William Hill $250,000 Pro Pick'Em If not my least favorite, it's in the top two. With all the outlets for William Hill
this contest is going to be an underlay most likely. People in places like Winnemucca,
Ely, Hawthorne and even Carson City have no other choices for a contest though,
so this will be it for them. $250,000 guaranteed at $25 an entry and a max
of 24 paid entries (plus your 5th is free) so optimal purchase is 4 entries
getting the 5th free. They also accept entries after the season starts which
is obviously a bad deal but some may want in for entertainment each week
and buy mid-season. There is a discount as the season progresses but never
to the point that you are getting a good deal. Once season starts you do not
get a bonus 5th entry free. I guess I should temper my pessimism by stating
that it's possible they take in less then they pay out on this contest this year.
[url]http://www.williamhill.us/2014-pro-pickem-football-contest[/url]
The split on the money is $221,000 devoted to weekly prizes and the remaining
$29,000 goes to the season long winners. There is also a $100,000 bonus available
to anyone achieving 200 wins or more for the season. This is a non-factor and
worth close to zero. In all the years of no-pointspread contests, I don't recall
anyone ever hitting over 80% (W 200 L 40 = 83%) or really coming close.
Because Thurs night games do not count there are approx 240 games to be
used in the contest this year. You'd have to hit 83.33% to get the bonus which
is not going to happen. What I don't understand is why these casinos don't
have someone on hand who can design a reasonable bonus. With this 200 win
bonus they could offer a million dollars and not have a worry in the world BUT
would create some extra press at the very least and get some additional sign-ups.
Offers like this along with the probable negative equity make the Pro Pick"Em
contest a pass for me. Football contests are used as promotional vehicles designed
to get you to visit the casino at least once a week. Part of the problem for
William Hill is they do not have an interest in the rest of the casino so the fact
that your visit may include some machine play and maybe a visit to a restaurant
does not benefit them. You still might make some bets at the window but
that's not enough apparently for them to offer a contest that's competitive with
some of the others in town like Coasts and Stations.
Kiosk submission is available but app submission is not. No entries accepted
the first Sunday of the season so get there before Sept 7th if you want in.
