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For almost two decades now American Idol has been a steamroller in the American television industry. Unless someone is living under a rock, chances are they are aware of the existence of the show. Some of the most outstanding musicians belong to the American Idol family. The show creator Simon Fuller took inspiration from the British show Pop Idol, perhaps unaware how big of an entertainment giant it would become in Hollywood. With the popularity of the show as it is, the star judges also add to the massive viewership the show has. A large number of these viewers are also in it to win it, by including some leisure betting to the show. Many more wish to learn how to bet on American Idol so they can have the best of both worlds.
Hence, here we are to explain everything regarding one of the biggest singing competitions in the world. This may not be an unfair title since the viewership of 8.74 million in 2019. Considering these statistics, the online sportsbook sites are offering bets on American idols. Using this online betting guide for beginners, you can bet on these sites to test your luck in entertainment betting.
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How American Idol work?
The show is almost two decades old with the first season airing in 2002. The first broadcasting company to get hold of a contract with American Idol was Fox. The company hosted 15 seasons after handing over the show to ABC which is now the official broadcast partner. The show comprises a group of judges which has been varying over the past years. The current judges for the show are famous names including Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan. The show has always been consistent with the host being Ryan Seacrest.
The auditions of the show are carried out throughout the country. The producers hold auditions in several locations all over America. The judges are also part of some of the auditions and give the good news to the performers with the famous line “you’re going to Hollywood”. When the number of participants ranges from 10-60, the rounds progress in Hollywood in the presence of the judges. The auditions with the judges are the only ones to air on the show.
In Hollywood, at the set of American Idol, the elimination rounds take place. The show, as extravagant as it is, includes exciting rounds, with the participants performing to themes and in groups. Of course, the show is not only a singing competition but also an entertainment where some drama also takes place. These tactics by the producers embrace the true nature of any television show; American Idol is no exception.
The elimination of each round depends on the judges solely until the show advances to the semi-finals. During the semi-finals, the audience gets to vote for their favorites via multiple voting platforms. This is where American Idol betting comes into play. Let’s get you prepared for how to bet on American Idol with the strategies and betting options.
American Idol odd and betting types
Entertainment betting is evolving more and more day by day and is including several television shows in its charts. However, the betting options devised from American Idol are still limited. Mainly due to the reason that entertainment betting mostly relies on different categories which are not one of the plus points in the show. However, the creativity of bookmakers makes up for the loss.
Similar to most entertainment betting, the odds have a fairly elementary approach to them. They come in a format that is familiar with most bettors. Let’s take a look at the most common odds used to represent bets:
Moneyline bets
Just like betting on Oscars, or Emmys, the representation of odds is via Moneyline format. Moneyline more commonly associates with the American format which depicts the odds of favorites and underdogs with the aid of + and – signs to show the likelihood of winning. These Moneyline bets are usually for the winners of the show. The betting types associated with the Moneyline odds are:
Winner of the season
This is the straight bet which essentially determines the name of the winner, unlike the gender bet. The bets are in the Moneyline format, with the favorites of the audience ranking high on online sportsbook sites. The number of contestants listed can vary depending on which interval the show is at. If the show is in the early rounds the list can be a lengthy one with sportsbooks offering odds on all of them. These odds can have a wide range with some performers with odds as high as +800. Though as the eliminations take place odds can have a scarce difference in between as the numbers grow tighter.
Gender of the winner
This is one of the most popular bets when it comes to American Idol betting. As the name suggests, the bettors can determine which gender will the winner belongs to. The bet can be pretty straightforward if both the finalists belong to the same gender. On the contrary, if the participants are from different sexes, then the odds determine which one is the favorite to win. This is the best we urge everyone to wager on. The odds are pretty conclusive in such cases which are mostly based on the vote average of each finalist.
