On Tuesday, October 21, 2025, Jeopardy! viewers had a trivia game. A thrilling and historical Jeopardy! finale question involved U.S. area codes. With such a wide range of topics in each episode, it's no wonder Jeopardy! has been on American TV for decades. Due to such a rich variety of topics in each episode, it's no surprise that Jeopardy! has been a staple in American television for decades.
The final question for Jeopardy! on October 21, 2025, had to do with U.S. history and area codes. The right answer to the Final Jeopardy clue, "When area codes were first used, these three codes were the quickest to dial in three very populated areas," was: What are 212, 213, and 312? These area codes are for New York City, Los Angeles in Southern California, and Chicago.
Jeopardy! began with fast-paced trivia. History, wordplay, and science were among the categories contestants tackled. As usual, contestants had to answer quickly and accurately to stay ahead. After two wins, Dargan Ware seemed to have an advantage, but Tom Devlin and Elyse Erdman were determined to catch up.
As point values doubled in Double Jeopardy!, stakes rose. Contestants received harder clues, increasing tension. Elyse Erdman and Tom Devlin made impressive comebacks, especially after betting heavily on daily doubles. Meanwhile, Dargan Ware held onto his lead, hoping for a finish to win again.
The Final Jeopardy! category for the evening was the U.S.A.
The clue reads, When area codes were introduced 3 very populous areas got the ones quickest to dial: these 3 codes
Correct response: What are 212, 213 & 312?
Contestants had to recall early population density-based area codes. “What are 212, 213 & 312?” meant New York, Southern California, and Chicago. The question highlighted the history of phone systems and was likely familiar to older generations who used rotary phones. Its simplicity and historical context made this clue a nightly highlight.
Tom Devlin
Tom Devlin from Washington, D.C., faced two formidable opponents. The Attorney's Jeopardy! strategy was methodical and cautious. He had some impressive wins in previous rounds, but he struggled in Double Jeopardy. However, his U.S. history and politics knowledge helped him in many ways. Tom worked hard but finished last.
Elyse Erdman
In the Jeopardy episode, Hershey, Pennsylvania-born social media director Elyse Erdman showed sharp intelligence and quick reflexes. Elyse's pop culture and history knowledge made her a formidable contestant across rounds. She adjusted her strategy when Double Jeopardy! got harder. Even though Elyse lost, her competitiveness and current events knowledge were on display throughout the episode.
Dargan Ware
Dargan Ware, a Bessemer, Alabama, attorney and two-day champion, entered the October 21, 2025, game with $47,801. His performance tonight was as impressive as before. Dargan's quick responses to questions across categories kept him ahead throughout the episode. He held off the competition by answering multiple high-value clues in Double Jeopardy!.
Jeopardy! players tried their hardest, but tonight's winner was unknown. The wait for the winner is always exciting because the outcome is unknown until the last clue is revealed. The show's format makes each game an emotional roller coaster with every contestant fighting for the title.
TOPICS: Jeopardy!