Sorry for the big gap in posts!
As a bunch of you probably know, James Holzhauer is on a streak to set the record for Jeopardy game show wins. I just read that the show picks back up on May 20th with “live versions” (which are actually taped). I do not watch Jeopardy at all. But, the news stories have caught my eye so I have read a few of them. The other day I came across a print interview that included this question: Would you describe the traditional way of playing “Jeopardy!” as overly risk-averse?
Holzhauer’s answer: “I would definitely say it’s too risk-averse. The funny thing is, my strategy actually minimizes the risk of me losing a game. There’s times in a football game where a team goes for a big TD pass. If you don’t take a risk like that, you’re not going to win. Really, the big risk is never trying anything that looks like a big gamble.”
In case you don’t know, a core part of Holzhauer’s strategy is to go after the $1000 “answers” first so that he builds up a pot to bet when he hits a daily double. This is why he is the fastest money winner in Jeopardy history.
Anyway, I loved his answer as it made me think of many entrepreneurs – they take risk all the time! And guess what, so do VCs when they bet on those entrepreneurs! Risk is a given and taking risks is required.
Zach, if you haven’t already, check out the latest episode of NPR’s Planet Money (#912 How Uncle Jamie Broke Jeopardy, 5/10/2019) – it covers James Holzhauer’s approach, and it is very entertaining!