Mercury Prize 2019 Betting
Since 1992, The Mercury Prize has been elevating relatively unknown artists to a place of prominence in the UK music scene. With just a single prize each year, this exclusive honor has been a blessing for some artists and a curse for others.
- Anna Meredith’s second studio album ‘FIBS’ was released in October 2019 by Moshi Moshi Records and was produced by Jack Ross. Anna is a genre-crossing Scottish composer and producer whose work straddles the worlds of contemporary classical, art pop, electronica and experimental rock.
- The Hyundai Mercury Prize ‘Albums of the Year’ celebrate and promote the best of British and Irish music recognising artistic achievement across a range of contemporary music genres. The shortlist was chosen by an independent judging panel and was revealed at a Launch event, hosted by BBC Music’s Huw Stephens on 25 July 2019.
The Mercury Prize, called the Barclaycard Mercury Prize for sponsorship reasons, is a yearly music prize. It is awarded for the best album from the United Kingdom and Ireland.It was formed by the British Phonographic Industry and British Association of Record Dealers in 1992. It was an alternative to the Brit Awards.It used to be called the Mercury Music Prize. The 2019 edition of the Mercury Prize was awarded to the rapper Dave for his debut album Psychodrama. The young star, only 21 at the time, accepted the coveted award by performing Psycho in front of an adoring crowd. Who Are the Judges? A full panel of esteemed judges (chaired by Jeff Smith) will be overseeing the year’s Mercury Prize including. The Mercury Prize, formerly called the Mercury Music Prize, is an annual music prize awarded for the best album released in the United Kingdom by a British or Irish act. It was created by Jon Webster in association with the British Phonographic Industry and British Association of Record Dealers in 1992 as an alternative to the Brit Awards.The prize was originally sponsored by Mercury.
Today, we will discuss a bit about the history of the prize, help you pick out a real money Mercury Prize betting site, and give you the tools to start Mercury Prize betting online today.
Best Mercury Prize Betting Sites
Our team has evaluated dozens of Mercury Prize online sportsbooks, and here is the definitive list of the best websites to bet on who will win the Mercury Prize. We used an extensive list of criteria to determine which sites will offer you the best possible online betting experience. Below the list, you will find a few of the criteria we used. Feel free to use these in evaluating any other Mercury Prize betting site you may be considering.
Betting Site | Bonus | Bet Now | |
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1 | up to €30 Free Bet | Go to Site | |
2 | 22Bet | 100% up to €122 | Go to Site |
3 | 100% up to €200 | Go to Site | |
4 | 10Bet | 100% up to €50 | Go to Site |
5 | 100% up to €50 | Go to Site |
Attributes of High-Quality Mercury Prize Betting Sites
Valuable Bonuses
One thing you should look for when selecting your Mercury Prize online betting sites is a valuable new player signup bonus. These are perks given to new players to help draw them away from the competition. Most of the time, these will come in the form of a deposit match when you initially fund your account. If your site is offering a 50% match on the first $500 you put in, you can get an additional free $250 just for starting with more than $500. Be sure to take advantage of these juicy deals as they can make a massive difference for your bankroll when betting online at Hyundai Mercury Prize betting sites.
Competitive Odds
The next important thing to consider when deciding which Mercury Prize betting sites to use is the quality of their odds. Betting odds are used to communicate the payout that corresponds with a specific bet. Most sportsbooks list odds alongside their bets. After determining who you think will win, shop around to see which sites are offering the best odds for the bet you wish to place.
Depending on when you place your bet, the candidates being offered may not even match the eventual winners. Once the shortlist has been released, you’ll have a much better idea of who the potential winners are. At this point, just make sure you are getting the best possible odds for your selection.
User Interface
A vital part of online gambling is a high-quality user interface. You want to place bets on online Mercury Prize sportsbooks that are straightforward, clean, and easy to navigate. The sites that made our list have all made significant investments in building exceptional user experiences through thoughtful and clear website design. Mercury Prize Betting online on these sites will be both easy and enjoyable.
