$297 MILLION: Mega Millions jackpot raised again before tonight's drawing

Comment #61

Jon D — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 04:40:42 GMT

Actually, MM sales since the new matrix 10/22/13 are up. Sorry it took so long, data was on my main computer. Below is graph as requested:

That's about the 4th or 5th time I've had to correct you LottoMetro.

Comment #60

LottoMetro — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 01:24:00 GMT

Mega Million sales are down, hurry up and show me a graph.

Comment #59

LottoMetro — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 01:22:41 GMT

Detective Jon,

Most people have an angle. Mine? Not sure. I waste a lot of time on this forum but not for any specific reason. I like playing the lottery and working with the mathematics of it, trying to find an edge and all. My posts tend to be lengthy because I am a writer by nature (published, another zinger )

I register all of my forums' usernames. Believe it or not, it is a habit. I have no plans to add any websites to my LP profile or even publize them.

Challenging Todd. If Todd... [ More ]

Comment #58

Jon D — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 01:18:24 GMT

Sorry, I forgot to address your last sentence:

I hardly see anyone else around here taking the time to correct misinformation or offer relevant posts

OMG what an ego! Everyone else on LP is irrelevant except for LottoMetro.

Comment #57

Jon D — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 01:06:33 GMT

I'm just trying to figure out your angle, that's all. Something doesn't add up.

I found it interesting that the domain lottometro.com was registered/modified last year around the time you joined LP.

And yes, I noticed you many times trying to get the scoop on Todd, even challenging Todd, and break lottery news and jackpot updates with your famous slogan, You heard it here first!

Are you planning your own lottery website and building your base of followers here as the de facto lottery e... [ More ]

Comment #56

LottoMetro — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 01:01:22 GMT

As mentioned in the first post of this dredge, rcbbuckeye's post in the other thread just brought this back to mind. I post the you heard it here first often as a sarcastic joke. The archives on this forum are full of nonsense rumors about lottery matters.

If I have been disrespectful, feel free to point out specifics. Most, no I would say 99.999999999999% of lottery industry people don't have time or desire to post on forums like this. They get bombarded by the crazies who think a game is ri... [ More ]

Comment #55

Jon D — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 00:50:13 GMT

I just found it interesting that you were sooo eager to dredge up this month old news thread just to say, lookee at me, I told all of you a month ago about the $5 national game! Listen to me! Follow me! And remember, You heard it from me first!

You work in the lottery industry, so you obviously have inside information on upcoming developments. But I wonder why are you posting so much?

There have been other people from the lottery industry that have posted on LP before. But they were gener... [ More ]

Comment #54

LottoMetro — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 00:40:30 GMT

Slogan, mantra, what have you, I like to use it as a grapevine tag.

Oh and I forgot to mention a World Millions ($10) concept they are considering which would allow lottery players to play 5 national jackpot games on one ticket regardless of nationality (potentially includes second-chance raffle). So U.S. residents could participate in EuroMillions, Oz Lotto, etc and vice versa.

You heard it here first

Comment #53

Jon D — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 00:05:16 GMT

As always, you heard it here first

What is that phrase you keep saying, You heard it here first! Is that your slogan LottoMetro

Comment #52

LottoMetro — Thu, 02 Jan 2014 23:40:38 GMT

rcbbuckeye's post (https://www.lotterypost.com/news/269858/3416408) brought this back to my mind.

Unless things have changed, the new $5 game I know of has been in development since 2011 (possibly sooner).

Hybrid game format - instant scratch off (retailer) with draw game component (online only) It will feature a base 65% payout (some states have higher) Proposed $1 million prize odds of 1 in 905,000 (either online draw or game show where random audience steps on money squares on a pyrami... [ More ]

Comment #51

Jon D — Sun, 08 Dec 2013 02:37:02 GMT

If you can't make sense of such a simple chart with colors and legend, that's not my problem. Look at the data on your own, or make your own.

As I told Prob, to make an assessment that sales are way down, on a partial first run, is not only premature, but inaccurate. But based on the immediate preceding run, sales are obviously slightly up. You can't compare something which has been in decline for 21 months (MM) and look at the effects of a new change (new MM matrix) compared to 21 months ago... [ More ]

Comment #50

KY Floyd — Sun, 08 Dec 2013 01:53:24 GMT

There's very little that's obvious in your graphs. You've got two sets of 3 lines with the same labels, and numbers on top of numbers. You've got lines that are extrapolated into areas for which there's no historical data. I'm not going to waste a lot of time trying to decipher the meaning.

