Jeopardy! March 12, 2025- Winner, clues, and more

The March 12, 2025, episode of Jeopardy! delivered yet another night of intellectual battles, quick-witted responses, and strategic wagers. Returning champion James Corson, a nuclear engineer from Frederick, Maryland, went head-to-head against Kristen VanBlargan, a writer from Brooklyn, New York, and Brian Nieves, a substitute teacher from Gambrills, Maryland.

The game saw its fair share of twists and turns, with Corson maintaining a steady lead before sealing his second consecutive victory. By the final buzzer, Corson had racked up $28,800, bringing his two-day total to an impressive $70,800.

With diverse categories ranging from bestselling fiction to revolutionary history, the night was a showcase of knowledge, risk-taking, and the split-second reflexes that separate a Jeopardy! champion from the rest.

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Jeopardy! Round Highlights

The first round featured a mix of literacy, historical, and pop culture categories, including "Water Everywhere," "Bestselling Fiction," "Eat like a Brit," "Movie Title Roles," "U.S. Festivals," and "It's From the Greek For.."

Brian Nieves took an early lead, navigating through multiple categories with ease. Kristen Vanblargan shined in the "Bestselling Fiction" category, correctly identifying Rabbit at Rest by John Updike as the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the 1990s.

However, it was Corson who played the most balanced game, finishing the round with $4,600 and positioning himself for a strong showing in Double Jeopardy!

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Final Jeopardy! and High-Stakes Wagering

The Final Jeopardy! category was "Authors' Other Works," with the clue:

"In an 1833 story by her, an alchemist's assistant correctly answered with "Mary Shelley."

Corson strategically wagered $10,000, securing his win with a final total of $28,800.

VanBlargan added $4,810, finishing with $18,810, while Nieves ended with $11,200. VanBlargan's wager was calculated to cover a potential zero wager by Corson, but it left her vulnerable had Nieves bet more aggressively. Corson's disciplined gameplay ultimately gave him the edge.

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Meet the Contestants

James Corson: A nuclear engineer whose analytical approach and calculated wagers have earned him two straight wins. His total earnings now stand at $70,800.

Kristen Vanblargan: A Brooklyn-based writer who showcased her literary expertise. While her strategy was solid, she fell just short of a win.

Brian Nieves: A substitute teacher who started strong but was undone by an unfortunate Daily Double loss.

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Unforgettable Jeopardy! Moments

A standout moment was the "Triple Stumper" in the "Eat like a Brit" category, where none of the contestants could identify "trotters" as pig's feet. This moment added a humorous pause to the game, as host Ken Jennings quipped about the culinary adventures awaiting the contestants.

Another memorable highlight was VanBlargan's impressive run in "Bestselling Fiction," where she answered three consecutive clues correctly, temporarily shifting the momentum. Such moments remind fans why the show is as much about cultural knowledge as it is about trivia mastery, with surprises always in store.

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The Art of the Wager

One of the most underrated skills in Jeopardy! is betting strategy. While knowledge is key, the ability to wager wisely often determines who comes out on top. Corson's $10,000 Final Jeopardy! wager was a textbook example of strategic confidence. He bet enough to secure his lead but not so much that a wrong answer would cost him the game.

Meanwhile, VanBlargan's conservative approach kept her in contention, while Nieves' aggressive Daily Double gamble backfired. This episode was a masterclass in the fine balance between risk and reward- a reminder that the game is just as much a psychological game as it is a trivia contest.

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The March 12 episode was a perfect blend of knowledge, risk-taking, and game strategy. With Corson's emerging victorious once again, Jeopardy! fans can look forward to more exciting matchups ahead.

Whether he continues his winning streak or a new contender rises to the challenge, the competition is only heating up. As always, the only certainty in Jeopardy! is the thrill of the unknown, and viewers will be tuning in to see what happens next.