The producers need to make a settlement with hm to end this. Or make a new rule that a contestant can only appear for a certain number of shows and make it end.

and they would go on to the champion tournament. That ended in 2003. I hope they bring it back after this happening. I can't stand to watch it now and it was my favorite. Can't wait til he's gone.

Ugh. I stopped watching two weeks ago.

But from what I've read, James has just figured out how to play the game like a gambler would.

Why doesn't someone simply replicate his strategy and beat him at his own game? Surely, there are people out there that have his knowledge of trivia. Even James must have a bad day sometime.

his plan was to hunt for the daily doubles first and it worked well for him for a while.

I can't figure out why so many more people choose to start with the lower paying answers and work their way down.

Understanding the game plan, the necessary reflexes, and knowledge of trivia.

I have to wonder how this James guy feels knowing that day after day, the viewers are rooting against him.

Is speed. Don't recall anyone ever doing this so effectively. He won't waste seconds saying "eight hundred"...he just says 8. Think it's almost like basketball...when the leaders "set the pace.". He throws others off

but I bet his no nonsense attitude serves him well.

Some people liked Austin but I hate those who hot dog around on the show.

I've always wondered why contestants didn't start at the bottom and work up the column. Seemed to be the way to win the most $$. Even now after his 22 wins, most of his opponents stick with a losing strategy.

Ha! I guess I am making my way down the posts. But yes, I was just wondering the same thing.

Once you win, you’re likely to keep on winning. The answer button requires a certain level of precision timing. You have to press it quickly enough to register as the first contestant to ring in, but not so quickly that the computer tags you as ‘too soon’ after the question is asked. If you ring in too soon, the computer locks you out for a second and a half, an eternity when up against highly competitive players.

Once you master the timing, the game works to your advantage. It can be helpful to ring in first because even if you’re not 100% sure of the answer, you have a couple of seconds to think of it after you’re selected to answer it.