Nov. 13--Chicago currency trader Alex Jacob on Friday won an early round of "Jeopardy"'s Tournament of Champions, besting a Deerfield High School graduate and a California lawyer.
Jacob, a seven-time "Jeopardy" winner, will move on to the semi-final rounds next week. The overall tournament winner gets $250,000.
Jacob, 31, took an early lead and entered the Final Jeopardy round with $26,800. Michael Bilow, a three-day champion who grew up in Highland Park, had $8,400 heading into the final round, while attorney Scott Lord had $10,200.
None of the three men correctly guessed the Final Jeopardy clue about the Greek mythological figure Pandora. Jacob bet only $143 while Bilow wagered all $8,400.
Jacob, a former professional poker player, went on a six-day "Jeopardy" win streak in April that earned him $149,802. He lost after confusing Instagram with Twitter during Final Jeopardy. Bilow won $96,000 in the spring.
"Jeopardy," which is in its 32nd season, airs on ABC at 3:30 p.m.
