$1 'Jeopardy' Win: Naval Officer's Strategy Puts Him a Buck Above

A $1 "Jeopardy" win is still a win. On Tuesday's show, one contestant came from behind to beat his two opponents by a buck. 

On the "Final Jeopardy" question in the category "Asian geography," Naval officer Manny Abell bet $999 of his $1,000.

“It’s the only country that borders both the Caspian Sea and the Persian Gulf,” read the question. None of the contestants came up with the correct answer, which was Iran.

Abell came into Tuesday’s game with winnings of $42,798.

The last noncelebrity champ to win "Jeopardy" with $1 was another military man, Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Darryl Scott, in 1993. Two "Celebrity Jeopardy!" winners also had just $1: Benjamin Salisbury in 1997 and Brandi Chastain in 2001.

Twitter users dissected Abell’s strategic betting and marveled over his win. 

And THAT is how you bet in "Jeopardy" when the leaders are tied. https://t.co/pmNDeJT78W

— Joe Reid (@joereid) October 18, 2017

@Jeopardy Betting strategy is important! He couldn't win unless final was real hard & 2 rivals lost big  He should have bet zero in final.

— Barry (@nrcbtm1) October 18, 2017

tibet is a TERRIBLE guess

— Philip Bump (@pbump) October 18, 2017

I love the fact that two military men have thought about this strategy. 🤔 I just love cool coincidences like that.

— Chucho E. Quintero (@Chucho_Q) October 18, 2017

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