JEOPARDY!’s latest rising star Ryan Manton narrowly avoided a brutal loss by just a single dollar after he got a surprising challenge from a new rival opponent.

However, the trivia buff was able to score his third victory – further solidifying his status as the “most dominant” player in season 41.

In tonight’s intense game, Ryan went up against Scott Tcheng, an ER doctor from San Francisco, and Erin Ward, a software developer from Ontario.

After churning out back-to-back impressive wins this week, the expectations for Ryan were high going into game three.

He came out swinging with some heavy wagers from the get-go and even added $1,000 to his prize pot early by finding the first Daily Double.

However, he found himself in unfamiliar territory going into the first break – he was not in the lead.

While Ryan garnered an impressive $3,000 as the first break commenced, Erin was in the lead with $3,800 while Scott was in third with $2,800.

Ohio native Ryan found the second Daily Double but unfortunately, he got it wrong – dropping his score $5,600.

He quickly redeemed himself, adding $5,000 to his score, when he stumbled upon the third Daily Double about Religious Matters.

“During the Meiji restoration of the 19th century, Japan’s emperor was validated as the high priest of this religion,” which he correctly wrote “What is Shintoism?”

Heading into Final Jeopardy!, the opponents were nearly eye for eye with Ryan earning $12,400 and Scott just behind at $11,8000.

Erin dropped down to third place with $4,800 going into the last round.

Host Ken Jennings revealed that the category for Final Jeopardy! would be Science.

“Physicist John Wheeler said he coined this term as a faster way to say ‘completely collapsed objects,’” he read to the contestants.

Ryan appeared to be feeling the heat as he responded with an actual answer for the first time in three games after previously using the opportunity to give personal shoutouts.

He wagered $11,201 and got it correct after he wrote “the black hole” – for a total of $23,601.

Shockingly, he beat his rival Scott by a single dollar – who walked away from the game with a final score of $23,600.

Erin was the only one of the three to miss the Final Jeopardy! clue and ended the episode with $800.

‘UNBELIVABLE GAME’

Fans were happy the players put on quite a show while still critiquing their gameplay.

“Scott had Ryan on the ropes, but I was utterly baffled by the fact that he seemed to be actively avoiding uncovering DD3, when all he had to do to guarantee he’d have the lead going into FJ is keep that last DD away from Ryan–find it and wager $5 if you want!

“But instead, Scott kept picking from the top row, allowing Ryan to find the last DD and take back the lead, and ultimately win the game. Unbelievable,” a viewer wrote.

Jeopardy! Set Secrets

Jeopardy! fans don’t see everything behind the scenes from watching on TV. These hidden set features make the show run smoothly:

• Each podium has a hidden riser so that all contestants appear to be the same height.
• After each clue is read, signal lights go off around the game board, indicating players can buzz in and respond.
• Buzz in too early, and you’re locked out for .25 seconds.
• The podiums have a small white light in the lower left corner, which tells Ken Jennings who goes next.
• Contrary to popular belief, the player with control doesn’t have a buzzer advantage on the next clue.
• To the game board’s left is a scoreboard so the players can see their opponents’ scores.
• All contestants must bring three outfits to the studio, but only the host and returning champion change for the next episode.
• There are wardrobe rules, including restrictions on busy patterns, solid white, purple (like the background), and logos.
• Five episodes are taped in a single day, and sometimes more.
• The categories, players (aside from the returning champion), and Final Jeopardy! for a tape day are all drawn randomly to ensure fairness.
• Female contestants are asked not to wear makeup, which is applied backstage, and don’t wear mascara because of sweat.
• Contestants fill out a questionnaire, and producers select five Q&A topics for the host.
• Host Ken isn’t allowed to interact with the contestants until after the game.
• Players can request to sit in a chair while competing without question.

“A nail-biter! Congratulations to Erin, Ryan, and Scott,” another said.

“Wow what a game,” a third exclaimed while one more agreed by calling it the “best game” of the season.

Ryan’s decision to write down a real Final Jeopardy! answer came after he gave his wife, Lauren, a shoutout on his previous games.

SWEET SHOUTOUT

“I love you Lauren,” he wrote to his wife on the final card.

During his first episode, Ryan revealed that his wife Lauren also appeared on Jeopardy! three years ago.

Though she came in third place, the experience was a happy one as Ryan popped-the-question to his then-girlfriend the night before her show taping.

Ryan’s season 41 Jeopardy! journey continues tomorrow as fans are hoping he will continue to live up to their heightened expectations.