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Who won Jeopardy! tonight? June 13, 2025, Friday

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Jeopardy! returned tonight, Friday, June 13, 2025, with an exciting matchup between Matt Massie, the defending champion, Katie Kornacki, a professor, and Kelly Cui, a student. The episode consisted of tense moments, smart bets, and an emotionally powerful Final Jeopardy that honored a famous historical figure. Katie Kornacki from Hartford, Connecticut, won tonight's episode of Jeopardy.

With an amount of $20,000, she beat the defending champion, Matt Massie, who came in second with $18,800. In the Final Jeopardy round, Katie's correct answer and sure bet helped her win, which changed the game's outcome.

The American game show Jeopardy! has been around for a long time and is known for its unique answer-question format. It has aired over 9,000 episodes and is now in its 41st season. The show, which is still hosted by Ken Jennings and tests contestants on a wide range of topics, is one of the most prestigious trivia shows on TV.

Jeopardy! episode highlights – June 13, Friday, 2025

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Tonight's episode had a mix of old-fashioned smarts, academic prowess, and young-adult brilliance. Matt Massie, a returning three-day champion, was going for his fourth win, but Katie Kornacki, a literature professor, and Kelly Cui, a bright MIT student, were giving him a lot of trouble.

Katie improved as the game went on, while Matt stayed ahead for most of the encounter. Kelly's performance was good at first, but she struggled in the final round. The Final Jeopardy clue, which was based on historical facts, completely changed the outcome and named a new winner.

Jeopardy round

The first round started with a balanced board covering categories such as American Literature, Wordplay, U.S. Geography, and Scientific Discoveries. Katie was slightly behind early on but found her rhythm by mid-round.

Matt made strategic picks and led after the first round, showing off his precision with categories such as Constitutional Law and World History. Kelly made safe picks but missed opportunities on a few clues.

Scores after Jeopardy round:

Double Jeopardy round

In Double Jeopardy, the pace picked up. The categories ranged from Civil War Figures to Quantum Mechanics, favoring Matt and Katie’s academic strengths. Matt maintained his lead initially, but Katie closed the gap by landing a Daily Double in “Literary Quotes” and confidently wagering $2,000. Kelly answered a few STEM-heavy questions correctly but struggled to keep up in this round.

Katie ended the round slightly ahead, signaling a turning point in the game.

Scores after Double Jeopardy round:

Final Jeopardy round

Category: Historic Names

Clue: Some 200 years after her birth, she was awarded the rank of General in Maryland's National Guard on Veterans Day 2024.

Correct response: Who is Harriet Tubman?

All three contestants submitted the correct response. However, it was Katie’s thoughtful wager that pushed her past Matt in total score. Matt, though correct, did not wager enough to reclaim the lead. Unfortunately, Kelly wagered nearly everything and dropped to $1.

Final scores:

Read more: Today's Final Jeopardy! answer: Tuesday, June 10, 2025

Contestant profiles

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Matt Massie – Attorney from South Charleston, West Virginia

Matt Massie appeared on tonight's show as the three-day champion who had won a total of $79,800. He is a federal defense lawyer who now lives in Philadelphia and runs his own law firm. On Jeopardy!, he plays with a methodical and calculated approach.

Matt is from West Virginia, and his game is measured, strategic, and calm, just like his legal background. Law, history, and critical thinking are his areas of expertise. Matt was ahead after the first round of tonight's game and stayed ahead until Final Jeopardy.

Read more: Who won Jeopardy! tonight? June 11, 2025, Wednesday

Even though he gave the right answer, his bet wasn't enough to beat Katie. Matt's strong run proves that he is a skilled competitor with a clear goal and a well-thought-out long-term plan.

Katie Kornacki – Professor from Hartford, Connecticut

Katie teaches English at Caldwell University with a Ph.D. in English from the University of Connecticut, among other degrees.

On the Jeopardy stage, Katie demonstrated careful pacing and depth in the humanities, especially in literature and history. She took her time answering, highlighting her intelligence and discipline, which are traits that come from teaching critical thinking for years.

Katie made a smart Daily Double bet in the Double Jeopardy round, and she got the answer right on Final Jeopardy, which meant she won. Her cool and collected attitude stood out throughout the show.

Read more: Who won Jeopardy! tonight? June 10, 2025, Tuesday

Kelly Cui – Student from Cambridge, Massachusetts

Kelly Cui attends the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and studies computer science and mathematics. Kelly showed that they were the next generation of knowledge leaders by playing a game with a lot of logic and pattern recognition. During the Jeopardy and Double Jeopardy rounds, she stayed in the game, especially in the STEM categories.

As a student leader on campus, Kelly balances work on her classes with work in the community. Her accuracy and quick thinking were clear on Jeopardy, but a risky Final Jeopardy bet dropped her to $1. Even though she lost, Kelly showed that she was a smart, analytical player who could be a future contender if given another chance.

Read more: Who won Jeopardy! tonight? May 19, 2025, Monday

Jeopardy! differs from other game shows

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Jeopardy! is different from other game shows as the contestants answer in the form of a question. It doesn't use flashy set pieces or lucky draws. Instead, it focuses on knowledge, quick reflexes, and smart betting. There are three rounds in the game: Jeopardy, Double Jeopardy, and Final Jeopardy.

The buzzing format, rotating clue board, and lack of audience participation make it a pure quiz experience that tests your intelligence and ability to stay calm under pressure.

Also read: Who won Jeopardy! tonight? June 12, 2025, Thursday

Game statistics from tonight’s Jeopardy! episode

Episode title: Jeopardy! – June 13, 2025

Returning champion: Matt Massie (three-day total: $79,800)

Winner: Katie Kornacki ($20,000)

Jeopardy round:

Double Jeopardy round:

Final Jeopardy round:

The Jeopardy! episode tonight was memorable, with a dramatic comeback and a timely Final Jeopardy clue about American history. Katie Kornacki won because she knew a lot about the subject and made a smart last wager.

Also read: Today's Final Jeopardy! answer: Friday, June 6, 2025

Even though Matt Massie's great run is over, he leaves behind a strong reputation as a smart and reliable competitor. Kelly Cui's performance was impressive, showing off the next generation of artists.

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