The one thing that's clear is that with MM sales below what they used to be it's very hard to make predictins about what's going to happen as the jackpot grows, and (as Prob noted) whta sales will be like... [ More ]

Comment #49

Jon D — Sun, 08 Dec 2013 00:12:13 GMT

Uhhh...ok...whatevs...Prob.

I already explained it to you in detail.

I'm at a loss to see how you can say the blue line is lower than the brown line at the bottom: (since the matrix change, 6th draw)

Below graph compares current run in blue (with projections) compared to preceding $189M run (P) on old matrix ending 10/1/13 in orange

Comment #48

Prob988 — Sat, 07 Dec 2013 23:40:46 GMT

Compared draw to draw, the sales are lower, period.

This matrix has not started from a first draw, but matched jackpot to jackpot, and draw number to draw number, as well as on both the Pre-$2 Powerball, and Post-$2 Powerball, they are lower, dramatically so in the former case.

The $651 M MM (Annuity) jackpot occurred on a 19th draw. The coming one is a 20th draw.

I'm at a loss to see how you can say they are higher.

Comment #47

LottoMetro — Sat, 07 Dec 2013 16:15:52 GMT

No idea. I just heard directly from a lottery official that such a game is in the works and they are looking to launch it within the next 2 years.

Comment #46

mypiemaster — Sat, 07 Dec 2013 15:39:04 GMT

You may still be right if the JP increases to $360M by tuesday night due to brisk sales. The only downside is that PB is currently $100M and competing for the same entertainment dollars.

Comment #45

DDOH937 — Sat, 07 Dec 2013 14:44:55 GMT

Hats off to you may Friend. Not sure if you simply guessed or what but either way, you got me on this one. I was predicting $360 Million range.

Comment #44

Teddi — Sat, 07 Dec 2013 14:29:47 GMT

Maybe it's just me, but I get more excited by large rollover amounts than a large number of rollovers. Usually a JP of over $300M would have me all a-twitter. But it took so long to get there I'm already tired of it.

Every time I go to buy a ticket I stop and realize that if I'm going to throw good money away, shouldn't I throw it away on the game with the better odds of winning? Maybe the MM fever will hit me this week with this new tally, unfortunately, I'm still not feeling it.

Right no... [ More ]

Comment #43

dpoly1 — Sat, 07 Dec 2013 14:10:14 GMT

I am looking forward to about $110,000,000 after Federal Redistribution!

That would be a really big Christmas in December LOL

good luck to all LP Members

Comment #42

Jon D — Sat, 07 Dec 2013 13:24:14 GMT

What is the ball matrix and odds for the new $5 game they are working on

Comment #41

Jon D — Sat, 07 Dec 2013 13:21:55 GMT

Sales for MM were already way down and getting pummelled by PB prior to the new MM. But to say that the sales were down even more because of the new matrix is not only premature, it is inaccurate.

On the contrary, it is clear from my graph to see that not only did players not abandon MM with the new matrix, they responded with higher sales due to new annuity. And all of the big JP runs on PB and MM follow similar curves, so it's pretty easy to forecast how they will end up. It's just shifted... [ More ]

Comment #40

helpmewin — Sat, 07 Dec 2013 12:53:46 GMT

Good Luck everyone

Comment #39

helpmewin — Sat, 07 Dec 2013 12:52:02 GMT

$344 Million

Comment #38

Prob988 — Sat, 07 Dec 2013 10:35:56 GMT

Jon D, You're dreaming.

Your graphical projections for draw numbers that have never taken place are fanciful.

For a 19th draw, on this matrix MM sales are 17% - based on the average sales of two previous 19th draws - since the $2 Powerball was instituted. (The first 19th draw produced 650 million in sales, right after the switch to the $2 powerball, the second, around 35 million.)

There has never before in MM been a 20th draw. The just announced rollover to 344 million is the first 20th... [ More ]

Comment #37

JonnyBgood07 — Sat, 07 Dec 2013 10:35:40 GMT

Thanks metro and Prob..I overlooked that factor.

Comment #36

DC81 — Sat, 07 Dec 2013 10:06:38 GMT

Well, I won five bucks or well three after deducting my two tickets, would've been $15/$11 if I spent another two bucks on the multiplier or just bought one ticket $13 since the first ticket I bought was the one I got 2+1 with. Would've been $10 before the changes.

Meh.

Comment #35

Toronto — Sat, 07 Dec 2013 07:20:51 GMT

The sales tonight were $57.5 million, below the sales of the 1st drawing after Florida joined with a jackpot of $190 million. During Mega's record run to $656 million in 2012, this level of sales would have been reached at a level between the $171 million and $200 million drawings.

