"I can't remember my own phone number," laughs Tom O'Brien, "but I can remember vast amounts of useless knowledge." O'Brien proved that in mid June, when the Chicago native won half a million dollars on ABC's hit show "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?"

You may remember Tom as the contestant who decided to walk away from the $1 million question rather than take the risk. "I was about 60% sure, but

that's not enough. It's risking a lot on a guess- knowing that you had half a million or could drop to $32,000. That's nothing to sneeze at."

Before the American colonies switched to the Gregorian calendar, on what date did their new year start?
A. March 25
B. July 1
C. September 25
D. December 1

Tom's answer was "A". It was right. Sure, Tom would have liked to have won, but he wasn't upset because he'd followed his strategy. "If I didn't know it cold, didn't know it like the back of my hand, I would walk." So, that's what he did.

"I was a little disappointed, but not upset. If I'd lost it all- that would have killed."

Tom knows what it's like to lose on a national game show. He was a contestant on Jeopardy in 1984, during the game show's second season. Tom says it was fun, but "nothing prepares you for Millionaire."

"In Jeopardy, you play the other players. On Millionaire, you're competing against the questions and time, and yourself." He said the other contestants at Millionaire were cheering each other on, unlike on Jeopardy where Tom says players are more "cut-throat."

On Jeopardy, Tom didn't fare very well. He didn't win any money, but did get a lifetime supply of Niagra Spray Starch. "I was giving out coupons for cans at all my parties."

It's safe to say he prefers his half a million, which he hopes will help him retire a few years early. And, he wouldn't mind winning more. "I'd love to be on a tournament of champions. I'd love to see Bob (House, who won $1 million) again." Bet Tom would love to beat him, too!