnaround from a loss – some players might dwell on what went wrong. Given her steady demeanor, she’s likely channeling it constructively.
Projection: Adriana is a formidable competitor who could quietly accumulate points and make the finals. Her strengths: consistency, depth of knowledge, and solid buzzing. The question is whether she can score enough game wins in this format. If she keeps finishing second by a small margin because she didn’t push a bit harder, it could hurt her point total. On the flip side, her consistency might allow her to avoid any zero-point disasters; that could keep her above elimination lines if other players have more boom-or-bust results. In essence, Adriana might not dominate any given game, but she will always be in contention. She’s the kind of player who could slip into the semifinals or finals just by always being near the top of the standings.
To maximize her chances, watch for Adriana to possibly step out of her comfort zone slightly on wagers when needed. If she does so at the right moments (e.g., betting big on a Daily Double in a category like “19th Century Novels” that she likely loves), she could secure those crucial 3-point wins. If not, she risks being edged out by bolder players. Still, with her knowledge base and experience, she’s certainly one to watch. A 15-game champ cannot be underestimated – she beat a wide variety of competitors to get here, and she has shown she can beat these specific rivals as well (she has head-to-head wins over Isaac and others, and a close battle with Neilesh). In short, Adriana is a steady hand in a high-variance field, and that could either be her secret weapon or her limitation.
Isaac Hirsch
Credentials: Isaac is another dominant regular-season player turned TOC finalist. He won 9 consecutive games in 2024, making him one of the top champions of Season 40. His winnings totaled around $293,000 from that streak. He earned his spot in the 2025 Tournament of Champions and advanced to the TOC finals, where he ultimately tied for second place with Adriana (both were runners-up to Neilesh). In the TOC finals, Isaac also secured one game win (the finals saw each of the three finalists win one of the first three games). So, like Adriana, he has proven he can beat top competition on a given day. Isaac’s background: he’s a writer (and comedian) originally from LA, which often corresponds with strong pop culture knowledge and broad academic strengths. Masters 2025 is his first Masters appearance.
Recent Form: Isaac’s 9-game run in regular play was very impressive – he often had commanding performances. Heading into the TOC, many considered him a serious threat to win it all. He delivered by winning his quarterfinal and semifinal matches. In the TOC finals, Isaac had moments of brilliance (winning one game). However, he also had some struggles: notably, in the deciding game of the finals, he was trailing quite a bit (only $1,600 going into Final Jeopardy), indicating that game got away from him. It suggests that when up against equally strong players, if Isaac fell behind early, it was hard for him to catch up in that instance. Still, finishing in the top 3 of the TOC means his form is strong. Between the TOC and Masters, like Adriana, he hasn’t had time to play elsewhere, so we expect roughly the same Isaac to show up.
Knowledge & Gameplay: Isaac’s general knowledge is broad – he demonstrated prowess in history, literature, arts, and especially pop culture (movies, TV, etc.). As a younger contestant (20s or early 30s), he likely has strengths in recent pop culture that some older contestants might not. During his run, he showed a flair for wordplay categories and lateral thinking, as many comedy writers do. For example, he often solved tricky clue wordings quickly. In terms of gameplay style, Isaac was fairly aggressive. He usually maintained a high pace, selecting clues quickly and not hesitating to buzz. He did not shy away from Daily Doubles either; he made some big bets in his run and in the TOC when appropriate. However, like many, if he was trailing, he would bet it all to try to get back in – which is necessary but can backfire if the clue doesn’t go your way.
One observation: in the TOC finals, Isaac hit a bit of a category weakness patch. The TVInsider recap notes that he struggled with a “TV category and then an actress category” in one game, calling it “repetitive” and not to his advantage. Ironically, as a writer from LA, one might expect him to nail those, but perhaps they were about older shows or specific topics outside his wheelhouse. It goes to show that even strong players have relative weak areas. If Masters boards have any thematic quirk (like a sports category or opera category), how Isaac navigates those compared to others could affect his standing.
Buzzer and Reflexes: Isaac is very quick on the buzzer – perhaps one of the quickest in the field. During his streak, he often locked games before Final or had big leads, which usually requires beating opponents to the buzz repeatedly. In the TOC, Ken Jennings commented on the finalists’ buzzer battles; Isaac was known to be fast. In fact, going into the TOC final, some thought Isaac might have the edge on buzzer speed over Neilesh and Adriana. It didn’t fully play out that way every game, but his win in one of the final games likely came from dominating the buzzing in that game’s key categories. If Isaac can bring that aggressive buzzing to Masters, it could serve him well – especially against someone like Matt Amodio who historically sometimes got outbuzzed by faster players, Isaac might have an edge. The caution is that buzzing in too quickly can lead to negs if you’re not certain; Isaac will have to balance speed with accuracy (something he generally did well in his run).
Wagering and Risk Profile: Isaac’s wagering is situational. He certainly is not afraid of a big Daily Double bet if trailing. For instance, in his semifinal or quarterfinal, I recall he made moves to jump ahead when needed. In the finals, being behind, he likely bet big on DDs and unfortunately they didn’t all pan out. His Final Jeopardy wagering in his 9-game run was solid – he converted most of those finals, and when he didn’t need to bet much (with a lock game) he didn’t. One interesting scenario: in the TOC final Game 3, Isaac was trailing and presumably bet small on Final because he knew he was out of reach (that’s the game Neilesh had $30k, Adriana $14k, Isaac $1.6k, both Neilesh and Adriana bet $0, Isaac bet $300). Isaac did come up with a clever response (“the Outlander Lady”) that was on the right track but not acceptable for the clue, showing his thought process even when behind. In a match points scenario, Isaac might be willing to go for broke to get wins. He is young and probably figures he has nothing to lose – making the Masters finals would be a bonus on top of his TOC showing. Look for Isaac to perhaps be especially daring on Daily Doubles if he’s in a game against, say, Victoria or Matt and wants to swing the momentum.
Psychological and Off-Stage: Isaac has a background in stand-up comedy; that can mean he’s comfortable performing under pressure and thinking on his feet. He often had a lighthearted demeanor in interviews. Now, he did express a little disappointment after losing the TOC (naturally), but he was gracious. On social media and Reddit (where he has posted), he’s friendly and analytical about his games, even chiming in on discussions with fans. That openness suggests he’s reflective and can learn from mistakes. He might have reviewed what went wrong in the TOC final and adjusted his studying accordingly. For example, if he felt weaker in certain knowledge areas, he could have spent the interim boning up on them.
