Greg Monson and Ron Clarke finished Final Jeopardy tied at $18,200 on October 13, 2026. The official box score records Clarke as the tiebreaker winner. Monson’s $0 wager left his score unchanged, while Clarke wagered $9,100 and doubled his total to reach the tie.

Here is how the regular U.S. syndicated game handles that situation, including what happens when nobody gets the extra clue right, when everyone finishes without money, and when the tie concerns the lower places.

When First Place Is Tied

If two or three players finish Final Jeopardy tied for first above $0, only those tied players contest the tiebreaker.

The host presents a new category and one clue. The show’s explanation specifies that new category, but does not explain how the extra clue is selected. The first tied player to buzz in and give a correct response wins.

The clue has no cash value and adds nothing to the winner’s score. Its purpose is to settle the championship after the wagering is over. The winner returns to play in the next episode.

What If Someone Gets It Wrong?

A wrong response does not automatically hand the game to another player. As the official podcast explains, the signaling system is enabled again so another tied contestant can ring in and try to answer that same clue.

If nobody supplies a correct response, whether through wrong answers or no answer, the show moves to another clue. That continues until someone responds correctly. Getting to the buzzer first only settles the game if the response is right.

The podcast also explains that unsuccessful tiebreaker clues may be edited out of the broadcast. The clue viewers see can therefore be the one that finally settled the tie.

What Happens at $0 or Below?

The official rules explainer distinguishes two situations. If everyone wagers everything in Final Jeopardy and misses, there is no returning champion. The following episode begins with three new players.

If everyone has $0 or less after Double Jeopardy, Final Jeopardy is skipped.

Ties for Second and Third

Tied second and third places are decided by scores at the end of Double Jeopardy. If those are also tied, the higher score after the opening Jeopardy round takes second.

When the Rule Changed

Under the previous regular-play rule, players tied for first with a positive score became co-champions. They kept their winnings and returned together for the next game, as The Ringer’s history explains. Tiebreakers were already used in tournaments before they became part of regular play.

The change was introduced in 2014 and publicly announced in 2016, according to Deseret News’ account. The show dates its first regular-game tiebreaker to March 1, 2018. The rule’s introduction and its first use on an ordinary episode were separate milestones.

Why Wagering Matters

A $0 Final Jeopardy wager is allowed. The show’s contestant rules guide stresses that the amount risked can decide a game: players may try to extend a lead or protect what they have. With a tiebreaker required for equal positive totals, matching another player’s score still leaves the championship undecided.

If you would like a turn at the podium, our Jeopardy audition guide explains the application process.

Sources (checked October 15, 2026): Jeopardy, October 13 box score; Jeopardy, rare-game rules; Jeopardy, first regular-game tiebreaker; Inside Jeopardy, episode 6 transcript; The Ringer, tiebreaker history; Deseret News, rule-change timeline; Jeopardy, contestant rules