First ‘Jeopardy!’ Gen Z Super Champ Mattea Roach’s Winning Streak Hits 19 Games

etcanada.com:

Reigning “Jeopardy!” champion Mattea Roach represents a new generation of the quiz show’s all-star players. As of Friday, the 23-year-old Canadian has won 19 games and amassed $469,184 in prize money, putting her among the top 10 contestants for both consecutive victories and regular-season winnings in “Jeopardy!” history.

Roach, who begins her fifth week of competition Monday, is in the company of veteran standout players including Ken Jennings, who’s currently hosting the show, and this season’s champs Amy Schneider and Matt Amodio. READ MORE: ‘Jeopardy!’ Champ Mattea Roach’s Winning Streak Reaches 17 Games “The fact that I’m now one of the best players of all time hasn’t fully sunk in yet.

It doesn’t really feel real,” said Roach, the first Gen Zer to be dubbed a “super champion” by the show for achieving a double-digit string of wins. (Generation Z generally refers to those born from 1997 to 2012.) A tutor for aspiring law school students, and perhaps one herself, she plays with a breezy confidence.

Roach is relaxed enough to casually think out loud about her approach, as she did when she hit a crucial Double Jeopardy last Wednesday. “You know what, if I wager a lot and lose today, like whatever, I had such a good run,” Roach mused, then successfully wagered a hefty $8,000 and ended up taking the game from formidable challenger Ben Hsia of Fremont, California. READ MORE: Canada’s Mattea Roach Racks Up 14th ‘Jeopardy!’ Win, Now Among Show’s Top 10 Contestants Of All Time The category was anatomy, the clue was “To gently tease another person,” and Roach’s slightly exasperated response: “I should have wagered more.