What is a three-way tie on Jeopardy, Alex?

[UrbScotty]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070317/ap_en_tv/tv_three_way_tie_10

All those years of answers and questions, and it's never happened before on "Jeopardy!" What is a three-way tie, Alex?

The three contestants on the venerable game show all finished with $16,000 after each answering the final question correctly in the category, "Women of the 1930s," on Friday's show. They identified Bonnie Parker, of the famed Bonnie and Clyde crime duo, as a woman who, as a waitress, once served one of the men who shot her.

"We've had a lot of crazy things happen on `Jeopardy!' but in 23 years I've never seen anything like this before," host Alex Trebek said.

The show contacted a mathematician who calculated the odds of such a three-way tie happening — one in 25 million

Here's the YouTube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZV9vuKfVO04

[hellbound-liberal]

1. I saw it when it happened. I thought it was a great gesture on the part of the champion

Of course he knew what the other two would bet and he made a wager to ensure a three-way tie. I can't believe some of the morons posting comments on You Tube thought he made a mistake. You could tell from his reaction that he did it on purpose. One poster made the comment that he did it because he thought he could beat these two guys if they had another match and that he did it to keep from having to face two new, possibly tougher contestants. I disagree, I think it was a sincere geasture on his part so they could all walk away with some money.

[Kajsa]

3. You just answered my question, irkthesmirk.

I think that was very cool of the champion, also.

[Hand]

9. I saw it, too.

One thing I didn't notice then, but which is quite clear in the YouTube posting, is that the champion whispered something to the other contestants just before his answer and wager were revealed. I can't make it out, unfortunately, but I'll bet it was something like, "we're about to make history, guys!" :toast:

Monday should be interesting!

[Kajsa]

2. I watched it last night and saw the

finale. It came as quite a surprise.

Question-

Do all three players get to keep their $16,000. from last
night? Since they all won, I think they should

[hellbound-liberal]

5. According to Wikipedia, they all get the money

"If two or more contestants tie for first place, they each win the money and come back, assuming that they each have at least $1".

[Orsino]

4. And lo! the Seventh Seal was opened...

...and great was the wailing and gnashing of teeth.

[terrya]

6. It was remarkable.

This is one reason I love the show and watch it everyday. The unpredictability.

Among many reasons.

[bigwillq]

7. I saw that.

How cool.

[ironflange]

8. OK, we've had a three-way tie

Has there ever been a show where all three end up in the hole? Is that even possible? I've seen at least one where there was only one player left for Final, but I dunno about all three.

[mcscajun]

10. Yes, it has happened. I remember seeing it at least once, so I looked it up.

If no contestant finishes Final Jeopardy! with a positive total (i.e., at least $1), then nobody wins and three new contestants appear on the following show; in such cases the three players will participate in a backstage draw to determine player position. The three-way loss has happened three times since 1984, the first occasion being on the second episode; the number of times this occurred during the 1964 NBC version is undetermined.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeopardy%21

I don't remember if I saw it in the Art Fleming era or the Alex Trebek era, though. :shrug:

[IntravenousDemilo]

11. The one in 25,000,000 figure is probably BS.

It doesn't take intention into account, for one thing. Scott said he just thought it would be cool to have a three-way tie, and I know it was at least partly out of the goodness of his heart, though he didn't actually tell me that in so many words. He's just a good guy with an altruistic streak, and there aren't enough of those in the world. My hat is off to him.

And besides, who wouldn't want to make JEOPARDY! history, given the opportunity? It's something that will be remembered, which wouldn't be the case if he'd bet $2,601 instead of $2,600.

More discussion here: http://boards.sonypictures.com/boards/showthread.php?t=31006

[bigwillq]

12. That show jumped the shark

when Ken Jennings won like 2,000 shows in a row and he just so happen to lose during a sweeps month. :eyes: