Attempts and Buzzes
The attempts are definitely not balanced between rounds in this game, with Jessica attempting more in the J round (although for only slightly more value than James), and James and Molly attempting more in DJ.
Like attempts, buzzes are unbalanced. James gets in on a string of higher-valued clues early in DJ. Jessica and Molly regain their footing later in the round, but they’re mostly left with top-of-board possibilities.
Buzzing Components
The flow of the game towards James in early DJ and then its evening later in the round are visible in the timing graphs. The gaps close on late-game small-dollar material that all three contestants are likely attempting.
The likelihood that all three are attempting towards the end of the game combines with the small dollar amounts to limit how the gap closes when looking at solo.
Overall Scoring
The dynamics in the buzzing game drive nearly all of the game dynamics, as Jessica’s J round DD comes early and James converts one but misses one in DJ.
I have not really thought much about wagering during a two day total point affair, as I knew that I was not going to play one. However, I think that James and Molly wager on this in a manner that is mostly similar to single gameplay. James aims for a little more than double Jessica’s score to cover. With the correct response, he forces the competition to at least have to beat him in game 2.
I think Jessica treats this much more like a Daily Double that everyone just happens to be in on. I think it’s the bold, all-or-nothing (or close to it) DD wagering that we’ll see throughout the SCC and TOC. Because James wagers to cover for a lead and limit losses otherwise, Jessica is able to cut deeply into the lead by largely ignoring that and trying to amass some score.