We all know bookies can´t afford to get it wrong.
Why is it that Ben has more favourable odds to Keith, when Ben has been in the bottom two several times and Keith has never been there - when its the same public that decide on the winner?
Is it because people have placed more bets on Ben to win? If so, does this mean there is likely to be a turn in the voting trend as it gets nearer crunch time and peoples money depend on it?

I dont understand bookies odds at ALL But im guessing Lee is the favourite?

Yes, Lee is the favourite (which is understandable)
I just wondered how Ben gets to be second favourite, with him having been in the bottom two so many times (including last week). Its certainly not got anything to do with popularity so far, so I´m presuming he has had more bets placed on him - which is why I´m wondering if the voting trend will change .....people might prefer winning some money as opposed to picking the best on the night

I think ALW favors Ben over Keith but has not had the chance to send Keith home (and maybe he never will), possibly thats why bookies see Ben also as a winner.

It might have something to do with the fact that ALW has saved him, even when he has had a bad week. The assumption being that Ben would again be saved by ALW or given the easier ride to get him through to the final. I actually think the only reason Lee is still there is because Andrew hasn't had the opportunity to get rid of him. He wanted a pop Joseph, and subsequently got rid of the better singer/actors on the way along. I think he was hoping that Ben/Lewis would improve sufficiently through the weeks for them to be ready for the West End. He surely must be doubting his thinking now, and Lee is his safety blanket. I think if he gets the improvement he needs over the next week or so, he'll go back to his original pop choice.

If they're doing it the same way they do with horses, which I expect they would, then yes: Ben would be ahead of Ken because more bets have been placed in his favour.


Probably but not necessarily: many people who vote on the actual show wouldn't be placing bets with the bookies so the bookies' odds may not represent the viewers / voters

I've managed to miss Ken in the competition

best odds available for each joseph


Lee Mead 1/4
Keith Jack 6/1
Ben Ellis 15/2
Lewis Bradley 16/1

Thanks for that Merry (I´m obviousy not keeping up to date)
Did these odds change after Saturday night?

Ok Merry - can you explain how these odds work? BEcause all i see is numbers and it makes no sense

Is there anywhere you can see a betting history for each contestant to get an idea of how they have changed throughout the series?

http://odds.bestbetting.com/specials...will-do/winner

Have a look here (press refresh if it doesn't work first time) You can add or delete any contestant and it'll show you on the graph their odds history. Bens have improved dramatically i have to say but Lees have been consistant good.

Odds of 6/1 means that for every pound you bet on that eventuality you will get £6 back if it happens.

So if I put 10 quid on Keith winning, and he does, then I'll get £60 back.

Thanks bobbla

Ok I get that then. But i dont get Lees odds? Im very thick

You have to put £4.00 on Lee to win your stake money plus £1.00 back.

When you get your winnings, you also get your original bet back. So if I put £4 on Lee (and he wins), I win £1, and get my £4 back as well.
Same with the Keith example, I'd get my £60 winnings, and also my original £10 stake.

Edit: ArtyAttack beat me...

Well if you are trying to make money it isn't a good bet because for every 4 pound spent you would only make apound.

Unless you put a bet on weeks ago when he was 10/1 then you would get the £10.00 for every £1.00 spent

By the way the betting odds are not set by the amount of punters voting but set daily by traders. This is not randon but a highly scientific subject. I once worked in the betting industry (not in a betting shop though ) and it is quite fascinating

the bookies have got it wrong in the past - i'm a celeb for example

Oh i SEE, thank you for explaining to me and for being patient

Didnt the bookies have Gareth Gates down as favourite to win Pop Idol? They get it wrong sometimes.

yep, gareth was the fav.

They've also got it horrendously wrong on BB on occasion, so they're certainly not infallible.

Plus your original stake money.