Columnist Jeff Haney: Breaking it down

Monday, Nov. 7, 2005 | 10:07 a.m.

Jeff Haney's sports betting column appears Monday, Friday (gaming) and Wednesday (poker). Reach him at (702) 259-4041 or haney@lasvegassun.com.

Leroy's "Money Talks" football handicapping contest

This invitational features 16 handicappers who each put up $2,500 to compete in a single-elimination tournament. Leroy's adds another $10,000 to the prize pool for a total of $50,000. The winner collects $40,000, with $10,000 going to the runner-up. Each week, two contestants make seven selections against the point spread from the weekend's college and pro football games, working with a hypothetical bankroll to rank their picks. The top pick is worth $770 to win $700, the second pick $660 to win $600, down to the seventh pick, $110 to win $100. The contestant who ends up with a higher hypothetical bankroll advances to the next round.

This week's results:

Doug Upstone, representing the StatFox.com Web site, 1-5, 1 pending, lost $1,690: Missouri +12 1/2 (L $110); Arkansas State +4 1/2 (L $220); Wisconsin +12 (L $330); Oregon -1 1/2 (W $400); Eagles +3 (risk $550, late game); Ravens +3 (L $660); Tennessee +9 (L $770)

"Chicago" Pete Ventrella, veteran sports bettor, 4-2, 1 pending, won $720: Bengals -3 (W $100); Jets + 6 1/2 (W $200); Packers + 3 1/2 (L $330); Patriots + 3 1/2 (risk $440, tonight); Dolphins + 2 1/2 (L $550); Vikings -1 1/2 (W $600); Texans + 13 (W $700)

Chicago Pete advances.

This week (8 p.m. Friday at the Riviera): Doc Moseman vs. Nick Bogdanovich

The Stardust invitational football handicapping contest

The Stardust invitational features 16 handicappers competing in a single-elimination tournament for a top prize of $10,000. Each week, two contestants make seven selections against the point spread from the weekend's college and pro football games. The contestant with the better record advances to the next round. A "best bet" is used for a tiebreaker.

Andy Iskoe, Las Vegas professional handicapper, 4-2, 1 pending: Northwestern +3 (W); Tennessee +9 (L); Nebraska under 37 1/2 (L); Virginia Tech under 40 1/2 (W); Oregon - 1 1/2 (W); Vikings -1 (W); Patriots + 3 1/2 (best bet, tonight)

Kevin O'Neill, author and handicapper, 2-4, 1 pending: Wake Forest + 8 1/2 (L); Tennessee + 9 (L); N.C. State + 12 1/2 (W); Dolphins + 3 (L); Packers + 4 (L); Patriots + 3 1/2 (tonight); Jets + 7 (W)

Iskoe advances.

This week (9 p.m. Friday at the Stardust): "Big" Al McMordie vs. Marc Lawrence