25 grand is not a lot to win trying to win a pick 5 game with a matrix of 5/36.

Well, it's really the pre-tax $35,000 for a good comparison to other games, but I agree the grand prize is low. 

However, the grand prize is determined by the lower-tier prizes.  If you compare lower-tier prizes to Indiana's Lucky 5 (a good comparison on all counts), here is how it breaks down:

As you can see, the difference in the top prize is caused by Oklahoma's better lower-tier prizes.

The question of lower-tier prizes and the balance to the grand prize is always a tricky one for lotteries, and it reflects their priorities.

In the case of the Oklahoma Lottery, they are obviously very concerned with rewarding players who hit the lower prizes, which I guarantee many people like.  There are many people who think that a "spread the wealth" principle is better than a top-heavy structure.

Myself, I think both have merits, and I would defer to the state lottery for being able to determine which method the players in their state enojy the most.  Remember, they are only creating a game that Oklahomans will like.  They don't create their game to suit the desires of people from Tennessee or New Jersey.

Very true, Todd.  In IL we have a $100,000 starting jackpot in our 5/39 game but a 4 of 5 only pays $100.  3 of 5 is $10 and 2 of 5 is free ticket.  You can tell the tier that takes the hit is the 4 of 5.

I like GA's Fantasy 5, which is a matrix of 5/39 as well.

It is a pari-mutual game...Lower tier prizes are decent :

2/5 = free qp ticket

3/5 = $10- $20 depending on JP and number of winners

4=5 = $ 300- $500 depending on JP and number of winners

some of the jackpots have made it to 7 figures, as it rolls until hit...

DD

Of course, that is better indeed.  But you need to keep in mind there is a great difference in size and maturity of the Georgia and Oklahoma lotteries.

I could also have mentioned that NJ has a far superior jackpot-style Pick 5 game, and is drawn seven days a week, but NJ also does not compare well to Oklahoma.

Maybe someday Oklahoma will be able to support a jackpot-style Pick 5 game, but I don't expect it anytime soon.

Overall, the Oklahoma Lottery is doing "OK".

"It works similarly to Powerball, officials said, except players only select 5 numbers out of a pool of 36.  Tickets cost $1 each and offer buyers a chance to win a grand prize of up to $25,000."

No rollover?

Many Pick 5 games have no rollover, especially in smaller states.

Texas, one of the larger states, has a Cash 5/37. Jackpots are based on sales for a particular drawing. If there is no winner, the jackpot amount is rolled down to lower prize levels. This usually boosts the 4/5 prize from $100-$200 range to $400-$600 range. The current jackpots are running between $30 and $40 thousand. Mostly in the 30s.

Players who have 2/5 win $2, which is a feature I like. Get enough of these and you can play your favorite numbers free for a couple days.

Texas started with a Pick 5/39 game with a rollover. Jackpots were attractive and worth the investment. But, the lottery folks wanted more profits, so, they adopted the current game. Too bad. Many lottery players gave them the finger and went on to something else. Sales have been on a steady decline. Those in charge ran some specials, like giving away 5 C5 tickets if a player bought 5 Pick 3, etc. They stopped this practice when one of the commissioners called the practice a 'giveaway'.

Perhaps the folks in Oklahoma looked around and decided to go with the game they adopted, rather than initiate a game that would ultimately fail.

Pick 5/36 is very popular in Florida, which has a rollover. I have kin folks there and we play regularly. I sure would like to hit one of those $200,000 jackpots.

Enough said.

I really don't like the "get a free ticket" for matching two numbers.  It makes the odds of winning a cash prize over 1 in 100. 

I agree though....$25,000 is really low for a 5/36 game.  But I guess if you have a small state you can't do much else.  WI has Badger 5 and they have a rollover game though.  Jackpot starts at $10,000.  But once OK gets everything rolling I can see them getting better at it.  It usually just takes awhile to see what works and what doesn't.

The $500 prize for matching 4 is huge compared to all other states.

Brad

Thanks for the informative posts regarding the new Oklahoma Cash Five game. As Todd points out, our lottery is young, having been launched in October 2005. 

It sounds like the top prize is lower than in many states, but the lower tier prizes are higher. Many more will win those, so I guess it balances out.

 I think the game will do well with a $25,000 (after tax) top prize. The top prize for our Pick 3 is only $500. Of course the odds of hitting a straight in Pick 3 are about 1 in 1,000, much better odds than hitting all five balls (in any order) in a 5/36 game. 

 At any rate I have spent a buck to buy a Cash Five ticket.  Having played Pick 3 and Powerball for several months it's fun to have a new game to try. And I really do appreciate the comments and advice from more experienced lottery players in other states.

Florida's Fantasy 5 rolls down like Cash Five in Texas.

How about this? 

SC Education Lottery offers Palmetto Cash 5 with Power-Up (5/38). For Power-up, pay extra $1 for a multiplier just like Powerball.

5 of 5                   5 of 5 (Prizes up to...)

$100,000              $500,000

4 of 5                  4 of 5

$300                    $1,500

3 of 5                   3 of 5 

$5                       $25

2 of 5                    2 of 5

$1                        $5

One person has matched all five balls in the September 12 drawing.