Alex Jacob Crushes Competition on Jeopardy T of C

Alex Jacob cruised to victory in his semi-final match on the TV game show "Jeopardy" today, handily defeating Vaughn Winchell and Brennan Bushee in his quest to win the Tournament of Champions and the $250,000 first place prize.

The former poker pro with career earnings in excess of $2.6 million displayed knowledge in every category of clues offered, racing to $8,000 in cash by the first commercial break. His opponents were already deep in a hole by that time, with Winchell at minus $400 and Bushee yet to ring in with his buzzer.

Following the Jeopardy round, Jacob had upped his stack to $11,600. Winchell took over 2nd place with $2,800, with Bushee still unable to get on the board.

The poker professional turned currency trader increased his lead in the Double Jeopardy round to $28,200. Bushee was able to play in round no. 2, building a stack of $11,600. Winchell trailed the field with $8,000.

Mind Your Own Business for $800, Alex

Jacob correctly handled a Daily Double Jeopardy clue, but only after taking a long time to both announce the size of his wager and to phrase the correct question. It led host Alex Trebek to call his behavior sometimes strange, but effective.

In any event, it was another runaway victory for Jacob, who wagered nothing in Final Jeopardy in the category of "African Countries." None of the contestants were able to pose the correct question for the final clue, with Winchell losing all of his money and Bushee dumping $5,000 to finish at $5,600.

Jacob will compete again on Thursday, November 19. A number of 2 + 2 posters who have been following the action closely consider his toughest opponent to be Matt Jackson, a paralegal from Washington, DC.

Jackson must first get past Catherine Hardee, an aspiring teacher from Kinston, NC, and Andrew Haringer, a college instructor from Canada. That T of C contest takes place tomorrow, November 18.