U.S. States.

Overview

U.S. States is one of Jeopardy!'s most concentrated and heavily tested topics, with roughly 1,200 clues spread across only about a dozen raw categories and a staggering 90 Final Jeopardy appearances. That FJ ratio -- roughly 7.5% -- makes this one of the single most important topics for Final Jeopardy preparation in the entire show's history. If you are studying for Jeopardy, this topic deserves sustained attention.

The category pool is narrow: "U.S. STATES" (558 clues), "THE 50 STATES" (302), "STATE FLAGS" (127), "OFFICIAL STATE STUFF" (90), and "STATE FACTS" (83) account for nearly everything. This concentration means the show returns to the same angles again and again -- state flags, nicknames, superlatives, admission order, and geographic distinctions. The round split is close to even (53% Jeopardy, 40% Double Jeopardy, 7% Final Jeopardy), suggesting the topic spans all difficulty levels.

~1,199 clues · 90 Final Jeopardy appearances · 13 raw categories

The answer pool: Alaska dominates with 54 clues -- nearly double second place. Louisiana (37), Hawaii (33), Maine (31), California (31), New Mexico (30), Michigan (29), Florida (28), and Colorado (28) round out the top tier. The show loves states with distinctive features: Alaska's superlatives, Louisiana's French legal system, Hawaii's unique flag, Colorado's red "C."

State flags = 13% of all clues: With 161 clues in flag-related categories alone, knowing your state flags is non-negotiable. Wisconsin (7 flag clues), Washington (7), New Mexico (7), and Colorado (6) are the most-tested flag states. Oregon's two-sided flag, Hawaii's Union Jack, and Washington's green background with presidential portrait are perennial favorites.

The gimmes: Arizona (11 clues, 100%), Illinois (10, 100%), Missouri (8, 100%), Florida (28, 96%), Utah (20, 94%), Oregon (16, 94%), Ohio (17, 93%), Nevada (16, 92%), Connecticut (13, 91%), Louisiana (37, 91%).

The stumper zone: Mississippi (8 clues, 50% wrong), Delaware (26, 48%), North Carolina (17, 44%), Idaho (18, 35%), Alabama (23, 32%), Iowa (17, 31%), Wyoming (27, 30%), Washington (17, 29%), Vermont (19, 29%).

Study strategy: Master the state flags first -- they are the single largest clue cluster. Then learn the superlatives (largest, smallest, most populous, least populous, highest point, lowest point). Next, study admission order and statehood facts, which dominate Final Jeopardy. Finally, learn the regional patterns: New England size rankings, Southern nicknames, Western geography. The FJ themes are highly predictable -- superlatives, letter patterns, border trivia, and admission facts account for the vast majority of Final Jeopardy clues.

The Most-Tested States

Alaska: The Undisputed #1

~54 clues · 82% correct

Alaska appears nearly twice as often as any other state, and for good reason: it holds more superlatives than any other state, making it a natural fit for Jeopardy clues at every difficulty level. The show tests Alaska from every conceivable angle, and it has appeared in Final Jeopardy at least 3 times.

Key facts tested repeatedly: - The largest state -- almost twice the size of Scandinavia, and its coastline is longer than the Atlantic, Gulf, and Pacific coasts of all other states combined - The coldest state on average; the only state with both Arctic and Pacific coastlines - Its name comes from an Aleut word meaning "Great Land" - State sport: dog mushing (tested at least 3 times) - The flag was designed in 1927 by a 13-year-old schoolboy named Benny Benson; it features the Big Dipper and the North Star - Juneau, the capital, lies on Cook Inlet, west of the Chugach Mountains - The fewest farms of any state (about 500, vs. Texas's 185,000) - The smallest population of any state (FJ answer) - It's the only state name that can be typed on one row of a standard keyboard (FJ answer)

Watch out: Alaska clues range from easy ($100 "Last Frontier" identification) to tricky FJ superlative comparisons. The show loves contrasting Alaska with Texas -- largest vs. most farms, biggest vs. most populous.

Louisiana: The French Exception

~37 clues · 91% correct

Louisiana's unique cultural and legal heritage makes it irresistible to Jeopardy writers. It is the only state whose court system is modeled on civil (Napoleonic) law rather than English common law -- a fact tested at least twice. Three FJ appearances.

