Oakland’s Amy Schneider Wins ‘Jeopardy!’s’ Tournament of Champions

Amy Schneider, the Oakland writer whose 40-game winning streak earlier this year on Jeopardy! made her a local legend and an LGBTQ+ folk hero, has clinched another title. After six games, Schneider won the show’s Tournament of Champions, taking home $250,000.

Northern California dominated the tournament. Schneider beat Andrew He, a software developer from San Francisco (who won $100,000) and Sam Buttrey, a college professor from Pacific Grove (who ended up with $50,000).

“I feel amazing,” Schneider said in a news release. “Earlier in the finals, I had this sudden moment of seeing myself and being like ‘I’m on stage in the Tournament of Champions finals,’ and that was crazy. And I won! It’s a great feeling.”

No spoilers here, but the Final Jeopardy! clue was about 19th-century American theater. In spite of never once landing on a Daily Double in the last game, Schneider went into that last question in the lead and got it right, wagering appropriately.

During her initial run on the show, Schneider, an Ohio native who is transgender, became known for her genial style of play as well as engaging with a growing fan base on Twitter. She parlayed her fame into an appearance at the White House and a speaking tour.

After longtime host Alex Trebek’s death in 2020, hosting duties have been shared by actor Mayim Bialik and Ken Jennings, whose 74-game winning streak remains the longest in Jeopardy! history.