One more factor: stamina and focus. Isaac’s one of the younger players, which could be an advantage in terms of energy during taping. If a lot of games are taped in one day, younger contestants sometimes have an edge in staying sharp (though Masters spreads games across episodes, likely taped over a few days). His humor and laid-back vibe might keep him relaxed where others might tighten up.
Projection: Isaac is somewhat analogous to Adriana in that he’s a proven strong player who might slightly fly under the radar compared to the likes of Matt or Yogesh, but he absolutely has the ability to win this tournament. His success will likely depend on maintaining buzzer dominance and hitting the categories he excels in. If he can grab a couple of wins in the early rounds, he should advance far. One caution: in a format where only points matter (not cumulative dollars), if Isaac finds himself in third in a game with little chance to win, he might try some desperate moves (like a huge bet from behind), which could result in 0 points if it fails. That scenario happened in the TOC final game for him (he was far behind, had to attempt something, and it didn’t work, leaving him with a low score). In Masters, one bad 0-point game isn’t fatal as long as you have other good games, but two bad games could knock someone out. Isaac will want to avoid any “blow-up” games.
One thing going for him: he’s shown he can beat Adriana and Neilesh (did so in one final game). He hasn’t faced Victoria, Yogesh, or Matt before – those will be new and exciting matchups. If his pop culture strength comes into play, he could outscore those more “academic” players in those categories. Also, Isaac might pair well in games with someone like Brad or Roger; being from a different generation, he might scoop up clues they miss and vice versa, making for interesting dynamics.
In summary, Isaac is a high-ceiling, medium-variance player in this Masters. If he’s on his game, he’s championship material. If he has an off day or two, the competition here is unforgiving. Much will depend on whether he can recapture the lightning of his 9-game streak against this elevated field.
Matt Amodio
Credentials: Matt is one of the most accomplished Jeopardy contestants ever, by regular-season records. He won 38 straight games in 2021, which is the third-longest streak in history (behind only Ken Jennings and Amy Schneider). He amassed $1.5 million in regular play, placing him third in all-time regular winnings. Matt’s dominance in 2021 was a hallmark of the season. He later competed in the 2022 TOC, where he was eliminated in the semifinals (upset by Sam Buttrey). However, Matt’s legend afforded him entry into the Masters realm: he was invited to the 2023 Masters, finishing 3rd overall (he made the finals behind James Holzhauer and Mattea Roach). In the 2024 Masters, he also participated (by virtue of that 3rd place finish in 2023) but had a rougher outing, finishing last (6th) among the field. Despite that, he remained a top-tier player, and he proved it by winning the 2025 Jeopardy Invitational Tournament (JIT) just this past March. The JIT victory, against a field of former greats like Roger Craig and others, reasserted Matt’s place at the top and qualified him for Masters 2025. In short, Matt brings an extraordinary resume: a mega-streak, experience in two Masters seasons, and a fresh tournament win.
Recent Form: Matt’s most recent competitive action was the JIT in Feb/Mar 2025. He navigated a 27-contestant bracket to emerge champion. In the JIT finals, he faced Roger Craig and Juveria Zaheer in a multi-game final and won the required two games to clinch the title. Reports highlight that in the first game of that final, Matt got on a roll, including an impressive streak of 10 consecutive correct clues after a big Daily Double. This shows he was in peak form, using his trademark momentum-building ability. After the slight downturn in Masters 2024 (where he underperformed by his standards), it appears Matt rebounded strongly. One might attribute the 2024 Masters dip to a combination of factors: incredibly tough competition (he was up against Holzhauer, for example) and maybe some off days. But his JIT win suggests he’s adjusted and is back to playing at an elite level. Coming into Masters 2025, he might feel he has something to prove – that he can win a Masters, not just place.
Knowledge & Gameplay: Matt’s knowledge base is extremely broad and deep. He is a Yale-educated PhD (in computer science, I believe) and a self-professed voracious learner. His 38-game run demonstrated that he can handle virtually any category: science, history, literature, pop culture, you name it. One of Matt’s hallmarks is his consistency in ringing in with correct responses; during his streak, he rarely stumbled. He is also famous (or infamous) for answering every response with “What’s” (even for people, etc.), a quirky habit that became a meme but had no effect on his actual performance.
Matt’s gameplay during his streak was often about building a lead and protecting it. He wasn’t as theatrically aggressive as James Holzhauer with wagers, but he strategically hunted Daily Doubles mid-to-late in the round and bet enough to extend his lead. He often had runaways by Final Jeopardy. In the higher level tournaments (TOC, Masters), he encountered players who could keep up, which required him to adapt. In the 2023 Masters, he did well, reaching the finals (where he finished behind James and Mattea). In the 2024 Masters, he struggled, possibly because others outbuzzed him or outwagered him.
One slight known weakness: Matt occasionally can be beaten to the buzzer by ultra-fast players. In his original run, we didn’t see that because none of his challengers lasted long enough or were on his level. But in TOC 2022, Andrew He out-buzzed him in their semifinal (leading to Matt’s loss). In Masters 2023/2024, players like James and even Mattea gave him trouble in that regard. Matt’s knowledge was never in doubt; it was more about speed and timing in those losses.
Buzzer and Reflexes: Matt’s buzzer skills are good, but as noted, perhaps not the absolute best in this field. He has even admitted that he doesn’t rely on being the fastest; instead, he relies on knowing nearly everything and capitalizing when others slip. However, in a field where everyone knows nearly everything, buzzer speed becomes paramount. The fact that Matt won the JIT suggests he handled buzzer battles well there (since Roger Craig is also a fast player). During the JIT final, as mentioned, Matt got 10 in a row – that indicates he was controlling the flow of the game for that stretch. So it seems he was able to impose himself. Perhaps he’s improved his buzzing technique or figured out certain opponents. It’s possible that with James Holzhauer (one of the fastest ever) not in this Masters, Matt will find the playing field more favorable. Still, players like Yogesh, Isaac, and even Victoria can be lightning quick. Matt will need to be sharp on the buzzer to avoid falling behind early in games.
