Ohio Classic Lotto goes more than 2 years without winner

Apr 9, 2014, 7:41 am (124 comments)

Ohio Lottery

Jackpot now a record $66.2 million

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Classic Lotto jackpot currently stands at $66.2 million after no ticket was sold for Monday's draw with the numbers of 27, 32, 36, 38, 40, and 44.

Of course, that means no winning ticket was sold last week. Or the week before that. Or the month before that. Or the year before that.

In fact, it's the largest jackpot recorded for the game.  Every drawing that produces no jackpot winner it breaks another record, increasing by another $100,000 to $300,000.

The most recent winning ticket for the Classic Lotto was for the drawing on Dec. 7, 2011, worth $2.7 million, according to an Ohio Lottery spokeswoman. A $50.4 million prize was won on Oct. 24, 2011.

It's a been a long, slow climb to $66.2 million. Lottery officials don't have an explanation for the long dry spell for an overall winner, but they said the Lottery has paid out $5.5 million in non-jackpot winnings since July 1, 2013.

The next drawing for the Classic Lotto is at 7:05 p.m. Wednesday. The odds of winning the jackpot with a $1 ticket are 1-in-13,983,816.

Plain Dealer, Lottery Post Staff

Comments

Gleno's avatarGleno

What's up with this game in Ohio? Classic Lotto is due for a hit in 2014.Coffee

sully16's avatarsully16

Time to go to Ohio, Dance

THRIFTY's avatarTHRIFTY

Chasing lottery rollovers is really stupid. I would feel dumb to keep playing a lottery game that has been rolling for more than 2 years.

The lottery decides when a lottery jackpot is going to be won.

mypiemaster's avatarmypiemaster

Do they use balls or the dreaded computer programs for the Ohio Classic Lotto?.

Todd's avatarTodd

Quote: Originally posted by THRIFTY on Apr 9, 2014

Chasing lottery rollovers is really stupid. I would feel dumb to keep playing a lottery game that has been rolling for more than 2 years.

The lottery decides when a lottery jackpot is going to be won.

...says the person who hasn't won yet.  Something tells me you would suddenly change your tune if your numbers hit after playing them for two years.

peppy007

Quote: Originally posted by mypiemaster on Apr 9, 2014

Do they use balls or the dreaded computer programs for the Ohio Classic Lotto?.

I was wondering the exact same thing.  With those low odds compared to other lotteries, u would figure it would have hit sometime after it passed $30 million with the help of people from neighboring states crossing over for a chance at that jackpot.

THRIFTY's avatarTHRIFTY

Quote: Originally posted by Todd on Apr 9, 2014

...says the person who hasn't won yet.  Something tells me you would suddenly change your tune if your numbers hit after playing them for two years.

Why I play lottery quick picks instead of self picks.

"There is only one practical reason I can give you to play a "quick pick" over picking your own numbers.  If you get your own numbers, they become just that - your OWN.  You will feel more compelled to play "your" numbers more often.  You'll think, "What if I don't play MY numbers tonight and they actually come in?!?"

If you only do quick picks, you'll play less often.  Play less often is the BEST strategy for playing the lottery!  That includes playing so "less often" that you never play!  THAT is the very best strategy.

Look, the lottery company operates on a 50% payback rate.  In other words, for every $100,000 they collect from ticket sales, they only pay out about $50,000 to winning tickets.  At a 50% payback rate, no other standard bet on the planet comes even close to being as bad as buying lottery tickets.  The lottery is a TAX on the poor and on the ignorant.

You asked what's the most I've won.  Why?  What would that tell you?  I hit $2,500 from the Pick 3 lottery once.  So what???  Seriously - knowing I won that means nothing without knowing about the THOUSANDS and THOUSANDS I poured down the drain chasing that win.

You are interested in the wrong thing.  Do a little research into the probability and payout tables for your own lottery.  If you look carefully, you will see for yourself that I am right about that 50% payback rate.  You might as well light a match to half your money." By PDQ

peppy007

Megamillions is 20 times harder to hit, powerball 13x harder. If I lived in ohio I wouldnt play those two lotteries til it goes way past the amount the Ohio classic is offering.

