How often and how much do you play in scratch-offs?Prev TopicNext Topic

• Funtimz

  

  United States
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  March 30, 2015
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  May 10, 2015, 9:39 pm

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  I did an experiment back in December where I took a portion of my bonus check from work ($200) and played it on several games throughout the month.  I kept track of everything and when all was spent I won $230 back total.

  Unfortunately I cannot afford to play that much again all at once.  So I now play $20-$40 once a month.  I usually do it mid-month but now that the time is coming up for me to do it this month, I am almost nervous about doing it. But I do have in mind what tickets I would like to buy.

  Anyway how often and how much do you usually play on scratch-offs?
• JuiceMonster

  

  Nashville, TN
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  May 15, 2015
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  May 15, 2015, 1:53 pm

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  You mentioned you play $20-40 once a month. May I ask the type of tickets you purchase, such as $5 tickets or do you purchase one or two $20 tickets?

  I just started playing the scratch off games again. When I first started I was about 19 or 20 years old and only played the $1-2 games. Needless to say it was not very profitable at all. Since started back I've played nothing but the $10 games (not sure how much I've spent) However, I can already tell that the returns have been much better. I think I am going to start tracking my winnings/losses in a spreadsheet from now on. I think I will limit myself to about $20-40 bucks a week, but never exceeding $100 a month. I now only play $10-20 games.
• Funtimz

  

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  May 17, 2015, 8:15 am

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  I found that buying $5 scratchers produced more of a win for me.  It could also be that I didnt buy too many $10 tix that I feel that way also.  Certainly when only spending twenty bucks $5 tickets will allow more chances of winning.
• YNotPlay

  

  Savage,MN
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  April 6, 2015
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  May 18, 2015, 10:07 am

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  Hi, I'm new to the board and thought I'd chime in. I spend about $10-$100 per week sometimes depending on how I feel and the weather (lol). I live in Mn and the payouts are not nearly as good as the other states. I love playing the Northstar and daily 3, but what gets me in trouble are the $50 scratch off and the $5 progressive print and play bingo. I've hit many $500 but nothing more than that amount. I do love the Monopoly scratch off, my friend did win the second chance for Vegas in Dec. 2014. My motto "You gotta be in it to Win IT"
• Funtimz

  

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  May 20, 2015, 9:21 pm

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  I live in Upstate NY and there are not nearly as many big winnings as there are for say, NYC. Seems so unfair.  On a lot of the $5 scratchoffs I play, I usually break even...though sometimes not even that.
• Wendy Domnic

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  May 21, 2015, 1:47 am

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  Five dollar tickets most of the time.. Those $20 lotto tickets are solely played be me through online vendors. To tell you the fact, I have not won more than what I have spent in the last few weeks.
• GetReal720

  

  PA
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  June 29, 2012
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  May 29, 2015, 9:05 am

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  I started off as a very casual player over the last few years, I'd buy maybe $20-$30 worth of tickets

  once a month or so. I'd often go months without buying any at all, and some months I might buy $100-$150.

  Kinda worked itself out so that I was buying around an average of $20-$30 a month.

   

  At my peak last year, I had days where I played upwards of $300 in one trip to the store. Last year was a good year for

  me, but it was not the norm for sure. I had streaks where I'd hit $500 twice on the same day, and I had streaks where

  I'd lose $250 in the blink of an eye. When the smoke settled, I finished up last year about $3000 ahead in combined

  lottery winnings (scratchers and 2 match 6 hits).

   

  This year, I've been more casual about it. I normally have been playing around $100 a month, maybe a bit more some months.

  So far this month I've played more, but I didn't buy all that much last month.

   

  My advice: Don't feel that it's "unfortunate" that you can't buy more than you do. I scratch because like so many others I feel

  like I'm going to find that big winner. The reality is often different, and what ends up happening is that you lose a bunch of money.

  Stay away from the bigger tickets ($30 +) and make it a goal to never play beyond your means.
• MattfromPA

  

  SE PA
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  May 29, 2015, 3:12 pm

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  Really depends on how much money I have left over and how I have been doing. I like to take breaks or else I get too involved emotionally. I try to always play the first day of new tickets, though haven't found anything special lately.
• Funtimz

  

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  May 29, 2015, 8:09 pm

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  I definitely try not to feel too unfortunate about not being able to play as much as I would like.  I have to keep in mind my responsibilities as a single mom along with a house and car payment. So when it is not my time to play I do my best to stay away. 

  I try to save up for my next play with the previous winnings, even if I didnt win all of it back...
• Gold28

  

  Atlanta, GA
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  March 3, 2014
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  May 31, 2015, 12:49 am

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  I only started playing scratch off tickets almost 2 years ago now, Wow time flies.....

  When I first started I'd do like $10 a month, and that was for the first month or so. Then I started doing $20-$30 a week. Then as months went on I'd do $200 a month, then $300, then $400, and rarely $500+. 

  These days I'm good at limiting myself and controlling the urges to play. I always try to play $50-$100 per month these days. Some months I go over $20-$40, but thats about it. 

  I'll usually play once a week or once every other week. If I need to take a 2-3 week break, then I do. I hardly ever go past $120-$140 in a month, but its usually slightly under $100 or right at $100.
• JBounds

  

  Missouri
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  Jun 6, 2015, 4:42 pm

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  I spend like $20 a week and only ever buy $5 tickets.  Last Monday before work I stopped in a gas station and bought one $5 ticket and won $100. I've never won that much on one ticket before.
• Funtimz

  

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  Jun 7, 2015, 8:50 am

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  Nice...I spent $20 and won $15...
• JBounds

  

  Missouri
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  Jun 8, 2015, 4:43 pm

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  One of these days we'll hit a big one.
• chopperman8238

  

  CALI
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  November 6, 2011
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  Jul 4, 2015, 12:55 am

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  While on vacation I spent $1500 on 3 rolls 50 Ticks each of (Taxes Paid).

  I only got about $900 back, not a bad loss...

   

  (HIT THE BIG ONE, OR BUY A SKI MASK)

   
• Funtimz

  

  United States
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  Jul 4, 2015, 6:44 am

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  wow...see I would have to "save" to play that amount.  I couldnt just take that out of my paycheck or savings account and do that. But I sure would be willing to try. But yeah not too bad a loss.

  Take Risks: If you win, you'll be happy.  If you lose, you will be wiser...