Lotto TEXASPrev TopicNext Topic

• CASH Only

  United States
  Member #379
  June 5, 2002
  11,296 Posts
  Offline
  Feb 22, 2003, 4:03 pm

  ▲▼

  Lotto TX currently is a 6/54 game; however, by late spring, it is expected to adopt a two-drum format, like Mega Millions/Powerball/California Super Lotto Plus. Interestingly, the 5/44 + 1/44 game would NOT pay for a "mega-ball" only prize.
• Todd

  

  50

  Chief Bottle Washer

  New Jersey
  United States
  Member #1
  May 31, 2000
  27,977 Posts
  Online
  Feb 23, 2003, 7:28 am

  ▲▼

  Mega Millions!

   

  Check the State Lottery Report Card
  What grade did your lottery earn?

   

  Sign the Petition for True Lottery Drawings
  Help eliminate computerized drawings!
• CASH Only

  United States
  Member #379
  June 5, 2002
  11,296 Posts
  Offline
  Feb 23, 2003, 7:38 am

  ▲▼

  Todd: I "voted" for the 6/59, because TX has not passed legislation to go multi-state. After TX has Mega Millions (doubt they'd want PB) they could simply make the 6/59 two plays for $1 (though they would need new bet slips again).
• smd173

  

  United States
  Member #434
  June 30, 2002
  675 Posts
  Offline
  Feb 23, 2003, 8:47 am

  ▲▼

  If Texas or any other state joins Mega Millions, they will NEVER and I mean NEVER, reach a $200 Million jackpot.

  
  
  
  
  

  It's really funny that the game has been around for about 7 or 8 months now and the closest they have come to the "promised" $300-500 Million jackpots is $165 Million.

  
  
  
  
  

  I've been surprised how often Mega Millions seems to be hit, considering the odds.
• CASH Only

  United States
  Member #379
  June 5, 2002
  11,296 Posts
  Offline
  Feb 23, 2003, 9:20 am

  ▲▼

  smd: Actually, the larger the population base, the higher the jackpot potential; bigger rollovers when the jackpot is not won.
• Bradly_60

  

  Atlantic Mine, Michigan
  United States
  Member #416
  June 23, 2002
  1,614 Posts
  Offline
  Feb 23, 2003, 9:32 am

  ▲▼

  But with that you have to realize with a bigger population base you are going to use more of the 135,000,000 possible combinations.  You usually get higher jackpots with lower ticket sales and lots of rollovers.

  
  
  
  
  

  Brad
• CASH Only

  United States
  Member #379
  June 5, 2002
  11,296 Posts
  Offline
  Feb 23, 2003, 9:42 am

  ▲▼

  Brad, SMD: You both need to think about this. You NEED a large population base, as well as impossible jackpot odds, to create incredible jackpots. Remember that the LARGER the population base, the LARGER the rollovers, which more than offset the higher the probability of a jackpot winner.
• Bradly_60

  

  Atlantic Mine, Michigan
  United States
  Member #416
  June 23, 2002
  1,614 Posts
  Offline
  Feb 23, 2003, 9:51 am

  ▲▼

  Yeah but ok you have the population...you are selling lots of tickets....that will create bigger rollovers.  But not as many rollovers.  1 in 135 million are long odds but they are not impossible.  If they wanted those jackpots to reach "monumental heights" then they would have to have odds of 1 in 200 million or higher.  With New York in the population base that is a lot of tickets they are selling.  If the lotteries sell what 60 million tickets that gives almost a 1 in 2 chance that the jackpot will be won.
• CASH Only

  United States
  Member #379
  June 5, 2002
  11,296 Posts
  Offline
  Feb 23, 2003, 10:02 am

  ▲▼

  Brad: If there are 60 million tickets sold for a certain Mega Millions drawing, it's VERY UNLIKELY that each ticket is for a unique combination. The higher the ticket sales, the more likely the possibility of multiple winners (last night's Powerball)-but, you need only ONE winner to send the jackpot back to the cellar.
• RJOh

  

  100

  mid-Ohio
  United States
  Member #9
  March 24, 2001
  20,272 Posts
  Offline
  Feb 23, 2003, 11:32 am

  ▲▼

  Gentlemen, I think you all miss the point of the MegaMillions and PowerBall games.  The games make money for the participating states and that is their number one priority.  They offer large jackpots turn arounds quicker then any of the states could by themselves.  When you get a potential of 100 thousand players willing to spend $5-$100 when the jackpot gets over $100M, there is a good chance most of the possible combinations are going to be played and it unlikely the jackpots will reach the $300-$500M range.  If Texas change their game to similar odds, they will have to start the jackpot at a high enough level that players will buy tickets until the jackpot is high enough to attack more players and that may be than Texas can swing.

  
  
  
  
  

  RJOh