THRIFTY's avatarTHRIFTY

Quote: Originally posted by Todd on Apr 9, 2014

...says the person who hasn't won yet.  Something tells me you would suddenly change your tune if your numbers hit after playing them for two years.

" Playing less often is the BEST strategy for playing the lottery!  That includes playing so "less often" that you never play!  THAT is the very best strategy." By PDQ

str8ca$hhomie's avatarstr8ca$hhomie

        RJOH TIME TO TWEAK THE OLE SYSTEM !

Marilyn222's avatarMarilyn222

Quote: Originally posted by Todd on Apr 9, 2014

...says the person who hasn't won yet.  Something tells me you would suddenly change your tune if your numbers hit after playing them for two years.

...I bet he'd be singing allelujah song...lol

pickone4me's avatarpickone4me

13.9 million for odds! That is the problem right there, the odds are too high,  it's  worse then wisconsins megabucks which the odds are about 6.9 million.

Jon D's avatarJon D

Quote: Originally posted by peppy007 on Apr 9, 2014

Megamillions is 20 times harder to hit, powerball 13x harder. If I lived in ohio I wouldnt play those two lotteries til it goes way past the amount the Ohio classic is offering.

Yeah, I don't get it. What's up Ohioans?

They do about $42M in sales per year for Ohio Classic Lotto, that's around $200-300k per draw. And that's HALF of what the base sales are for MM and PB starting JP in Ohio, when the OCL JP is higher and odds are better!?

So Ohioans have spent more than $84M in total accumulated sales for this run, on a game with odds of 14M, and still no winner. That's insane, spending 6 times over the odds of the game and still no winner.

That's like if you spent $6000 on pick3 str over the years without a single win! Thud

This game is the poster child for how NOT to run a state lotto, with sales languishing in mediocrity year after year. Straight linear sales increases. The game matrix is not sized properly for the playing population, and/or they need to adjust the game marketing or promos to increase interest.

RedStang's avatarRedStang

Quote: Originally posted by pickone4me on Apr 9, 2014

13.9 million for odds! That is the problem right there, the odds are too high,  it's  worse then wisconsins megabucks which the odds are about 6.9 million.

That does'nt seem too bad since some players may buy a few tickets. Now the 1 in 75 million odds for getting a extra pickle on your Mcdonalds cheeseburger are insane.

Marilyn222's avatarMarilyn222

How can they control it?

oh438's avataroh438

I've been following this game for a least a year now.  I usually get auto pick and have missed all 6  most often.  As far as I know, it's still a mechanical ball drawing.  It's not shown live anymore both the Rolling cash 5 and classic lottos we're drop from the daily broadcast for the pick 5 game.

LottoMetro's avatarLottoMetro

Rare indeed. Using average sales per draw of $270,000 (I suspect off), the cumulative probability of having at least one winner so far is about 99.92%. Even if sales only averaged $150,000 per draw, the cumulative probability would be about 98%.

I've checked the drawings for statistical bias but literally none exists, at least over the long term. Ohio is very good about maintaining drawing neutrality. This is just one of those cases where an event that falls in the extreme ≤ 1%, actually happens. It is 'technically' possible for the game to continue rolling for another 1400 or so drawings without a winner, but conscious selection (or player outrage) would probably keep that from ever happening.

If I lived near Ohio, I would make this game a priority above Powerball or Mega Millions for sure. Even Kelly says you should play, albeit if you are already a millionaire Crazy

HaveABall's avatarHaveABall

Dear Todd or LP Staffer,

I noticed a KEY error in the first paragraph of this article, please fix it:

"CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Classic Lotto jackpot currently stands at $66.2 million after no ticket was sold for Monday's draw"

.... Therefore, please add the words "winning jackpot" before the, above, word "ticket."

 

Fascinating article though, kudos! Shocked

CajunWin4's avatarCajunWin4

Who is ready for a road trip ???

Marilyn222's avatarMarilyn222

Quote: Originally posted by CajunWin4 on Apr 9, 2014

Who is ready for a road trip ???