Wagering and Strategy: Matt’s wagering is generally sound and slightly on the conservative side. He usually doesn’t bet the farm on Daily Doubles unless he needs to. In his 38-game run, he often bet enough to maintain a lock game but rarely to the point of risking the lead unless category was a strong suit. In tournament play, he’s shown he understands when to go big – for instance, in the JIT final, he had a moment of betting $6,600 on a Daily Double and nailing it, which helped swing the game. That shows awareness that, against strong opponents, he must seize opportunities.
In Final Jeopardy, Matt is known to calculate well. He had a famous moment in his 38th game where he wagered to tie instead of win outright, which led to a tiebreaker and eventual loss (some debate that strategy, but it was statistically interesting). In Masters format, Matt might actually thrive in the two-game final scenario – he’s a very analytical thinker, good at planning over a multi-game span (though ironically, in 2023 Masters final, James outplayed him over two games).
Psychologically, Matt is calm and even-keeled. He doesn’t get rattled outwardly. He often has a slight smile and a thoughtful look, keeping emotions in check. That helps in pressure moments.
Psychological and Off-Stage: Matt is popular among fans for his polite demeanor and impressive intellect. He doesn’t engage in any mind games or boastfulness. In fact, some might interpret his constant “What’s…” phrasing as a way to keep himself calm and routine. One interesting angle: Matt has been defeated in high-profile settings a few times (TOC semi, Masters 2024 early exit). These setbacks likely motivated him. Winning the JIT was a comeback statement. Now returning to Masters, he might carry extra determination to claim the big title that has eluded him (because despite his streak, he hasn’t won a TOC or a Masters yet – the JIT is his first major tournament win).
His quantitative background might also mean he’s analyzing other players’ stats. If anyone is likely to consider game theory of match points, it’s Matt. For instance, he might realize that going for second place safe points repeatedly won’t cut it – so we may see him make some bolder moves to ensure he gets some wins on the board.
Projection: Matt is, on paper, one of the top contenders to win it all. He has more experience in long-form competition than almost anyone else here (except maybe Brad). The key for him will be adapting to each opponent’s style. For example, against a gun-slinger like Roger Craig, Matt might adopt a more cautious approach and let Roger self-destruct on a miss; against a human encyclopedia like Yogesh, Matt might pick clues strategically to play to his own strengths or try to outbuzz him on speed.
One must consider that Matt and Yogesh have not faced each other in a Masters or TOC yet – that showdown will be highly anticipated. Matt also has not faced Victoria Groce before (Victoria’s rise came after Matt’s initial run). Those are unknown head-to-heads. But given Matt’s sheer trivia ability, he can absolutely beat anyone.
There is a scenario where Matt could dominate the preliminary rounds: if he gets into his groove, he might top the point standings. Alternatively, if he struggles to win games (finishing second a lot), he could be on the bubble. But given his recent JIT win, I expect Matt to perform near the top. He’s arguably in better form than he was a year ago during Masters 2024.
In finals, if he gets there, Matt’s experience could shine. He’s learned from losing to James and Mattea; he might adjust his tactics (for example, not letting a first game deficit discourage him, or being more aggressive to prevent being behind). Also, if Matt reaches the finals, it likely means his buzzer issues did not hold him back, which bodes well for his chances.
All told, Matt Amodio is one of the most well-rounded and battle-tested players in this field. He combines the long-term knowledge retention of a quiz veteran with fresh tournament savvy. Many analytics would rank him just behind Victoria and Yogesh coming in, which is a fair assessment. If he plays his A-game, he could very well be the one hoisting the trophy.
Roger Craig
Credentials: Roger is a legendary name from an earlier era of Jeopardy (primarily 2010s). He first made his mark by winning the 2011 Tournament of Champions (after a 6-game streak in 2010). He became famous in 2010 for setting a then-record single-game score of $77,000, which stood for nearly 9 years until Holzhauer broke it. Roger subsequently appeared in several Jeopardy special events: the 2014 Battle of the Decades (where he was a finalist), and the 2019 All-Star Games (team-based), where he also performed well. Essentially, before the new generation of super-streakers, Roger was considered one of the game’s greats – known for his broad knowledge and data-driven study approach. After some years off, he returned for the 2025 Invitational Tournament (JIT) as an invited “former great” and proved he still had it by reaching the finals (co-runner-up with Juveria to Matt Amodio). Now, at Masters 2025, he’s stepping into his first Masters competition. Notably, this is Roger’s first time facing many of these newer champions in official competition.
Recent Form: In the 2025 JIT, Roger did very well. He advanced through a large field of 27 invitees, which likely included multi-game winners and notable players from the past decade (like himself, Jennifer Quail, etc.). Roger won his quarterfinal and semifinal to make the 3-person final. In the JIT finals against Matt and Juveria, Roger did not ultimately win a game – Matt clinched the match in two straight games – but Roger kept it competitive. For instance, Roger was in the lead at points: the Deseret recap mentioned that in the first final game, Roger led after the Jeopardy round and even made a big move by going all-in on a Daily Double (betting $9,600) to try to catch up after Matt surged. That shows he was playing aggressively to win. He ended that first game in last place, but presumably still within striking distance for game two (though Matt won that as well, making game three unnecessary). Overall, Roger’s form seems strong – reaching the finals indicates he was among the top 3 in that field. Any rust he might have had from not playing for a few years was shaken off.
Knowledge & Gameplay: Roger has an extremely wide knowledge base, similar to players like Matt and Yogesh. In his heyday, he famously used data analysis to identify which categories to study (he’s often credited as one of the first to publicly discuss using computer analytics on the J-Archive to direct studying). So he tends to be well-prepared in traditional Jeopardy subjects. In 2011, he could run categories on literature, history, and then pivot to solve a tricky wordplay clue. He’s also good at math and logic puzzles (he has a background in computer science). Given his University of Delaware ties (the UDaily article noted his feats), he likely also has strong general academic trivia. If there’s any potential gap, perhaps very new pop culture (songs or memes post-2015) might be a little weaker for him simply due to age/exposure. But even that is speculative; he likely brushed up on current material knowing he’d face younger opponents in JIT.
