Football handicapping contests in Las Vegas are trending decidedly upscale.

Fewer freerolls - where you can take a shot at a prize without risking any money - are available this year than in past seasons.

The most significant addition to the scene is a new high-end competition operated by Harrah's that joins established big entry-fee contests at the Hilton and Station Casinos properties.

Following is a rundown of contests open to the public:

Pay to play, high-end

# Las Vegas Hilton "SuperContest." Entrants pay $1,500 to compete and pick five NFL games each week against the point spread. The top 20 finishers earn prize money. Last year's event drew a field of 505 players with a grand prize of more than $300,000. There's a $10,000 bonus for hitting 67 percent and a $10,000 minicontest covering the final three weeks of the season if you sign up by 4 p.m. Friday.

# Station Casinos "Football Challenge." Entrants pay $1,000 and pick five college or pro games each week against the spread. The top 20 finishers earn prize money. The contest awards a one-year lease of a Mercedes SUV if the champion picks 67 percent or better. There's a $12,500 minicontest covering the final four weeks of the season. Contestants who sign up by 5 p.m. Friday can compete for an aggregate $10,000 bonus by beating the Station bookmaker's picks.

# Harrah's "Glory of the Gridiron." Entrants pay $2,000 and pick six NFL games each week against the spread. The top 10 finishers are paid. The contest includes $15,000 to $20,000 aggregate bonuses to be awarded after the sixth, 12th and 17th weeks. Casinos participating are Caesars Palace, Harrah's, Bally's, Paris, the Flamingo, the Rio, Harrah's Reno, Harvey's Lake Tahoe and Harrah's Laughlin.

Pay to play, mid-range

Leroy's "College Challenge." Entrants pay $250 and pick seven college games each week against the spread. The top 40 finishers are paid. There's a guaranteed prize pool of at least $100,000 with 30 percent going to the champion. Play at any Leroy's outlet.

Pay to play, low-end

# Station Casinos "Great Giveaway." Entries are $25 or a limit of three for $50. Pick NFL games straight-up (no point spreads) for weekly and season-long prizes with a $1 million prize pool guaranteed.

# Coast Casinos "Friendly Frank's Pick the Pros." Entries are $25 or a limit of four for $100. Pick NFL games straight-up for weekly and season-long prizes with a $1 million prize pool guaranteed.

# Texas Station "Last Man Standing." The entry fee is $25, or a limit of four for $75. Pick one college or pro game each week against the spread. Lose and you're out. It's winner-take-all with a $10,000 guarantee.

# The Palms "Pigskin Payoff." Entries are $25 or five for $75. Pick NFL games straight-up for weekly and season-long prizes.

# Harrah's "First and $5,000." Entries are $20. Pick NFL games against the spread for weekly prize at all Harrah's properties.

# Terrible's football contest. The first entry is free; others are $10 up to a limit of 10 for $80. Pick NFL games straight-up for weekly and season-long prizes.

# "Football Frenzy." Entries are $10. Pick NFL games straight-up for weekly and season-long prizes at Fiestas, Barley's, Wild Wild West, Wildfire, Gold Rush and Magic Star.

# Cal Neva "Pick Your Pros." Entries are $25, or $20 for the contest's college edition. Enter both for $35. Pick games straight-up for weekly and season-long prizes. Cal Neva, based in Northern Nevada, has local outlets at the Tuscany and the Four Queens.

Freeroll

Leroy's "Pick 'em and Win." Entrants pick NFL games straight-up and compete for a $5,000 weekly prize in the preseason as well as the regular season.

Jeff Haney can be reached at 259-4041 or at haney@lasvegassun.com.

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