Sales were $8.4 million more from Tuesday's drawing. The frenzy hasn't begun yet

Comment #34

KY Floyd — Sat, 07 Dec 2013 06:21:48 GMT

They've always been a bit conservative once the jackpots get high, and as slow as sales have been I expect they're being even more conservative. Announcing it as 344 million means they're confident that sales will be enough to reach that. It doen't mean they think that's as high as sales could push it, so 355 to 360 is certainly possible.

Of course, you can do your part by running out and buying a few thousand tickets if you want to make it more lkely.

Comment #33

Six balls — Sat, 07 Dec 2013 06:19:43 GMT

$344 mil, here we come

Comment #32

mypiemaster — Sat, 07 Dec 2013 06:19:01 GMT

When it comes to the lotteries and numbers, don't mess with the chief bottle washer . HE KNOWS HIS STUFF. He said $344M and you said $360M minimum. We'll see who is right. He is right on the money.

Comment #31

KY Floyd — Sat, 07 Dec 2013 06:15:27 GMT

NY runs a really lousy lottery in many ways. They have to check for winners as soon as the drawing is certified, and they post the winning numbers fairly quickly. How hard could it be to also update the jackpot amount? I presume the're not making one of their web programers work late to manually change the actual code; somebody just needs to type the numbers and hit enter or click a button. As long as somebody is working late enough to report whether or not there's a winner there's no reason the... [ More ]

Comment #30

Teddi — Sat, 07 Dec 2013 05:59:13 GMT

Nope, I never watch the drawings. But now that I know what was said, I'm much less impressed with Todd's fortune telling abilities. LOL.

Comment #29

whiteballz — Sat, 07 Dec 2013 05:57:25 GMT

LOL. Didn't you watch the drawing? The host says that if no one wins, Wednesdays jackpot could be worth $344 mil.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFC6gdrO6HQ feature=c4-overview list=UUOKAdrQ0sKR9H1hi88RmQkA

Comment #28

RedStang — Sat, 07 Dec 2013 05:55:39 GMT

Figures NYL has'nt updated their MM jackpot while pa, ct and nj already did.

Comment #27

Teddi — Sat, 07 Dec 2013 05:50:30 GMT

Wow, Todd. That's impressive. $344 right on the money.

Comment #26

veganlife125 — Sat, 07 Dec 2013 05:50:28 GMT

344 million from the megamillions site

Comment #25

LottoMetro — Sat, 07 Dec 2013 05:41:25 GMT

JonD,

Time will tell. The previous $189M Mega Millions run was hampered by not one, but two $400M+ Powerball jackpots. The matrix change may help MM catch up, but at the same time will accelerate jackpot fatigue. With fatigue comes sluggish sales and longer rolls, though Powerball has some advantage with a higher price. That's why I don't think the new MM will last and hence, my mentioning of a $5 game (which I know is in the works).

Comment #24

DDOH937 — Sat, 07 Dec 2013 04:13:48 GMT

NO way!! $360 million minimum

Comment #23

Todd — Sat, 07 Dec 2013 04:01:51 GMT

Jackpot will be $344 million if nobody hits tonight.

Comment #22

Jon D — Sat, 07 Dec 2013 03:48:12 GMT

Actually, MM sales seem to have responded nicely since the new matrix. Their ploy with the pumped up annuity value seems to have worked, players seem to have bit into it hook, line and sinker. Sales have been boosted by the pumped up annuity value.

Below graph compares current run in blue (with projections) compared to preceding $189M run (P) on old matrix ending 10/1/13 in orange:

But compared to a year ago with the record $656M run (R) , yes, way down. But that was a different time w... [ More ]

Comment #21

Prob988 — Sat, 07 Dec 2013 03:40:08 GMT

Yes, they weakened the cash value significantly (by extending the time period of the annuity value if paid).

Comment #20

NearNewBrit — Sat, 07 Dec 2013 03:17:03 GMT

Here's my idea:

They should keep the previous version of the game going January through September or so. Then, say around Columbus Day, they change it up for the rest of the year, or until a jackpot is won after the end of the year. January through September the betting slips are in play. But afterwards, there's the 75/15 matrix that can only be accessed by quick picks -- no slips.

NO to $5 tickets

Comment #19

LottoMetro — Sat, 07 Dec 2013 01:46:31 GMT

In addition to interest rates, this is a direct result of them changing the annuity from 26 to 30 payments.

I really don't think we will get a $1 billion jackpot this draw cycle, but you never know. I agree that MM has not been performing very well since the change, but time will tell if the frenzy sales can make up for it. I have a feeling if this new matrix fails, a $5 jackpot game will arrive in the near future.