Tested angles: - The pelican on its flag, feeding its young ("Pelican State") - Named after Louis XIV -- and of all states named after European monarchs, it reaches the farthest west (FJ) - Only state besides Hawaii whose name has three adjacent vowels (FJ) - Cajun culture: beignets (official state doughnut since 1986), fais-do-do, Cajun accordion (official state instrument) - Natchitoches, founded c. 1714, is the oldest permanent settlement in the state - About a quarter of the state's area is Mississippi River delta - California and Louisiana have the only U.S. points below sea level (FJ)

California: The Bear Republic

~31 clues · 90% correct

California's flag -- featuring a grizzly bear and the word "Republic" -- generates reliable clues. It is the only state flag bearing the word "Republic," a fact tested at least 4 times. The grizzly bear is extinct in the wild but lives on as the state symbol.

Key facts: - After Alaska, the greatest difference between highest and lowest points (FJ) - Its flag dates to the Bear Flag Revolt of 1846 - More governors have not gone on to become president than from New York... wait, that's New York (3 FJ clues about New York's governors becoming president)

Hawaii: The Union Jack State

~33 clues · 72% correct

Hawaii's relatively low accuracy (72%) belies its frequency. The clues tend toward harder material -- the Union Jack on its flag, its unique linguistic features, its history as an independent monarchy. Three FJ appearances, with an extremely low 11% FJ accuracy.

Critical facts: - The only U.S. state flag featuring the British Union Jack (tested at least 5 times) - Eight stripes on the flag represent the eight main islands - Once an independent monarchy (FJ) - The only state name with a diacritical mark when spelled officially (the okina in Hawai'i) (FJ) - The smallest state in area west of the Appalachians - Hiram L. Fong became its senior senator after a coin toss in August 1959 (FJ) - The only state where coffee is grown commercially - Mt. Waialeale is the wettest spot in the world

Michigan: The Great Lakes State

~29 clues · 85% correct

Michigan's defining feature -- bordering four of the five Great Lakes -- is the single most repeated fact about any state in the topic. The show has asked this in at least 5 different clues across J, DJ, and FJ rounds.

Essential facts: - Borders Lakes Huron, Michigan, Erie, and Superior (not Ontario) - The longest freshwater shoreline of any state - The motto: "Si quaeris peninsulam amoenam circumspice" -- "If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you" (tested multiple times) - The Mackinac Bridge connects the two peninsulas - Home to the Big Three automakers - On the flag: an elk, a moose, and a man with a gun on a shield depicting a lake and peninsula - Gerald Ford is the only congressman from Michigan to become president - Traverse City area makes it the leading cherry-growing state

Colorado: The Red "C" State

~28 clues · 81% correct

Colorado's flag, with its prominent red "C," is one of the most recognizable and most-tested state flags. Six flag clues -- all answered correctly.

Key angles: - The name comes from the Spanish word for "colored red" or simply "red" - Entered the Union in 1876 -- the Centennial State (FJ) - Dozens of peaks over 14,000 feet, including Pikes Peak, Yale, and Princeton - Five of the largest U.S. rivers begin here: the Arkansas, North Platte, Rio Grande, Colorado, and South Platte - State flower: Rocky Mountain columbine; state song: "Where the Columbines Grow" - State fossil: Stegosaurus, with bony plates resembling a mountain range - John Denver's hit is one of the official state songs

State Flags & Official Symbols

State flags account for roughly 161 clues across multiple categories ("STATE FLAGS," "UNFURL THE STATE FLAG," "BEASTLY STATE FLAGS," "ON THE STATE FLAG," etc.). Learning the distinguishing feature of each state's flag is one of the highest-return study investments in all of Jeopardy preparation. Beyond flags, the "OFFICIAL STATE STUFF" category (90 clues) tests nicknames, songs, animals, foods, and other official designations.

The Must-Know Flags

Hawaii -- The only U.S. state flag featuring the British Union Jack. Eight stripes represent the eight main islands. This is tested so frequently (5+ times) that it borders on a gimme, yet accuracy is only 60% in flag categories, likely because contestants second-guess such an unusual answer.

Oregon -- The only state flag with different designs on each side. The front features the state seal with the Pacific Ocean; the reverse has a yellow beaver. Tested at least 4 times, always at 100% accuracy.

Washington -- Two signature facts: it is the only state flag with a green background (the "Evergreen State"), and the only one featuring a portrait of a president (George Washington, based on a Gilbert Stuart painting re-adopted for the seal in 1967). Seven flag clues.

