Liam Starnes, the undergraduate student from Barrington, Illinois, continues his Jeopardy! reign of terror. Okay, maybe “terror” is a bit strong, but the kid’s on a roll. Friday’s game marked his sixth consecutive victory, bringing his total winnings to a cool $123,584. While he stumbled a bit in Final Jeopardy!, his strategic play and Daily Double dominance throughout the game ensured a comfortable win.
Facing off against Jenn Gardner, a nonprofit arts administrator from Houston, and Simon Liebling, a resident physician from Philadelphia, Liam demonstrated the kind of steady gameplay that has become his trademark. He nailed two Daily Doubles, one in “Absolute Power” and the other in “We’re Not In Kansas Anymore,” significantly padding his score and setting him up for the final round.
But Final Jeopardy!, with a clue about a 1995 bestseller, proved to be a tough nut to crack. All three contestants missed it (the correct response? “What is ‘The Horse Whisperer?'”). However, Liam went into the final round with such a commanding lead that even an incorrect response and an extremely cautious wager couldn’t derail his victory. He added another $20,582 to his total. Simon Liebling finished in second place with $6,799, while Jenn Gardner ended her run with $1,900.
Liam’s success so far hasn’t been flashy, but it has been effective. He consistently finds the Daily Doubles, makes smart wagers, and, perhaps most importantly, avoids big mistakes. Will his winning streak continue? Check your local listings for the next game of “Jeopardy!”