...I don't care I don't feel like going to Ohio. Hehehehe

IPlayWeekly's avatarIPlayWeekly

I've tried OCL several times and have given up... I've never won anything back.  At least with MM or PB I've won a few dollars back.

Todd's avatarTodd

Quote: Originally posted by HaveABall on Apr 9, 2014

Dear Todd or LP Staffer,

I noticed a KEY error in the first paragraph of this article, please fix it:

"CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Classic Lotto jackpot currently stands at $66.2 million after no ticket was sold for Monday's draw"

.... Therefore, please add the words "winning jackpot" before the, above, word "ticket."

 

Fascinating article though, kudos! Shocked

You did not copy the complete sentence.  If I put a period on the sentence where YOU ended it, you'd be correct.  But the sentence in the article right now is correct the way it is.

THRIFTY's avatarTHRIFTY

Quote: Originally posted by peppy007 on Apr 9, 2014

Megamillions is 20 times harder to hit, powerball 13x harder. If I lived in ohio I wouldnt play those two lotteries til it goes way past the amount the Ohio classic is offering.

Ironically Mega Millions and Powerball have not gone more than 2 years without a jackpot winner.

Drenick1's avatarDrenick1

Quote: Originally posted by mypiemaster on Apr 9, 2014

Do they use balls or the dreaded computer programs for the Ohio Classic Lotto?.

No computer programs just the old fashioned ball method. I looked into this before splurging on the max draws allowed while recently visiting Ohio.

THRIFTY's avatarTHRIFTY

Quote: Originally posted by Drenick1 on Apr 9, 2014

No computer programs just the old fashioned ball method. I looked into this before splurging on the max draws allowed while recently visiting Ohio.

It is time for an Ohio Classic Lotto matrix change.

Drenick1's avatarDrenick1

Quote: Originally posted by CajunWin4 on Apr 9, 2014

Who is ready for a road trip ???

I took one and I'm hoping it pays off. I still have 7 more draws on the tickets I purchased. Compared to MM 18.5 miilion to 1 odds for the 2nd tier prize level it's a no brainer at least for me.

Drenick1's avatarDrenick1

Quote: Originally posted by THRIFTY on Apr 9, 2014

Ironically Mega Millions and Powerball have not gone more than 2 years without a jackpot winner.

If it did especially with over 360 draws, we would be looking at a jackpot worth over a trillion dollars

THRIFTY's avatarTHRIFTY

Quote: Originally posted by Drenick1 on Apr 9, 2014

I took one and I'm hoping it pays off. I still have 7 more draws on the tickets I purchased. Compared to MM 18.5 miilion to 1 odds for the 2nd tier prize level it's a no brainer at least for me.

Mega Millions and Powerball have not been rolling over for more than 2 years without a jackpot winner. Ohio classic lotto playership has to be very low.

THRIFTY's avatarTHRIFTY

Quote: Originally posted by Drenick1 on Apr 9, 2014

If it did especially with over 360 draws, we would be looking at a jackpot worth over a trillion dollars

Time is Money. Why would I play a game where the jackpot rollovers for more than 2 years? Insanity at its best.

Drenick1's avatarDrenick1

Quote: Originally posted by Todd on Apr 9, 2014

You did not copy the complete sentence.  If I put a period on the sentence where YOU ended it, you'd be correct.  But the sentence in the article right now is correct the way it is.

I agree! almost like as if the "selective" editing was from NBC news.

Drenick1's avatarDrenick1

Quote: Originally posted by THRIFTY on Apr 9, 2014

Mega Millions and Powerball have not been rolling over for more than 2 years without a jackpot winner. Ohio classic lotto playership has to be very low.

I didn't go crazy on tickets but I did get 3 picks for 10 draws. I do have wishful thinking but I am NOT insane.Wink

THRIFTY's avatarTHRIFTY

Quote: Originally posted by IPlayWeekly on Apr 9, 2014

I've tried OCL several times and have given up... I've never won anything back.  At least with MM or PB I've won a few dollars back.

You are not a crazy lottery player, because you stopped playing an unwinnable lottery game.

NearNewBrit

[The following numbers may not be precise. I'm going from memory.]