Security at Online Mercury Prize Sportsbooks
Security should always be a top concern when evaluating any Mercury Prize online sportsbooks. It is vital that you play on a site that puts player safety above all else by using top-of-the-line security to ensure all player data remains secure. You can rest assured that if you play on any of our recommended sites, you’ll have the safest and most enjoyable real money Mercury Prize betting experience possible.
Customer Service
Finally, we looked for Hyundai Mercury Prize betting sites that offer superior customer care. We selected sites that offer 24/7 support, a variety of contact options, including phone, chat, and email, as well as a long history of satisfied customers. You can be sure that if you have any kind of issue while playing on these sites, you will get a prompt and professional resolution.
What Is the Mercury Prize?
History of the Mercury Prize
The “Mercury Prize,” formerly the “Mercury Music Prize,” is an annual prize awarded to the best album of the year released by a British or Irish artist. Unlike other prizes, there are no categories, just a single prize. Also, unlike other awards, the Mercury Prize is for an album, not a single song or artist as a whole. Created in 1992 by the British Phonographic Industry and the British Association of Record Dealers as an alternative to the Brit Awards, the Mercury prize has grown into an exclusive and prestigious honor.
Selection Process
One of the things that makes betting on music awards such as the Mercury Prize so interesting is the subjective nature of the selections. All albums released by a British or Irish artist within that calendar year are eligible. Selections are made by industry experts to narrow down the thousands of albums to what is called the “shortlist.” These shortlisted albums are often the ones you are most likely to find an online sportsbook with Mercury Prize odds on. From this shortlist, a single winner is chosen.
What Does the Winner Get?
Long considered to be an exclusive and prestigious prize, the winner of the Mercury Prize does get a physical prize, but that’s not the real benefit. On top of getting a trophy and a check for £25,000, the artist gets notoriety.
The major benefit of winning the Mercury Prize is the massive spike in sales that happens as a result of getting such a high honor. Many artists see their sales increase by as much as 500% after winning. In fact, many artists credit the Mercury Prize with taking their career to a whole new level.
The Curse of the Mercury Prize
While many consider the Mercury Prize to be a highly sought-after accolade, not every artist feels that way. Over the years, the award has also developed a reputation of sinking just as many careers as it has bolstered. To some artists, winning the Mercury Prize is considered a curse that is sure to sink their career like it has for many prior winners. Most notably, in 2001, the band Gorillaz requested their debut album be removed from the shortlist. One of the members said that winning the prize would be “like carrying a dead albatross ‘round your neck for eternity.”
Is It Legal to Bet on the Mercury Prize?
Betting on who will win the Mercury Prize is just like betting on sports. The legality of betting on entertainment awards will generally align with the legality of betting on sports. All bets are offered by bookmakers, who determine which events they want to offer odds on. While sports are the primary focus of most bettors, there is a good-sized market for more obscure bets in entertainment.
When we talk about the legalization of “sports betting”, we are really referring to the legalization of operating a bookmaker. Once legalized, these bookmakers can offer odds on anything they think will garner interest and can make them some money.
How to Bet on the Mercury Prize Online
Pick Your Mercury Prize Betting Site
Step one is deciding where to bet on the Mercury Prize online. Use the criteria we provided above and decide which of these are most important to you. Visit each of the sites on our list and see which one is the best match for your needs. Take some time in making these decisions since where you decide to play will heavily influence the quality of your online betting experience.
Remember that you want to find a site that is offering odds on the candidate you want to win. Since it is possible that each site will offer different candidates, be sure to check.
Sign up and Fund Your Account
Once you’ve landed on a site, go ahead and get registered. This process should be quick, easy, and should only require basic information. Some Mercury Prize betting sites will require additional identity verification to make withdrawals, so make sure to comply with your site’s requirements. Also, be sure to double-check new layer bonuses when funding your account. Take full advantage of these deposit matches if possible.
Place Your Mercury Prize Bets
The time has come to bet! Now that you’ve chosen a site and gotten registered, determine who you think will win the Hyundai Mercury Prize. Be sure to do your research prior to placing your bet. And consider the timing of your bet and adjust your strategy accordingly. Are you betting before or after the shortlist is released? When you feel comfortable with your selection, place your bet.
