Isaac Hirsch, a standout contestant on “Jeopardy!,” saw his nine-game winning streak come to an unexpected end due to a math mistake during Final “Jeopardy!.” Hirsch, who had accumulated $215,390 in winnings, was aiming for his tenth consecutive victory on an episode aired on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, when the error occurred.
Hirsch, a team lead from Burbank, California, faced off against Erika Stromerson from Woodinville, Washington and Jay Fisher from Lisle, Illinois. The game began with Hirsch in an unusual position, struggling through the “Jeopardy!” round and finding himself in last place. As the round concluded, Fisher led with $7,000, Stromerson had $600, and Hirsch had just $400.
The situation intensified during Double “Jeopardy!.” Hirsch found both Daily Doubles but only managed to answer one correctly with a cautious bet. By the time Final “Jeopardy!” arrived, Hirsch was in second place with $15,300, trailing Fisher’s $16,200, while Stromerson had $600.
The Final clue, from the 1960s People category, read: “He said that California prison psych tests he took were ones he had designed, so he made himself look docile and unlikely to escape; then he did.” None of the contestants correctly answered Timothy Leary.
Hirsch wagered $14,000, expecting to surpass Fisher if he got the answer right. Unfortunately, his incorrect response and oversized wager dropped his total to $1,300. Fisher wagered $14,001, finishing with $1,799, and claiming the championship in a surprising upset. Hirsch’s loss was a result of a calculation error, a mistake he later explained on Reddit: “I was trying to subtract $14,401 from $16,200 and somehow came up with $1,300 instead of $1,800 as the number I needed to arrive at if I got it wrong, hence the $14,000 wager.”
Hirsch expressed his frustration and shock at the error, saying, “I spent the weeks after the taping seeing the bad math in my sleep. I remembered nothing about most of the games last week, but EVERYTHING about this game.” Despite the disappointing end, Hirsch will have another chance to compete in the “Jeopardy!” Tournament of Champions, which is reserved for top players who win five or more games.
Fans of the show were quick to support Hirsch after his loss. “You had a great run and were a joy to watch, Isaac!” one fan commented. Another added, “That’s brutal. I’d imagine you secured a recurring nightmare for the rest of your life.” Hirsch responded to the support by acknowledging the challenging nature of the game and his plans to come back stronger in the Tournament of Champions.
Hirsch’s journey on “Jeopardy!” was marked by his impressive performance and unique sense of humor. A part-time stand-up comedian, Hirsch won over fans with his hilarious anecdotes and sharp wit. His stories included impersonating Jeff Goldblum for a pool ballet gig and a challenging stand-up set at a minor league baseball field.
Despite his comedic flair, Hirsch’s gameplay was serious business. He correctly answered 272 clues, missed 47, and achieved a remarkable 14/20 on Daily Doubles and 7/10 on Final “Jeopardy!” His distinctive ’70s-inspired wardrobe and signature mustache made him a memorable contestant.
Reflecting on his experience, Hirsch noted the mental exhaustion of taping multiple episodes in a day. “‘Jeopardy!’ can be a grueling experience, and the fast-paced environment means you’re often using only a fraction of your brain capacity,” he said. However, his success on the show brought him significant recognition and a sense of achievement.
Hirsch comes from a “Jeopardy!” family, with his father competing on the show in the 1980s. This familial connection added a personal dimension to his quest for victory. Hirsch’s previous game show appearances include winning $140,000 on The Chase in 2023 and $5,000 on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? in 2017.
As Hirsch prepares for the Tournament of Champions, he is focused on improving his weaker areas, such as geography and science, and maintaining his competitive edge. “I’ll have much to prove in the ToC,” he remarked. “Not least that I can do basic arithmetic.”