The Lucky For Life game in New England used to have 1-in-13.8M odds for the top prize; there were winners once every 3 months or so.  Then, they changed it to 1-in-41M odds, and there hasn't been a winner for that 5/43 + 1/43 matrix yet (7 months).

THRIFTY's avatarTHRIFTY

Quote: Originally posted by Drenick1 on Apr 9, 2014

I didn't go crazy on tickets but I did get 3 picks for 10 draws. I do have wishful thinking but I am NOT insane.Wink

Ohio classic lotto represents lottery insanity at its best. Can you imagine playing every drawing for over 2 years, and have a first time player winning the jackpot.LOL

peppy007

Quote: Originally posted by THRIFTY on Apr 9, 2014

Ohio classic lotto represents lottery insanity at its best. Can you imagine playing every drawing for over 2 years, and have a first time player winning the jackpot.LOL

Let me be that first timer. Can someone fedex me some tickets to nyc. Lol.

Drenick1's avatarDrenick1

Quote: Originally posted by THRIFTY on Apr 9, 2014

Ohio classic lotto represents lottery insanity at its best. Can you imagine playing every drawing for over 2 years, and have a first time player winning the jackpot.LOL

Even the clerks selling tickets were unaware of how long it had been since OCL had been won. It's like as if a $60+ million jackpot is stale news.

THRIFTY's avatarTHRIFTY

Quote: Originally posted by NearNewBrit on Apr 9, 2014

[The following numbers may not be precise. I'm going from memory.]

The Lucky For Life game in New England used to have 1-in-13.8M odds for the top prize; there were winners once every 3 months or so.  Then, they changed it to 1-in-41M odds, and there hasn't been a winner for that 5/43 + 1/43 matrix yet (7 months).

Do not play that lottery game. Why would you play a lottery game that takes forever to win the jackpot?

Drenick1's avatarDrenick1

Quote: Originally posted by THRIFTY on Apr 9, 2014

Ohio classic lotto represents lottery insanity at its best. Can you imagine playing every drawing for over 2 years, and have a first time player winning the jackpot.LOL

I'm a first time OCL player even though I bought 10 draws. Smile

THRIFTY's avatarTHRIFTY

Quote: Originally posted by Drenick1 on Apr 9, 2014

I'm a first time OCL player even though I bought 10 draws. Smile

Playing the lottery SOMEDAY is better than Playing the lottery EVERYDAY.LOL

THRIFTY's avatarTHRIFTY

Quote: Originally posted by Drenick1 on Apr 9, 2014

I'm a first time OCL player even though I bought 10 draws. Smile

10 lottery tickets in 1 lottery drawing is better than 10 lottery tickets for 10 draws.

Drenick1's avatarDrenick1

Quote: Originally posted by THRIFTY on Apr 9, 2014

10 lottery tickets in 1 lottery drawing is better than 10 lottery tickets for 10 draws.

Actually it's just 3 QP's for each drawing but I did have 10 draws.

THRIFTY's avatarTHRIFTY

Quote: Originally posted by Drenick1 on Apr 9, 2014

Actually it's just 3 QP's for each drawing but I did have 10 draws.

I play MM and PB sporadically, because I hate chasing jackpot rollovers.

THRIFTY's avatarTHRIFTY

Quote: Originally posted by peppy007 on Apr 9, 2014

Let me be that first timer. Can someone fedex me some tickets to nyc. Lol.

THE POWERBALL JACKPOT IS $80 MILLION.

Drenick1's avatarDrenick1

Quote: Originally posted by THRIFTY on Apr 9, 2014

I play MM and PB sporadically, because I hate chasing jackpot rollovers.

Me too! Cheers

THRIFTY's avatarTHRIFTY

Quote: Originally posted by Drenick1 on Apr 9, 2014

Me too! Cheers

PLAY THE LOTTERY SOMEDAY-IT IS OKAY TO DREAM!

Marilyn222's avatarMarilyn222

Quote: Originally posted by peppy007 on Apr 9, 2014

Let me be that first timer. Can someone fedex me some tickets to nyc. Lol.

