Sports betting: Average Joe contest offers different type of pick ‘em contest

Adam Burke, VSiN August 31, 2026 – 1:33 pm The VSiN Average Joe Contest invites participants to test their handicapping skill without risking personal funds. Entrants select seven picks each week from NFL and college‑football point spreads and totals, with a limit of four college‑football totals per week. One of the seven selections is designated a “Best Bet” and earns 1.5 points; the remaining correct picks are worth one point each. Pushes or selections on games that are postponed or canceled receive half a point, while incorrect or omitted picks yield zero points. During Weeks 19 and 20, which encompass the college‑football bowl season and the NFL playoffs, the requirement drops to three picks per week, one of which must be the Best Bet. The competition concludes with the College Football Playoff National Championship Game on January 25, 2027, held in Las Vegas. Betting lines are released every Friday at 10 a.m. PT by Circa Sports and remain fixed once posted. All entries must be submitted by 7 a.m. PT the following Saturday, regardless of whether a participant chooses only NFL games. Prizes are awarded both quarterly and for the full season. The quarters are defined as Weeks 1‑5 (September 11–October 14), Weeks 6‑10 (October 15–November 18), Weeks 11‑15 (November 19–December 23) and Weeks 16‑20 (December 24–January 27). The top scorer in each quarter receives round‑trip airfare for two to Las Vegas and a two‑night stay for two at the Circa Resort & Casino; the runner‑up receives the same package. The overall Average Joe champion earns bragging rights, an automatic berth in the 2027 Circa Friday Football Invitational, an in‑studio appearance on a VSiN broadcast, and the identical airfare and hotel award. Standings are updated weekly, accompanied by a breakdown of how many selections were made on each side of the spread and the total, allowing players to compare their choices with the broader consensus and adjust their personal wagering strategies. Further details, rules, eligibility requirements and registration instructions are available at VSiN.com/Joe.