Full Breakdown
Greg Shahade Ends Jamie Ding’s 31-Game Jeopardy! Streak
4/28/2026, 10:13:29 AM
The Decisive Game
On April 27 2026, International Master Greg Shahade of Philadelphia defeated law-student Jamie Ding of Lawrenceville, New Jersey, 33,000–19,010. Shahade entered Final Jeopardy with $32,600, wagered $400; Ding entered with $16,000, wagered $3,010. All three contestants answered the South-African languages clue correctly.
Background & Context
Ding began his run on March 13 2026, amassing $882,605 and ranking fifth all-time behind Ken Jennings (74), Amy Schneider (40), Matt Amodio (38) and James Holzhauer (32). His steady buzzer work drew a national audience.
Key Figures
Jamie Ding, a law-student and New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency employee, held the streak. Greg Shahade, an International Master and chess-league founder, delivered the upset. Host Ken Jennings moderated the show, while teacher Katrina Puckett placed third.
Timeline
Mar 13 2026 – Ding’s first win; Apr 24 2026 – 31st win, $882,605 total; Apr 27 2026 – Shahade ends streak.
Data & Statistics
Ding posted 31 wins, 995 correct answers, 75 wrong, 20/32 Final Jeopardy correct, 48/64 Daily Doubles correct. Shahade captured all three Daily Doubles, adding $14,600, and finished with $33,000.
Official Statements & Responses
Ding described Shahade’s play as “excellent” and said he “did exactly what he needed to do.” He added he “misses playing Jeopardy!” and is “glad to have brought joy.” He thanked fans for their support and said the experience had brought him personal fulfillment. Host Ken Jennings confirmed Ding’s Tournament of Champions berth.
On-the-Ground Reports
Reddit users called the episode “awesome” and “a nail-biter,” praising Ding’s humility while expressing disappointment at his loss. One user wrote, “Nooooooooo! I was not ready for this!!”
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
One source lists Ding’s post-game total as $885,605, conflicting with other reports that record it as $19,010. All other figures (pre-game totals, final scores) agree across sources.
Why It Matters
The defeat preserves James Holzhauer’s 32-game record and highlights the impact of Daily Double strategy. Ding’s run also underscored representation for immigrants and people of color on prime-time TV. The outcome may influence how future champions approach Daily Double wagering.
What’s Next
Ding will compete in the 2026 Tournament of Champions. Shahade returns on April 28 2026 to defend his title, keeping the competition open.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It was over, just like that,” — Jamie Ding, Jeopardy! champion
- “He played excellently,” — Jamie Ding, commenting on Greg Shahade’s performance
- “I think my last game is unusual, because I was a super champ, but I also lost in a runaway, which I feel like is the first time that ever happened. It almost makes me feel better about the thing because there wasn’t really one clue or whatever that everything hinged on.” — Jamie Ding, interview
- “Greg Shahade ended Jamie Ding’s 31-game winning streak, denying him the chance to tie or beat James Holzhauer’s 32-game record.” — Parade Magazine, Entertainment Recap
