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Quote: Originally posted by LottoMetro on Nov 21, 2014
I started out Pick3, then switched to scratch-offs. Doesn't make sense to play a 50% payout game when there are 60-70%+ games for the same price.
Now I play almost exclusively $20 games (whatever has the best odds, really), but occasionally I will play a draw game if the jackpot has rolled close to the top percentile. Location, meh, I don't think it matters much but I will vary my play if I think a pack at one store has all the good winners gone.
I definitely haven't played as much this year as last year or the year before, but amusingly I am winning more dollar-wise.
Hi LottoMetro,
I only played the pick 3 game once (I don't understand the 50 cent bet etc. on that game). In terms of scratch offs 20 dollar ones are probably the best bang for your buck (unfortunately they are the most expensive). One of the reasons I had to stop playing scratchers was because I was spending far too much money chasing wins (though a few months before I stopped playing scratchers I would buy one ticket, scratch it and if I won would not buy anymore or if I lost on that one ticket would buy one more and leave the store). I find it much easier and cost effective for me to just buy 1 PB or Lucky for Life draw ticket. My way of playing now makes it truly impossible for me to win a jackpot but at least it keeps me in the game and more importantly I am not throwing my money down the drain chasing wins that will not happen. That's great that you have cut back on your spending and are winning more. You are wise to play less, so when you win you are ahead of the game as opposed to spending so much money to get that win. Best of luck to you.
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Quote: Originally posted by shyguitar on Nov 22, 2014
Hi LottoMetro,
I only played the pick 3 game once (I don't understand the 50 cent bet etc. on that game). In terms of scratch offs 20 dollar ones are probably the best bang for your buck (unfortunately they are the most expensive). One of the reasons I had to stop playing scratchers was because I was spending far too much money chasing wins (though a few months before I stopped playing scratchers I would buy one ticket, scratch it and if I won would not buy anymore or if I lost on that one ticket would buy one more and leave the store). I find it much easier and cost effective for me to just buy 1 PB or Lucky for Life draw ticket. My way of playing now makes it truly impossible for me to win a jackpot but at least it keeps me in the game and more importantly I am not throwing my money down the drain chasing wins that will not happen. That's great that you have cut back on your spending and are winning more. You are wise to play less, so when you win you are ahead of the game as opposed to spending so much money to get that win. Best of luck to you.
Yeah, the thing about higher priced tickets is that they.....are higher priced!
I used to buy a lot, but buying lots just means you reach the long run faster, and in the case of the lottery that means losing 20-40% of your money.
So now I am kinda like a "one and done" player, just enough to give me a chance, as you said with your example of PB/L4L. I try to stick to games with the best overall odds because the likelihood of winning the jackpot in any game will be minute, so might as well make the most of your dollar. Monitoring and analyzing the games on a frequent basis has revealed a number of profitable opportunities (statistical exploits), but they are so rare that I don't really bother using a strategy.
If the chances of winning the jackpot are so slim, why play when the jackpot is so small? Your chances never change, but the potential payoff does.
If a crystal ball showed you the future of the rest of your life, and in that future you will never win a jackpot, would you still play?
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I always incorporate some sort of feng shui principle or element with my tickets....placing them on a bowl of coins, placing the tickets in the SE corner, etc.
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Quote: Originally posted by Artist77 on Nov 22, 2014
I always incorporate some sort of feng shui principle or element with my tickets....placing them on a bowl of coins, placing the tickets in the SE corner, etc.
That's interesting. The only thing out-of-the-ordinary I do when buying a lottery ticket is look to see if the multiplier number is also in the set. I always buy another ticket if there is, but the funny thing is that I've hit a few 1+1 and 2+1 combos on those "double number" tickets. I've never been very superstitious or depended upon good luck charms, but I will not wear a pair of socks w/ a hole in them or if they're mismatched. (and I wear mostly white socks and they can't be two different brands or styles with different tops or heels/toes...it makes sorting my laundry a PITA)
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Quote: Originally posted by mikeintexas on Nov 22, 2014
That's interesting. The only thing out-of-the-ordinary I do when buying a lottery ticket is look to see if the multiplier number is also in the set. I always buy another ticket if there is, but the funny thing is that I've hit a few 1+1 and 2+1 combos on those "double number" tickets. I've never been very superstitious or depended upon good luck charms, but I will not wear a pair of socks w/ a hole in them or if they're mismatched. (and I wear mostly white socks and they can't be two different brands or styles with different tops or heels/toes...it makes sorting my laundry a PITA)
PITA? I don't view it so much as a good luck charm or a superstition....more or a design aspect or good design harmony. For example, you are not to have your bed directly in line with a door or your entry door facing a closet.
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Quote: Originally posted by Artist77 on Nov 22, 2014
PITA? I don't view it so much as a good luck charm or a superstition....more or a design aspect or good design harmony. For example, you are not to have your bed directly in line with a door or your entry door facing a closet.
No, sorting my socks is a PITA when they look almost all identical except for brand or style differences.
EDIT: Oh, you're not familiar w/ PITA? "Pain in the...." I misunderstood you, like I think you misunderstood me. I wasn't saying it was a superstition, although if you do it for good luck, then I guess it could be one.
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Quote: Originally posted by LottoMetro on Nov 22, 2014
Yeah, the thing about higher priced tickets is that they.....are higher priced!
I used to buy a lot, but buying lots just means you reach the long run faster, and in the case of the lottery that means losing 20-40% of your money.
So now I am kinda like a "one and done" player, just enough to give me a chance, as you said with your example of PB/L4L. I try to stick to games with the best overall odds because the likelihood of winning the jackpot in any game will be minute, so might as well make the most of your dollar. Monitoring and analyzing the games on a frequent basis has revealed a number of profitable opportunities (statistical exploits), but they are so rare that I don't really bother using a strategy.
It seems you are grounded when it comes to playing the lottery and the "one and "done" thing as you say is the best policy. When I played scratchers, like yourself, I was always looking for the best odds and also checking my states website to see how many jackpot tickets were claimed. Strategies can be a tricky thing because so often luck just plays a key role, being at the right place at the right time to win.