If you’ve ever sat on your couch shouting answers at the TV, you know the feeling. You’re certain. You’ve got the trivia locked in. But for Zoe Grobman, a therapist from Philadelphia, that moment of certainty turned into one of the most talked-about "what-ifs" in recent game show history.
It wasn't just a tough clue. It wasn't a lack of knowledge. It was a single word. One name of a sherry from an Edgar Allan Poe story that cost her a massive lead and a shot at the Tournament of Champions.
Honestly, it’s the kind of thing that makes you want to reach through the screen and give someone a hug. As a therapist, Zoe probably knows a thing or two about processing disappointment, but losing $12,000 and a chance to move forward because of a syllable? That’s a tough pill for anyone to swallow.
Who is Zoe Grobman?
Before she was a name trending in the Jeopardy! subreddit, Zoe Grobman was just a therapist from Philly with a lifelong dream. She’s actually been dreaming of being on that stage since she was three years old. Talk about commitment. Professionally, she’s an LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) who works with a trauma-informed lens, specifically focusing on the LGBTQ+ community, neurodivergent individuals, and folks navigating structural oppression.
She's open about her own lived experience as a trans, queer, neurodivergent, and Jewish person. That’s a lot of layers. It’s probably why she seemed so grounded on camera, even when the stakes were sky-high.
Her first appearance aired on October 15, 2024. She was up against a two-day champ, Eamonn Campbell, and a University of Pennsylvania student named Rishabh Wuppalapati. It was a "group of death" scenario. She even admitted later on Reddit that Eamonn and Rishabh were the two players she absolutely did not want to face after seeing them in the practice rounds.
That First Rollercoaster Ride
The October game was a wild one. Zoe actually dropped to $0 early on after missing a Daily Double about Nelson Mandela. Imagine the nerves. Most people would crumble. Instead, she mounted this incredible $10,000 comeback in Double Jeopardy.
She nailed the Final Jeopardy clue about Richard Nixon. Eamonn, the champ, got it wrong and went to zero. Zoe ended with $19,601. But Rishabh—the "genius" sophomore—also got it right, finishing with $22,201.
- Zoe's Final Score: $19,601
- Rishabh's Final Score: $22,201
- Eamonn's Final Score: $0
She took the "Silver Medal" with grace, but the fans (and the producers) saw something in her. She was a fighter. That’s why she got the call for the Second Chance Tournament in January 2025.
The Amontillado Incident: What Really Happened
This is where the story gets heartbreaking. On January 7, 2025, Zoe returned for the Second Chance Tournament. She was playing against Enzo Cunanan and Josh Heit. The atmosphere was already weird; the game was actually filmed on Election Day 2024. Zoe mentioned that the collective anxiety in the studio was palpable.
She hit a Daily Double in the category "Potent Quotables." The clue: “This pale dry sherry gets title billing in a Poe tale.”
She knew it. She said, "What is Amontillado?"
But here’s the kicker. The judges ruled her pronunciation incorrect. It wasn't just a minor slip; it was enough of a deviation that Ken Jennings had to take away the $6,000 she wagered. Because she lost that $6,000 instead of gaining it, the total swing was $12,000.
The Strategy Behind the Math
A lot of people wondered why she bet so big. Honestly, her logic was sound. She was facing "buzzsaws"—players who were incredibly fast on the buzzer. She knew that to stay in contention for Final Jeopardy, she had to go big or go home.
In her own words on Reddit: "Live by the DD, die by the DD."
Even after that crushing blow, she didn't quit. She laser-focused on the buzzer lights. By the time they reached Final Jeopardy, the scores were:
- Enzo: $15,600
- Josh: $9,601
- Zoe: $6,600
The category was "Facts About Countries" (the answer was Liechtenstein). Zoe got it right. Josh missed it. For a split second, it looked like Zoe might actually pull off a miracle win from third place. But Enzo—who had originally written something else—managed to change his answer to the correct one just in time.
Why Zoe Grobman Matters to Fans
People love an underdog, but they love a resilient underdog even more. Zoe’s openness about the "Amontillado" error made her a favorite. She didn't blame the show or act bitter. She acknowledged it sucked, she shared her "strong emotions" about the $12,000 loss, but she also expressed deep gratitude for getting to live her dream twice.
It's rare to see a contestant be so transparent about the mental game of Jeopardy!. She talked about the "Pavlovs"—those word associations contestants memorize (like "Nonsense Poet" usually meaning Edward Lear)—and how sometimes they fail you.
She also gave us a glimpse into the production side, mentioning how grateful she was that they had to turn their phones off during taping, which provided a bubble of "normalcy" on a high-stress day like Election Day.
Real-World Takeaways from Zoe's Run
If you’re a trivia nerd or a hopeful contestant, Zoe’s journey offers some pretty solid lessons:
- Buzzer over Books: She spent tons of time studying topics, but found that buzzer technique was what actually saved her during her comeback.
- Betting is Relative: A "big bet" isn't just about the number; it's about the competition. If you're against fast players, you have to risk more to stay alive.
- Enunciation is Everything: Jeopardy! is notoriously strict. If you know the answer, say it clearly and slowly.
- Resilience is a Choice: Most people would be defined by a $12,000 mistake. Zoe chose to be proud of her "Silver Medal" and the fact that she beat a returning champion in her first game.
The Legacy of a Second Chance
Zoe Grobman didn't walk away with the trophy, but she walked away with the respect of the "J-Archive" obsessives and the casual viewers alike. She showed that you can be neurodivergent, queer, and incredibly smart on a national stage, and that even when things go sideways, you can handle it with a sense of humor.
She even joked about her "Mandela" miss being her "personal H&R Block." That kind of self-deprecation is why she stands out.
If you're looking to follow her lead, start by practicing your "Pavlovs" and your buzzer thumb. Just maybe double-check your pronunciation of "Amontillado" before you get on the plane to Culver City.
To keep up with the latest stats or see where Zoe ranks among the top "Second Chance" performers, you can check the official Jeopardy! tracker or dive into the deep-cut threads on the r/Jeopardy subreddit where she still occasionally chimes in.