Can't you buy them online?

faber98

Quote: Originally posted by THRIFTY on Apr 9, 2014

PLAY THE LOTTERY SOMEDAY-IT IS OKAY TO DREAM!

dead wrong again as usual thrifty. this ohio thing is a good play from now until it is hit. jackpot amount extemely enticing considering the odds compared to the 2 pie in the sky games everyone seems to be chasing twice a week. every living and breathing person in ohio and states within 15 miles of an ohio lottery store should be playing this with both fists and 100% of their lottery budget. anyone who steps into one of those ohio slot parlors and pumps money away should rethink their gambling MO and play this instead. there is only a limited time that you can play anything considering the age of most players. you come across as the ultimate miser who doesn't chase rollovers? makes absolutely no sense to just dive in occasionally unless financial constraints prevent it. i'd give my left gonad to be close enough to ohio to chase this. far and away the best lottery option out there right now. the fact that it hasn't been hit for 2 years is no rational reason not to play it. after it gets hit then it would irrational to play it.

Marilyn222's avatarMarilyn222

I only play MM and PB.

Drenick1's avatarDrenick1

Quote: Originally posted by Marilyn222 on Apr 9, 2014

I only play MM and PB.

I wouldn't waste any money on either one right now. Why would anyone play MM with a $20 million jackpot and horrendous odds when they can play classic lotto which has better odds than MM 2nd place prize.

Masone

Quote: Originally posted by faber98 on Apr 9, 2014

dead wrong again as usual thrifty. this ohio thing is a good play from now until it is hit. jackpot amount extemely enticing considering the odds compared to the 2 pie in the sky games everyone seems to be chasing twice a week. every living and breathing person in ohio and states within 15 miles of an ohio lottery store should be playing this with both fists and 100% of their lottery budget. anyone who steps into one of those ohio slot parlors and pumps money away should rethink their gambling MO and play this instead. there is only a limited time that you can play anything considering the age of most players. you come across as the ultimate miser who doesn't chase rollovers? makes absolutely no sense to just dive in occasionally unless financial constraints prevent it. i'd give my left gonad to be close enough to ohio to chase this. far and away the best lottery option out there right now. the fact that it hasn't been hit for 2 years is no rational reason not to play it. after it gets hit then it would irrational to play it.

I tend to agree. Unless the drawings were being fixed, it's completely irrelevant that it hasn't hit in over 2 years. The only thing that's relevant is 66 million and only 1 in 14 million odds. If I were in Ohio this is the only thing I would be playing. I wish I could play this game so bad. And there is no mega ball either? Only 6 of 6? And it's played 3 days of the week? I think I might have to take a little trip to Ohio, or somehow acquire tickets in this game.

Goon

Oh no you dont, I'm gonna win that. The classic is the only game that I play. I've gotten prety close over the years. I got a good feeling the classic will be mine soonBig Smile

faber98

Quote: Originally posted by Masone on Apr 9, 2014

I tend to agree. Unless the drawings were being fixed, it's completely irrelevant that it hasn't hit in over 2 years. The only thing that's relevant is 66 million and only 1 in 14 million odds. If I were in Ohio this is the only thing I would be playing. I wish I could play this game so bad. And there is no mega ball either? Only 6 of 6? And it's played 3 days of the week? I think I might have to take a little trip to Ohio, or somehow acquire tickets in this game.

masone gets it. 66m and 14-1 odds seems like a no brainer. anyone who knows someone in ohio or knows someone who knows somebody in ohio should be sending $$ to have them mail you tickets. thrifty can "dream" all he wants but wasn't the NY state motto a dollar and a "dream". i tend to stick to state lotteries "better odds" but smaller prizes which keep you under the radar. these people who don't play unless it's 300 million or more are missing out on a chance (minimal as that might be) to hit one and not draw attention and the problems that will arise from a major hit. this ohio one must be covered with at least 1 ticket by ohioites. forget PB or Mega until this one is taken down.

RJOh's avatarRJOh

Could be, a year ago I got a 5of6 for $1500 and since then I'm lucky to get 3of6 for $2.

