Although Caleb Groen returned for his second Jeopardy! game on July 3, fans were focused on another contestant, who they said had “amazing buzzer technique.” Fans are all saying the same thing about the losing contestant.
Groen, from Thousand Oaks, California, entered his second game with a one-day total of $13,199 after defeating Richard Nguyen. On Friday, Groen, the law and policy student, played against Amber Born, from Queens, New York, and Derek Vance, from Poca, West Virginia.
The beginning of the round was a pretty even playing field for all three contestants. Vance, a community foundation program officer, had the chance to take the lead when he found the Daily Double on clue 11.
Groen and Born, an economic analyst and comedian, both had $2,600. Vance had $2,200, so he wagered all of his money. In “Steinbeck,” the clue was “This novella says certain gems ‘were accidents, & the finding of one was luck, a little pat on the back by God.’”
“What is The Pearl?” he answered correctly. This gave him the lead with $4,400. By the first 15 clues, Vance still had the lead with $5,000, but Groen was on his tail with $4,800.
Groen took the lead on clue 16. By the end of the round, they were very close, thanks to Born correctly answering three clues in a row. The entire round, she stood with her arms folded and the buzzer in her right hand.
Vance had $6,800. Groen was in second place with $5,800. Born had $5,000.
Vance got $7,200 at the beginning of Double Jeopardy when the judges decided to accept one of his responses as correct. Born stayed in the same position throughout, and it seemed to help her as she was quick on the buzzer and took the lead by clue nine. Born only moved when the round ended or when someone else found the Daily Doubles, relaxing her arms and resting them on the podium.
Groen found the first DD on clue 11. He had $10,200 compared to Born’s $11,800. Groen wagered $4,000 in “A Category Bulging With Information.”
The clue read, “The German goal in the Battle of the Bulge was this Belgian port on the Scheldt River; they advanced 60 miles, less than halfway.” “What is Antwerp?” he guessed correctly. This gave him the lead with $14,200.
Groen then found the second DD on clue 12. He wagered $5,000 in “Alliteration.” The clue was “FCC chair Brendan Carr is not a fan of this doctrine that Internet cos. must treat & charge all content providers the same.”
“What is net neutrality?” Groen answered. This gave him $19,200.
By the end of the round, Groen ended with $24,000. Born had $13,800. Vance was in third place with $7,600.
The category for Final Jeopardy was “19th Century Literature.” The clue was “In this novel, a murderer tells the title character a story that he in turn tells a ship captain in the Arctic.”
The clue was a Triple Stumper, as none of the game show contestants guessed “Frankenstein.” Vance wrote, “What Billy Budd?” He wagered $6,201, giving him $1,399.
Born’s response was “What is 20,000 Leagues under?” She wagered $13,799, making her final total $1. Groen answered, “What is Rime of the Ancient Mariner?” He wagered $6,000, giving him $18,000.
This made Groen a two-day champion with a total of $31,199. He will return on July 6 for his third game.
Despite Groen’s win, Reddit users focused on Born and her buzzer technique. “Amber, loved your buzzer technique, too. It’s been a while since we’ve seen someone buzz in with arms crossed! 24 right answers in game AND a 13,800 Coryat, without finding a Daily Double? Incredible! You had some great gets (cabriole, for instance). Depending on how well Caleb does, I’d say you’re definitely in the running for Second Chance. But I’ve been saying that for so many people this season. Great game,” one fan said.
“Amber’s buzzer control was masterful,” another wrote.
“Agreed, would love to see Amber in the SCT. Her style and correct responses should hopefully get her an invite,” a third added.
“Great game. Amber did not come to play around!” another said.
“I absolutely adored Amber’s complete deadpan delivery of ‘What is My Little Pony?’ Hilarious. That and the crossed arms were such a great, focused look,” a fan said.
Many fans said they hope she gets a spot in the Second Chance Tournament. What did you think of her technique? Let us know in the comments.
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