Tips for Betting on the Mercury Prize
- First, industry knowledge and an understanding of the music scene in the UK is crucial to picking a potential winner. Since many of the shortlisted artists qualify on their debut album, you are unlikely to have good insight into potential winners without having a pulse on the industry. Be sure to brush up on new and upcoming artists to make sure no gems slip under your radar.
- Second, the Mercury Prize is notorious for naming the outside shot as the potential winner. In contrast to other awards that can be more predictable and generally favor the most popular or famous artists, the Mercury Prize is the opposite. Many winners are essentially plucked out of obscurity and the winning album is often by an artist with some of the least name recognition of any of the candidates on the shortlist.
- Finally, even if you aren’t a music buff, you can have success betting on the Mercury Prize if you do your homework. Once the shortlist is released, listen to all the chosen albums and do some research. This is where having some background in the music industry may help you to evaluate the merits of each album. Even if you aren’t part of the music industry, you can use your own judgment along with your research to make your best possible bet on who you think will win.
Conclusion on Mercury Prize Online Betting
The British music industry is an exciting place to find fun ways to bet, and Mercury Prize betting online is no exception. With a wide range of potential winners, highly subjective selection criteria, and a reputation for being unpredictable, the prize offers a unique betting experience. Whether you are a music industry insider or a casual listener, you’ll find something to love when betting in the Mercury Prize.
Hopefully, you’ve learned a bit more about the history of the prize, feel confident picking out Mercury Prize sportsbooks online, and understand some of the strategy that goes into making quality picks. You are now ready to start placing your first real money bets!
Be sure to check back on The Sports Geek for more insight into successfully betting on the Mercury Prize and other entertainment awards. Always gamble responsibly, and never bet more than you can afford to lose. Have fun and good luck!
Mercury Prize Betting Sites FAQ
Most awards shows have tons of categories that can get confusing to keep up with. An exception to the norm? The Mercury Prize. The Mercury Prize is an annual award given to the best album released in the UK by a British artist, group, or band.
While there’s only one winner on the stage that night, you can be a winner at home too, thanks to the best Mercury Prize betting sites! That’s right, if you can successfully pick which album is walking home with the coveted trophy and the £25,000 prize, you can cash in thanks to online Mercury Prize betting sites.
Rank | Gambling Site | Deposit Bonus | Get Started | |
#1 | Up To €150 | Visit Site | ||
#2 | 22Bet Sports | 100% Up To €122 | Visit Site | |
#3 | 100% Up To €200 | Visit Site | ||
#4 | 10Bet Sports | 100% Up To €50 | Visit Site | |
#5 | 100% Up To €50 | Visit Site |
8 Reasons Why These Are the Best Mercury Prize Betting Sites
- Betting Coverage
- Competitive Lines and Odds
- Safety and Security
- Banking Options
- Reputation and History
- Ease of Use
- Quality Customer Service
- Mobile Compatibility
Betting Coverage
While the expansiveness of the bets offered is important with other awards shows like the Emmy’s or the BAFTA Awards, it’s much less important when it comes to the best Mercury Prize betting sites. Why? Because there is only one prize to win! Still, we better see that one bet covered or else it’s a pretty crummy option. There are some rare instances where we’ll see prop bets for the awards, which we’re big fans of. These are rare, though, and the absence of such bets is not a disqualifying factor in our rankings system.
Competitive Lines and Mercury Prize Odds
While betting coverage is less important, Mercury Prize betting odds are even more important! With only one bet to make, it’s imperative you find a way to get paid the absolute most possible. Our team scours through all of the options for betting on the Mercury Prize to find which sites historically offer the most competitive lines. By comparing the closing Mercury Prize odds to the winner, we can identify where the sharks and where the recreational bettors are flocking.
