Odds Against James Holzhauer Breaking Ken Jennings’ All-Time Jeopardy Record

By Robert Duff in Entertainment
Updated: March 30, 2020 at 3:53 pm EDTPublished:

- Jeopardy contestant James Holzhauer has earned $697,787
- He’s already shattered the Jeopardy single-game earnings record of $77,000
- Sportsbooks are offering odds that he won’t break the all-time earnings mark of $2,520,700
There’s only one Jeopardy mark left for James Holzhauer to overcome, but it’s still a long way off on the horizon.
James is already up to 10 wins! How far will he go? pic.twitter.com/dn1nsUWYkq
— Jeopardy! (@Jeopardy) April 18, 2019
A professional sports gambler from Las Vegas, Holzhauer, 34, has won 10-straight games on the popular game show. He’s banked $697,787 so far.
Ken Jennings holds the Jeopardy all-time winning record of $2,520,700.

Sportsbooks are offering a series of prop wagers related to Holzhauer’s Jeopardy prowess. The majority of them involve his pursuit of the mark held by Jennings, and whether the two game-show legends will eventually meet in a clash of knowledge titans.
Jennings won an amazing 74 consecutive games on Jeopardy during the 2004 season. Holzhauer has amassed his total, the second-most ever won on the show, but employing similar strategies to the style he employs when betting on sporting events.
Will James Holzhauer Beat Ken Jennings’ All-Time Jeopardy Record?
Will James Holzhauer Beats Ken Jennings’ Jeopardy Record? | Odds |
---|---|
Yes | +150 |
No | -200 |
*Odds taken on 04/18/19
He’s been bold in his pursuit of winnings. He isn’t afraid to go big on Daily Double and Final Jeopardy wagers, often playing between $15-25,000 on them. Traditionally, players tend to be more conservative with higher-risk plays, especially when they are in the lead of a game.
His style has impressed the man he his chasing.
This is absolutely insane. I've always wanted to see someone try Jeopardy! wagering this way who had the skills to back it up. https://t.co/PYj6MDsXjs
— Ken Jennings (@KenJennings) April 18, 2019
As anyone who wagers on sports will tell you, there is a drawback to betting big like Holzhauer is playing the game. At some point, you will lose big.
He still needs to earn over $1.8 million. That’s a lot of dough.
Meet Jeopardy!'s newest record breaker, James Holzhauer! https://t.co/B26afv5Ow4 pic.twitter.com/lb1HBieucZ
— Jeopardy! (@Jeopardy) April 16, 2019
There’s a reason why Jennings has held the record for 15 years. And he will keep the record.
Will James Holzhauer Face Ken Jennings on Jeopardy in 2019?
Will James Holzhauer Face Ken Jennings on Jeopardy? | Odds |
---|---|
Yes | +110 |
No | -150 |
As long as sports has existed, there have been debates over who was the best.

Larry Bird or Magic Johnson? Wayne Gretzky or Mario Lemieux? Wille Mays or Mickey Mantle? Joe Montana or Tom Brady?
With any of these debates, you’ll find plenty of supporters in both camps, but in this particular case, it’s easy for the argument to settled.
James Holzhauer vs Ken Jennings – Who Would Win on Jeopardy?
Winner | James Holzhauer vs Ken Jennings Odds |
---|---|
Holzhauer | -200 |
Jennings | +150 |
Simply situate the two champions behind podiums, buzzers at the ready, and let Alex Trebek begin the grilling.
It would be a TV ratings bonanza, so you know it must happen. In a head-to-head showdown, put your money on the gambler. Go with Holzhauer.
Will James Holzhauer Break his Single-Game Jeopardy Record?
Will James Holzhauer Break His Single Game Record? | Odds |
---|---|
Yes | -300 |
No | +200 |
On April 9th, Holzhauer bettered the single-game winnings mark of $77,000 set by Roger Craig on September 19th, 2010, banking $110,914.
This was so much fun to watch, congratulations to James for obliterating the old record! Those bets were 🔥 and I can only hope there are many more in store for us… https://t.co/Pb9RzcBEGB
— Roger Craig (@rogcraig) April 10, 2019
That mark didn’t last long. He now owns the four highest single-game performances in Jeopardy history.

On April 17th, he posted record earnings of $131,127.
Can he do it again? We certainly wouldn’t suggest that you bet against him doing so.
How Many Consecutive Jeopardy Games Will James Holzhauer Win?
How Many Consecutive Games will James Holzhauer Win? | Odds |
---|---|
Over 74.5 | +500 |
Under 74.5 | -1000 |
Jennings didn’t lose until game no. 75, but we can’t see Holzhauer lasting that long.
The odds are that his all-in style of play will catch up to him at some point long before that. No is the wise play here.

Sports Writer
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.