Quiz Show Fans Discover “Cleverest” Star’s Victory Over “The Beast”
Viewers of The Chase are reacting to the revelation that James Holzhauer, often lauded as the show’s most astute participant, once triumphed over Mark ‘The Beast’ Labbett on television, amassing over £1.8 million on another program.
A discussion initiated on Reddit sought to identify fans’ “favourite Chaser,” and Holzhauer consistently emerged as a top choice among respondents.
James Holzhauer: From Contestant to “Highroller” Chaser
James Holzhauer, recognized by his moniker “The Highroller” on the US iteration of The Chase, is a professional sports gambler alongside his quizzing career. He became a member of the American show’s cast in 2021, joining Ken Jennings and Brad Rutter.
Intriguingly, similar to Darragh ‘The Menace’ Ennis, Holzhauer first appeared on The Chase as a contestant before transitioning to the role of a Chaser. In a prior episode, his team achieved victory against Mark Labbett, with observers noting Labbett appeared visibly “thrown off” by Holzhauer’s extensive knowledge.
One viewer commenting on the 2014 episode remarked: “The sheer volume of correct answers required seemed to intimidate him from the outset.”
Labbett’s Strategy and Holzhauer’s Quiz Prowess
The viewer further elaborated, “He resorted to guessing answers prematurely in an attempt to catch up, which ultimately compounded his difficulties.”
Another viewer concurred, stating, “As a regular watcher, it was evident he had mentally disengaged, and justifiably so.”
Holzhauer’s “Jeopardy!” Success and Winnings
Holzhauer boasts a notable history in televised quizzing, having achieved an impressive 32 wins on the program Jeopardy!. During his 2019 run, he accumulated over $2.4 million (£1.8 million) and currently holds the top 16 records for the highest single-episode winnings.
He twice surpassed the single-day cash record, exceeding his own previous best with a remarkable $131,127 victory.
Fan Acclaim for “The Highroller”
Online discussions among fans on Reddit highlight considerable support for Holzhauer. One user enthusiastically posted: “Who’s your favourite Chaser across all international versions of the show – UK, US, Australia, etc.? Mine are ‘Highroller’ James Holzhauer and ‘Menace’ Darragh Ennis. Both were initially contestants before becoming Chasers and are, in my opinion, the best from their respective shows.”
Another respondent echoed this sentiment: “I love James; his persona on The Chase and in Jeopardy! tournaments, where he playfully refers to himself as a ‘super villain,’ is fantastic!”
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