David Cook Tops American Idol Odds at SBG Global
American Idol Odds fans chose David Cook was the most popular American Idol betting choice with viewers even though the judges preferred runner-up David Archuleta. More than 97 million votes were cast on the finale, breaking the all-time record.
American Idol Odds had Archuleta as the heavy favorite throughout the season. Most American Idol betting experts had pegged Archuleta as the near certain winner but viewers ultimately decide the outcome of American Idol and they chose Cook. The finale saw Cook and Archuleta sing different songs as Cook chose a song he had not done before while Archuleta went with his song “Imagine” that did well in the round of 24. The judges virtually gave the title to Archuleta in the finale but the viewers didn’t agree and Cook was the American Idol Odds winner. The final margin wasn’t even close as Cook won by more than 12 million votes. It is not always the favorite that wins in American Idol Odds. Cook was definitely a longshot to even be in the competition. He went to the American Idol auditions to support his brother and only tried out at the last moment.
American Idol Odds had Archuleta favored nearly all season although when the contestants were narrowed to the final six it was clear that Archuleta and Cook were the only two singers attracting any American Idol betting interest. Both Cook and Archuleta were about even money in American Idol Odds when it got to the final six contestants with the other four at odds of 15-1 or more. When it got down to the finale between Cook and Archuleta the American Idol Odds did switch to Cook being the favorite. That was the first time all season that Archuleta had ever been an underdog in American Idol Odds.
The 2008 season of American Idol was another example of the favorite not winning in American Idol betting. It was not the first time that has happened either. American Idol Odds in the first season had Tamyra Gray the American Idol Odds favorite but she lost to longshot Kelly Clarkson. Jordin Sparks was a longshot in 2007 American Idol Odds, yet she won. David Cook is just the latest American Idol betting winner to buck the odds.
