Defending champ knocked out in Leroy's Money Talks Invitational

13 November 2008

(PRESS RELEASE) -- There will be a new champion in Leroy's Money Talks Invitational. Defending champ Nick Bogdanovich fell to amateur handicapper Dave Hochman in their first round rematch, while Ken "The Shrink" Weitzner survived a 2-5 week, moving into the semifinals of the $80,000 winner take all handicapping contest.

Bogdanovich's exit opens up the championship round to a new cast of characters as fellow 2007 finalist Doc Moseman also succumbed in his first round match. Hochman and Bogdanovich tied in their first meeting with 2-5 cards, but the Midwesterner turned it around in the rematch with a 5-2 week thanks to strong plays on the Chiefs (+15) and Texas Tech Raiders (-3.5). Bogdanovich, came up short with a 4-3 card and won't be sending UTEP quarterback Trevor Vittatoe any holiday greetings as he punished Louisiana Lafayette (-10) with five touchdown passes in a 37-24 win to scuttle the Cal Neva Sports Book Director's pick.

The Shrink employed a "survive and move on" strategy as he edged out pro poker player Bill Edler whose 1-5-1 card flopped him out of the competition. The dreaded push with Arkansas (+13) kept Edler from a first-round replay.

Friday, at Crazy Leroy's Sports Book at the Riviera, the tag team from pregame.com (4-3), Marco D'Angelo and Vegas Runner, will take on Generous Jay (4-3) in a second round tilt.

Match winners are determined by the best record on seven college and/or pro picks against the spread. A "best-bet" designated among each player's picks will settle any ties. The invitational players' record now stands at 66-70-4.

The "Money Talks" show is broadcast from 10-11 p.m. on Friday's as part of the Leroy's Sports Hour with host John Kelly on KLAV 1230-AM in Las Vegas and on Fox Sports 1450-AM in Reno. Each show features the handicappers' rationale -- whether a gut feeling or in-depth statistical analysis. All picks, standings and brackets will be posted at www.leroys.com.