For Dave Leach, a 20-year fight to land a guest spot on his favorite TV game show paid off beyond even his wildest dreams.

The DeKalb County resident recently ran off a string of victories on “Jeopardy!,” earning over $100,000 in prize money along the way.

“It was just a thrill to go play,” said Leach, a computer programmer. “I wanted to have a good time … but I didn’t expect to bring home that much.”

For Leach, his reign as show champion is the culmination of a more than two decades-long journey to capture show producers’ attention.

“Back in high school, I remember sending them postcards to try to get on for the teen tournament,” Leach recalled. “I tried for the college tournament, too, but couldn’t get in.”

The Oglethorpe University graduate took his efforts to the Internet when the show changed its submission process to an annual online test, coming up short of his goal “five or six” times in that manner.

“I also auditioned in person twice, so persistence really does pay off,” Leach added.

When he finally made the cut, Leach learned just how big of an accomplishment making it to the show, which tapes in Culver City, Calif., actually is. Of the more than 100,000 people who took the online test last year, only 400, or less than half of a percent, earn an invitation to compete there.

Of his six wins on the popular quiz show, three were by a comfortable margin. The math and science whiz was able to offset his weakness in literature-related topics– often featured in the episodes in which he competed — by leaning on his strongsuit, word play categories.

Leach credits a big-picture strategy as being the key to his success on the show.

“I may not be one of the smartest [Jeopardy!] champions, but I am one of the savviest,” said Leach. “Games can be won or lost in the wagers that you make.”

His extraordinary run on the show still fresh in his memory, Leach is currently back at work and planning a trip for he and girlfriend, Leslie, to visit her family in eastern Germany – an on-air promise he made to “Jeopardy” host Alex Trebek.

Still, Leach might be headed for a return engagement on the show. Champions who have racked up more than four wins typically wind up in the “Jeopardy” tournament of champions, with the next such event to be held later this year.

“Dave was a remarkable contestant, an all around great champion,” said Susie Eun, a spokesperson for the show.

Leach’s chances of being invited to play in the tournament were “very good,” Eun said, adding that prospective players out there looking to emulate his success should simply keep trying out for the show online.