Meryl Davis and Charlie White during ice dance free dance program at Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics
Meryl Davis and Charlie White during ice dance free dance program at Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics Reuters

The new season of “Dancing with the Stars” U.S. edition has a line-up of celebrities with diverse backgrounds including two Olympians, a legendary swimmer, an ex-hockey player, a teen pop star and even a game show host. But who is the favourite days before the DWTS season premiere? Who is pegged to win it all even before it the show starts airing on March 17?

One way of identifying the star of the stars of the dance floor is via the betting lines. Obviously not a sure-fire way of predicting the ultimate winners—as underdogs can deliver those upsets week-in and week-out—but definitely a good guide to what is going to transpire during the season.

Odds to Win – Dancing with the Stars Season 18
 Meryl Davis (2.50)
Charlie White (4.00)
Cody Simpson (7.00)
James Maslow (7.00)
Amy Purdy (11.00)
Candace Cameron Bure (16.00)
Danica McKellar (16.00)
NeNe Leakes (16.00)
Sean Avery (21.00
Billy Dee Williams (26.00)
Diana Nyad (34.00)
Drew Carey (34.00)

For the uninitiated in sports/entertainment betting, here’s the simple formula:

X (Amount of Bet) times Betting Odds = Payout

This means that a $100 bet on Meryl Davis (2.50) will net a payout of $250 or winnings of $150. Conversely, the same wager of $100 on the ultimate underdog (Diana Nyad or Drew Carey) at 34.00 will net a huge payout of $3,400 for the bettor!

Davis, who is currently a student at the University of Michigan, will be paired with Maksim Chmerkovskiy, also known as “The Bad Boy of the Ballroom” who also joined DWTS Season 2.

Outside the dance floor, Davis has moves on ice (along with ice partner Charlie White)—being six-time U.S. Champions, five-time Grand Prix Final Champions and the 2014 Olympic Champions! Clearly, there’s a reason why she is the favourite to be named the DWTS Season 18 winner.

In a first in the history of “Dancing with the Stars”, a twist called “The Switch Up” will be tapped during the season. In 2014, fans will have the choice to vote and change the stars and partners!

This obviously completely changes the dynamics of the show— and of course, the betting lines, depending on the potential pairings that can happen during the switch of partners.