OH is currently considering the changes.

Adding four more numbers to the matrix is really not that big a deal in the big picture.  Reducing the Mega ball to 46 would be good, but not important.  I personally play Mega Millions as a 5-25 game and aim for the $750,000 prize.  I don't hold my breath on the mega ball side of the game.  Here in Texas, as you-all know, we have the Megaplier feature.  I wish all states in the system could have it because, under the new matrix, you would risk $2 to win $1,000,000.  Not a bad deal on a 5-56 game.  Keep pushing for the Megaplier, you deserve the option.

Orangeman

Quote: Originally posted by fxdwg on March 14, 2005

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I am just one who is not fond of the big Jackpots but if they did change it. My gosh the odds are overwhelming now at 1:135 million to change it to 1:175 million wow I am sure that there would be some huge JPs. But my opinion is of little value as I am sure the lure of big JPs will win out which is OK. I am fortunate enough to live in an area that borders a Power ball state so I shall just put that extra into power ball rather than Mega Millions

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  Playing Powerball might not be a good alternative as they're considering increasing the odds of winning the jackpot as well.

I doubt WA state will even have a public discussion on what changes are to be made. Too bad its only 1:175 million, might not be enough of a change considering the number of new players. With Texas deciding things I have a feeling that it's already decided unless New York or California decides differently.

I personally would like to see even less Megaballs with greater odds coming from an increase in white balls with bigger prizes for 5 white balls and no Megaball.

Quote: Originally posted by dvdiva on March 15, 2005

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I doubt WA state will even have a public discussion on what changes are to be made. Too bad its only 1:175 million, might not be enough of a change considering the number of new players. With Texas deciding things I have a feeling that it's already decided unless New York or California decides differently.

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  That extra 40 million combinations should be enough to increase the average jackpot size.  Even without the changes, Mega Millions seems to have longer jackpot runs recently than they did in 2003.

I don't really think a change is needed right now. 1 in 135 million seems like enough for now. I agree with jsk2001 that the consortium needs to simply observe what happens in real life, because predicting players habits is about as impossible as predicting the numbers. Look at the change to the current matrix. They were predicting $400,000,000+ jackpots, and they still haven't broken the old Big Game record yet. Of course there is one player habit that can be counted on, and that's no balls=no players.

I agree. I would like to see no changes until 1 year after CA joins. Before they increase the odds again, they should address why the anticipated and advertised $300-500 million jackpots didn't happen even before TX & CA joined.  Personally, I'm glad the $300-500 million jackpot never happened, since I don't think anyone really needs more than $30 million and having more winners makes it more fun. No winner week after week is not only dreary, it reminds you how bad the odds are. But the lottery should be put on the hot seat for an explanation before they change the odds again.  

The fact is that 1 in 135,000,000 is bad odds, and 1 in 175,000,000 is only incrementally worse. I probably won't win with 1 in 135,000,000, what's 40 million more?  If you are going to overcome impossible odds, why not have them be even more impossible.   The positive thing for me is that the odds of winning any prize will go from 1:43 to 1:40.  So I'll continue to play one ticket a drawing and hope I can disappoint the lottery by winning the lowest possible jackpot.

Quote: Originally posted by JimmySand9 on March 15, 2005

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I don't really think a change is needed right now. 1 in 135 million seems like enough for now. I agree with jsk2001 that the consortium needs to simply observe what happens in real life, because predicting players habits is about as impossible as predicting the numbers. Look at the change to the current matrix. They were predicting $400,000,000+ jackpots, and they still haven't broken the old Big Game record yet. Of course there is one player habit that can be counted on, and that's no balls=no players.

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will oklahoma be a powerball or mega state?

Quote: Originally posted by tg636 on March 16, 2005

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... Personally, I'm glad the $300-500 million jackpot never happened, since I don't think anyone really needs more than $30 million and having more winners makes it more fun....

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Well now we really get to the root of it. People who like free choice and those who don't. This isn't the CCCP is America and you should have a choice. If you don't like games with big jackpots and terrible odds then don't play. There are plenty of state games with smaller jackpots and much better odds. I want games with really high jackpots, the 100+ million in sales that occurs when record jackpots happen shows lots of other people think the same way. Simple fact is there are people who make far more money from inheritance and business then could ever be won in a lottery. The only way someone like me could get a lot of money is the lottery but lame people like you just want to take whatever snowball chance in hell I have of getting it.

OK almost certainly will join PB.