01/22/2026
Ever felt “on a roll” and trusted your gut more because of it?
On Jeopardy!, contestants who answer several questions correctly in a row tend to bet more money when they hit a Daily Double. They believe they’re in a hot streak.
And they’re not totally wrong. Players do perform slightly better when they’re winning. But they bet far more than that small edge actually justifies. The confidence grows faster than the results.
Here’s the part that really stands out. After commercial breaks, the effect disappears. Confidence stays, but focus fades.
A good reminder that feeling unstoppable doesn’t always mean you are. Sometimes it’s just momentum talking.
What the Daily Double can tell us about an irrational belief in winning streaks