Betting On Bodybuilding Competitions?

dlatenight

Jul 20, 2024 - permalink

I looked this up and seems like it's a thing? Has anyone ever tried it? I don't see it as a money making proposition, but if they cover the Rising Phoenix or Ms. Olympia I'd be curious to check out the odds they give the competitors.

https://medium.com/@noahsmith_sportwriter/how...

Gatsby28

Jul 23, 2024 - permalink

I am pretty sure that the only way you would be able to bet on bodybuilding would be through semi-shady offshore betting sites (like the ones the Medium article mentioned.) I can't see notable, stringently licensed sportsbooks offering this for a few reasons:

The sport relies solely on judging by pretty much subjective standards depending on the judges. While yes, there are key factors that judges look for like symmetry, conditioning and size (depending on the division,) there is no set rubric. And while there are sports out there that you can bet on that have judging in place (like boxing and MMA,) those sports can still have a definite finish (think submission, KO, stoppage) and if it goes to the judges there are still stats they can base their decisions on like punches landed, power punches, takedowns, etc.
Politicization. With the expose that the WaPo did on the Manions and the IFBB, it's not surprising that there is a lot of politization behind the scenes amongst organizers and judges. And while you can argue that there are always shady politics in every sport, in bodybuilding the judges' word is practically the word of God. If they like a certain competitor, there is no rubric or sets of standards they are forced to go by if they want to give a great score.
There are too many dominant competitors who are pretty much guaranteed winners. I can imagine bodybuilders and Andrea Shaw and Chris Bumstead having opening odds of like -800. And if offshore betting sites do allow betting on marquee competitions, I can imagine the betting limits will be quite low.
There is no demand for it. It's not a "spectator friendly" sport. Think about American Football or baseball. Not everyone in their audience has played the sport, and yet it still provides an enjoyable and watchable experience. Meanwhile, ask yourself this: who actually goes to bodybuilding competitions? From my experience, the vast majority of the crowd are either other bodybuilders or fitness enthusiasts, family members of competitors, or, well, schmoes.

So in conclusion, the only way you'll be able to bet on bodybuilding is through shady off-shore sites. And even with that, you're going to be looking at very low betting limits.

I am pretty sure that the only way you would be able to bet on bodybuilding would be through semi-shady offshore betting sites (like the ones the Medium article mentioned.) I can't see notable, stringently licensed sportsbooks offering this for a few reasons:

* The sport relies solely on judging by pretty much subjective standards depending on the judges. While yes, there are key factors that judges look for like symmetry, conditioning and size (depending on the division,) there is no set rubric. And while there are sports out there that you can bet on that have judging in place (like boxing and MMA,) those sports can still have a definite finish (think submission, KO, stoppage) and if it goes to the judges there are still stats they can base their decisions on like punches landed, power punches, takedowns, etc.

* Politicization. With the expose that the WaPo did on the Manions and the IFBB, it's not surprising that there is a lot of politization behind the scenes amongst organizers and judges. And while you can argue that there are always shady politics in every sport, in bodybuilding the judges' word is practically the word of God. If they like a certain competitor, there is no rubric or sets of standards they are forced to go by if they want to give a great score.

* There are too many dominant competitors who are pretty much guaranteed winners. I can imagine bodybuilders and Andrea Shaw and Chris Bumstead having opening odds of like -800. And if offshore betting sites do allow betting on marquee competitions, I can imagine the betting limits will be quite low.

* There is no demand for it. It's not a "spectator friendly" sport. Think about American Football or baseball. Not everyone in their audience has played the sport, and yet it still provides an enjoyable and watchable experience. Meanwhile, ask yourself this: who actually goes to bodybuilding competitions? From my experience, the vast majority of the crowd are either other bodybuilders or fitness enthusiasts, family members of competitors, or, well, schmoes.

So in conclusion, the only way you'll be able to bet on bodybuilding is through shady off-shore sites. And even with that, you're going to be looking at very low betting limits.

bulldog1963

Jul 23, 2024 - permalink

Any result is subjective. Remember the years the judges were into muscle monsters, then it was more of a fit streamlined look with some muscle? The winds blow differently, sometimes show to show, or even for individuals. Usually you only see betting allowed, in legit sportsbooks, of those contests that have an objective victor. Sure you can bet on which team scores first, or how fast or who picks up a fumble first. But they all have a concrete objective met. Do they have Ms. USA winner betting? Not really. Sounds like a way for fools to part with their inherited money.

dlatenight

Jul 24, 2024 - permalink

Do they have Ms. USA winner betting? Not really.

You sure about that? https://www.thesportsgeek.com/blog/miss-ameri...

chilleus

Jul 24, 2024 - permalink

Interesting topic and I would take the risk in the blink of an eye.

Trouble is that there are obstacles by the nature of the sport that just make it unattractive for betting:

The outcome is often predictable: just looking at the pictures of the athletes a day ahead of competition gives it away. Dont get me wrong, I have learned over the years that things can happen during dehydration and rehydration, posing is very challenging and sometimes perfomers crack down on stage. Taking this into consideration there is still a small margin for the competition
There is not much room for in-game betting. The one who stands in the middle of the first call-out will be top three for sure, most likely win
Politics and influence of the judges have been mentioned already, although WWE is on the list of most bookies - and those results are set and still people are betting on it

The only thing how this can make sense is when the bookie either accepts offers until a set date before the contest (1 month for example), or when posting pictures is probhibited. The most interesting things usually happen a week or two away from competition. It would force people to do their homework, calculate odds and take a risk. However, this would take away the excitement during competition day - as soon as they line up the air is out. It would be less of a sports betting but more like buying shares on the exchange in the hope that they will rise in the future.

Scoobyst

Jul 30, 2024 - edited Aug 05, 2024 - permalink

Betting on bodybuilding competitions is an exciting idea! It adds a whole new layer of excitement. Watching those athletes showcase their hard work and dedication is inspiring, and being able to bet on the outcome makes it even more engaging. Like any form of betting, though, knowing it's the competitors and their past performances is essential. Researching the athletes can help you make informed decisions. Websites like https://themulligans.org can offer valuable insights into training styles and competition history. It's a unique way to combine your interest in sports with a little thrill. Just remember to bet responsibly, as diving in deeper than planned can get tempting.

fbbsare2hot

Jul 30, 2024 - permalink

Betting on bodybuilding competitions is an exciting idea! It adds a whole new layer of excitement. Watching those athletes showcase their hard work and dedication is inspiring, and being able to bet on the outcome makes it even more engaging.

This is the most AI reply I've ever heard