There’s something profoundly American about Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest, a spectacle that perfectly combines the nation’s love for competition, spectacle, and fast food. Every Fourth of July, thousands of spectators gather at Coney Island, New York, and millions more tune in from across the globe to witness this unique event.
But what makes this competition so compelling? Let’s dig deeper into what makes the Hot Dog Contest so interesting.
2024 Hot Dog Eating Contest Betting Odds
The first thing that bettors will notice when they look at the betting odds for this year’s Hot Dog Eating Contest is the name that isn’t on the list. That name would be Joey Chestnut, who is not participating in this year’s event. He signed a partnership with Impossible Foods, considered to be a competitor to Nathan’s hot dogs, leading to Major League Eating banning him from the event. Instead, the odds for this year’s competition are as follows.
| Eater | Current Odds |
| Geoffrey Esper | +115 |
| James Webb | +160 |
| Nick Wehry | +300 |
| Bartley Weaver IV | +800 |
| Gideon Oji | +2000 |
| Over/Under For the Winner | 49.5 HDBs |
Obviously, it is terrible that Chestnut is not competing in this event anymore from a sheer entertainment perspective. He was far and away the best hot dog eater in the world and we should see a massive decrease in the number of hot dogs and buns consumed by the winner of this year’s contest. But from a competition standpoint, Chestnut’s absence opens the door for a lot of eaters who did not previously have a chance to potentially win in 2024.
Last year, no eater outside of Chestnut ate 50 or more hot dogs and buns, while Chestnut put down 62. But four eaters took down somewhere between 40-49 hot dogs and buns in losing efforts. Those four eaters are the four favorites to win this year’s contest, as Esper, Webb, Wehry, and Weavery now have a chance to claim a mustard belt that they did not have a chance to win before.
The over/under for the winner of this year’s contest is set at 49.5 hot dogs and buns, a sharp decrease from the high totals we saw during the Chestnut era. The under seems like the best play on the board for this year’s competition, as Wehry has hit 50 just once in his contest career, while none of the other competitors have done so.
Recommended Sportsbooks for Hot Dog Contest Betting
Understanding the Contest’s Origins
The Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest traces its roots back to 1916. Legend has it that four immigrants, eager to prove their patriotism, competed to see who could consume most of Nathan’s famed hot dogs and buns (HDBs). Since then, the event has grown into an internationally recognized spectacle broadcast on national television.
The contest gained significant momentum in the early 2000s, when the charismatic Takeru Kobayashi of Japan dominated the scene, breaking record after record and popularizing the event beyond national borders. Around this time, betting on the event started gaining traction, adding an extra layer of excitement for spectators.
Kobayashi’s rivalry with Joey Chestnut in the 2000s ushered competitive eating into its modern era, for better or worse. Major League Eating, the organization responsible for the annual Hot Dog Eating Contest, pushed Chestnut as its new star at the expense of Kobayashi until Kobayashi sought deals from elsewhere that led to his ousting from MLE and this contest.
Today, Chestnut has gone down a similar path, being booted from the contest for seeking outside opportunities. That will certainly have a negative impact on viewership, even if this contest is a proud American tradition.
Why Betting on Nathan’s Contest is Unique
Unlike traditional sports where physical prowess and strategy play significant roles, Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest is a true wildcard. Participants range from professional competitive eaters to amateurs with a hearty appetite, all competing for the Mustard Belt and the championship title.
Betting on this contest requires understanding the peculiar dynamics of competitive eating. While physical fitness plays a part, mental strength, strategy, and weather can significantly impact a competitor’s performance.
Moreover, the contest introduces a host of unique betting opportunities, from wagering on the outright winner to predicting the number of hot dogs consumed by the winner, and many more. These diverse betting possibilities make it a thrilling event for spectators and bettors alike, offering plenty of opportunities to test one’s betting skills in a unique environment.
Advanced Betting Strategies for Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest
Strategic betting in Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest involves more than simply picking a favorite. It requires careful assessment of each contestant’s performance, analysis of historical data, and understanding of the impact of different variables.
Assessing Contestant Performance
An accurate assessment of a contestant’s performance goes beyond looking at their historic wins. It involves examining their recent eating contests, changes in their physical or mental health, training routines, and even their pre-contest interviews, which can reveal valuable insights about their readiness and strategy.
It’s also important to evaluate their performance in similar contests – not all competitive eaters excel in hot dog contests. Some may perform better with different types of food, making their past performances in other contests less relevant.
Analyzing Historical Data
Historical data is another invaluable resource for bettors. Look at the track record of each competitor in Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest – how many HDBs have they managed to eat in previous years? Is there an upward trend in their performance, or have they plateaued?
Examining past contests can also give you an idea of what to expect. For instance, the number of HDBs eaten has gradually increased, helping you set realistic expectations for the upcoming event.
Understanding the Impact of Variables
Lastly, external variables like weather can significantly impact the competition. Hot and humid conditions can slow down contestants, potentially lowering the total number of HDBs consumed. On the other hand, cooler weather might enable contestants to maintain a steady pace for longer.
Aside from the weather, keep an eye on any rule changes and even factors like the contestant’s state of mind on the day of the event. These can all influence a contestant’s performance and, subsequently, the outcome of your bet.
FAQs
You can bet on a variety of outcomes, including the overall winner, the total number of hot dogs eaten by the winner, and more.
Various online sportsbooks and betting platforms offer betting options for Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest. Always use a reputable platform such as Caesars, DraftKings, or BetMGM to ensure a fair and secure betting experience.
Improving your odds involves careful study of the contestants, and their past performances, understanding the impact of various factors like weather, and staying updated on any rule changes.