Safety and Security
It doesn’t matter if you’re making one bet or a thousand bets—safety and security of your money, wagers, and personal information are paramount when picking out real money Mercury Prize betting sites. The apps and sites that get this right have high levels of encryption, dedicated security teams, frequent software and system upgrades, and a proactive stance towards the issues.
Banking Options
It’s standard industry practice for online sports and entertainment betting sites to outsource banking to third parties. This makes for a better experience by leaving the money to the experts. However, this only works how it’s supposed to if the Mercury Prize betting sites choose reputable partners, integrate the software properly, and continually upgrade when necessary.
Some of the highlights we look for include:
- Multiple deposit and withdrawal methods to choose from
- Fast payouts with a great track record
- Dedicated financial support staff available 24/7/365
Reputation and History
When you buy anything, you most likely look at the reputation, reviews, and history of the product and the company. Why should that be any different when choosing an option for betting on the Mercury Prize online? It shouldn’t!
Our team has been in the industry for over two decades and has an incredible pulse on the good, the bad, and the ugly of the betting world. You’re never going to find a single option on our list of the best Mercury Prize betting sites that doesn’t have a squeaky clean track record and an impeccable reputation.
Ease of Use
Online betting’s main goal is to bring convenience to the industry. If the entertainment betting sites with odds on the Mercury Prize leave you banging your head against the wall, where’s the convenience? You might as well just drive to the closes sportsbook in that scenario. Thankfully, many of the top online Mercury Prize betting sites understand this and have adapted accordingly. With these sites, signing up, depositing, betting, and cashing out are all super simple and easy for even the least experienced bettor.
Quality Customer Service
While our team works hard to find options where betting on the Mercury Prize online is simple and straightforward, you’re inevitably going to have questions from time to time. With an awards show that only happens once a year, a question or an issue could be super time-critical.
For that reason (and a lot more), our team only recommends Mercury Prize betting sites that have quality customer service teams. Quality, to us, means you’ll find the following qualities:
- 24/7/365 support
- Fluency in all languages supported
- Trained staff that are capable of solving problems and not just escalating issues
- Several reliable mediums of contact
- Live help options (chat or phone)
- Extensive FAQs to help with common questions and needs
Mobile Compatibility
Mobile compatibility is a much smaller issue than it was 10 or 20 years ago. That being said, it’s still important to make sure that any Mercury Prize betting sites we suggest work on all major operating systems and platforms. As long as you fit into one of the categories listed above, you’re going to be able to bet with through these options.
What Is the Mercury Prize?
Sponsored by Hyundai, the Mercury Prize is a single award given out annually to the best album released in the UK. Bands and groups may also win the award, as long as over 50% of the group is of British descent. There are no limitations on the type of music that can be submitted to win.
A few months before the awards presentation, a shortlist of 12 albums are selected by a panel of industry experts that includes, “musicians, music journalists, music presenters, music producers and heads of music.” Unlike some other awards shows, the panel of judges is announced publicly.
On the day of the awards show, the same panel reconvenes to choose the final winner. Surprisingly, the website for the Mercury Awards describes this as a potentially long process. What that signals to us is that the winner is not selected by a straight vote, but there must be some discussion and back and forth to decide on the winner.
Here are some fast facts about the Mercury Prize:
- The first awards show was held in 1992.
- The award is equivalent to the “Booker Prize for literature and the Turner Prize for art.”
- PJ Harvey is the only artist to win the award more than once.
- The band, group, or artist with the most nominations is Radiohead with five.
- Winners of the Mercury Award get a £25,000 cash prize, a trophy, and the notoriety and press that comes with the victory.
- While there is only one winner, all artists that make the shortlist are regarded as having produced an Album of the Year.
- The average number of annual entries is around 220 albums.
Types of Mercury Prize Bets
Ready for simplicity? Almost every site for Mercury Prize betting online only offers action on one bet—the winner of the prize. If you’re looking for a lot of different ways to bet real money on the Mercury Prize, you’re going to be out of luck because there is only one prize.
