There Are So Many Rules That 'Jeopardy' Contestants Have to Follow (2024)

All contestants must be 18 years old to compete, except if you're part of the Teen Tournament special. These contestants have to be between 13 and 17 when filming takes place.

The Anytime Test, as it's known, consists of 50 clues — but you only have 15 seconds to answer each one. No pressure!

Once you pass the Anytime Test, you're placed into a pool of applicants — but even then you may not get an audition. Per the show's website, "audition space is limited," so a random selection of applicants are invited to audition.

If you pass the first round of auditions, you'll find out a couple of weeks later and be asked to play a "mock version of the game" with other hopefuls. During this round, you'll be tested on your technical knowledge of Jeopardy! and will be asked about your personal life.

So say you did well and passed the audition. Producers will put you in a pool of applicants for up to 18 months and if you're chosen you'll get about a month's notice before taping.

The best advice for doing well on the show is to be a regular viewer — and read up on categories you may not be as familiar with.

One of the most well-known rules of Jeopardy! is that your answer is considered invalid if you do not start your answer with "what is" or "who is." Sounds simple enough, but we've seen many people get this one wrong.

If you're the champion of your episode, congrats! Only the champion moves on to the next taping, which could film that very same day. The show tapes five episodes per day — a.k.a. enough to air for a whole week.

Production breaks between shooting the third and fourth episode of the day, from 2 p.m. until 3 p.m.. The final two episodes are filmed in front of a new studio audience and the day typically ends around 4:15 p.m.

All contestants must bring three different outfits with them to the studio, but only the host and returning champion will need to change their outfits for the next episode.

The show has quite a few dos and don'ts for wardrobe. Among the restricted clothing items are all-white tops, olive colored tops and any clothing with busy patterns.

That means when the game's being played, there are no breaks or reshoots. Barring commercial breaks, contestants play straight through a 30-minute episode.

You heard that right. Being cast on the show doesn't mean a free ride to Sony Studios in Culver City, California. Contestants have to arrange and pay for their own airfare.

Production gives contestants two hotel options to choose from and covers the cost of accommodations. Shuttles to transport the contestants from their hotels to the studio on taping day is also arranged by the show.

If you buzz in early, you'll get a delay and will lose out on the question. "It's about reflexes, not speed," Ken Jennings told Cracked. "You have to buzz at the exact second the buzzer goes live."

Each episode covers six categories, which are set before the morning of the show. To make sure categories aren't geared towards one contestant in particular, names are drawn randomly and assigned to an episode after questions are finalized.

Contestants watch the show from a separate section in the live audience and don't know when it's their turn to play until their name is called.