Masone

Quote: Originally posted by RJOh on Apr 9, 2014

Could be, a year ago I got a 5of6 for $1500 and since then I'm lucky to get 3of6 for $2.

Buy me some tickets and I'll send you a couple dollars paypal. LOL

Finally, a good reason to be in Ohio.

maringoman's avatarmaringoman

OCL jackpot is about 5 times the odds of winning it. I would be playing this game like my life depended on it. MM can wait

Match Prize Odds(per $1 play)  Payout
6 out of 6 Jackpot 1 : 13,983,816 Jackpot
5 out of 6 Second 1 : 54,201 $1,500
4 out of 6 Third 1 : 1,032 $70
3 out of 6 Fourth 1 : 57 $2

 

MM


Match Prize Odds (per $1 play)
ballballballballballball Jackpot** 1 : 258,900,000
ballballballballball $1,000,000 1 : 18,500,000
ballballballballball $5,000 1 : 739,688
ballballballball $500 1 : 52,835
ballballballball $50 1 : 10,720
ballballball $5 1 : 766
ballballball $5 1 : 473
ballball $2 1 : 56
ball $1 1 : 21
OldSchoolPa's avatarOldSchoolPa

One theory is that more Ohioans are chasing Mega Millions and Powerball since Ohio had a few big Mega Millions winners awhile back. There is no guarantee that I will win any lottery (I don't even have a play in for tonights Classic drawing), but I can guarantee that I will make that long road trip to Ohio should no one win tonight! I might not win even then, but I prefer to have a chance rather than no chance. Why I have won more little prizes from Ohio Classic lottery than I have from Illinois raffle games (I have won nada, zilch, zero). I would much rather drop $20 for multiple chances to win Ohio Classic lottery than to subsidize the Illinois raffle...why there were even some winners who bought a ticket for the very first time. Not cool.

Ilovecash3

Just got my quik pick for next ten draws

6-7-18-32-34-49

..

RJOh's avatarRJOh

Quote: Originally posted by maringoman on Apr 9, 2014

OCL jackpot is about 5 times the odds of winning it. I would be playing this game like my life depended on it. MM can wait

Match Prize Odds(per $1 play)  Payout
6 out of 6 Jackpot 1 : 13,983,816 Jackpot
5 out of 6 Second 1 : 54,201 $1,500
4 out of 6 Third 1 : 1,032 $70
3 out of 6 Fourth 1 : 57 $2

 

MM


Match Prize Odds (per $1 play)
ballballballballballball Jackpot** 1 : 258,900,000
ballballballballball $1,000,000 1 : 18,500,000
ballballballballball $5,000 1 : 739,688
ballballballball $500 1 : 52,835
ballballballball $50 1 : 10,720
ballballball $5 1 : 766
ballballball $5 1 : 473
ballball $2 1 : 56
ball $1 1 : 21

Ohioans look at the Big picture in a small way, if they're unlikely to win either jackpot then they would rather play the game with the best chance of winning something and that's MM with odds of 1:14.7 vs OCL with odds of 1:53.6.  When they start thinking jackpot only, they'll buy more OCL tickets.

RJOh's avatarRJOh

Quote: Originally posted by OldSchoolPa on Apr 9, 2014

One theory is that more Ohioans are chasing Mega Millions and Powerball since Ohio had a few big Mega Millions winners awhile back. There is no guarantee that I will win any lottery (I don't even have a play in for tonights Classic drawing), but I can guarantee that I will make that long road trip to Ohio should no one win tonight! I might not win even then, but I prefer to have a chance rather than no chance. Why I have won more little prizes from Ohio Classic lottery than I have from Illinois raffle games (I have won nada, zilch, zero). I would much rather drop $20 for multiple chances to win Ohio Classic lottery than to subsidize the Illinois raffle...why there were even some winners who bought a ticket for the very first time. Not cool.

" I can guarantee that I will make that long road trip to Ohio should no one win tonight!"

If more people in the neighboring states think like you, this Saturday ticket sales could be the largest since the good old days of Super Lotto Plus when there were as many out of state jackpot winners as Ohioans.  (Those were the days before PB and MM were sold in the mid-western states.)

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