Ken Jennings Reveals 'Secret Sauce' to Jeopardy Wins

How was Ken Jennings so good at Jeopardy? The onetime champion contestant, now host, of the beloved game show revealed a big secret to his success in an interview with Chris Wallace that CNN is previewing. As Jennings explains, contestants must pass the same test to even get a chance on the show, so they're pretty evenly matched going in. Thus, timing is everything, because contestants have to wait until the moment the host finishes reading the clue before they can buzz in with an answer. Buzz in too early and get locked out; buzz in too late and potentially an opponent will have gotten in before you. The key is to buzz in at the exact, "narrow window" of time immediately after the host finishes speaking, Jennings explained.

"Rhythms of the host's voice are very important, and I almost think that was my secret sauce coming in to Jeopardy," Jennings said. "I had been watching Alex [Trebek] since I was 10 years old, and I knew how he would say every clipped syllable in the clue I was reading. And then I knew what the rhythm would be." Watch the preview clip here; the full interview airs Friday. (More Ken Jennings stories.)