I’m as clueless as anyone else about what incentivizes Jeopardy contestants, but Holzhauer just plays the clues with amazing knowledge and bets amounts based on significant dates in his life. Along the way he’s enjoying the ride and gaining momentum as it unfolds. Others may be thinking they need X $$ for some reason and that probably conflicts with their chances of success. There are really silly hyper-buzzer pressers who think they can click in faster with multiple tries and they get more frustrated as James just coolly keeps piling up $$$.
[Post edited by PhotoHokieNC at 06/01/2019 3:25PM]