Roger’s gameplay is characterized by high risk, high reward. He is one of the original big bettors – he was doing large Daily Double bets before it became common. For instance, he’s known for a famous true Daily Double where he wagered $18,000 (and got it right, leading to a huge single-day score). In the JIT final, as cited, he made a bold $9,600 Daily Double bet. That indicates Roger’s philosophy: if you want to beat someone like Matt Amodio, you might need to take big swings. He is not afraid of that. The flip side is that it can backfire. In that instance, the clue didn’t go his way (he missed a somewhat tricky law term question), and it set him back. But you can bet he’d do it again if that was the path to victory – he plays to win, not to minimize loss.
Buzzer and Reflexes: At his peak, Roger was quite fast on the buzzer. He out-buzzed Ken Jennings in the Battle of the Decades semifinals (Ken had said Roger was tough to beat). Now, he’s a bit older than many of the competitors (mid-40s). Reaction time can diminish slightly with age, but the experience can compensate. In the JIT, he clearly did fine on the buzzer to get to finals. However, some signs in the final suggested Matt might have had an edge in buzzer timing during that big run of 10 clues. It could also be that Matt just knew those clues first. The question for Masters: can Roger keep up buzzing with the likes of Yogesh (who’s exceptionally fast) or younger guns like Isaac? He probably can, but it’s something to watch. He might rely on anticipating clues – using his veteran savvy to sense where a clue is going a hair faster.
Wagering and Strategy: As described, Roger is aggressive. In a match-points format, this could either catapult him upward or sink him if things go awry. He’s the type who might end up with either 3 points (from a game he wins by a mile) or 0 points (from a game where he crashes on a big bet), rather than a lot of middling 1-point finishes. That volatility is dangerous in terms of consistency but can be effective if he hits more than he misses. He also has a knack for momentum: when Roger gets hot, he can string together correct answers rapidly (much like Matt or James). Those bursts can decide games.
Psychologically, Roger is confident and unafraid of the big stage – he’s been doing this for a long time. He has a jovial side (he dropped the news of marrying Julia Collins during the JIT, which was a fun surprise). That personal happiness might give him a relaxed mindset. At the same time, he’s competitive; he wouldn’t come back if he didn’t believe he could win.
One unique factor: Roger’s presence adds a bit of old guard vs new guard dynamic. He’s likely eager to prove that the champions of the 2010s can still compete with the record-breakers of the 2020s. A Masters win for Roger would be a legacy-cementing achievement. That motivation can be powerful.
Projection: Roger is somewhat of a wild card in this field. He has the skill to win the whole thing, but he could also be an early elimination if luck doesn’t favor him. For example, if in the Knockout round he makes a big bet and loses in one game, and in another game he narrowly gets second, he might find himself on the bubble with, say, 1 point total. Conversely, he could also blow out a game and get 3 points quickly.
One advantage he might have: surprise factor. Some of the newer players haven’t played him and might not fully anticipate his strategies. He might grab a Daily Double in an unusual spot or take an unorthodox line of play that throws others off. However, all these contestants likely watched the JIT and know Roger’s style to some extent.
If Roger can moderate his risk-taking just enough to avoid elimination while still leveraging it to secure wins, he could definitely be in the semifinals or finals. It wouldn’t be shocking if he ends up as one of the top four after the quarters – he’s that good. The semifinal round (4 players, only 1 elimination) might actually be where a veteran like Roger shines, since at that point it’s about making sure you’re not last – he can calculate exactly what he needs to do.
In short, expect high drama in Roger’s games. He might deliver some of the most exciting moments of Masters 2025, whether it’s a jaw-dropping big bet or a clutch comeback. His presence ensures that no lead is safe and no deficit insurmountable, which will keep his opponents on their toes.
Juveria Zaheer
Credentials: Juveria’s path to the Masters is the most unconventional of the group. She did not have a long initial streak on Jeopardy – in fact, she lost her first and only regular-season game in 2022. However, her impressive showing in that loss earned her an invite to the 2023 Second Chance Tournament, which she won decisively. Winning Second Chance gave her a spot in the 2024 Champions Wild Card tournament, which she also won, thereby qualifying for the 2025 Tournament of Champions. In the 2025 TOC, Juveria made the quarterfinals (she did not advance further, as she faced tough competition early). But the story wasn’t over: she was then invited to the 2025 Invitational Tournament, where she surprised many by reaching the JIT finals (one of three finalists alongside Matt and Roger). She ultimately finished as co-runner-up in that tournament, which punched her ticket to Masters. Essentially, Juveria earned her way here by winning back-to-back specialty tournaments (Second Chance and Champions Wildcard) and performing strongly in the Invitational. She is the only player in this Masters field who has never won a regular-season game (all her wins came in tournament settings), a testament to the unique opportunities Jeopardy’s new structure provides.
Recent Form: Juveria’s performance trajectory has been upward. In the Second Chance competition (late 2023), she dominated – one highlight was her astonishing $50,000+ single-day total in the finals (Day 1 of the two-day final), achieved through bold Daily Double plays. She carried that momentum into the Champions Wildcard, which she won to secure a TOC spot. While her TOC run ended in the quarterfinals (which is understandable, as the TOC field was stacked), she didn’t lose any credibility – by that point she had proven her mettle. Then in the 2025 JIT, she held her own against legends. In the JIT finals, however, she “never quite found her footing” in Game 1 and was trailing Matt and Roger. It appears she finished third in those final games, but just making it there was a huge achievement.
One can glean that Juveria is resilient and clutch in high stakes. She tends to rise to the occasion in the specialized tournaments, even if she started as an underdog. Importantly, she has played a lot of televised Jeopardy in the last year – far more than many single-run champs get to. That extra experience might help her remain calm in Masters, since she’s sort of been in perpetual tournament mode.
Knowledge & Gameplay: Juveria’s knowledge base is strong across the board, with perhaps a slight skew toward bold play on things she knows well. Her original loss in 2022 was a high-scoring affair, suggesting she answered a lot correctly but maybe got out-buzzed at the end or missed a Final. The producers saw potential in her, which paid off. She excels in Daily Double wagering and momentum building. In Second Chance, for example, she capitalized on her opportunities to build a big lead.
As a psychiatrist (her profession), one might assume she’s strong in science (especially medicine/biology) and psychology-related categories. She’s also talked about her family and background on air, which hints at a broad cultural knowledge (she’s from Canada with South Asian heritage; she might be strong in world history/geography and pop culture as well). In her tournament runs, she displayed fearlessness in betting – a key part of her success. That suggests that while she might not outscore someone like Matt in a straight knowledge quiz, she can outplay them by leveraging high-risk, high-reward moves.
