Season 39 Jeopardy winner Jake DeAruda is a man with simple tastes for his newfound wealth
“I was 23 years old last year when my game aired, so I did what anyone under 25 would do,” De Arruda said on Wednesday’s show. “I’m quick to spend my checks on sports gambling, women, and alcohol.”
DeArruda’s quip was met with laughter from the crowd and a shock from host Ken Jennings, but it was all a fun joke and didn’t actually blow the more than $86,000 he earned from the show. Ta.
“So, of course, I spent $20 on college football merchandise, which was a huge mistake. I spent $20 on taking my date to the top of the lighthouse at Gillette Stadium, and a bottle of hard cider. I bought a few 4-packs.”I survived the Patriots’ terrible season. ”
Sports betting wasn’t officially legal in his home state of Vermont until January 11, 2024, so DeArruda’s mention of college football pick-and-em likely came from daily publishers like PrizePicks. Seems to be related to fantasy games.
DeArruda continued to do well on the Jeopardy circuit in 2023, winning three straight and earning more than $86,000.
The deliveryman was from Ludlow, Vermont, and was a controversial figure on the show. Fans are complaining about his on-screen behaviorincluding his facial expressions and Jennings’ interruptions.
But neither Jennings nor the show’s producers seem to care about him.
“He’s only 23 years old.” Show producer Sarah Foss previously he told TV Insider. “Ken joked in the post-match chat that he was wearing an older T-shirt than Jake. [He] It was inspired by Matt Jackson, another very strong champion who was just crushing the competition when he was 23 years old. ”
DeArruda was seen on the show imitating a basketball jump shot at the beginning of the final episode in 2023.
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“I encourage everyone to be a little more considerate on message boards,” Foss told “Jeopardy”‘s cult following.
De Arruda finished in second place and did not advance to the next round.
He did take home $5,000, which was more than enough to spend on dates, alcohol, and sports betting.