Colorado -- The red "C" on a blue-and-white field. The "C" stands for Colorado, the Centennial State, the Continental Divide. Six flag clues, all answered correctly. The postal abbreviation "CO" is visible in the flag design.

California -- A grizzly bear and the word "Republic." It's the only state flag bearing the word "Republic." The bear dates to the 1846 Bear Flag Revolt. Though the grizzly is extinct in California, it remains on the flag.

New Mexico -- The Zia sun symbol (sacred to the Zia Pueblo Indians) in crimson on a field of gold. The red and yellow colors echo the Spanish flag. Seven flag clues, 86% correct.

Louisiana -- A pelican feeding its young, reflecting the "Pelican State" nickname. Motto: "Union, Justice and Confidence." Five flag clues, all correct.

Wyoming -- A white silhouette of a bison bearing the state seal on a blue field. Three flag clues, all correct. Also has a town founded by and named for Buffalo Bill (FJ).

Delaware -- A sailing ship representing the shipbuilding industry of New Castle County, with the date December 7, 1787 (the date it ratified the Constitution and became the first state). Three flag clues.

Maryland -- The coats of arms of the Calvert and Crossland families. The red-and-white design represents the Crossland family; the black-and-gold represents the Calverts (Lord Baltimore's family). Four flag clues.

Wisconsin -- A coat of arms featuring a miner and a sailor, the motto "Forward," and a badger. A "cheesy shade of yellow" on the shield. Seven flag clues, but only 43% correct -- the hardest flag state.

Other Notable Flag Facts

• Alaska: Big Dipper and the North Star, designed by a 13-year-old schoolboy
• Rhode Island: An anchor and the word "Hope" surrounded by 13 gold stars
• South Carolina: A white palmetto tree on a blue field
• Texas: The "Lone Star" flag, adopted in 1839 during its time as a republic; one star
• Virginia: Virtue dressed like an Amazon triumphing over Tyranny, with a fallen crown (FJ)
• Ohio: The only state flag in a pennant shape with swallowtails (not rectangular)
• Nevada: "Battle Born" on the flag, referencing statehood during the Civil War (admitted Halloween 1864)
• Connecticut: Three vines representing Windsor, Wethersfield, and Hartford
• Oklahoma: An Osage warrior's shield, an olive branch, and a peace pipe
• New Hampshire: The frigate Raleigh, built in Portsmouth in 1776

Official State Symbols Worth Knowing

• Utah: State emblem is a beehive; state insect is the honey bee; official cooking pot is a Dutch oven
• Maryland: State dog is the Chesapeake Bay retriever (tested twice)
• Pennsylvania: State dog is a Great Dane; Ben had one
• Kansas: "Home on the Range" is the state song
• Kentucky: "My Old Kentucky Home" is the state song
• Tennessee: Eight official state songs, including "Rocky Top"
• Oklahoma: Official state cartoon character is Gusty (created by weatherman Don Woods); state songs include ones by Richard Rodgers and Woody Guthrie (FJ)
• Colorado: State fossil is Stegosaurus
• Nebraska: State soft drink is Kool-Aid, invented there in 1927
• Connecticut: State hero is Nathan Hale; state boat is the Nautilus
• Georgia: Official state 'possum is Pogo, the comic strip character from the Okefenokee Swamp

Watch out: Wisconsin is the hardest flag state -- 7 clues at only 43% correct. The badger, the "Forward" motto, and the 1848 date are the key identifiers. Alaska flags also trip people up (75% correct) despite being recognizable.

The Stumper States

Some states appear frequently but trip contestants up at alarming rates. Understanding why these states are difficult -- and what specific facts the show tests -- can turn stumpers into scoring opportunities.

Delaware: The Hardest Frequent Answer

~26 clues · 52% correct (48% wrong)

Delaware is, paradoxically, "The First State" but one of the last states contestants think of. With 26 appearances and nearly half answered incorrectly, it is the most persistent stumper in the topic. Two FJ appearances, both difficult (only 20% FJ accuracy).

Why it stumps: - Delaware is small (second smallest after Rhode Island), easy to forget - Many clues test obscure facts: its border with Pennsylvania follows the arc of a perfect circle centered in New Castle; it has only 3 counties; its state bird is the Blue Hen chicken - The "Corporate Capital" nickname and "for $50, you can be incorporated within 24 hours" angle are not well known - In the 19th century it was the "Peach State" (now Georgia's nickname), adding confusion - FJ: "This border state produced about half of the gunpowder for the Union" -- contestants don't associate tiny Delaware with Civil War industry - FJ: "This Atlantic state's highest point is 442 feet on Ebright Road in New Castle County" -- the lowest high point of any state

How to beat it: When a clue mentions "first state," "December 7, 1787," "New Castle County," "3 counties," "Du Pont," or "Blue Hen," think Delaware.

