Betting On Strictly Come Dancing (2024)

How To Bet on Strictly Come Dancing

For those new to betting on Strictly Come Dancing, the process might seem a bit unclear at first. Although it’s similar to sports betting, not everyone has prior experience with this type of wagering.

Getting Started with Betting on Strictly Come Dancing

The first step is selecting a betting site. While many UK online bookmakers offer odds for Strictly Come Dancing, some stand out by providing better value and a wider variety of markets. Picking the right platform is key.

Registering with a betting site may feel intimidating at first, but most platforms make it simple. After choosing a preferred site, users typically need to complete a short registration form, which should only take a few minutes. Common details required include name, email address, and date of birth. Users will also create a unique username and password—important for future logins—and agree to the site's terms and conditions.

In some cases, account verification may be necessary. This step often involves clicking an email link or providing identification, such as a passport or driver’s license. These KYC (know-your-customer) checks are standard to ensure secure and responsible gambling practices.

Depositing Funds

Once the account is set up, the next step is making a deposit. Most betting sites accept a range of payment methods, including Visa and MasterCard debit cards and e-wallets like Skrill, PayPal, and Neteller. It’s important to note that deposits made with e-wallets may not qualify for welcome bonuses or free bets, so it's advisable to check the site’s terms.

Some platforms even offer additional payment options, such as Apple Pay or cryptocurrency, giving users plenty of flexibility when funding their accounts.

Exploring Strictly Come Dancing Markets

With the account ready and funded, users can explore the available betting markets for Strictly Come Dancing. Common options include betting on the overall winner or predicting which celebrity will be eliminated next via public voting.

To place a bet, users can simply tap or click their chosen selection to add it to the betslip. From there, they’ll enter their stake—the amount they want to wager. Larger stakes mean higher potential winnings but also come with greater risks.

The bet can be confirmed once satisfied with the selection and stake amount. It will then appear in the user’s account alongside any other active wagers.

What’s Next?

Now that the basics of betting on Strictly Come Dancing are covered let’s explore which betting sites offer the best experience for fans of the show.

Tips and Strategies When Betting on Strictly

If you're new to wagering on TV shows like Strictly Come Dancing, following some key strategies can improve your chances of finding successful bets.

Analyze Past Winners

Reviewing the list of previous Strictly champions can help uncover trends. In the early years, sports stars like cricketers Darren Gough and Mark Ramprakash dominated, winning back-to-back seasons. However, it’s been a long time since an athlete has taken home the Glitterball trophy, indicating a shift in public preferences.

Popularity Matters More Than Skill

A crucial factor to consider is that the best dancer doesn’t always win. With the public vote playing a major role, Strictly is as much a popularity contest as it is a dance competition. For instance, comedian Bill Bailey’s surprise win in 2020 showcased how likeability can outweigh technical ability.

Unique Stories Resonate with Viewers

Contestants with compelling personal stories often capture the audience's hearts. Rose Ayling-Ellis, the 2021 winner, became the first deaf contestant on the show, earning widespread admiration and votes.

Timing Can Influence Votes

When betting on the next elimination, consider the order of performances. Like in the Eurovision Song Contest, contestants performing later in the evening often fare better in the public vote than those who go on earlier.

The Sympathy Vote Effect

Certain contestants may avoid elimination due to the public’s sympathy, especially if they’re entertaining or bring drama to the show. Conversely, skilled dancers can be eliminated early if perceived as "too good," as was the case with Aston Merrygold, who exited unexpectedly in week 7 of 2017.

Stay Informed with 'It Takes Two'

The companion show It Takes Two, hosted by Janette Manrara and Rylan Clark-Neal, is a treasure trove of insights. It provides behind-the-scenes training footage, which can reveal who is struggling and which contestants might excel based on the week’s dance style.

