[T.B. Yoits]

Makes me wonder if the contestants are not allowed to touch plates, post performance so that the tally by judges may proceed unimpeded.

Judges? The whole Nathan's Hot Dog eating contest is as bona fide as a wrestling match for the belt. The judges are likely paid with a hat, shirt, and all the hot dogs they can eat the day of the contest.

[desertsolitaire]

Thanks. Oh. I somehow assumed it had some air of officialty about it like the Guinness records thing, or grandmaster chess matches (chess cheats use remotely activated vibrating anal plugs to coach moves from outside their matches; who knew?)