A Guide to Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest 2023

When it comes to winning hot dog eating contests, few can match the staying power of Joey Chestnut, who has won Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest a staggering 14 times. If you’re a betting man, you can now wager on the winner. However, as Joey appears to be the favorite again for 2023, it may not be worth your time.

Betting On The 2023 Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest

Once again, Joey Chestnut has reigned supreme. On July 4, 2022, the world’s elite competitive eaters gathered at Coney Island for the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest, vying for the coveted Mustard Belt and a slice of the $40,000 prize pool. In a remarkable display, Chestnut devoured 63 hot dogs, shattering his own world record. In the women’s division, Miki Sudo replicated this feat by consuming 40 hot dogs and buns, securing her victory. In 2022, the excitement extended to bettors in New Jersey, New Hampshire, and users of a Bovada Sportsbook betting app, as legal betting on this annual hot dog eating contest tradition received the green light, with odds offered by sportsbooks.

According to online gambling news in the US, until 2022, no legal sportsbooks in either Canadian or U.S. jurisdictions had ventured into offering betting markets or free-to-play pools for this hot dog eating contest. However, this landscape has since evolved. What insights can be gleaned from the previous year’s contest to inform betting strategies for this year? Are the favourites always guaranteed to win, or should one consider wagering on the underdogs? Here’s your Gamingzion.com guide to betting on the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest. It truly is one of the world’s strangest betting competitions.

Why Betting On Joey Chestnut May Not Be Wise

Joey Chestnut’s domination of this hot dog eating contest is astonishing, having claimed victory an astounding 14 times. His 2022 triumph was no exception. Year after year, he stands as the overwhelming favourite to win, with little indication that he won’t continue this trend. In 2021, DraftKings offered odds of -1000 for Chestnut’s victory before the hot dog eating contest commenced, while the odds for any other competitor to win were +550. Let’s say you decide to bet on Chestnut anyway, wagering $100 on his success.

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If he does emerge victorious, you would only profit $10 with those odds. While an extra $10 is always welcome, it hardly amounts to a substantial return on your investment. But this is always the same story when it comes to betting on favourites. Simply put, there’s no value. 

Should You Bet Against Miki Sudo?

On the women’s side, bettors faced a similar dilemma when six-time champion Miki Sudo opted not to participate in 2021. At DraftKings, odds of -835 were offered for Sarah Lesco winning, while the odds for any other competitor triumphing were +500. While Sudo’s victory is the most probable outcome, the potential return is not particularly enticing.

Placing a $100 winning bet on Sudo would yield a mere $12. However, if you invest $20 in the field and an underdog pulls off an upset, your hot dog eating contest winnings would amount to $100. The specific contestant who secures the victory doesn’t matter as long as someone outside of the favoured individual achieves it, allowing you to cash a ticket at odds of +500.

When examining Chestnut’s new record of 75 hot dogs, it represents a staggering increase of over 420% compared to the 1972 winning total. Eating contests have become a significant industry, with more than 3,000 contests held globally each year, including qualifying events to determine who qualifies for the prestigious Nathan’s contest.

Can Analytics Inform Betting On The Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest?

In the early days when the hot dog eating contest was more of a sideshow, the answer would have been a resounding “No.” However, as the event’s popularity has surged, and the level of competition has risen in tandem, we can now respond with a cautious “Maybe.” Ever since Takeru Kobayashi’s remarkable performance in 2001, when he doubled the previous year’s winning total, the contest has become increasingly competitive. Men’s winning totals have consistently exceeded 60 for over a decade.

The women’s contest made its debut in 2011, and winning totals have generally fallen within a narrow range of 31 to 41. When it comes to the tally of consumed hot dogs, we now have some data to work with, suggesting that analytics could play a modest role. However, when it comes to predicting the winners, it remains uncertain. Joey Chestnut and Miki Sudo are in the midst of dominant streaks, and the prevailing trends show no signs of waning. Yet, the possibility of an upset always looms.

Can The Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest Be Manipulated?

While anything is theoretically possible, it’s challenging to see how the competitors could manipulate the hot dog eating contest or why they would want to do so, given the substantial prize money and prestige at stake. The event is closely monitored by a designated scorekeeper, who keeps a vigilant eye on proceedings.

Penalty cards can be issued for infractions like regurgitation or messy eating. Furthermore, the defending champions, Joey Chestnut and Miki Sudo, have been on impressive winning streaks, seemingly without the need for any undue advantage. This year, they are the overwhelming favourites in the men’s and women’s competitions. Keep in mind that it was only in 2022 that legal betting on the event was allowed in New Jersey, New Hampshire, and Colorado.

Why Has Betting Not Been Permitted In The Past?

The reasons for the absence of betting on the event in the past are two-fold. Firstly, the legal sports betting landscape is intricate, with individual states having varying attitudes and regulations. Since sports betting is a relatively recent development in many states, the boundaries of what can be bet on have not been fully explored, resulting in limited options for wagering on entertainment events.

Today, a noteworthy recommendation is to consider wagering on the hot dog eating contest with Bovada Sportsbook, which provides favourable odds and is considered one of the top online sportsbooks in the US.

Long-Term Consequences Of Competitive Hot Dog Eating Contest?

As per reports from online sportsbook news in the United States, engaging in contests of this nature comes with inherent risks, some of which are associated with enduring health complications. One such concern is the development of a condition known as gastroparesis, a disorder characterised by the weakening of stomach muscles.

In the event that a competitive eater were to suffer from this condition, their body’s ability to naturally propel food through the digestive tract would be compromised. The substantial quantities of food consumed—both during the competition and in its preparation—potentially expose participants to severe episodes of vomiting. One well-known competitive eater has claimed to have vomited over 10,000 times in their career. Over time, this recurring stress on the stomach, oesophagus, throat, and teeth can lead to various internal damage.

Stomach-Turning Quantities In Hot Dog Eating Contest 

For a more comprehensive understanding of what participants subject themselves to, we can examine the nutritional statistics related to their consumption during these events. Let’s compare the nutritional differences between eating a single hot dog and devouring an enormous quantity of 70 hot dogs:

• Calories – Single: 280
• Calories – 70: 19,260
• Fat – Single: 17.5 grams
• Fat – 70: 1,225 grams
• Sodium – Single: 875 milligrams
• Sodium – 70: 61,250 milligrams

To put these numbers in perspective, consider that an average adult following a healthy diet typically consumes up to 2,000 calories per day. On the sodium front, an individual who exceeds 2,300 milligrams of sodium per day is surpassing recommended levels, which can lead to severe health issues over time. For those competing at this level of hot dog eating contest, such considerations are likely to weigh heavily on their minds.

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