Jeopardy!'s Emma Boettcher: “I knew I wasn’t going to go on a long streak"

The New York Times

After dethroning Jeopardy! giant James Holzhauer on Monday's episode, Boettcher lost on Thursday's episode, taking home $98,002 following three victories. “I knew I wasn’t going to go on a long streak,” Boettcher told The New York Times via email on Thursday. “If the categories worked out in my favor, then I could probably get through a couple more games. And that was a big if.” Boettcher said she had been nervous to be in the spotlight after beating Holzhauer, whose name she had never heard before arriving at the studio to play him on Monday's episode, which was taped on March 12. (Holzhauer's first episode aired on TV on April 4.) Boettcher also responded to her quizzical reaction on Tuesday's episode when Alex Trebek said, “Influenced by James, are we?” in response to her betting it all on Double Jeopardy. “I hadn’t had the opportunity to watch him yet,” she said. “I only wish my nerve hadn’t deserted me when I got Daily Doubles late in the game!” ALSO: Ken Jennings says him competing against James Holzhauer is "inevitable."