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The first betting odds for American Idol Season 7 have emerged ironically - not from a gambling website that caters to the American public - but rather the Irish bookmaker, Paddy Power. The betting option ranks among its top 15 novelty bets. Most of the US-facing bookmakers have shied away from posting odds on American Idol the first week following qualifications for the top 24 contestants. Some - like Bodog - have advised that they will not be putting up odds on either the winner or elimination betting until the final 12 contestants are left standing. Bodog currently offers various betting props on the show including who will be the first guest mentor. Last year's runner up, Blake Lewis, had been listed as the favorite. Paddy Power has made young David Archuleta the early 6 to 1 favorite to win this year's American Idol competition. That bet would pay out €6 for every €1 bet ($6 for every $1 bet). Newsday predicts: "The 16-year-old “Star Search” winner will woo the tween vote with his non-threatening good looks and the Grandma vote with tales of his one-time vocal paralysis. He has more game than John Stevens. How’s that for damning with faint praise?" But Archuleta is not the outright favorite to win among the men according to the Newsday American Idol bloggers. That honor goes to Australian Michael Johns who was flagged by Gambling911.com as a big favorite to win as well prior to the top 24 selection process. "The 29-year-old from Los Angeles had a deal with Maverick Records with the band Film, making him almost a ringer, though the album never came out. The way he blew the doors of “Bohemian Rhapsody,” though, is probably a sign his next album will do just fine." At 8-1 odds, much of the world can get a bet down on Johns (including his native Australia) at Paddy Power, whereas US gamblers cannot. Among the ladies, Paddy lists Alaina Whitaker as the favorite at 8-1 odds. That's somewhat of a surprise considering Whitaker was only provided a five second flash of being pushed through into the final 24. In regard to Whitaker, Newsday writes: "Simon told her that she wasn’t as good as she thought she was. That’s kind of an understatement." This assignment of odds does seem to illustrate the European gambling site's disadvantage when it comes to understanding American Idol betting. For example, Chikezie Eze (a male) had was listed among the top 8 Idols in terms of odds (10-1) while he too was only provided with a fleeting glimpse during the top 24 selection process. Brooke White, David Hernandez, Kristy Lee Cook and Kady Malloy each were listed with 10 to 1 odds. The biggest underdogs included Amy Davis, Garett Haley, Alexandrea Lushington, Jason Yeager and Colton Berry. Berry would pay out €25 for every €1 bet if he were to win. Interestingly enough, Ireland's own Carly Smithson is ranked among the middle of the pack at 12-1 odds despite the notion that her fellow country folk might bet heavily on the rocker, who has already had an album out.
---- Christopher Costigan, Gambling911.com Publisher CCostigan@CostiganMedia.com Originally published February 18, 2008 11:19 am EST
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American
Idol: Top 24 Betting
Odds Released
Overseas With David
Archuleta Favored