One potential weakness is consistency: being a newer player to the quiz world, she might have more gaps than some of the lifers. For instance, in JIT finals Game 1, falling behind could be due to categories that weren’t in her wheelhouse and her opponents capitalizing first. It’s a tough field now; any relative weakness can be exploited.
Buzzer and Reflexes: Juveria’s buzzer skill seems solid, but it’s hard to gauge if it’s top-tier. In Second Chance and Champions Wildcard, she was often quicker than her competition (who were also non-TOC-level players by definition). In TOC, facing faster players, she did not advance; maybe buzzer speed played a part. In the JIT, up against Roger and Matt, she likely was the third fastest on the trigger – that’s something she would need to improve against the Masters lineup. However, with each competition, she gains experience. By now she’s probably refined her timing. She’s certainly not sluggish; she wouldn’t have gotten here if she couldn’t buzz in effectively on a good portion of clues. The question is if she can edge out the likes of Yogesh or Victoria consistently.
Wagering and Risk Profile: If there’s one thing Juveria is known for, it’s bold wagering. She tends to seize big opportunities. That $50k day in Second Chance finals was because she bet big on Daily Doubles and nailed them. In Champions Wildcard as well, she likely had to take some risks to come out on top (though detailed stats aren’t readily cited, the narrative suggests she continued her bold style). She has a bit of a “go big or go home” mentality – which served her well, as it kept resulting in wins. This could be very useful in Masters match points format: she’s capable of converting a game into a win by sheer daring, which yields 3 points. Conversely, the danger is that against tougher competition, a big gamble might not pay off and leave her in third with 0 points.
In Final Jeopardy, she’s had mixed results. In Second Chance, she made a notable wager where she didn’t even need to because her lead was so big. But generally, she’s shown she can get Finals right under pressure. Being a psychiatrist might also give her tools to manage stress and stay focused.
Psychological and Off-Stage: Juveria has been very open about her motivations – she often speaks about her young daughters, one of whom imitates Ken Jennings at home, calling herself “Ken Jr.”. Juveria’s family focus gives her a very wholesome perspective. She’s said she wants to be a role model for her kids and show them the value of persistence. This motivation likely fuels her to keep pushing even when she’s the underdog. It also probably keeps her grounded – she’s enjoying the ride and not getting too in her head about ego or anything.
One factor to consider is fatigue: Juveria has played a lot of games in a short time (Second Chance had multiple games, Champions Wildcard a bunch, TOC at least one, JIT multiple). She might actually be more warmed up than others, or she could be a bit burned out. Given her enthusiasm, I suspect the former – she’s riding a wave of excitement. Socially, she’s very positive and has garnered a fan following for her story.
Projection: Juveria is clearly the underdog in this Masters. Most would rank her near the bottom in terms of expected finish because she doesn’t have the lengthy track record of beating top-tier opponents that others do. However, she’s defied odds repeatedly. For her to succeed here, a few things need to align: she’ll want to catch opponents by surprise with a big move or two, she needs to capitalize on any categories where she might have a niche advantage (perhaps Canadian geography? or certain medical topics), and she should aim to at least be in second going into Final Jeopardy, where she can then use wagering to her advantage.
Her best chance to make the semifinals or beyond is likely to score one outright game win in the early going. If she can get a 3-point win under her belt (maybe in a game where others falter on wagers and she plays a solid game), then she’s in the mix. If not, and she’s hovering without a win the cumulative match-point format makes it extremely difficult to advance—especially in the Knockout Round where only two games per player determine the first cut—meaning her tournament could be over before it ever really begins.
Field Dynamics & Format Impact (Jeopardy Masters 2025)
The expanded field and new format (points and eliminations) of Masters 2025 significantly influence strategy and interactions:
Early Elimination Pressure: With three players cut after just six games, contestants must balance risk and consistency. We expect aggressive play early – especially from risk-takers like Roger Craig and Juveria Zaheer – aiming to grab a 3-point win and avoid the bubble. Conservative players (Adriana, perhaps Brad) face a dilemma: playing it safe might yield a couple of 1-point finishes, but 3 points (one win) could be the price of admission to the next round. This likely forces even the cautious to up their game.
Matchups and Rematches: Many contestants have faced each other in recent tournaments:
Victoria vs. Yogesh: A rematch of the 2024 Masters final, where Victoria bested Yogesh. Their rivalry could define this season. Yogesh will be keen to overturn that result, perhaps taking more risks to ensure Victoria doesn’t get the upper hand again.
Neilesh vs. Adriana vs. Isaac: These three were the 2025 TOC finalists. They know each other’s play well. Neilesh edged them out partly via bold DD bets. Adriana and Isaac might adjust by being more aggressive themselves, or conversely, they might try to outlast Neilesh if he overextends.
Matt vs. Roger vs. Juveria: The JIT finalists. Matt prevailed by sustaining momentum; Roger went big on wagers; Juveria struggled to keep up in standard Q&A. In Masters, Roger and Juveria might specifically target games without Matt to secure wins, but they won’t have that luxury every time. If they meet again, Matt’s buzzer streaks and deep knowledge pose the same challenge.
Matt vs. Yogesh vs. Victoria: This triangular battle hasn’t happened before as a direct face-off. If a game features all three, expect fireworks. Each is capable of dominating a board. The buzzer timing will be crucial: if Yogesh or Matt can assert control, Victoria might need to lean on opportunistic Daily Doubles to break their rhythm – and vice versa.
Brad Rutter X-Factor: Brad hasn’t played this new generation in regular competition. His presence injects a “wild card” element:
Other players grew up hearing about Brad’s undefeated streaks, which could be intimidating or motivating. They’ll be curious “how is Brad right now?”.
Brad’s own strategy might be more conservative initially as he gauges his opponents’ speed and knowledge. But as a seasoned tournament veteran, he’ll know when to strike. He famously beat Ken Jennings in multiple finals in the 2000s, largely by staying close and then capitalizing on key moments. A similar patient approach might serve him well here, especially in accumulating enough points to make semis.
Rust vs. Rest: Brad last played in 2020 (GOAT). He could be slightly “rusty” in terms of reflexes or recall under lights. Conversely, being fresh (and presumably preparing intensively for this comeback) might give him a well-rested mind. The first few games will be telling: if Brad is buzzing in and nailing clues at his old clip, watch out.
