Final Jeopardy: Idioms & Expressions (6-1-26)
The Final Jeopardy question (6/1/2026) in the category “Idioms & Expressions” was:
In the 1830s cities on the Mississippi banned cardsharps, creating more of these, now meaning one who takes big risks
8x champ Chris D’Angelo, a content manager from Washington, D.C. has won $194,201 so far. In Game 9, he’s up against: Peter McFerrin, an energy industry professional from Corona, CA; and Camryn Bell, a museum educator orig. from Minnetonka, MN.
Round 1 Categories: A Bad Hare Day – Brazilian Geography – Fear Not the Phobia – Bills & Billys – Code Red – Complete the Proverb
Peter found the Jeopardy! round Daily Double in “Code Red” under the $800 on the 19th pick of the round. He was in the lead with $5,600, $1,400 more than Camryn in second place. Peter bet $2,000 and he was RIGHT.
He began organizing the Red Army in 1917 but lost his post as People’s Commissar for War in 1925 show
Peter finished in the lead with $8,300. Camryn was in second place with $5,000. Chris was last with $600. All clues were shown.
Round 2 Categories: The Glorious First of June – Ends in “SS” – Signs & Symbols – Celebrity Memoirs – Pretty Little – Lyres
Chris got the first Daily Double in “Signs & Symbols” under the $1,200 clue on the 14th pick of the round. He was in last place with $5,400 now, $10,100 less than Peter’s lead. Chris made it a true Daily Double and he was RIGHT.
An interrobang combines these 2 punctuation marks into a single one show
Chris got the last Daily Double in “The Glorious First of June” under the $800 with 6 clues left after it. In second place with $13,600, he had $5,900 less than Peter’s lead. Chris bet $3,600 and guessed Lady Jane Grey. That was WRONG.
1533: No. 2 in a series, she’s crowned Queen of England, briefly show
Peter finished in the lead with $20,700. Chris was in second place with $11,200. Camryn was last with $10,200. All clues were shown.
NONE of the contestants got Final Jeopardy! right.
WHAT ARE RIVERBOAT GAMBLERS?
In the 19th century, gambling on riverboats wasn’t really legal and I’m not sure we can even say it was safer than gambling on land. The cardsharps referred to in the clue simply moved to where the action was. Russell Fowler writes: “Contrary to the Hollywood image of Mississippi River gamblers in fancy attire, the true professionals dressed as unassuming farmers, cattle buyers or salesmen,” in Justice on the Mississippi. Read that for some wild stories of what was going on at the tables.
In 2013, Ron Rivera was the head coach of the Carolina Panthers. He ditched his conservative play-calling style, becoming more of a bold risk-taker. An image depicting him as a riverboat gambler led to his being called “Riverboat Ron” and, before long, “riverboat gambler” morphed into an idiom for a risk-taker.
Camryn tried big spenders. She bet and lost her whole $10,200.
Chris went with high rollers. He bet and lost his whole $11,200.
Peter came up with mavericks (possibly thinking of Bret & Bart Maverick, like me!) He lost $1,701 but won the game with the remaining $18,999. Peter McFerrin is the new Jeopardy! champ.
2 triple stumpers from the last round:
SIGNS & SYMBOLS ($1600) In Windows, these “codes” produce symbols; hitting number lock, holding the same-named key & pressing 3 makes a ♥
CELEBRITY MEMOIRS ($800) A skinny white sax player joining the bank of non-skinny black singer Barry White is one of the stories in “Life in the Key of” this
2 years ago: NONE of the players got this FJ in “COLLEGES”
Of the Seven Sisters colleges, this one located in a place of the same name is the farthest south show
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Pete in the seat was the best player, but was loose with some of his answers in the middle section and kept his opponents in touch. But taking down a longtime champ without finding a DD is difficult. Camryn was an excellent player who stayed competitive even without getting that many chances to answer. But she or Peter could have easily rung in once Chris botched the “glisters” clue. He left it on a platter for them.
Not one of my better nights, but how did a smart guy like Chris miss that 3rd DD? I’m not much for history or monarchs, but that was cake. He did bet low in order to avoid a lock game. I did get Final very quickly. I have decades of experience in that particular world, but I really don’t think that factored in.
“Mississippi” was the giveaway on Final.
A triple stumper to start the month after a Champions League final that went bad for the wrong reasons.
We have a triple stumper to start the month of June and both Chris and Camryn zeroed each other out and they both finished in a second place tie.
Chris got the $3K second place prize and Camryn got the $2K for third place.
Someone please tell me why they can’t each get $2500.