Here’s the full breakdown of Final Jeopardy today — Tuesday, September 30, 2025 (Season 42, Game 17). The category was Destinations, and the clue read:
“In 2020, the Pripyat Ferris wheel earned a cameo mention in a N.Y. Times travel essay called ‘Why Would Anyone Want To Visit’ this place?”
The correct response was What is Chernobyl?
Contestants & Game Setup
On this episode, three contestants vied for the win:
- Curtis Bogetti, a Ph.D. candidate from Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada
- Hannah Gómez, a book editor from Tucson, Arizona
- Zach Knecht, a law clerk originally from Spring Hill, Florida (1‑day total entering: $13,401)
Heading into Final Jeopardy, the scores were:
- Curtis: $26,600
- Zach: $15,000
- Hannah: $6,800
How the Game Unfolded
During the Jeopardy! Round (first 15 clues, categories included U.S. Geography; Nursery Rhyme Dramatis Personae; Buzzed Words; Dog Breed Anagrams; “P” Is For Pop Song; Sandwiches With Gordon Ramsay), Zach found the Daily Double immediately and used that momentum to jump ahead. After 15 clues, the standings were Zach $4,400, Curtis $1,600, and Hannah $1,400.
In that first stretch, Zach responded correctly to 7 clues and missed none; Curtis had 4 correct and 1 miss; Hannah answered 2 correctly with no misses.
Through 30 clues (i.e., after the full Jeopardy round), the counts stood: Zach 13 correct / 1 incorrect; Curtis 9 correct / 1 incorrect; Hannah 4 correct / 1 incorrect. The running scores then were Zach $6,200, Curtis $5,400, and Hannah $1,600.
In Double Jeopardy! (categories: World History; Space Stuff; Olden Lit; The Righteous Gemstones; Pope Culture Jeopardy!; “Be” Real), Curtis made a dramatic run. He was the only contestant with no selection errors in that round and found the third Daily Double, picking up $3,000 from a bottom‑row clue. That action gave him a substantial lead going into the Final.
By the end of Double Jeopardy, the clue counts were 20 correct / 1 incorrect for Curtis; 21 correct / 3 incorrect for Zach; 10 correct / 1 incorrect for Hannah. The unplayed clue count for the season was 3 (0 today). The three contestants entered the Final with the scores listed above.
Final Jeopardy Wagers & Outcome
In Final Jeopardy, both Zach and Curtis were correct in their responses. That left the showdown in wagers.
Here’s how they wagered (and how that shaped the outcome):
- Zach’s suggested bet was at least $8,200 (to surpass Hannah’s total). He actually wagered the full $15,000.
- Hannah’s suggested strategy was to bet $0—to cling to second place if Zach overshot her. Her actual wager was $6,800.
- Curtis’ standard “cover” bet was advised at $3,401, and he matched that exactly.
When the dust settled:
- Hannah: $6,800 – $6,800 = $0 (her response was “What is Egypt?”)
- Zach: $15,000 + $15,000 = $30,000 (correct: “What is Chernobyl?”)
- Curtis: $26,600 + $3,401 = $30,001 — clinching the victory by a single dollar, with the correct “What is Chernobyl?”
Thus, Curtis Bogetti becomes today’s champion with a one‑dollar margin. His one‑day total for this game is $30,001.
Player Profiles & Career Stats
Curtis Bogetti entered this game with 21 correct responses and 1 incorrect in his career, no rebounds attempted (0/0), and a 33.33% rate of going first on the buzzer (19/57). He was 2/2 on Daily Doubles (net earned: $11,600) and went 1/1 in Final Jeopardy. His Coryat before the game was $18,600.
Zach Knecht came in with 39 correct and 8 incorrect responses, 1/2 on rebound attempts (on 8 rebound chances), a 35.09% first‑on‑buzzer rate (40/114), 2/3 on Daily Doubles (net earned $600), and 2/2 in Final Jeopardy. His average Coryat stood at $12,600.
Hannah Gómez had 10 correct / 2 incorrect in her record, 1/1 on rebounds (4 opportunities), 17.54% first on buzzer (10/57), 0/0 on Daily Doubles, and 0/1 in Final Jeopardy. Her average Coryat was $6,800.
Analysis & What to Watch Next
It’s rare to see a game decided by a single dollar—and that razor‑thin finish underscores how pivotal proper wagering can be. Curtis’ precisely calibrated bet gave him the edge, even though Zach’s more aggressive wager would have paid off spectacularly if not for Curtis’ perfect play.
For fans tracking streaks, season progression, and betting strategy, this game will be dissected for its wagering drama. With Curtis returning tomorrow as defending champion, viewers should keep an eye on how challengers adapt to his play style.
And yes, if you’re tracking Final Jeopardy today for upcoming airings or news — stay tuned to sites like BuddyTV for updates.
All in all, 09/30/2025 delivered one of the most nail‑biting finishes of the season. Final Jeopardy not only decided the winner — it decided victory by the smallest possible margin.
Next time you hear “Final Jeopardy today,” remember: sometimes it comes down to one dollar.
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