Money Talks and more listeners are listening.

Word of Leroy's Money Talks contest has rapidly spread throughout the gambling community and the audience is growing.

A radio show during which the competition is held occupies the 8 to 9 p.m. slot and airs on KDWN (720-AM), just before the 9 to 10 p.m. Stardust Invitational.

Matches are held at the Riviera Hotel-Casino, one of more than 60 Leroy's sports book outlets in the Silver State.

Former Las Vegas and offshore bookmaker Jimmy Vacarro, now marketing director for Leroy's, and gaming writer Arne Lang host the radio show.

Money Talks' 16 invitees each put up $2,500 from their own pockets and Leroy's added $10,000 to the pot for a total of $50,000.

Players were paired into eight opening-round matches, with winners advancing to Round 2.

Bryan Leonard, a member of the Professional Handicappers League at ProCappers.com, tangled with fellow Las Vegan and former Canadian Alf Musketa this weekend; meanwhile, Professional Handicapper League member Doc Moseman and ex-bookmaker Nick Bogdanovich "replayed" their tie match from a week ago.

Leroy's two weekly participants make seven hypothetical wagers, from $770 (to win $700) down to $110 (to win $100). The person who earns the most money wins.

Three of Week 11's four contestants apparently are expecting another hurricane to sweep across Bayou country and blow away the Wave on Saturday.

Make that Golden Hurricane and Green Wave.

Similarly to players in Leroy's College Challenge, the trio overwhelmingly took Tulsa minus two touchdowns versus Conference USA opponent Tulane.

Leonard and Musketa actually had two selections in common, Tulane and Iowa minus 4 1/2 over Minnesota. Each also used only college games.

The Green Wave was a $200 play for Leonard and $100 for Musketa; Iowa was Leonard's $100 pick and Musketa's $500 wager.

Leonard's other choices were Vanderbilt plus 11 ($700), Middle Tennesee State plus 18 ($600), Navy minus 27 ($500), Ohio State minus 3 ($400) and Central Florida minus 11.

Musketa tabbed Stanford plus 5 1/2 ($700), Kansas State minus 3 ($600), Oklahoma State plus 2 1/2 ($400), Alabama plus 7 ($300) and San Diego State minus 7 ($200).

Moseman and Bogdanovich each took Fresno State plus 24 as a $100 pick.

Moseman also went with South Florida minus 20 ($700). Panthers minus 3 ($600), San Jose State minus 7 1/2 ($500), Minnesota plus 4 1/2 ($400), Texans plus 7 ($300) and Tulsa minus 14 ($200).

Bogdanovich's plays were Packers minus 4 1/2 ($700), Chargers minus 11 ($600), Titans plus 4 ($500), Kansas State minus 3 ($400), Clemson minus 2 1/2 ($300) and Ohio State ($200).

The champion will receive $40,000 and the runnerup $10,000.

Chicago Pete Ventrella is the only contestant to have advanced into Round 3 so far.

Lynda Collins is a documented member of the Professional Handicappers League. Read all of her articles at http://www.procappers.com/Lynda_Collins.htm