Reset for Semis: After the Quarterfinals, four players remain and points continue. At this stage, focus shifts to avoiding last place. This could lead to interesting tactics:
A player with a small point cushion in semis might play more conservatively to ensure they aren’t 4th – e.g., betting low on Final Jeopardy to hold a second or third place if that guarantees survival.
Conversely, if two players are trailing in points for that elimination spot, they might enter a “mini arms race” of who can snag more points in the last semi game (with buzzer races and DD wagers accordingly).
The semifinal essentially becomes a fight not to finish at the bottom of the leaderboard. A savvy player could even calculate that finishing 3rd in both semi games with some points each might be enough if someone else bombs out twice. But with only four left, pride and the desire to carry momentum into finals may keep them fighting for wins rather than just not losing.
Finals Strategy: The final 3 play a two-game total point match. Key dynamics here:
Contestants will switch from point-accumulation mode to classic Jeopardy mode (maximizing dollars). The finalists likely have experience in multi-game finals: Matt (JIT final), Neilesh (TOC final), possibly Yogesh (though his TOC was one-game final in 2024, he has the Masters 2024 final experience). Victoria as defending champ also knows the two-game format well.
If Victoria and Yogesh make the final again, expect a psychological chess match. In 2024, Victoria’s true Daily Double early in Game 1 gave her a cushion. James Holzhauer later reflected that he perhaps wasn’t aggressive enough in the 2024 final’s wagering. Yogesh, learning from that, might swing bigger earlier to avoid a repeat of being clawed past by Victoria’s steadiness.
If a player like Matt or Brad is in the final against, say, Victoria, the dynamic is different: Brad has extensive 2-game experience (he’s won five multi-game finals in his career), and Matt is methodical. Those two might treat Game 1 as feeling-out and aim to keep it close to unleash in Game 2, whereas someone like Yogesh or Roger (if in finals) might prefer to go all-in from the start to try for a runaway lead by halftime.
In a final with mixed styles, e.g., Victoria (steady), Yogesh (aggressive), Matt (analytical), the strategy for each will be to leverage their strength: Victoria to avoid mistakes and pounce on any slip, Yogesh to press the advantage on any favorable category, Matt to outmaneuver on strategy (perhaps targeting clues or buzzer windows).
Psychological Tactics: Beyond knowledge and wagering, mindset and mind games could subtly influence outcomes:
Yogesh is known to sometimes engage on social media with strong opinions. It’s unlikely to impact on-stage play directly, but other players know he’s ultra-driven and has a chip on his shoulder (he’s vocal about Jeopardy’s shortcomings and now wants to prove he’s the best). Opponents might use that – e.g., a cooler customer like Victoria might deliberately project calm to contrast with Yogesh’s intensity, possibly unsettling him if he starts to feel pressure.
James Holzhauer’s absence means less playful banter – he used to tease and joke, adding levity. The vibe might be more serious this year. Who fills that role? Perhaps Roger Craig – he has a sense of humor and might crack a joke or two, helping everyone (including himself) relax. A relaxed contestant often performs better.
Experience vs. Youth: Brad and Roger (older, experienced) vs. the younger champs. In high-pressure moments, experience can steady nerves. But younger players may be more willing to risk everything because they have less to lose reputationally. That dichotomy could appear in a crucial Final Jeopardy: an older player bets to cover, a younger player bets it all. The result could swing a match and, in points terms, a tournament fate.
Playoff Mentality: With points carrying over through phases, there’s almost a sports playoff feel – like a round-robin league then knockout. Players will be tracking the leaderboard closely (even if not shown on-air, they’ll roughly know). We might see strategic behavior such as:
If someone is safe on points near the end of a phase, they might not bet big on the last Final Jeopardy, to avoid risking a drop in standings due to a 0 (third place) finish.
Conversely, a player on the cut line might in the final game of a phase do something wild (like a Forrest Bounce on the board to confuse opponents, or an all-in Daily Double even if tied for lead) because only a win can save them. These do-or-die plays could lead to thrilling comebacks or spectacular eliminations.
The dynamics of Masters 2025 promise a delicate dance of strategy: balancing the need to accumulate points with the caution to not flame out. Each stage resets the stakes: first survive to 6, then to 4, then to 3, and then go all-out for the trophy.
Ranking the Players: Likelihood of Winning (Odds & Confidence)
Below is a ranking of the nine Masters contestants by their projected likelihood of winning the tournament, with approximate odds (as a percentage chance) and a confidence level (how strongly we feel about their placement). The odds sum to 100%. Rationale for each is provided, integrating all the analysis of skills and form:
Victoria Groce – Odds: ~25%. Confidence: High. As the reigning champion, Victoria has the proven ability to win in this exact format. Her consistency, buzzer skill, and calm under pressure make her the slight favorite. We give her about a 1 in 4 chance to repeat. She’s reliably expected to reach the finals. Confidence in her is high because she has few weaknesses. The only reservation is that everyone will be gunning for her – she won’t catch anyone by surprise this year – and she’ll face multiple opponents she hasn’t played yet (e.g., the TOC folks). Still, her track record in 2024 – beating arguably an even stronger field – speaks volumes. If she gets to the final 3, many would bet on her to finish the job.
Yogesh Raut – Odds: ~22%. Confidence: High. Yogesh is essentially co-favorite with Victoria. We assign ~22% (slightly lower only because in a direct final against her, Victoria already proved she can win). Yogesh’s chances are excellent: he’s in peak form (TOC champ, Masters runner-up) and has arguably the deepest knowledge base. He is very likely to make finals, unless he self-destructs with risky play early. Confidence in him is high; the only reason he’s #2 is the slight concern that his aggressive style could backfire in a short phase – for example, a few unlucky misses in the Knockout round could put him in an unexpected hole. But if he adapts and maybe reins in just enough to survive, his chances to win it all are basically even with Victoria’s.
