2008 Hilton Super Book Contest
Note: This article is updated to reflect the 2009 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 nearly $303,000 and it's expected the winner of this year's contest will again be pocketing close to $300,000.
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. The good people at The Spread (www.thespread.com) have a way that anybody can enter the SuperContest, regardless of location.
The Hilton SuperContest rules allow participants to name a proxy, which is somebody to turn in contest selections for them. For just $400 and one-percent of any winnings, The Spread will take care of getting your contest selections in, so that you can go toe-to-toe with some of the best handicappers in the world.
The Spread actually offers two proxies per client, the second one to serve as a back-up in the unlikely event the primary proxy has some sort of emergency, and as a result have been serving as contest proxies for five years without incident. But should something happen, the Spread has you covered, as well, and if they make any errors on your selections or miss any deadlines, will refund your entry fee.
Note: You do have to enter the contest in person, which means a trip to Las Vegas.
Contestants simply need to have their selections into The Spread no later than 3 p.m. PST for Sunday and Monday games, and by 3 p.m. PST on Wednesday if they wish to make a selection on a Thursday game later in the season.
The Spread serves as the official proxy for 30 to 50 contestants each year, so you can be sure they are doing things right.
The official contest rules are available at The Spread's site at Hilton SuperContest Rules
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.
Last year's (2007) top consensus contest plays were 45-41-2, which is essentially break-even, something that would be a tremendous improvement for the majority of NFL bettors.
A number of years ago, bettors were forced to pay for contest consensus plays, but that isn't the case any longer. Once again, sports bettors need look no farther than The Spread, who will not only post the Hilton consensus plays, but are expanding their coverage to include the plays of the top 25 teams in the contest. That's information you won't find anywhere else, and even better yet, it's free. Just simply head to 2008 Hilton Contestfor The Spread's coverage of the event.
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.