Mississippi: The Double-Letter Trap

~8 clues · 50% correct (50% wrong)

Mississippi appears less frequently but stumps contestants half the time. The magnolia connection (both state tree and state flower, "Magnolia State") is the most-tested angle.

Stumper clues: - Its Gulf coast is the shortest at 44 miles - When it declared itself a republic in 1861, a magnolia tree graced its flag - In 2021 it raised a new flag, removing the Confederate battle emblem and adding a magnolia - Charles Evers was elected the first Black mayor of a racially mixed city there in 1969 - FJ: One of two states whose names contain three sets of double letters (the other is Tennessee) - FJ: One of two states beginning with "M" whose capitals begin with "J" (Jackson; the other is Missouri/Jefferson City)

North Carolina: First in Flight, Last in Recall

~17 clues · 56% correct (44% wrong)

Despite its importance to American history, North Carolina is surprisingly hard for contestants. Clues about tobacco production, the Wright Brothers ("First in Flight" license plates), and Roanoke Island all generate wrong answers.

Key stumper clues: - Produces more tobacco products than all other states combined (tested twice) - License plates carry the slogan "First in Flight" (FJ, 100% FJ accuracy surprisingly) - Grandfather Mountain is the tallest peak in the Blue Ridge Mountains - Mt. Mitchell is the highest point east of the Mississippi - Roanoke Island was the site of the first English settlement in North America - Ceded Tennessee to the U.S. in 1784, reclaimed it, then ceded it again in 1789

Idaho: More Than Potatoes

~18 clues · 65% correct (35% wrong)

Idaho clues consistently trip contestants because the show deliberately avoids the obvious potato angle. Instead, clues test silver production (it leads the nation), the Snake River, the "Gem State" nickname, and obscure cities like Nampa and Pocatello.

Key facts: - Leads the nation in silver production - The "Gem State" -- over 70 varieties of gems and semiprecious stones - The Snake River runs through it; almost 70% of the population lives within 30 miles of it - On its flag, a sheaf of grain (not a potato) symbolizes agriculture - Sun Valley, Craters of the Moon, and Hells Canyon are major landmarks - Moscow, Idaho has a population of about 19,000

Alabama: The Heart of Dixie

~23 clues · 68% correct (32% wrong)

Alabama's stumper rate is driven by its many nicknames and historical associations that contestants mix up with other Southern states.

What trips people up: - "The Heart of Dixie" (tested at least 3 times) - "The Yellowhammer State" (tested once, very hard) - Called first at presidential conventions due to alphabetical order - The Marshall Space Flight Center is in Alabama (not Florida or Texas) - Its seal shows a map of the state along with its neighbors: Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, and Tennessee - Tuscaloosa was the capital from 1826 to 1846 - The Perdido River forms part of the border with Florida's Panhandle - Helen Keller is on the reverse of the state quarter

Other Notable Stumpers

Iowa (17 clues, 31% wrong) -- Easily confused with Ohio and Idaho. The show tests its agricultural facts and geographic position.

Washington (17 clues, 29% wrong) -- Confusion with Washington, D.C. is the primary issue. The green flag and presidential portrait should be instant identifiers.

Vermont (19 clues, 29% wrong) -- In 1791, after 14 years as an independent republic, it became the 14th state. First state to forbid slavery and guarantee universal male suffrage. Its name comes from the French for "green mountain." The least populous state east of the Mississippi.

Small States, New England & Regional Patterns

The New England Six

New England states appear frequently and form a natural study cluster. Their small size, proximity, and shared history mean the show often tests them through comparison and contrast.

Rhode Island (27 clues, 75% correct) -- The smallest state, and the show never tires of reminding contestants. Key facts: its official name includes "and Providence Plantations" (now shortened); its flag has an anchor and the word "Hope" with 13 gold stars; its motto is the shortest of all state mottos in English; it's the "Ocean State" despite only 40 miles of coastline; and its two-word name is unique because neither "Rhode" nor "Island" appears in any other state name (FJ). One FJ appearance, answered correctly.

