Among the critics whose picks were ascertained include Thelma Adams (US Weekly), Dave Germain (AP), Dave Karger (Entertainment Weekly), Robert Osborne (Hollywood Reporter), Tom O'Neil (author, "Movie Awards"), Andy Seiler (USA Today), Gene Seymour (Newsday), Joel Siegel (Good Morning America) and Anne Thompson (Premiere). Their predictions were translated into numerical odds by David Scott of America's Line, a syndicated newspaper odds column. The odds, states the website, are concocted "for entertainment purposes only and should not be used for gambling."

The aforementioned reviewers gave the lauded movie version of the John Kander and Fred Ebb musical 1-to-7 odds of winning Best Picture, come Oscar night, March 23. (The smaller the number, the better.)

"Chicago" is also a favorite to win other awards in the categories in which it was nominated. Helmer Marshall gets 2-to-3 odds beating out Martin Scorsese, who only ranks 6-to-5 for his "Gangs of New York." Supporting star Catherine Zeta-Jones takes even odds topping Meryl Streep, Julianne Moore, Kathy Bates and "Chicago" co-star Queen Latifah — who is the long shot at 50-to-1 odds.

While John C. Reilly seems out of the race with 8-to-1 odds in his supporting actor category, Renée Zellweger is close behind Nicole Kidman's 6-to-5 with her 7-to-5 numbers. Bill Condon's screenplay adaptation is expected to be beat out by playwright David Hare's adaptation of "The Hours."

An odds breakdown for the top Oscar races follows: Best Picture

"Chicago" - 1/7
"The Pianist"  - 6/1
"The Hours" - 12/1
"Gangs of New York" - 20/1
"Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers" - 40/1

Best Director

Rob Marshall, "Chicago" - 2/3
Martin Scorsese, "Gangs of New York" - 6/5
Roman Polanski, "The Pianist" - 15/1
Stephen Daldry, "The Hours" - 30/1
Pedro Almodovar, "Talk to Her" - 40/1

Best Actress

Nicole Kidman, "The Hours" - 6/5
Renée Zellweger, "Chicago" - 7/5
Julianne Moore, "Far from Heaven" - 5/1
Diane Lane, Unfaithful - 8/1
Salma Hayek, "Frida" - 40/1

Best Supporting Actor

Chris Cooper "Adaptation" - 5/4
Christopher Walken, "Catch Me If You Can" - 9/5
Paul Newman, "Road to Perdition" - 4/1
John C. Reilly, "Chicago" - 8/1
Ed Harris, "The Hours" - 12/1

Best Supporting Actress

Catherine Zeta-Jones, "Chicago" - Even
Meryl Streep, "Adaptation" - 5/2
Julianne Moore, "The Hours" - 7/2
Kathy Bates, "About Schmidt" - 6/1
Queen Latifah, "Chicago" - 50/1

Best Adapted Screenplay

"The Hours" - 4/5
"Chicago" - 3/1
"Adaptation" - 10/3
"The Pianist" - 8/1
"About a Boy" - 40/1