Comment #18

VFR95 — Sat, 07 Dec 2013 01:44:10 GMT

Seasons Greetings @pickone4me,

You might want to get in on this one earlier partner.......with the odds being reduced for the lower prizes, you could win a coo! million just like that.

Come On......Get back in it and win it!!

Dreamer,

Comment #17

DDOH937 — Sat, 07 Dec 2013 01:35:16 GMT

Not yet my Friend!! We're getting close though. Three more I predict

Comment #16

pickone4me — Sat, 07 Dec 2013 01:33:27 GMT

I'm going to wait to see if this one rolls higher before jumping in.

Comment #15

stunna6036 — Sat, 07 Dec 2013 01:32:17 GMT

Good luck everyone. Im in it to win it

Comment #14

DDOH937 — Sat, 07 Dec 2013 01:32:02 GMT

We should also remember that the cash value in relation to the annuity fluctautes and changes over time as its based on interest rates.

Comment #13

JonnyBgood07 — Sat, 07 Dec 2013 01:29:13 GMT

Is it me or has the 'JP cash value 'decreased in MM since they started the new marix

Comment #12

DDOH937 — Sat, 07 Dec 2013 01:24:59 GMT

Hmmm, fair points. My comment on frenzy was merely predicated on the fact that it was a pre-draw jump, albiet a mini one. But i get your point and i think you just might be right. But ooking at the past drawing that led up to the $656 million jackpot....the tuesdays draw that week was $290 million, and then by the Friday's draw the final tally was $656 mil, that was a $300 million jump. Now with the odds increased with a 50% degree of difficulty. I think 3 more draws AFTER tonight's draw might j... [ More ]

Comment #11

Prob988 — Sat, 07 Dec 2013 01:14:51 GMT

Consider this: This coming draw will be a 19th draw. This has happened twice. Once right after the switch to the $2 Powerball ticket - I think before the new Powerball actually set in people's pysche - whereupon the Jackpot was $651 million annuity, the largest ever observed. On that single draw, at the end of March 2012, MM actually sold around $650 million in tickets.

The next 19th draw took place in May of this year, producing a jackpot of $190 million, and sold around 60 million tickets.... [ More ]

Comment #10

sully16 — Sat, 07 Dec 2013 00:47:40 GMT

Good luck everyone.

Comment #9

WWWBUKTN — Fri, 06 Dec 2013 23:43:53 GMT

I hope I saved my luck for tonight as I had 8037 in the Illinoins mid day pick four (box straigt) and it came in 3037. Sad.

Comment #8

IamTheWinner — Fri, 06 Dec 2013 23:17:32 GMT

I want to see people in here win jackpot or atleast the second prize. Me Me

Comment #7

KY Floyd — Fri, 06 Dec 2013 23:14:37 GMT

You set the bar pretty low if you think that's a frenzy.

The last time MM got this high was almost 2 years ago, in the run up to the record $656 jackpot. At that time the advertised jackpot was increased $49 million, from 241 to 290 million, compared to the current increase of $40 million. The actual cash value increase was more than $34 million, compared to the current increase of about $21.5 million. If it rolls, maybe we'll see something approaching a real frenzy after they start advertisi... [ More ]

Comment #6

dpoly1 — Fri, 06 Dec 2013 23:12:28 GMT

I'll take about $95,000,000 after Federal Redistribution!

It WILL be Christmas in December

Comment #5

gocart1 — Fri, 06 Dec 2013 23:06:16 GMT

WOOO heee

Comment #4

Kee12 — Fri, 06 Dec 2013 22:34:57 GMT

Lone ticket winnner emerging tonight?......

Comment #3

Justwinbaby — Fri, 06 Dec 2013 22:30:06 GMT

I pray everyone the best.

Comment #2

hearsetrax — Fri, 06 Dec 2013 22:29:28 GMT

curiouser and cusiouser

Comment #1

DDOH937 — Fri, 06 Dec 2013 22:24:46 GMT

Like I've said. No winner by Christmas and we'll be certainly staring at our first Billion dollar pot. The Frenzy has started. Whoooopppeeee!!!!! In it to win it.

$297 MILLION: Mega Millions jackpot raised again before tonight's drawing

Lottery Post — Fri, 06 Dec 2013 22:14:44 GMT

By Todd Northrop

Across the United States, tickets for tonight's Mega Millions multi-state lottery drawing are being sold at a higher-than-expected rate, prompting the state lotteries to raise the official jackpot estimate to $297 million.

The lump-sum cash value of the Friday, December 6 jackpot is now $158.9 million.

As a result of the updated jackpot estimate, tonight's Mega Millions jackpot now stands as the 21st largest United States lottery jackpot of all time, and the 8th-largest... [ More ]