Connecticut (13 clues, 91% correct) -- A gimme state. The "Nutmeg State" and "Constitution State." Its flag's three vines represent Windsor, Wethersfield, and Hartford. Nathan Hale is the official state hero. The Nautilus is the state boat. The Hartford Courant, published since 1764, is one of America's oldest newspapers. Two FJ appearances: the third-smallest state in area, home to the USA's third-oldest college (60% FJ accuracy).

Maine (31 clues, 81% correct) -- The third most-tested state in the topic. The only one-syllable state name (FJ). Entered the Union in 1820 after separating from Massachusetts (FJ). As large as the other five New England states combined. The easternmost piece of land in the contiguous U.S. is West Quoddy Head. About 80-90% forest. Its state vessel is the sailing ship Bowdoin. Margaret Chase Smith, the first woman to serve in both houses of Congress, represented Maine. Three FJ appearances.

Vermont (19 clues, 71% correct) -- A mild stumper. Name from French "vert mont" (green mountain). Was an independent republic for 14 years before becoming the 14th state in 1791. First state to forbid slavery in its constitution (1777). The least populous state east of the Mississippi (FJ). Only 3 communities over 15,000 population. State tree is the sugar maple. The lowest percentage of city dwellers of any U.S. state. One FJ appearance.

New Hampshire (21 clues, 79% correct) -- The "Granite State." Its flag features the frigate Raleigh, built in Portsmouth in 1776. The Old Man of the Mountain was on its emblem (it collapsed in 2003). Mount Monadnock is the most-climbed mountain in the USA (FJ). Named by Captain John Mason, former governor of Portsmouth, England (FJ). The 1905 Treaty of Portsmouth ending the Russo-Japanese War was signed here. Mt. Adams, Mt. Jefferson, and Mt. Madison are in its White Mountains. Two FJ appearances, 83% accuracy.

Massachusetts (16 clues, 85% correct) -- In 1840, it had 24 of the 100 most populous U.S. urban places (FJ). The only state name ending with three consonants (FJ). One of four states officially called "Commonwealths" (along with Pennsylvania, Kentucky, and Virginia). Two FJ appearances.

Southern & Border State Patterns

The show loves testing Southern states through their Civil War associations, nicknames, and cultural distinctions:

• West Virginia (10 clues, 75% correct) -- The only state formed directly because of the Civil War (FJ, 67% accuracy). The newest state east of the Mississippi (FJ). Formed from counties of Virginia, along with Kentucky (FJ).
• Georgia (16 clues, 79% correct) -- The southernmost of the original 13 colonies (FJ). Had the highest growth rate of any state east of Colorado between 1990 and 2004 (FJ). Official state 'possum: Pogo.
• Kentucky (13 clues, 91% correct) -- A gimme in regular play. One of four commonwealths, and the only one not among the original 13 colonies (FJ). The "Bluegrass State" -- from Poa pratensis (FJ). Two FJ appearances, but only 17% FJ accuracy.
• Virginia (13 clues, 91% correct) -- The most populous and largest state at the time of the first census in 1790 (FJ). Its flag shows Virtue triumphing over Tyranny (FJ). "Old Dominion" is its official nickname.
• South Carolina (11 clues, 89% correct) -- Flag has a white palmetto tree. Often tested alongside its capital Columbia (named for Columbus, like Ohio's Columbus).

Midwestern & Western Patterns

• Wisconsin (26 clues, 73% correct) -- "America's Dairyland." The Republican Party traces its origins to an 1854 meeting at Ripon. "Badger State" from 1820s miners who dug into hillsides. The first state to pass an Unemployment Compensation Act (1932). Lake Winnebago is the largest inland lake.
• Kansas (23 clues, 82% correct) -- A sunflower crest on its flag. "Home on the Range" is the state song. Often tested through flag identification.
• Montana (22 clues, 85% correct) -- The only state from which rainwater flows to the Pacific, the Atlantic, and Hudson Bay (FJ, 17% accuracy). The largest state formed primarily from the Louisiana Purchase (FJ). Fourth largest in area.
• New Mexico (30 clues, 82% correct) -- The Zia sun symbol on the flag. English and Spanish as official languages -- the only state with both. The original name of Santa Fe was "Villa Real de la Santa Fe de San Francisco de Asis." The first atomic bomb was exploded at Trinity Site. The only state whose name and capital both consist of two words (FJ, paired with Santa Fe).
• Oklahoma (21 clues, 75% correct) -- Three FJ appearances (tied for most in the topic). The show loves that its name is Choctaw for "red people" -- paired with Colorado (Spanish for "red") as adjacent states (FJ). The proposed state of Sequoyah's constitution became the basis for Oklahoma's (FJ). Composers of its official songs include Rodgers and Guthrie (FJ).

