Paul Clauson, a tax analyst from Madison Heights, Michigan, is handling Jeopardy! in his stride, securing his second victory and boosting his winnings to a respectable $15,201.
Facing off against returning champ Stephanie Asalone, a former 401(k) processor from St. Marys, Pennsylvania, and school administrator Kristen Moreland from Brooklyn, New York, Clauson displayed a command of categories ranging from “Animals of the Amazon” to “Broadway Musicals by Songs.” Asalone, starting with a one-day total of $14,100, seemed poised for a strong game but couldn’t maintain momentum. Moreland, unfortunately, spent a significant portion of the game trying to gain traction.
Daily Doubles proved to be a mixed bag. Clauson scored early with a correct response about “Life of Pi,” while Moreland capitalized on a geography clue identifying Peru. However, a later Daily Double on sculptors tripped up Clauson, though his wager was modest enough to prevent any serious damage. Perhaps more intriguing was the apparent reluctance of all three contestants to uncover the final Daily Double, a hesitancy that stretched until late in Double Jeopardy!
Final Jeopardy!, featuring a clue about 20th-century transportation, stumped all three players. The correct response, “What is the Spruce Goose?”, eluded them, leading to some strategic (and not-so-strategic) wagering. Clauson, playing it safe, wagered a relatively small amount, enough to secure the win but leaving some potential money on the table.
While the Final Jeopardy! outcome may have lacked fireworks, Clauson’s overall performance was solid, showing a breadth of knowledge and a generally sensible wagering strategy. One might speculate that his tax expertise lends itself to a calculated approach, and frankly, in the world of Jeopardy!, that’s rarely a bad thing. Will his winning streak continue? Time will tell, but he’s definitely one to watch.
Paul Clauson returns to defend his title on Monday. Check your local listings.