In some rare instances, you may see Mercury Prize betting odds on unique prop bets related to the winner or the show itself. Some examples might include:
Mercury Prize Prop Bet
-300
Mercury Prize Prop Bet
-350
Again, though, these are quite rare, but you may see them from time to time. It all depends on which app or site you’re using.
How to Bet on the Mercury Prize Online
- Understand how moneyline payouts work. Mercury Music Prize betting odds are presented in moneyline format. What this means is that you will be paid a different amount for different album picks based on two things—the likelihood of that album winning and how the public is betting. The less likely the sportsbook thinks an album is to win and the fewer people that bet on it, the higher your payout will be. Make sure you take the time to understand that not all wins pay the same. This can help you to better assess if a wager is worth it or not on the album you expect to win. Additionally, it might present some opportunities to bet on a longshot you think has a chance if the potential win is big enough.
- It may be okay to bet on multiple albums. Because you may get paid much better than even money on a pick, there may be opportunities to bet on multiple albums in the same year. If the odds are correct, you can walk away a winner as long as one of the options you chose wins. This strategy can lower your variance by giving you more opportunities to win. Be aware, though, if you’re making multiple bets for the same amount, you will lose more if none of your picks win.
- Take time to study the judges panel. The judges are announced every year. Before you head over to any Mercury Prize betting sites, take some time to do a little research. Who are the judges? What genres do they favor? Have they been a part of a panel before? If so, how did that panel vote? While it may be tough to predict what goes on inside the discussion and voting room, you may be able to gain an edge by studying the panel extensively.
- Keep up with the news. Remember that the judging happens in two stages. The panel gets together to decide the shortlist months before the actual awards show. Then the panel gets together again on the day of the show to decide the final winner. A lot can happen in between that time. Make sure you’re paying attention to what’s happened and how that might influence the panel’s decisions.
- Have fun! Entertainment betting is supposed to be all about having a good time. We won’t beat a dead horse here, but please never lose sight of the fun factor. If you’re not enjoying yourself, it might be time to find a different hobby.
The Last 10 Mercury Prize Winners
Year | Album Name | Artist, Band, or Group |
---|---|---|
2019 | Psychodrama | Dave |
2018 | Visions of a Life | Wolf Alice |
2017 | Process | Sampha |
2016 | Konnichiwa | Skepta |
2015 | At Least for Now | Benjamin Clementine |
2014 | Dead | Young Fathers |
2013 | Overgrown | James Blake |
2012 | An Awesome Wave | alt-J |
2011 | Let England Shake | PJ Harvey |
2010 | xx | The xx |
Mercury Betting FAQ
Should I Join Multiple Mercury Prize Betting Sites?
You should absolutely join multiple Mercury Prize betting sites. While you won’t need more than one site to get every bet available (generally only one), you will need these options to shop your betting lines. By taking the time to check the bets you want to make at multiple sites, you may set yourself up with the ability to earn more with a correct pick.
Is Betting on the Mercury Prize Online Safe?
Absolutely. By sticking with trusted online Mercury Prize betting sites, you can enjoy a safe and secure betting experience. You’ll still need to do your part with things like keeping your account safe, having a strong password, and never wagering when you’re emotional or intoxicated. But with both of these on your side, expect to have a completely safe online experience.
Are Mercury Prize Odds the Same at Every Sportsbook?
No! A different online Mercury Prize betting app or site may offer you better or worse odds on the exact same bet. The reason for this has to do with how casinos and sportsbooks make money. We’ll spare you the industry lesson, but here’s the takeaway—you can get paid more money on an identical bet on this year’s Mercury Prize just by using a different betting site. Take the time to look around and make sure you’re getting paid the most (as long as you stick with reputable and trusted Mercury Prize betting sites).
Mercury Prize 2019 Betting Lines
How Long Does It Take to Get Paid If I Win?
Your winnings from your Mercury Prize bet will be posted into your betting account shortly after the winner is announced or the conclusion of the show. Once this happens, you’re free to use your funds to make more bets, or you can request a cashout. Generally, cashouts take between a few hours and a few days. Sometimes, a first-time cashout may take a little longer, as there may be paperwork you need to fill out to verify your identity.