The February 10, 2025, episode of Jeopardy! brought thrilling competition as Neilesh Vinjamuri, Isaac Hirsch, and Adriana Harmeyer went head-to-head in the 111th game of Season 41, with Neilesh emerging as the victor in a nail-biting finish.
Jeopardy Round: Neilesh quickly took the lead, doubling up on a Daily Double and racking up an early advantage. Isaac kept pace despite a few minor errors, while Adriana struggled but showed some resilience as the round progressed. By the break, the scores were:
- Neilesh: $4,800 (4 correct, 0 incorrect)
- Isaac: $4,200 (7 correct, 1 incorrect)
- Adriana: $400 (1 correct, 0 incorrect)
Neilesh maintained his edge by the end of the round, with $7,000, while Isaac had $4,800, and Adriana was closer to $4,400.
Double Jeopardy Round: Adriana took a risk with a Daily Double but answered incorrectly, falling to third place. Neilesh, however, gained more ground by successfully doubling up on another Daily Double. Isaac continued to push forward, but Neilesh held a significant lead heading into Final Jeopardy.
The scores were:
- Neilesh: $31,600 (20 correct, 2 incorrect)
- Isaac: $18,800 (21 correct, 1 incorrect)
- Adriana: $5,400 (14 correct, 1 incorrect)
Final Jeopardy Round: The final clue related to Robert E. Lee’s victory at Chancellorsville and compared it to a historical battle led by a Greek king. The correct response was “Who is Pyrrhus?”
- Neilesh wagered $6,001, bringing his total to $37,601.
- Isaac answered correctly but wagered $18,600, bringing his total to $37,400, just $201 behind Neilesh.
- Adriana answered incorrectly (“Who is Hannibal?”) and remained at $5,400.
Neilesh’s calculated wager and correct response secured him a thrilling victory by a narrow margin, marking his first win in the Tournament of Champions.
This episode highlighted the strategic depth of Jeopardy! as the contestants displayed excellent knowledge and risk-taking. Neilesh’s ability to make bold wagers at key moments paid off, while Isaac’s strong performance nearly propelled him to the top. Despite a tough loss, Adriana’s journey continues to impress. As the Tournament of Champions moves forward, fans are in for more exciting episodes and high-stakes competition.
