[FewsOrange]

The key to Jeopardy is buzzer speed. Most contestants know most of the answers so the secret is to buzz in first. I think that gives a very slight advantage to the returning champions who have had more time to get their timing down.

(For those who don’t know, you can’t buzz in until Alex has finished reading the question and someone on the production activates the buzzers).

[Cedar]

“(For those who don’t know, you can’t buzz in until Alex has finished reading the question and someone on the production activates the buzzers).”

Did not know that, thanks for the info. Guess part of the skill is also calculating when Alex will exactly finish the question.

[SMGFan]

I. Recall only 1time Alex directed the answers in 1category had to called in ascending order.

Our winner is going through $1000 and 800 first searching for daily double.
If that is found too early or doesn’t, find it the second round starts closer.
If he finds the daily double late in the first round I figure his challenger is psyched out.

[So Cal Rocket]

(For those who don’t know, you can’t buzz in until Alex has finished reading the question and someone on the production activates the buzzers).

There's a small blue light on the Big Board that is activated by an Assistant Producer when Alex is done with the question. It's not visible to the TV audience. The key is knowing the timing between the reading of the question and the activation of the blue light. Returning players have a distinct advantage in this regard through experience. One of the strategies that James employs is to take as many of the high-value questions off the board before the "new" contestants get the hang of the timing. By then, he has a huge lead.

[Bubba Ho-Tep]

The key to Jeopardy is buzzer speed. Most contestants know most of the answers so the secret is to buzz in first.

Yep. I was on Jeopardy back in 1994. It took me a few minutes in the first round to get the hang of the buzzer timing, but once I did, I kinda dominated the game. Then I blew it in the last few minutes, missing a Daily Double question, then another big money question and not knowing the final question. But I did walk away with a nice coffee/espresso machine (this was back when the runners-up didn't get money, just prizes) and a good story. The contestant coordinators, the people who run herd on you all day, were very happy with me because I'd "played the game" and made good television, even though I lost. I'd say that all three contestants can answer 80% of the questions.