Oscar Odds: From a Vegas Oddsmaker!

[Ed Note: Hi, there -- Angie from Moviefone to introduce another awards-rific regular post we'll be bringing you. We have Oscar odds from a real Vegas oddsmaker(!), Jay Kornegay. Jay is executive director of the Las Vegas Hilton SuperBook with more than 17 years of race and sports book experience. And I must (as in, I'm legally required to) provide a disclaimer: Predictions made by Jay Kornegay are for entertainment purposes only. We do not accept, and this information should not be used for, any wagering, betting, gaming or gambling in any form or manner. In other words, folks: Please, no wagering.]

Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role
Leonardo DiCaprio, 'Blood Diamond' (3-1)
Ryan Gosling, 'Half Nelson' (8-1)
Peter O'Toole, 'Venus' (6-1)
Will Smith, 'The Pursuit of Happyness (10-1)
Forest Whitaker, 'The Last King of Scotland' (6-5)
Actors drive the movie and the man in the driver's seat seems to be Forest Whitaker. Diamonds are forever, however, so look for a possible surge from the No. 2 position by Leonardo DiCaprio. Even if Will Smith doesn't win, he will have happiness from the nomination alone.

Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role
Penelope Cruz, 'Volver' (6-1)
Judi Dench, 'Notes on a Scandal' (6-1)
Helen Mirren, 'The Queen' (EV)
Meryl Streep, 'The Devil Wears Prada' (9-5)
Kate Winslet, 'Little Children' (4-1)
It looks like a royal win with Helen Mirren, but sometimes fashion (especially 'Prada') will not be denied. After all, Meryl Streep won the Golden Globes award (for a slightly different category).

Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role
Alan Arkin, 'Little Miss Sunshine' (5-2)
Jackie Earle Haley, 'Little Children' (4-1)
Djimon Hounsou, 'Blood Diamond' (3-1)
Eddie Murphy, 'Dreamgirls' (8-5)
Mark Wahlberg, 'The Departed' (6-1)
Without support, a structure can fall, so the odds favor Eddie Murphy in a "Supreme" role. Don't be surprised, though, if there's a little "Sunshine" peeking through the Oscar curtains with versatile Alan Arkin.

Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role
Adriana Barraza, 'Babel' (4-1)
Cate Blanchett, 'Notes on a Scandal' (2-1)
Abigail Breslin, 'Little Miss Sunshine' (8-1)
Jennifer Hudson, 'Dreamgirls' (7-5)
Rinko Kikuchi, 'Babel' (6-1)
Why challenge a winning streak for an actress who has been "idolized"? We look for Jennifer Hudson to take the win, but it wouldn't be scandalous if Judi Dench got the votes (or the 'Notes') and came in first.

Achievement in Directing
Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, 'Babel' (3-1)
Martin Scorsese, 'The Departed' (5-2)
Clint Eastwood, 'Letters From Iwo Jima' (2-1)
Stephen Frears, 'The Queen' (6-1)
Paul Greengrass, 'United 93' (10-1)
In a photo finish, we pick the Letterman (Clint Eastwood) to win, but Martin Scorsese shouldn't depart the building just yet -- he'll get best picture.

Best Motion Picture of the Year
'Babel' (3-1)
'The Departed' (5-2)
'Letters From Iwo Jima' (4-1)
'Little Miss Sunshine' (10-1)
'The Queen' (6-1)
We pick Martin for the big prize, but tears can take still take it at the last minute with 'Babel' (remember: the Golden Globes made that decision).

[Just one more time for that legal disclaimer: Predictions made by Jay Kornegay are for entertainment purposes only. We do not accept, and this information should not be used for, any wagering, betting, gaming or gambling in any form or manner.]