Introduction
Welcome to the thrilling world of Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest! Taking place annually on the Fourth of July, this event has become a spectacle of amusement amidst a day of national pride, fireworks, and patriotic celebration. Located in the iconic Coney Island, New York, contestants gather to devour an astonishing number of hot dogs, enough to feed a family for weeks. Whether you plan to witness the contest in person or observe from afar, here’s everything you need to know about Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest, which kicks off at 10 a.m. ET on July 4, 2023.
Hot Dog Eating Contest Odds
If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, you can even place bets on the outcome of the 2023 Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest. The best online betting sites offer a range of betting markets for this thrilling event. Let’s take a look at the odds according to DraftKings Sportsbook:
Men’s Outright Winner
- Joey Chestnut: -4000
- Geoffrey Esper: +1000
- Nick Wehry: +2000
- James Webb: +2500
- Any participant not listed: +2500
- Bartley Weaver IV: +5000
- Gideon Oji: +6000
- Adrian Morgan: +6000
- Ren Zoza: +7500
- Darrien Thomas: +10000
Women’s Outright Winner
- Miki Sudo: -4000
- Any participant not listed: +1500
- Michelle Lesco: +2000
Joey Chestnut Total Hot Dogs Eaten
- Over/Under 72.5 (-120/-110)
Joey Chestnut/Miki Sudo Combined Total Hot Dogs Eaten
- Over/Under 114.5 (-135/+105)
Will Joey Chestnut Beat His Personal Best? (Over 76)
- Yes +285
- No -380
Will Miki Sudo Beat Her Personal Best? (Over 48.5)
- Yes +285
- No -380
Please note that these odds are subject to change.
Previous Year’s Odds
In 2022, DraftKings Sportsbook had Joey Chestnut listed as a massive -5000 moneyline odds favorite. While you could bet on the rest of the field at +2000 odds, Chestnut’s odds gave him an incredible 98% implied probability of winning. It’s essential to explore multiple sportsbooks for the best prices, especially for novelty events like the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest.
Apart from betting on the outright winner, you can also wager on the number of hot dogs Joey Chestnut consumes. In 2022, the line was set at 74.5 hotdogs, with -145 odds on the Over and +115 odds on the Under for this prop bet. Although Chestnut fell slightly short in 2022, consuming 63 hotdogs, those who bet on the Under still walked away with a profit. It’s worth noting that the contest was interrupted by a protester, which may have affected Chestnut’s performance.
Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest Rules
The rules of the contest are relatively straightforward. Contestants must consume as many hot dogs as possible within a 10-minute time limit. They must also keep the hot dogs down, as vomiting results in automatic disqualification. Many competitors dip their hot dogs in water to soften the bread, a strategy that has proven successful. However, they are only allowed to soak the hot dogs for a maximum of five seconds.
The contest prioritizes speed over grace, as contestants are not permitted to use utensils during the race. Using utensils would only slow them down. However, there is a specific order in which the hot dogs must be eaten, and contestants cannot move on to a new plate until the previous one is entirely consumed.
Furthermore, the age-old debate of “mustard or ketchup” does not apply in this contest. Condiments cannot be layered on the hot dogs, and contestants cannot use beer or any other alcoholic beverages to wash down their Independence Day feast.
In the event of a tie, contestants engage in an eat-off consisting of five hot dogs. The winner is the one who finishes the five hot dogs in the shortest amount of time. If another tie occurs, one-hot dog sudden-death rounds continue until a clear winner emerges.
Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest Records
The current record for the most hot dogs eaten within the 10-minute window stands at an astonishing 76 hot dogs and buns. This incredible feat was achieved by the insatiable Joey Chestnut in 2021. As the reigning champion, Chestnut has claimed the Mustard Yellow Belt, the symbol of victory, a total of 15 times, establishing himself as the greatest competitive eater in history.
In the women’s division, Miki Sudo holds the record with 48.5 hot dogs and buns consumed in 10 minutes, a record she set in 2020. Sudo has dominated the contest, winning the title eight times since 2014.
The End of Takeru Kobayashi’s Reign
Despite the rise of new champions, Takeru Kobayashi is still remembered as the face of the hot dog eating contest. He set a then-world record of 50 hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes as a rookie in 2001, revolutionizing the world of competitive eating. Kobayashi won six consecutive Fourth of July events before being dethroned by Joey Chestnut.
In 2010, Kobayashi decided not to participate in the Independence Day event due to Nathan’s insistence on him signing an exclusive contract. He protested from the crowd, wearing a t-shirt that read “Free Kobi.” When the crowd chanted his name and cheered him on, he charged past the police barricade and took the stage. Eventually, he was apprehended and handcuffed, creating a dramatic scene that marked the end of Kobayashi’s legacy in the contest.
The Return to Coney Island
After the disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, fans were welcomed back to the contest’s classic Long Island location in 2022. Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest holds significant historical importance as it originated in Coney Island. The first Nathan’s restaurant was opened by Nathan Handwerker in 1916, and the contest has been associated with the island ever since. Although there is a popular myth surrounding the continuous occurrence of the contest, it was eventually revealed to be a marketing strategy rather than a historical fact.
The contest has been held most years since 1972, and in 2022, organizers expressed their delight in welcoming back the traditional crowd of 35,000 spectators, emphasizing the contest’s fundamental role in the American experience.
How to Bet on the Hot Dog Eating Contest
Betting on the hot dog eating contest became available in 2020, and licensed sportsbooks in various states such as Arizona, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Colorado, and Michigan now accept wagers on this peculiar event. However, it’s important to note that betting on the contest is not allowed in New York, where the event takes place, due to state regulations regarding “non-sporting events.”
To participate in betting, you can choose from a range of wager options. Predict the contestant who will walk away with the Mustard Belt, determine the number of hot dogs consumed, or even bet on whether a record-breaking amount of hot dogs and buns will be eaten.
Joey Chestnut has lost only once since 2007, and that was to Matt Stonie in 2015. Stonie, who remained undefeated in eating competitions that year, outperformed Chestnut by consuming 62 hot dogs in 10 minutes. This surprising outcome was widely regarded as an upset. However, Stonie no longer poses a significant challenge to Chestnut in the Hot Dog Eating Contest.
The women’s contest was introduced in 2011, and Miki Sudo has dominated the competition, winning almost every year since 2014.
The Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest has become a favorite holiday sporting event, televised nationally in the United States. You can tune in to ESPN to watch the thrilling contest and even join in the excitement from the comfort of your own home. Just remember, no condiments are allowed, and regurgitation will result in disqualification.
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