Nothing beats the decadence of Nevada sports books. September renews the freewheeling and impulsive thrill of sports betting’s pioneer city, the poster child for indulgence. Here come the prop-bet smorgasbords, handicapping contests and weekend madness. Here come the giant screens, screaming patrons and substantial payouts of this multimillion-dollar fall party.

And here comes something else: the annual reminder that average Joes can beat handicapping “pros.” Literally anyone can get hot at any time and ride any streak to riches.

Last year a grocer won Leroy’s Sports Book College Football Challenge, not someone with a professional service and not an “expert” charging for his selections. A Henderson man under the alias “Bobby W.” won $32,100 by hitting 63 percent of his college football selections. He selected weekly prime cuts of Air Force, feasting on a weekly underdog that seemed to be “on sale.”

Imagine realizing he was hot when you strode into his store: “Bobby, pack the meat and potatoes, and don’t forget the football tip.”

“I’m a dog player first, and you have to have a strong argument to get me off that position,” Bobby said. “That’s how I played a lot last season, especially with Air Force. They seemed to come in as a dog every week and cover the spread. But by the end of the season, I played a lot more favorites. I really do my homework; that’s the only advice I would give. Last year I did a lot of work handicapping the handicappers.”

They provided insight, to be sure, but not the selection. Ultimately, it was his decision, which creates the beauty of sports book competition. In contests, nothing is worse than ignoring one’s gut feeling to follow an “expert” who is ultimately proved wrong.

And in the financial realm, “pros” can’t provide the money management. Those who prosper slam the right games and minimize their investments on borderline calls. If they don’t, Mr. Vig, the 10 percent premium added to most bets, will eat them alive.

The Leroy’s Challenge, which adds pro football to the 2008 menu, carves an interesting local niche.

The company serves 61 sports book locations, more than anyone else in Nevada. It appears in some small properties, many mid-size ones and a few large facilities. Leroy’s enables properties to provide a necessary service without hiring full staffs and helps keeps betting lines consistent in Las Vegas.

This competition sits under the radar of fabled events like the Hilton Sports Book Challenge, which requires a $1,500 entry fee. The Leroy’s version charges $250, and last year it paid 15 places.

By Dave Bontempo

Casino Connection Sports Editor Dave Bontempo is an award-winning sports writer and broadcaster who calls boxing matches all over the world. He has covered the Philadelphia Flyers in the playoffs, as well as numerous PGA, LPGA and Seniors Golf Tour events, and co-hosted the Casino Connection television program with Publisher Roger Gros.

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