Victoria Groce, a former two-time Jeopardy! contestant and current “The Chase” brain, won the Jeopardy! Masters tournament on Wednesday, defeating James Holzhauer and Yogesh Raut. Groce dominated the second half of the two-game final, securing a significant lead going into Final Jeopardy!
Groce’s victory was essentially sealed after she correctly answered a Daily Double, widening her lead over Holzhauer and Raut. Her strategic gameplay and strong performance throughout the tournament culminated in a decisive win. Going into Final Jeopardy!, Groce held a commanding lead with 34,000 points, compared to Holzhauer’s 8,800 and Raut’s 15,799.
The Final Jeopardy! clue, in the category of American Women, asked contestants to identify the woman about whom The New York Times wrote in 1951: “Though she was forgotten at the time, part of her remained alive.” Groce correctly answered Henrietta Lacks, wagering nothing and solidifying her win.
Groce’s win earned her the prestigious Jeopardy! Masters title and a $500,000 grand prize. The victory was especially sweet for Groce, who entered the tournament with low expectations. Her previous Jeopardy! experience consisted of only two appearances in 2005. Since then, she has competed in quizzing competitions globally and joined ABC’s “The Chase” as a resident expert.
Prior to the tournament, Groce focused on improving her word puzzle skills, recognizing a weakness from a previous tournament. She credits her ability to stay focused under pressure and make strategic decisions as key factors contributing to her success. She also acknowledged James Holzhauer as a formidable opponent, given his previous Jeopardy! Masters win and their shared experience on “The Chase.”
Groce plans to celebrate her win with a family trip to Lisbon and a solo stay at a wine-themed spa hotel in Portugal. She also intends to use some of her winnings to renovate her kitchen, a passion project for the self-professed “devoted hobby chef.” The win represents a life-changing moment for Groce, providing financial security and validating her quizzing prowess.
