Jeopardy! Tournament of Champions Shocks Again with Fan-Favorite Player's Loss

The Jeopardy! Tournament of Champions continued to stun last night when another fan-favorite player was eliminated from the semifinals. 

Matt Amodio, a PhD Student from New Haven, Connecticut who won some 38 games last year, was expected by many viewers to come out on top this round. In a shocking twist, however, Amodio wound up in last place, sending him home from the Tournament of Champions. 

Amodio was up against Professors' Tournament winner Sam Buttrey and softward team lead John Focht, and by the time they'd reached Final Jeopardy!, the three were neck-and-neck. Amodio's decision to wager $0, however, left him with just $16,000 by the time the game had ended, compared to Buttrey's $33,601 and Focht's $24,000. 

"He's defeated a super champion today. He's gonna have to do it in the finals," said host Ken Jennings of Buttrey, who will now face Amy Schneider in the tournament's final round. 

Fans were caught off guard by Amodio's loss, writing that he should have bet on himself in Final Jeopardy!. "I like Matt Amodio a lot, but if you can't bet on yourself in the Tournament of Champions, I'm not sure when you can," wrote one viewer. "Really puzzled by Matt Amodio‘s strategy in final Jeopardy tonight," wrote another.

Really puzzled by Matt Amodio‘s strategy in final Jeopardy tonight. It’s almost as if he didn’t want to win or go to the finals. During his long run on the show, he never bet zero in final Jeopardy. Doesn’t make sense to me at all. Honestly, I don’t think he wanted to win.

— Felissa De York (@FelissaDeYork) November 11, 2022

I like Matt Amodio a lot, but if you can't bet on yourself in the Tournament of Champions, I'm not sure when you can. Hate to see people lose on weak wagers. Good on Sam, he's been one of the most fun contestants to watch all year. Such a smart and likeable guy. #Jeopardy

— Casey Decker (@CaseyDeckerTV) November 11, 2022

Anyone else think Matt Amodio did NOT want to be on Jeopardy?

— Melissa (@Hiking_melissa) November 11, 2022

Not your first Rodeo, Matt Amodio...

OMG! 😭

I know Sam was making a cover bet, but dang, Matt should have gone for it anyway!

Congrats to @sam_buttrey and it was great to see @AmodioMatt and @tkfocht giving such excellent competition. #Jeopardy #JeopardyToC

— Jeopardian, ToC watcher 🐀 (@IanMorrisonCO) November 11, 2022

Wondering why Matt Amodio didn’t make a bet in Final Jeopardy…🤔🤔🤔

— Ms.B 🦋 (@papillon129) November 11, 2022

Very curious decision by Matt Amodio to wager nothing when his opponents are so strong. Not sure he thought that through. #jeopardy

— Raise the flag for the GOAT (@BruceRains4) November 11, 2022

Matt Amodio just got taken down by the PROFESSOR! I am FLOORED!! happy tournament of champions

— Emma-Cate Rapose (@emmacate34) November 11, 2022

I can't believe Matt Amodio didn't wager anything at Final Jeopardy!! #JeopardyToC

— Do H MarTeL, fier Québécois, non blanc.👍🏾 (@DohMtl) November 11, 2022

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Jade Budowski is a freelance writer with a knack for ruining punchlines and harboring dad-aged celebrity crushes. She was previously a reporter/producer at Decider and is a member of the Television Critics Association. Follow her on Twitter: @jadebudowski.