Song of the final performance
As a part of the guessing game, sometimes online sportsbooks offer Moneyline odds on the audience guessing the song of the final performance. The betting options for this stake also include the gender of the singer. It can either be a female musician or a male. Plus the third option includes an original by the finalist themself. Performers singing an original is not unheard of and is fairly common. In some seasons, the requirement in some rounds was to perform an original song. Due to this rule, many musicians would come prepared with an original track.
Prop bets
These bets are a major part of entertainment betting. Considering the show is dramatized to a certain extent, it is necessary to include prop bets to play off the theatrics. The prop bets are mostly about situations that might or might not occur. For instance, a prop bet available for season 18 lets people vote on ‘which judge will be the first to get fired’. But they do not have to be so intense, in some cases prop bets include which star will appear as a guest judge on the show. It varies from sportsbook to sportsbook on what sort of prop bets appear on their sites. Primarily, these prop bets revolve around the social media buzz the show generates. It is always independent of other social outcomes.
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How to bet on American Idol?
For those placing their bets the first time, here is the online betting guide for beginners to help you through this. There are several things to keep in mind. The first step is to maximize your betting options. There are several sites that include American Idol bets. It is always suggested to keep several options to determine which site is offering the best odds. This can only be achieved with a bit of research which does not take much time.
If you do not have an account, create one on the chosen online sportsbook site with all the necessary information. Sometimes the sites offer extra credit on a deposit and you can utilize this in your future wagers. The deposit bonus can range from $250 to $500, depending on how much each site is offering.
These are the steps you need to complete in order to place your wager. After this, you can head over to the entertainment section of the website where the odds for American Idol are available. The steps are simple enough for even a layman to follow, so do not be intimidated by the interface of some of the online sportsbook sites.
Strategies and Tips
Similar to all online betting guide for beginners, the strategies to wagering on entertainment always include bankroll management. This is one of the most important things to bear in mind because the sentiments of a bettor may betray them later by overindulging at the moment. To secure your money, always put aside a specific amount of money for each category. This way you do not end up losing a ton of money in case of a losing bet. Also, allocating money to bets with a higher likelihood of winning is a prime strategy.
In most circumstances, the odds of winning a certain category are true. Looking at the viewer reception to participants can give you an edge over who has more chances of taking the prize home. Therefore, researching the votes for the participants in previous rounds is another way to encompass who will lead on the sportsbooks.
Another thing to keep in mind is that the betting closes a short time before the final starts. This is to allow a fair trade of votes and bets. This is why checking the timestamps on each bet will alert you of the deadline. Hence, place your wager before this time. It may seem like a good idea waiting till the end to see who has the most probability of winning but just make sure not to be too late to the party.
Keep up with the trends
One of the most important strategies to learn is to see the trends specific to American Idol. Each tv or award show sets certain precedents which if you research may appear in the form of facts and trivia. These trends are usually related to the eventual winner of the show. It varies from their gender to their singing style, to their choice of song. For instance, the winners in American Idol have a higher ratio of males than females. Out of the 16 winners, 11 of them are male singers. This sets a certain expectation for men to succeed in the final.
In some cases the instrument the musicians play and their ethnicity also sets a trend. For instance, the statistics show that 10 out of 11 males are white who plays the guitar. While the American Idol has an age limit from 15 to 28, it appears that most people who reach the finals belong to the adult group. Teenagers are most likely to not end up in the finals with the youngest American Idol winner being Jordin Sparks who won at the age of 17.
Another thing to consider when betting on the ‘song of final performance’ bet is the genre which most participants incline towards. In most cases, contestants chose songs that depict their vocal skills thoroughly in front of the judges. There is a genre which many suggest is very common, it is R&B.
Similarly, the region from where the contestants belong also has been the most common way of predicting a winner. South America seems to be leading in winners at the American Idol with 11 winners.
Get set go
Using this comprehensive guide you can now safely bet on the top-ranking singing competition. By keeping these things in mind you will be well prepared to assess the ongoing mechanics of the entire show and how it relates to the betting side. So the next time an American Idol finale is coming up, you know how to handle an entertainment bet.
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