2009 Hilton Super Book Contest
As far as NFL handicapping contests go, there is the Las Vegas Hilton SuperContest and then there is everything else. The Hilton contest is considered the pinnacle of contests in terms of prestige and difficulty, and is the biggest large money handicapping contest around.
As a result, last year's winner took home $210,000 and it's expected the winner of this year's contest will again be pocketing close to $240,000.
The entry fee for the contest is $1,500 and contestants make five NFL selections against the point spread each week. Forty percent of the entry fees will be paid out to the winner and the top 20 places will receive prize money.
The one catch is that entries have to be submitted to the Las Vegas Hilton. Previously, this requirement was enough to keep people who lived in other parts of the United States out of the contest, but not any longer, as there are a number of businesses now offering proxy services for the contest.
The Hilton SuperContest rules allow participants to name a proxy, which is somebody to turn in contest selections for them. A quick Internet search should provide the name of several companies, and it's best to read the fine print, as they will charge different fees and percentages of any winnings.
Using the Hilton Contest to Your Advantage
Naturally, the SuperContest is a little too steep for a number of bettors, but that doesn't mean you can't make some money from the contest, or more precisely, from those entered in the contest.
It goes without saying that most people who are willing to pony up $1,500 for a handicapping contest have the belief they have a chance to place in the money. Naturally, there are some people who enter the contest just to be able to say they are in the contest, much like the people who shell out $10,000 to play in the World Series of Poker when they have no business doing so, but for the most part, it's a decent collection of handicappers.
A number of years ago, bettors were forced to pay for contest consensus plays, but that isn't the case any longer. Sports bettors need look no farther than The Spread, who will post the Hilton consensus plays.
Regardless if you decide to enter the Hilton SuperContest or not, you can still have fun with the contest, but more importantly, use it to add a little cash to bankroll.