Matt Amodio – Odds: ~20%. Confidence: Medium-High. Matt is right on the heels of the top two. ~20% reflects that on pure skill he’s at their level, but he has to show it in Masters. After a hiccup in 2024’s Masters, his dominant win in the Invitational suggests he’s back in championship form. We have high confidence Matt will make at least the semifinals. The medium part is whether he can overcome the buzzer speed of someone like Yogesh or the steadiness of Victoria when it counts. If Matt reaches the finals, his odds of winning shoot up – his multi-game acumen and adaptive thinking would serve him well. In a final scenario of, say, Victoria vs. Yogesh vs. Matt, we’d call it nearly a toss-up, which is why giving Matt 20% overall feels right. One also cannot ignore that Matt, more than anyone here, has proven he can win 38 games in a row – that indicates an ability to sustain excellence that a long tournament rewards.
Brad Rutter – Odds: ~10%. Confidence: Medium. This might seem high for someone returning after 5 years away, but Brad’s pedigree commands respect. We give him about a 1 in 10 chance to win. Why? If Brad can reach the finals, his experience in multi-game championship matches is unparalleled – he’s won five of them in his career. He knows how to prep for opponents, manage nerves, and make savvy wagers. Our confidence in Brad is moderate; there’s a range of outcomes. We wouldn’t be shocked if he doesn’t make top 4 (rust is real, and he’s facing newer styles of play). But we also wouldn’t be shocked if “the Buzzsaw” slices through to the final. Essentially, Brad’s variance is high: he could flame out in Knockouts (hence only 10% chance to win) or find his groove and go all the way. We place him 4th because his upside – if realized – is championship-caliber.
Roger Craig – Odds: ~8%. Confidence: Medium. Roger is close behind Brad in our odds. ~8% chance reflects that he certainly could win, but it requires things to click. We have moderate confidence in Roger’s performance: he’ll either do very well or possibly crash out early due to his high-risk style. If he reaches finals, he’s dangerous in a two-game affair because he can swing a lot in one game (imagine Roger entering Day 2 of finals with a big lead courtesy of a massive Daily Double – that’s not far-fetched). Still, to get there he must avoid elimination in earlier rounds, which might mean tempering his wagers at times. The confidence is tempered by the fact that in the JIT final he couldn’t overcome Matt; to win Masters he’d likely have to beat two of Victoria/Yogesh/Matt/Brad, which is a tall order. But a champions tournament is exactly where someone like Roger thrives (he’s done it before). If odds for Roger seem a bit lower, it’s purely because the field is so stacked now compared to a decade ago.
Adriana Harmeyer – Odds: ~5%. Confidence: Medium. Adriana gets about a 5% shot (1 in 20). Why lower despite a 15-game streak? Mainly stylistic: her conservative play might not rack up enough wins to top the standings. Confidence in her making semifinals is actually fairly good – consistency could carry her through cuts. But winning the finals is another matter. If Adriana reaches the 3-person final, it likely means she found a gear to beat out most of these others in points, which would significantly elevate her win chances. So her path to winning is narrower: she probably needs to squeak into finals and then have two exceptionally strong games (and maybe hope for opponents to miss a Final or two). It’s possible – she’s very knowledgeable and could certainly have those games. But based on evidence, she tends to be just a hair behind the absolute top-tier in speed. We saw in TOC finals that when pitted against two others of her caliber, she managed one win but not the series win. Masters adds even more heavyweights. Thus, 5% seems fair, with the note that she’s a spoiler to watch: she could knock out a favorite in a head-to-head game even if she doesn’t take the crown.
Isaac Hirsch – Odds: ~4%. Confidence: Medium-Low. Isaac is only slightly behind Adriana – call it 4%. He has a similar profile as a TOC finalist, but with a 9-game streak (not 15) and perhaps a touch more inconsistency. Our confidence in Isaac is a bit lower because he did have that one finals game where he fell way behind. In Masters, a single bad game can be overcome if you have other strong games, but it shows a vulnerability. Also, head-to-head with Adriana, she beat him more often than not in their encounters. That said, Isaac’s upside is high – when he’s on, he’s a buzzsaw. If he catches fire, he could upset the hierarchy. We give him a slightly smaller chance to win because he might be more prone to a bad break (say, two categories he dislikes in one game), which in this format could knock him out before the final. The medium-low confidence is more about variance; it wouldn’t be shocking if he doesn’t advance to final, but if he does advance, he’s got maybe a 1/3 shot in a final trio scenario. Aggregate that out, ~4% seems reasonable.
Juveria Zaheer – Odds: ~3%. Confidence: Low. We give Juveria about a 3% chance – not zero by any means, but modest. She’s the least experienced at this level and the consensus underdog. Confidence is low because her performance has been more variable (dominant in Second Chance, but out in TOC quarters, then good in JIT but clearly third behind Matt/Roger in finals). For Juveria to win, a lot of dominoes must fall right: she likely needs to survive cuts with maybe a wildcard (4th) into semis, then pull off an upset to make finals, then have the two best games of her life in the final. Considering she’s had an incredible run already, you can’t rule it out – perhaps she has another miracle in her. But objectively, against this competition, her chances are slim. One thing in her favor: she’s fearless in betting, and if luck favors her with categories, she could steal a game or two. That could position her better than expected. Still, as analysts, we have to rank her toward the bottom in win probability.
Neilesh Vinjamuri – Odds: ~3%. Confidence: Medium-Low. It might surprise to see the TOC champion last on this list with about a 3% chance (comparable to Juveria). This speaks less to Neilesh’s skill (which is high) and more to the fact that everyone above is either a super-champ or legendary veteran. Neilesh won the TOC brilliantly, but in that TOC he was an underdog who seized opportunities. Now he faces an even fiercer field. Why do we put him below, say, Adriana and Isaac who he beat in TOC? Because Masters adds the likes of Victoria, Yogesh, Matt, etc. – all players who likely outrank Neilesh in experience and stats. Moreover, Neilesh’s style (big DD bets) can be double-edged. In TOC it paid off; if it fails even once or twice in Masters, he could be eliminated early. That risk pushes his win odds down. Our confidence in Neilesh’s chances is medium-low: we wouldn’t be shocked if he makes semis or even sneaks into the final (because he clearly can outperform expectations), but winning the whole thing means beating multiple super-champs back-to-back. It’s a tough ask. We rank him slightly below Juveria mainly because Juveria’s aggressive style might net her a lucky win or two, whereas Neilesh, now as a known quantity, won’t be underestimated by anyone. They’ll be ready for his tactics. Of course, we could be underrating him – he might relish being the underdog again and go on another tear. But strictly on paper, his odds are among the lower end.
