# \$566,400 Is the Most You Can Win in a Game of Jeopardy!

Ever wondered what is the most money you can win in one game of Jeopardy? The answer is a staggering \$566,400! In contrast, the current record for the most money won on Jeopardy in one day is \$131,127 set by James Holzhauer on April 17, 2019.

How is it possible that there is such a large difference between the most money won on Jeopardy in one day and the most you can win in one game?  Let’s explore this question and find out why.

## Highest Jeopardy Score Possible

By now we know that the highest Jeopardy score possible in one game is \$566,400. Due to reasons that we’ll get into, this score has never been achieved.

Not only does the contestant need to answer every single question correctly, he also needs to select the Daily Double clues last in each round and wager everything. In addition, the contestant needs to wager everything in the Final Jeopardy round.

Rather than speculate, let’s walk through each round and do the math. There are 3 rounds to the game of Jeopardy.

### 1. Jeopardy Round

The first round of Jeopardy has six categories with five clues each ranging from \$200 to \$1,000. That means the entire board has a value of \$18,000.

However, we can’t forget about the Daily Double. To maximize winnings, the Daily Double must exist under a \$200 clue and the player must select this clue last. In this case, before selecting the last clue on the board, the player would have won \$17,800.  The player then needs to wager all of his winnings in the Daily Double.

As a result, at the end of the first Jeopardy round, the contestant can theoretically win a maximum of \$35,600.

### 2. Double Jeopardy Round

The second round of Jeopardy is called Double Jeopardy.  Hence, clues are worth twice as much in this round ranging from \$400 to \$2,000.  Therefore, the board has a total value of \$36,000.

There are two Daily Doubles in this round.  Consequently, the player has two opportunities to double his score.  Again, to maximize winnings, the Daily Doubles must exist under \$400 clues and the player must select both of these clues last.

When we add the player’s winnings from the first round to the value of the board less two \$400 clues, we determine the maximum winnings before any Daily Double clues to be \$70,800.

Furthermore, the first Daily Double in the Double Jeopardy round will yield the player \$141,600 if he wagers everything and answers correctly.

Likewise, a true Daily Double and a correct answer for the final clue will double the player’s winnings to \$283,200.

Therefore, assuming a perfect first and second round of Jeopardy, the contestant can theoretically win a maximum of \$283,200 by the end of the Double Jeopardy round.

### 3. Final Jeopardy Round

The Final Jeopardy round features a single clue.  This is the last chance for the contestant to double his earnings. As long as the contestant wagers his entire winnings and answers the question correctly, he will double his winnings yet again.

As a result, the highest Jeopardy score possible of \$566,400.

## What Is the Maximum Amount of Money You Can Win on Jeopardy?

The most money you can win in a single episode of Jeopardy is \$566,400. This requires a great deal of skill and, above all, luck. The player must:

1. Ring-in first every time
2. Answer every single clue correctly
3. Select the Daily Double clues last in each round
4. Wager everything on the Daily Doubles and in Final Jeopardy

Above all, the main reason a player can theoretically win \$566,400 in Jeopardy is thanks to the four opportunities that he has to double his winnings—three Daily Doubles and one Final Jeopardy.

In reality though, the likelihood that the Daily Double clue is selected last in each round is very low. Players don’t know where the Daily Double clues lie on the board, so it’s truly a matter of luck.

Additionally, the player must be extremely smart to answer every question correctly. Even if he knows the answer to every question, he must ring-in first which is a skill by itself. It’s actually okay if the player fails to ring in first as long as whoever rings in first answers incorrectly.

Assuming the stars are alined, it is theoretically possible to win over a half million dollars in a single game of Jeopardy. But I’d wager \$0 on that happening, Alex.

Want more Jeopardy? Find more Jeopardy blog posts here including 13 interesting facts about James Holzhauer.

### 12 Responses

1. John Massey says:

How much can a contestant win by being the consistent winner each day? There must be a corporate gotcha limit, no?

1. There are no Jeopardy limits that I am aware of. Contestants are invited back to the show with no restriction on the number of times he or she can repeat as champion. In addition, Jeopardy daily winning limits do not exist. The only limiting factor here is the ability of the campion to play a smart game of Jeopardy and keep on winning.

1. lynda says:

I don’t think anyone is going to beat the current champion so are you saying he can be the champion for the next 5 years ?

1. It’s certainly possible, but I personally doubt that he can last that long. We will see 🙂

2. lynda says:

There has to be a limit to the number of shows a contestant can consecutively compete … So do you think they will eventually just ask current champion to leave ?
He is a ken jennings 3 times over !!!

1. There is no limit. As the current rules stand, Jeopardy will not ask a contestant to leave the show.

3. Great post! I was wondering this myself and decided to do a Google search instead of doing the math myself. Much appreciated.

4. Paul Nova Scotia says:

On these sites answering this question I see one comment which is technically not correct, although it doesn’t impact on the end result. \$566,400 is still the correct answer. The point is, you and others say to achieve this you have to ring in first but you don’t so long as the person who rings in first answers incorrectly you can still answer with the correct answer.

1. Good point. I’ll reword the article to make this more clear.

5. Steve roller says:

Now

6. Jake Marek says:

I personally think this CAN never happen (and I NEVER say “never”!) because the chances of the writers putting a Daily Double in the top row is almost always nil (I don’t recall ever seeing it there), and this factor is required to achieve this incredible amount. And although technically they might put ONE Daily Double in the top row, I can’t imagine that they’d do it for all three DDs in the same game.