Original Blog Entry: Budgets and decisions...

hypersoniq — Tue, 23 Sep 2025 02:57:22 GMT

The $14/week budget seems to be the best (and cheapest) one yet. Can't play multiple games on it (with the exception of the pick N day and night games). It has known expenses...

1 week $14

1 month ~$60 on average

1 year $728

Looking at the fact that I am 10 weeks in, my total expense on this system has been $42 because of that one hit. Many months this year were also skipped while developing the current system.

While it may be tempting to play both the pick 3 AND Match 6 simultaneously, the above numbers would be doubled.

So what I have decided is to A and B it for the rest of the year...

Currently nearing the end of the Match 6 first week of four. When that wraps up, I will switch to 2 weeks of the pick 3, then back to the Match 6 for 4 more weeks. Best of both worlds, chance at play money (pick 3) and a chance at real money (Match 6).

Lower prizes cut the cost, so it is doubtful that the full $728 would ever be reached. Finishing out the year with this A and B plan. That is also the plan moving into 2026.

At the year end the budget starts over, losses from the current year are not worth worrying about, as it was entertainment . Looking back at this year, given the gaps, my expenses are definitely less than 1/4 of that $728, and I played more often this year than in years prior... if the rest of the year is a wash, this system will end 2025 $196 in the red, and the entire year might get close to $400 in expenses, but as far as hobbies go, it is cheap.

The A and B change also allows down time with each game to work out strategy refinements that were rushed in the week to week plan. If I had doubled the budget to accommodate both games at the same time, losses would be doubled. Not to mention that if the few weeks left with the pick 3 have some luck, 3 straight hits pay for 2026 in advance!... [ More ]