'Jeopardy!' Close Game Determines Third Invitational Finalist

The third finalist in the Jeopardy! Invitational Tournament has been set after a close game.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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The third finalist in the Jeopardy! Invitational Tournament has been determined after a close game between contestants Drew Goins, Karen Farrell, and Long Nguyen. The finals begin on Wednesday, February 18, and the first finalist to win two games will become the champion, taking home $150,000 and earning a spot in the upcoming Jeopardy! Masters tournament.

Why it matters

The Jeopardy! Invitational Tournament features the show's top players competing for a substantial cash prize and a chance to advance to the prestigious Jeopardy! Masters event, making the outcome of each game highly anticipated by fans of the long-running quiz show.

The details

On the February 17 episode, Farrell, a professional lecturer of international affairs, found the Daily Double on clue two and wagered the allotted $1,000 in the 'Pem Add a Letter' category.

  • The finals begin on Wednesday, February 18.

The players

Drew Goins

A contestant from Washington D.C.

Karen Farrell

A contestant from Chesapeake, Virginia, who is a professional lecturer of international affairs.

Long Nguyen

A contestant from Las Vegas, Nevada.

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What’s next

Whoever is the first finalist to win two games becomes the champion and takes home $150,000. They also get the chance to compete in the upcoming Jeopardy! Masters, which has not yet set a date.

The takeaway

The close game between the three contestants highlights the high level of competition in the Jeopardy! Invitational Tournament, where the winner will not only receive a substantial cash prize but also earn a spot in the prestigious Jeopardy! Masters event.