LVH Supercontest FAQ

[Beyond the Bets]

Posted this on the main page but figured it'd be useful here, too. Any other questions you guys have? Also, who among you plans to sign up?

Q: HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO ENTER?
A: The entry fee is $1,500 and is non-refundable. You must be at least 21 years old to enter.

Q: CAN I SUBMIT MULTIPLE ENTRIES?
A: Yes. Each entrant, identified by social security number, can submit up to two (2) entries. The LVH Supercontest sign up form, which looks like this, has two blanks for you to fill out. Each entry is treated separately for prize purposes.

Q: I DON'T WANT TO USE MY REAL NAME. ARE ALIASES ALLOWED?
A: The SuperBook allows aliases to be used and many participants have used them in the past. However, all aliases must be approved by the SuperBook staff.

Q: WHEN IS THE DEADLINE TO SIGN UP?
A: The deadline to enter the Supercontest is 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 8, 2012. The SuperBook is offering an early sign-up bonus to people who enter on or before 4 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 3. Those who sign up prior to that date will be eligible to compete in a three-week "mini contest," where the entry that picks the most winners over the season's final three weeks will win a $10,000 prize. (An aggregate bonus prize will also be offered to the entry that picks 67 percent or better during the duration of the contest.)

Q: WHAT IS THE PRIZE STRUCTURE?
A: On its rules sheet, the LVH states that the top prize receives 40 percent of all entry fees. So, if there were 400 entrants, the winner would receive $240,000. Second place gets 16 percent ($96,000), third place gets 8 percent ($48,000), and so on. Last year's contest had 517 entrants and the winner, Sans Souci, pocketed $310,200 for his efforts.

Q: WHAT IS THE CONTEST'S FORMAT?
A: Each week, you will select five NFL games against the spread. The SuperBook will provide a contest line, meaning every participant will be picking teams against a set, defined, universal number. In other words: No line shopping. Each winning pick receives one point; each tie receives a half point. Whoever accumulates the most points at the end of the contest will be declared the winner.

Q: ARE YOU ALLOWED TO PICK BOTH SIDES OF THE SAME GAME?
A: Don't be stupid. Of course not. However, you can if you have multiple entries. (For instance, in a Giants-Cowboys matchup, you can pick the Giants on Entry #1 and the Cowboys on Entry #2).

Q: WHEN DO MY WEEKLY PICKS HAVE TO BE ENTERED?
A: Picks must be submitted each week by 11 a.m. PT on Saturday. The time deadline will be strictly enforced, meaning the SuperBook isn't going to care if you (or your proxy) got stuck in traffic and didn't arrive until 11:30 a.m. or noon. Plan accordingly and give yourself plenty of time to submit your entries by the stated deadline. Again, 11 a.m. PT on Saturday. Write it down and don't forget. You will receive zero points if you miss the deadline.

Q: WHAT IF I WANT TO PICK A THURSDAY NIGHT GAME?
A: You can. However, your picks for the week must be submitted prior to kickoff of that game. Weekly selection cards will be available at 5 p.m. PT on Wednesdays.

Q: AM I ALLOWED TO PICK MY OTHER FOUR GAMES LATER IN THE WEEK?
A: No. If you pick a Thursday game, you must submit all picks prior to kickoff. It is for this reason that contestants rarely pick the Thursday night game or Thanksgiving games. They'd much rather use the two extra days to compile more information against static lines that won't move.

Q: CAN I SUBMIT MY PICKS ONLINE?
A: No. All picks must be submitted in person at the SuperBook. If you live locally, you can simply drive to the LVH to submit your plays. Otherwise, you might want to consider hiring a proxy.

Q: WHAT IS A PROXY?
A: Proxies are people who make picks on behalf of out-of-towners, and it's a system that the majority of participants use. You may authorize a proxy to submit your weekly picks but must do so in person at the SuperBook. You will be required to provide photo ID and must also submit the official entry form. There is a place to fill out your proxy information on the form.

Q: HOW MUCH DO PROXIES GENERALLY COST?
A: Each proxy service varies in price, but you'll find that most provide the service for anywhere between $200 and $500. While that might seem like a lot, consider that they'll have to meet you at the SuperBook to sign up, that they'll have to collect your weekly picks (and communicate with you on a weekly basis), that they'll have to make 17 trips (minimum) to the book during the season, and so on. In other words: It isn't easy. There's lots of pressure. So, it's worth the cost.

Q: DO YOU RECOMMEND ANY PROXY SERVICES?
A: Yes. Vegas Matty has been operating a successful proxy service for seven years and has received positive reviews from hundreds of contest participants. You can find him here.

Q: WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO WIN?
A: You better plan on hitting at least 65 percent to have a realistic chance.

Q: SHOULD I ENTER? 
A: Of course!