I have watched every season of JLTG at least twice and this has to be the worst fumble I've ever seen (probably on any game show tbh).
People say this started with the diameter steal, nah mate. let me flashback to episode 7. NH start with 130 chips. instead of going further than the steal to (potentially lock down) more of Badams stations (you know, to WIN the game) they stop at the steal in an attempt to steal a mere 23 coins from them? There were infinitely more smart choices they could have made , two of them being to get to Kaoshiung first to snatch the challenges or just lock them out putting 5s on the entire track before K.
The obvious Kindergartner game of the steal stalemate (losing valuable time while being 40 stations behind)
Passing by almost 200 coins worth of challenges AND 2 Steals!! They knew Badam had 75 coins while they were just passing by the second north east steal.
Going all-in on a variable challenge when they've previously failed (one?). If this challenge was either in their territory, or in the north, or at least ADJACENT to a different challenge - fine, do it. But this was just gambling.
I'm still in absolute disbelief about the ending of this season. I honestly think maybe Sam should sit the next one out and just have two guests play against B&A , because obviously it's starting to get over his head. I read some comments here that perfectly pointed it out "He should just play the game instead of trying to outsmart it"