(For context: our odds roughly reflect the tiers – Victoria/Yogesh/Matt combined ~67% (2/3 chance one of them wins, which aligns with many expert predictions), Brad/Roger together ~18%, Adriana/Isaac ~9%, Juveria/Neilesh ~6%. That sums to 100%. These percentages are subjective but grounded in performance data and tournament scenario modeling.)
Predicted Finalists (Final 3) & Champion (2025)
Projected Finalists: Based on all factors – historical performance, current form, adaptability, and how the format suits them – our prediction for the final three players (the two-game championship match) is:
Victoria Groce – The defending champ’s consistency and point-accumulation savvy should get her through each round. She’s likely atop the leaderboard or close to it at every cut.
Yogesh Raut – His combination of TOC-winning momentum and hunger for the Masters title makes it likely he powers into the final. Expect him to perhaps lead in match points going into the finals (he racks up game wins).
Matt Amodio – We favor Matt slightly for the third spot. His JIT performance suggests he’s ready, and he has shown he can adjust if something’s not working (plus, he’s been here before). Crucially, in a field of nine, he won’t face all opponents every stage; he can avoid any one nemesis locking him out. He only needs to be top 4 to make semis and top 3 for finals – very achievable for him.
First Alternates: If not Matt, the next most likely finalist is Brad Rutter (if he shakes off rust and leverages his experience, he could edge out Matt or Yogesh for a spot) or Roger Craig (if his big plays land successfully, he could surprise into the final). Adriana/Isaac have a shot but likely fall just short; Neilesh or Juveria making the final would be the Cinderella scenario.
Finals Outlook: Assuming Victoria, Yogesh, Matt as the final trio, how do we see the two-game showdown?
Victoria vs. Yogesh vs. Matt is essentially balance vs. speed vs. strategy:
Victoria will aim to do what she did in 2024: play clean, capitalize on any slip by the others, and perhaps seize a lead with a timely Daily Double.
Yogesh will try to blow it open: use his buzzer edge and depth of knowledge to amass a big lead by the end of Day 1, and keep the pressure on Day 2. He might wager big on Daily Doubles even in the final if he thinks it’s a chance to effectively knock one opponent out of contention.
Matt will calculate everything – he might not mind being in second after Game 1 as long as it’s close, trusting his ability to perform in Game 2 Final Jeopardy with a clever wager. Matt could also play the role of spoiler – e.g., if he can’t win, his aggressive play in Day 2 could determine whether Victoria or Yogesh comes out on top (but of course he’ll be playing to win himself).
Given those dynamics, our predicted Champion is Victoria Groce, with Yogesh Raut as runner-up, and Matt Amodio in third.
Why Victoria? She has demonstrated exactly the skill set needed to win a two-game final against aggressive opponents: in 2024 she faced down Holzhauer (aggression) and Yogesh (breadth) and prevailed. We believe she can do it again. Yogesh may actually enter Final Jeopardy of Game 2 in the lead (he might lead after Game 1 perhaps), but Victoria’s endgame prowess – both knowledge and wagering – could swing it. For instance, if it’s close, she might wager optimally while Yogesh, feeling the need to ensure victory, wagers bigger and could either overshoot or stumble. Matt is a bit of a wildcard here; he could just as easily win if things break his way (we gave him 20% odds after all). But given slight edges in buzzer and recent head-to-head history, we see him a step behind these two in the final result, perhaps akin to his 3rd place finish in 2023 Masters.
Potential Final Scores (illustrative): In a tight two-game final, we might see something like:
Victoria: Game 1 $25,000 + Game 2 $20,000 = $45,000 total
Yogesh: Game 1 $22,000 + Game 2 $20,000 = $42,000 total
Matt: Game 1 $15,000 + Game 2 $18,000 = $33,000 total
Victoria wins by a narrow margin (maybe clinched by a correct Final Jeopardy in Game 2 while Yogesh also gets it but can’t overcome her slight lead, and Matt perhaps misses one of the Finals or had too much ground to cover).
Of course, any final three would be a thrilling matchup. If, say, Brad makes the final instead of Matt, we might predict Victoria vs. Yogesh vs. Brad still going to Victoria (Brad might play spoiler by beating one of them in a game, but over two games Victoria/Yogesh’s faster reflexes could prevail). If Roger sneaks in, he could either run away with one game or crash – unpredictable, but we’d still favor Victoria/Yogesh’s consistency over two games.
We foresee Victoria Groce defending her Masters title and becoming the 2025 Jeopardy! Masters Champion, after an epic battle with Yogesh Raut in the finals.
The final standings we anticipate:
Champion: Victoria Groce – retains Trebek Trophy, solidifying her legacy as a modern Jeopardy giant.
2nd Place: Yogesh Raut – comes up just short, possibly due to one or two missed wagers or Final responses, but further cements his status among the elites.
3rd Place: Matt Amodio – a strong showing, maybe even tied going into the final Final Jeopardy, but ends in third. (If not Matt, the third-place could be Brad or Roger with similar storyline of a valiant effort.)
This prediction is based on a synthesis of everything we’ve analyzed: official stats, recent tournament recaps, and each player’s demonstrated tendencies.
However, this Masters field is exceptionally strong, and any of the 9 is capable of catching fire and winning it all – that unpredictability is why this tournament is so exciting.
We might be in for surprises, but one thing is certain: the 2025 Jeopardy! Masters will be an “AMAZING tournament” showcasing some of the best trivia talent ever assembled.
References:
Jeopardy! J!Buzz: How the 2025 Jeopardy! Masters Works
JBoard.tv: ABC press release (Masters Season 3)
The Jeopardy Fan: Masters Season 3 Announcement & Format Analysis
Sportskeeda: Jeopardy! Tournament of Champions 2025 finals recap: A mispronounced name costs a contestant the title
TV Insider (on Yogesh Raut): ‘Jeopardy!’ Fans React After Controversial Yogesh Raut Wins TOC Thriller
TV Insider (article on Brad Rutter): ‘Jeopardy!’ Bosses Drop News on Brad Rutter Returning to Show
The Jeopardy Fan (Final Jeopardy reference): Today’s Final Jeopardy – Thursday, March 6, 2025
Deseret News: 2025 ‘Jeopardy!’ Invitational Tournament finals recap: Who won?
Inside Jeopardy! Podcast: Inside Jeopardy! on Apple Podcasts