Oscars 2010: The Betting

Depending on how you look at it, betting on the Oscars is not an especially fruitful pursuit. The odds you generally get are hardly worth the flutter, especially if we have a procession of Award season winners floating through.

Because of the fact that nearly all the categories can be predicted without a great deal of ease, it means that you've got to put a few quid on to make any real return. Despite all this, I ultimately like to bet on who I think will win to try and spice up my evenings entertainment and this year thought I would publish who I've gone for and why. I put on £40 worth of bets (and got a free £20 bet courtesy of Paddy Power) and this is where my money lies:

Ms Bullock was obviously the free bet, chosen to try and bring in some cash. I've chosen to back The Hurt Locker for Best Picture and Best Director (and a double for both to happen) - and this is purely as an anti-Avatar bet. Bigelow is highly likely to take away Director although I still have the strong feeling that Avatar will nick the main prize.

Jeff Bridges is another no-brainer and he'll win me next to nothing but its virtually money in the bank so there's not so much risk. That leaves my wildcard bets: if either works then it will bring in some excellent returns, although that is probably unlikely.

Inglourious Basterds would be a fantastic winner for the Academy, purely on the basis that it would be a massive shock and a popular result, given that Tarantino is a hero to many. The reason why I've bet on it is not as much a subversive piece of anarchy, but because a view expressed by many is that the new voting system could benefit Inglourious (prinicipally this view was championed by Harvey Weinstein so it isn't entirely ridiculous). At the relatively long odds of 12-1, it was worth a gamble.

Carey Mulligan is my other special bet. I don't think she'll win, but Best Actress is a seriously poor field this year and if Sandra Bullock can be considered a strong favourite then there must be issues. Mulligan's performance is exceptional and more importantly, she seems to be very popular in Hollywood so it's a good outside bet.

Anyway, the dead cert bets should result in me making a small profit guaranteed. Lets all hope Inglourious makes me some real money...