Is backing Joey Chestnut the best bet for Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest in 2023? I’ve explored the latest gambling markets for the popular competition, and a few options caught my attention.
I share my predictions and recommended betting picks for the 2023 edition to help our readers who will be betting on Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest.
Joey Chestnut to Win the Men’s Event in 2023
- Joey Chestnut; -2500
- Geoffrey Esper; +750
- Nick Wehry; +1000
- James Webb; +1400
- Darron Breedon; +1400
Joey Chestnut is a massive favorite to win the men’s contest, which doesn’t come as a surprise. All the best betting sites have him claiming the event with ease. Chestnut has won the contest 15 times in the past 16 years!
The real question every year is whether Chestnut can outdo himself. Even when he has an off day, Chestnut still finishes well ahead of the competition. Many consider him to be the Tom Brady or Michael Jordan of competitive eating.
Last year, Chestnut blew away the competition despite multiple factors working against him. He was in crutches due to a ruptured tendon in his right leg. He also fended off a protester who attempted to disrupt the event!
Not seen on TV was Joey Chestnut putting a protestor in a chokehold while scarfing another hotdog en route to victory pic.twitter.com/nZRZ1AR7jm
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) July 4, 2022
Let’s face it – it’ll take a miracle for anyone else to dethrone Chestnut. If the guy can dominate injured, he surely will crush the competition now that he’s healthy.
The only true challenger who could make things interesting in this event is Geoffrey Esper. He finished runner-up in 2022, devouring 47 hot dogs. He ranks second behind Chestnut in the Major League Eating World Rankings.
Nick Wehry is another talented eater to consider targeting with one of your Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest 2023 best bets. He likely won’t win this one, but he once defeated Chestnut in the Pistachio Eating Championship.
The price that you’re getting to bet on Chestnut isn’t great. You have to spend a lot of money to make a meager profit. However, the champ simply doesn’t lose in this contest, and betting against him would be foolish.
Any Other Winner for Nathan’s Women’s Hot Eating Contest 2023
- Miki Sudo; -5000
- Michelle Lesco; +900
- Any Other; +750
Did you think the odds were lopsided in the men’s contest? Well, Miki Sudo is a heavier favorite than Chestnut in the women’s division!
The last timeSudo didn’t win was in 2021, when she missed the contest due to her pregnancy. Her absence ended a seven-year reign, with Michelle Lesco winning with 30.75 hot dogs eaten that year. However, Sudo was back in the fold in 2022, winning by a margin of 16 hot dogs!
🌭 SEVEN STRAIGHT TITLES 🌭
Miki Sudo dominated the field, setting a women's record by eating 48.5 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes 🤯 pic.twitter.com/dDdAnTJyla
— ESPN (@espn) July 4, 2020
Sudo is essentially the female Joy Chestnut. She’s got eight victories at the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest in her career. That’s the most of any female competitor in history, and Sudo isn’t showing any signs of slowing down.
The problem here are the short odds. I can’t back the champ at -5000 because a bad day at the office could be enough for someone else to snatch the title. I prefer a small wager on “Any Other” because of the excellent price.
- My Betting Pick: Any Other; +750
Miki Sudo to Beat Nick Wehry
- Nick Wehry; -190
- Miki Sudo; +140
This is perhaps one of my favorite prop bets for the competition. Nick Wehry vs. Miki Sudo – two elite-level eaters who’re also married to each other! Even ESPN wrote a piece about Wehry and Sudo being a power couple in the world of competitive eating.
The latest Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest 2023 betting odds favor Wehry over his wife. The winner is the person who eats the most hot dogs in a head-to-head tally. This race could be closer than the outcomes of the men’s and women’s competitions when you compare the eaters.
Wehry’s best finish was in 2021, with 44 hot dogs, and in 2020, Sudo finished with 48.5. Wehry has eaten 40 or more hot digs twice, and Sudo has eclipsed that number on three different occasions.
I’m not sure why the odds forSudo to wina matchhead-to-head against her husband are so high. She has a much better track record, and backing her is the best bet for Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest 2023.
- My Betting Pick: Miki Sudo; +140
Nick Wehry to Win (Without Joey Chestnut)
- Geoffrey Esper; -240
- Nick Wehry; +250
- James Webb; +800
- Darron Breedon; +600
- Gideon Oji; +1500
I also want to talk about the winner’s market without Chestnut. Esper is the favorite to finish ahead of everyone else. However, Wehry doesn’t trail him by much, and the final result could be closer than expected.
Esper, even though he’s not on the same level as Chestnut, can eat a lot of hot dogs. His personal best at the contest was in 2021, when he devoured 50. Esper also holds world records in several other eating challenges.
However, Wehry should give Esper a run for his money in the contest. He and his wife look stronger every year, so another step or two could be enough to surpass Esper in 2023.
Ultimately, Wehry is a worthy challenger, and I’m picking him to finish ahead of everyone (except Chestnut). I also think the friendly competition between him and his wife will get those competitive juices flowing.
- My Betting Pick: Nick Wehry; +250