Final Jeopardy & Study Patterns

With 90 Final Jeopardy appearances, U.S. States is among the top FJ topics on the show. The themes are highly predictable, which makes this a rewarding area to study.

FJ Theme: Superlatives & Firsts

The show's favorite FJ construction for states is "the only state that..." or "the most/least/largest/smallest..." These clues reward systematic knowledge of extremes:

• Alaska: Smallest population; fewest farms; only state typeable on one keyboard row; longest coastline
• Maine: Only one-syllable state name; last New England state admitted (1820); largest New England state; easternmost point in contiguous U.S.
• Montana: Only state where rainwater flows to three oceans; largest state from Louisiana Purchase
• Hawaii: Only flag with Union Jack; only state name with diacritical mark; only state that was an independent monarchy
• Rhode Island: Only two-word state name where neither word appears in any other state name
• Connecticut: Third-smallest state, home to third-oldest college
• Michigan: Only state bordering four Great Lakes; longest freshwater shoreline
• New Hampshire: Home to the most-climbed mountain in the USA (Monadnock)
• Nevada: Government owns 85% of its land (largest portion of any lower-48 state); admitted on Halloween 1864 ("Battle Born")
• Vermont: Least populous state east of the Mississippi

FJ Theme: Letter Patterns & Name Trivia

The show adores clues about state name linguistics:

• Q is the only letter not used in any state name (FJ, 33% accuracy)
• J and Z each appear only once in state names (besides X, Y, Z being unused)
• Four states start and end with the same letter: Alaska, Arizona, Alabama, Ohio (FJ)
• Four states whose names end with the same vowel they begin with (FJ -- answer is the number 4)
• Only two states end in "Y": Kentucky and New Jersey (FJ)
• Two states with three sets of double letters that border each other: Mississippi and Tennessee (FJ)
• Two states beginning with "M" whose capitals begin with "J": Mississippi (Jackson) and Missouri (Jefferson City)
• Massachusetts is the only state name ending in three consonants
• Louisiana and Hawaii are the only states with three adjacent vowels
• Six states besides the Dakotas and Carolinas have two-word names (New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island, West Virginia)

FJ Theme: Admission & Statehood

• Benjamin Harrison shuffled the admission papers so no one knows whether North Dakota or South Dakota was 39th or 40th (FJ, 100% accuracy)
• Colorado entered the Union in 1876 after being rejected earlier (FJ)
• Nevada admitted on Halloween 1864 during the Civil War ("Battle Born")
• Arkansas: an 1881 resolution established its name is spelled one way but pronounced another (FJ)
• Four states were independent republics before entering the Union: Hawaii, Texas, California, Vermont (FJ)
• Four states are officially "Commonwealths": Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Virginia (FJ)
• Five states formed from the Northwest Territory: Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio (plus part of Minnesota) (FJ)

FJ Theme: Borders & Geography

• Only three states have all straight-line boundaries: Colorado, Utah, Wyoming (FJ)
• Four states border only two other states: Florida, Washington, South Carolina, Rhode Island (FJ) [Note: Maine borders only one -- New Hampshire]
• Two states bordered by eight other states apiece, bordering each other across the Mississippi: Tennessee and Missouri (FJ)
• Two states formed from counties of Virginia: West Virginia and Kentucky (FJ)
• The confluence at the Missouri-Illinois border was called "the finest in the world" by explorer Charlevoix in 1721 (FJ)
• Both Dakotas are bordered by Montana and Minnesota (FJ)
• Two states named their capitals for Columbus: Ohio (Columbus) and South Carolina (Columbia) (FJ)

FJ Hardest Answers (Lowest Accuracy)

The Stumper Reference Table

Strategy for stumpers: When a clue describes a state indirectly -- through its geography, flag, or cultural facts -- think systematically: What region is it in? What's distinctive about it? Delaware is the First State with 3 counties and a circular border. Idaho is the Gem State with silver mines and the Snake River. Mississippi is the Magnolia State with double letters and the shortest Gulf coast. Training yourself to associate these secondary identifiers with each state will convert stumpers into confident buzzes.