American Idol Odds Posted

Celebrity Spider ^ | 02/18/2006

[SirLinksalot]

American Idol Odds Posted

2/18/06

Online Sportsbook Posts First Odds on Hit Reality TV Show

WILLEMSTAD, Curacao, Feb. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- The country's largest talent search has been narrowed down to 24 contestants as the latest edition of American Idol has reached the semi-final round. The popularity of American Idol has never been more apparent as the show has catapulted to the top of the ratings, drawing nearly 30 million loyal viewers. Also a hit with online bettors, today PinnacleSports.com became the first established bookmaker to offer odds on who will win the latest edition of the hit reality series.

The largest sports betting site on the Internet, PinnacleSports.com has calculated individual odds on all 24 contestants becoming the next American Idol. The oddsmakers at PinnacleSports.com currently list Ace Young as the early favorite to win the major recording contract at 7/2 odds (i.e. win $7 for every $2 bet) followed closely by Katharine McPhee at 4/1 and Paris Bennett at 5/1. Other solid contenders for the Idol crown include Chris Daughtry (8/1), Kellie Pickler (8/1), Taylor Hicks (10/1) and Lisa Tucker (11/1).

"This marks the first time that any sportsbook has offered betting on who'll win American Idol this early in the show," said Simon Noble of PinnacleSports.com. "American Idol has easily become the most popular entertainment event with our bettors and easily surpasses the Grammys in popularity. Wagering on the show is so popular that we took single bets of up to $10,000 last season."

PinnacleSports.com lists Heather Cox (22/1), Will Makar (24/1), Stevie Scott (27/1), Jose 'Sway' Penala (29/1), Patrick Hall (31/1), Becky O'Donohue (45/1) and Mandisa (47/1) in the middle of the pack odds-wise. The remaining semi-finalists have been listed by PinnacleSports.com as 65/1 long shots to be selected as the next American Idol, this includes: Ayla Brown, Bobby Bennett, Brenna Gethers, Bucky Covington, David Radford, Elliott Yamin, Kinnik Sky, Gedeon McKinney, Melissa McGhee and Kevin Covias.

Current Odds: *All Odds Subject to Change* Odds to Win American Idol

Ace Young 7/2

Katharine McPhee 4/1

Paris Bennett 5/1

Chris Daughtry 8/1

Kellie Pickler 8/1

Taylor Hicks 10/1

Lisa Tucker 11/1

Heather Cox 22/1

Will Makar 24/1

Stevie Scott 27/1

Jose 'Sway' Penala 29/1

Patrick Hall 31/1

Becky O'Donohue 45/1

Mandisa 47/1

Ayla Brown 65/1

Bobby Bennett 65/1

Brenna Gethers 65/1

Bucky Covington 65/1

David Radford 65/1

Elliott Yamin 65/1

Kinnik Sky 65/1

Gedeon McKinney 65/1

Melissa McGhee 65/1

Kevin Covias 65/1

For a complete list of odds, please visit http://www.pinnaclesports.com .

About PinnacleSports.com

PinnacleSports.com (http://www.pinnaclesports.com) is the Internet's largest sports betting site, serving customers in more than 80 countries worldwide. Founded in 1998, PinnacleSports.com was the first sportsbook to introduce reduced margin wagering, using a -105 pricing model that gives bettors up to 50% better value on wagers than traditional bookmakers. With low minimum bet requirements and the highest maximum limits on the Web, PinnacleSports.com has earned an industry-leading reputation for providing consistent value to the player, professional customer service and the quickest payouts online. Fully licensed and regulated in Curacao and the United Kingdom, the company offers a secure environment for sports betting, racing and casino gaming.

SOURCE PinnacleSports.com

[SirLinksalot]

These are the INITIAL Odds. They will change as the show progresses. It is very similar to the site -- TRADESPORTS.COM which allows people to bet on the odds for a political candidate or party winning an election. So don't take it seriously fans -- VOTE.

[Echo Talon]

these are the two im rootin for Kellie Pickler (8/1), Taylor Hicks (10/1)

[Mike Darancette]

I like Taylor Hicks (gray headed guy), he is an original.

I had heard that Simon was favoring Becky O'Donohue.

[jocon307]

Thanks for this interesting post. I can't imagine betting 10 grand on Idol, but I would have really cleaned up the year that Ruben Studdard beat Clay Aiken.

[ken5050]

FYI..your take..??

[ken5050]

The Sports book obviously reads the AI thread, and my suggestions to you...I think it was a few weeks ago I asked you to consider expressing your opinion as "odds to win.."

see, another great career opportunity by the wayside...(LOL)

[conservativebabe]

Ace has the look. These odds look pretty close to what the reality is, and probably will be.

I really like Taylor Hicks. I think it's going to be a guy this time around.

I love the underdog, and I am really hoping that Kevin Covais (Pee Wee) hangs around for a while.

[SirLinksalot]

I really like Taylor Hicks. I think it's going to be a guy this time around.

I notice on many forum that Taylor Hicks gets the most comments compared to any male contestants. This shows the LEVEL OF INTEREST in the man.

This indicates that Taylor is currently the most popular MALE finalist in American Idol.

This is confirmed (albeit unscientifically) by two very wide surveys on the internet.

SEE HERE : http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11376917/#survey

and HERE : http://vote4idol.com

Furthermore, YAHOO tells us that up until yestreday, he is the most widely searched TV personality by people who use their search engine ( and still is in the top 20 ).

See here : http://buzz.yahoo.com

Of course this could also mean that he is one of the most mysterious and polarizing figures in American Idol. Those who love the blues will absolutely claim him as their own. Those who love the current style of music will find his "Ray Charles" style a little annoying.

In terms of being divisive, Taylor Hicks is the Constantine of this season. He'll reach the top 12, then maybe go as far as 6 or 5 and then be booted out because of some silly theme nights song he'll be forced to sing that does not conform to his style.

But what the heck ? He did say that all he wants is exposure, since he's been performing for years in the 'soul fires' alley of the South ("AH WANT MAH VOICE HEARD"). He'll get it and increase his national following. If he does that, he'll have achieved his goal.

It's about time American Idol gets the "blues" :)

[conservativebabe]

I agree with you whole-heartedly.

thanks for the links.

[IllumiNaughtyByNature]

I like Taylor Hicks (gray headed guy), he is an original.

I really like this guy also. I listen to him from upstairs when my wife is watching it. I don't think he will win but I am sure that Simon will atleast get him to cut and album or a solo. There are going to be a lot of people who like his voice and want to hear more. IMHO

[kevkrom]

I asked you to consider expressing your opinion as "odds to win.."

I've already done so. The big difference in the lists (other than some shuffling around of the various competitors), is that I was summing up the odds to be as close to 100% as possible. If I ran these numbers, I'd probably get closer to 250-300%, which gives the "house" a very comfortable margin.

[kevkrom]

Color me surprised... the sum of the percetnages on the posted odds is only 156%, not the higher numbers I expected.

[kimchi lover]

Looks like Elliott is beating the odds.
He is MY fave...LOVE HIM!

[sweet_diane]

Well, Taylor has beated the odds so far. I am keeping my fingers crossed for him tonight!

Roll Tide and Go Taylor!!