In the original daytime Jeopardy! with Art Fleming, the losers kept their money. When the new version with Trebek debuted, the money was substantially increased which is why I think they made it winner-take-only.

@ Larry G

While it may seem that Jeopardy's only paying the winner is being cheap, it's actually their way of forcing people to go all out on Final Jeopardy. People won't be so willing to bet it all or most of it in order to catch someone if they could just walk away with what they have.

Consider that Mr. Weiss was really acting in his best interest. He gave up $1 to pick his competition the next week. Two guys that he just beat badly. Check out: http://davekeenan.blogspot.com/2007/03/three-way-tie-on-jeopardy-why-doesnt.html

One of the things that has always pissed me off about Jeopardy, going back to the original New York shows with Art Fleming, was that only the winner gets any cash. CHEAP! CHEAP! CHEAP! Kudos for going for the tie and letting everybody collect.

Has no one pointed out yet that 3 people tied with 16,000 on 3-16 (I know it didn't 'happen' on 3-16, it just aired then, but still!)? I thought that was more interesting than some guy rigging his score to tie. Especially since Jeopardy can't just time the episodes like that.

Could he have done it because he was obsessed with Jeopardy and felt like being in the first (and possibly only) three way tie would instantly land him in the Jeopardy books and give him more fame around trivia circles than simply winning would (even if he made a 5 day champion, I doubt people would care that much). I don't know if he could planned it all out or how important Trivia fans take this stuff, but certainly he is getting more fame (even if it is just a little) than he would for just winning.

The first comment on the blog post is the guy himself.

http://squonk-npl.livejournal.com/

You can go here to read his blog and you'll learn that the three contestants became friends while on the show. Which might shed some more light towards motivation.

Seems like it's been rigged to me, to get Jeopardy in the news again after Ken Jennings.

What a fool! Forgot to bet an extra dollar.

I think he just messed up his math and have to cover up the fact he can't do basic math, but like the guy on the Teen version.

Keith,

It wasn't an odds expert (though they may have mentioned one in the show). I thought it was odd that they specified "game theory" expert in the run-up. You're right Ryan... it's based on assumptions of human nature (that's the whole point of game theory). I guess they figured that anyone in the same position would just go for the victory.