Maximize Bonuses and Promotions

Taking advantage of betting site bonuses can make Strictly wagers more enjoyable and risk-free. New users often receive free bets upon signing up, which can be used to place Strictly bets without spending your own money. Many sites also offer weekly rewards or free bets for regular users.

Compare Odds Across Sites

Don’t settle for the first odds you see—shopping around for the best Strictly betting odds can make a significant difference to your potential returns. Checking a few new betting sites only takes a few minutes and ensures you maximize your profits.

With these tips in mind, you’ll be better equipped to make informed bets on Strictly Come Dancing and enhance your enjoyment of the show.

Strictly Come Dancing Format & Structure

The format of Strictly Come Dancing will be familiar to anyone who has watched a Saturday night talent show, as its structure closely mirrors other popular programs. However, Strictly has its own unique charm and appeal that sets it apart.

Launched on UK television in May 2004, the first season featured eight celebrity contestants, with Natasha Kaplinsky and Brendan Cole crowned as the inaugural winners. Over the years, the number of participants grew, reaching a peak of 16 couples in the 2008 and 2009 seasons. Today, the show features 15 pairs, a number considered more manageable for viewers and contestants alike.

Season Overview

The competition spans 13 weeks, during which celebrities are eliminated one by one. The show encourages viewers to vote for their favorite contestants, and these public votes are combined with scores from the judges. Each week, couples perform a dance that is scored by a panel of judges, with each judge awarding up to 10 points. Achieving a perfect score of 40 is a rare feat in Strictly history.

The scoring system ensures fairness as the competition progresses. For instance, if there are 10 couples remaining, the highest-scoring pair from the judges receives 10 points, while the lowest-scoring pair is awarded just one. These scores are then combined with the public vote, though the exact results of the vote remain undisclosed.

The Dance-Off and Weekly Schedule

The show traditionally begins in September, airing live on Saturday nights on BBC. While the results show is pre-recorded immediately after the live broadcast, it airs on Sunday evenings. The bottom two couples in the combined scoring take part in a "dance-off," where the judges decide which couple stays in the competition for another week.

Distinctive Features

While the structure of Strictly Come Dancing shares similarities with other iconic talent shows like The X Factor, one unique element is the fame and influence of the professional dancers. These professionals often become celebrities in their own right, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the competition.

Anton Du Beke, for example, participated in 16 consecutive seasons as a professional dancer before transitioning to a role on the judging panel. Craig Revel Horwood, the sole remaining original judge, has also appeared on other hit shows like The Masked Dancer.

Oti Mabuse, another standout Strictly professional, made history by winning back-to-back seasons with Kelvin Fletcher and Bill Bailey, a feat no other dancer has accomplished. Oti leveraged her Strictly success into a broader TV career, becoming a panellist on The Masked Dancer and a judge on Dancing on Ice, both of which are popular ITV shows that also offer betting opportunities.

Consistency Amid Change

While the judging panel and hosts have evolved over the years, the core format and structure of Strictly Come Dancing have remained largely unchanged since its debut in 2004. Its enduring appeal lies in this balance of familiarity and excitement, keeping viewers engaged and coming back for more every season.

The Breaking Ties Structure

More often than not, there are ties in the points awarded to the dance couples. When picking out the two bottom couples due to ties is impossible, the following systems are employed to break the ties.

• If two or more couples have equal points, the points from the viewers' votes are given precedence in determining the order of ranking.
• As the show progresses and fewer couples are left to resolve ties, the tie structure employed is 3–3–2 to ensure that each couple has a mathematical potential to avoid being in the bottom two.
• The head judge is the custodian of the casting vote. The casting vote allows them to vote for one party in a tied vote and break the tie.

The Results Show

This is the Sunday show where the bottom two dance couples perform a dance-off routine to impress the judges and earn a spot to remain in the competition. This dance-off routine will help the judges vote for the dance couple to save or eliminate. The head judge’s vote is the casting vote.

The Elimination

The dance couple that loses in the dance-off on Sunday will be eliminated immediately from the Strictly show.