Mega Millions changing June 24 -official

Reply #59

tg636 — Fri, 22 Apr 2005 14:47:11 GMT

The odds are seriously against you in any lotto game. I find MegaMillions more fun to play than other games with better odds because it's more to dream about what I'd do with $200 million than with $1.5 million - I probably couldn't buy a little tropical island in the South Pacific with $1.5 million; there's a 1 in 52 chance at matching the megaball and at least getting $2, and I tend to view this game as either trying for the jackpot or the megaball; It is more bearable to continuously lose Meg... [ More ]

Reply #58

visiondude — Fri, 22 Apr 2005 06:10:04 GMT

Quote: Originally posted by danisiri on April 21, 2005 The odds are so way out there that for me to win would have to be God's will.ahhhhh. you are breathing the same air.for quite awhile now i have watched people debate the odds/matrices changes in here, and how some have stated that they will not play any more if they jack up the odds as they say it is already near impossible to win already .not so. whether the odds are 14 million:1 or jacked up to 175 million :1. if you think about it... [ More ]

Reply #57

danisiri — Fri, 22 Apr 2005 02:27:46 GMT

Quote: Originally posted by TNPATL on April 21, 2005I agree. Honestly after the first few million I would be at a loss of what to do with the money. I just want to win enough to pay off my bills, and then return to college for my nursing degree!! To share some with family and invest. I think I could do that with 10 mil. What you all think?I know exactly what I would do. I would use a about $20 million - pay for school, share with family and friends, give my tithe back to God etc. - and would in... [ More ]

Reply #56

psykomo — Thu, 21 Apr 2005 18:32:24 GMT

Quote: Originally posted by ChaosTheory on April 21, 2005 Personally, I'd rather see 10-20 people get 10 Million dollars than one person get 100-200 Million dollars. No one needs that much money. People are too damned greedy.CT:We know.............those 10-20 will mi$$ their chance on this MM merry-go-round,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,but if they wait til after this winner on this J-Pot.............Ithink they will get a chance at the last and final pot (small-oneeeeeeee)!PSYKOMO

Reply #55

TNPATL — Thu, 21 Apr 2005 16:28:37 GMT

Quote: Originally posted by ChaosTheory on April 21, 2005 Personally, I'd rather see 10-20 people get 10 Million dollars than one person get 100-200 Million dollars. No one needs that much money. People are too damned greedy.I agree. Honestly after the first few million I would be at a loss of what to do with the money. I just want to win enough to pay off my bills, and then return to college for my nursing degree!! To share some with family and invest. I think I could do that with 10 mil. What... [ More ]

Reply #54

TNPATL — Thu, 21 Apr 2005 16:27:07 GMT

Ohhh I had my lottery states mixed up. Thanks for the correction Cash Only.

Reply #53

Todd — Thu, 21 Apr 2005 15:07:04 GMT

LV:For an easy way to quote someone's text into your message, just click the Quote button on their message.

Reply #52

LottoVantage — Thu, 21 Apr 2005 14:51:23 GMT

Quote: Personally, I'd rather see 10-20 people get 10 Million dollars than one person get 100-200 Million dollars. No one needs that much money. People are too damned greedy._________________________________________________________Chaos...I couldn't agree more! This general attitude is what causes the lottery operators to continually raise the bar making the system more and more impossible to win.

Reply #51

ChaosTheory — Thu, 21 Apr 2005 09:41:22 GMT

Personally, I'd rather see 10-20 people get 10 Million dollars than one person get 100-200 Million dollars. No one needs that much money. People are too damned greedy.

Reply #50

CASH Only — Wed, 20 Apr 2005 19:02:31 GMT

tn:The tri-state lottery is ME-NH-VT.

Reply #49

TNPATL — Wed, 20 Apr 2005 18:58:07 GMT

Wasn't California involved in the Tri-State Lottery? I did not realize that CA was joining Mega Mil, but I'm glad to be getting the heads up regarding the matrix. $250,000 second prize would be COOL.

Reply #48

tg636 — Wed, 20 Apr 2005 13:36:17 GMT

What exactly do you disagree with me on? It was an analogy. If you would me to provide links to stories showing similar quasi-legal secrecy I will do so, but you can find those on other sites like truthout.org and whatreallyhappened.com.As far as conspiritive conjecture , it is a fact that at least Massachusetts sent out a letter to season ticket holders before they issued a real press release on the changes to Mega Millions. I don't think it's a conspiracy to speculate on why that was so. I... [ More ]

Reply #47

JKING — Wed, 20 Apr 2005 04:03:46 GMT

It sounds to me like it's time to sharpen those pencils to deal with the new odds. It's a new opportunity to work on that new program/strategy you may have been putting off. The time for would have, could have, should have is over. Mega Millions has made their choice and it is time to deal with it. If there is a way to systematically win, it will be someone here who will find it. This is the Lottery post after all.

Reply #46

MillionsWanted — Tue, 19 Apr 2005 23:13:20 GMT

Quote: Originally posted by MPJO on April 19, 2005 This is not Europe where we are all the same and we all should make the same amount of money and we all drive Yugo's and don't shower or shave or use soap.LOL. You got a funny stereotypical image of Europe.This would have been a more correct image:Quote: This is not Eastern Europe before 1989 where we are all the same and we all should make the same amount of money and we all drive Yugo's and don't shower or shave or use soap.All of Western Eur... [ More ]

Reply #45

dvdiva — Tue, 19 Apr 2005 23:02:00 GMT

Nice. makes playing multiple mega balls worth it.

Reply #44

Todd — Tue, 19 Apr 2005 22:58:02 GMT

Quote: Originally posted by dvdiva on April 19, 2005Also any word on what the second tier prize will be? It's changing to 200k in powerball wonder if it's the same for mega.I have heard it will be $250,00 for the second prize. Not too shabby.

Reply #43

dvdiva — Tue, 19 Apr 2005 22:49:06 GMT

Also any word on what the second tier prize will be? It's changing to 200k in powerball wonder if it's the same for mega.

Reply #42

dvdiva — Tue, 19 Apr 2005 22:41:53 GMT

I find it strange that people would rather play computer drawn games for a lower prize rather than a ball drawn game for a higher one but to each their own.

Reply #41

Todd — Tue, 19 Apr 2005 22:39:53 GMT

Quote: Originally posted by MPJO on April 19, 2005Like I said before,If it's to much money for one person they can always share it with all the members on this site.If you don't want to buy a MM ticket you DON'T have to.This is not Europe where we are all the same and we all should make the same amount of money and we all drive Yugo's and don't shower or shave or use soap.Bill Gates, Paul Allen, Steve Ballmer,Jeff Bezos, all live right here in Seattle and together are worth about $90 BILLION and... [ More ]

Reply #40

MPJO — Tue, 19 Apr 2005 22:19:21 GMT

Like I said before,If it's to much money for one person they can always share it with all the members on this site. If you don't want to buy a MM ticket you DON'T have to. This is not Europe where we are all the same and we all should make the same amount of money and we all drive Yugo's and don't shower or shave or use soap. Bill Gates, Paul Allen, Steve Ballmer,Jeff Bezos, all live right here in Seattle and together are worth about $90 BILLION and if you think they have to much money go ahead... [ More ]

Reply #39

CASH Only — Tue, 19 Apr 2005 21:04:35 GMT

PA should replace Unlucky for Life with an annuitized in-state lotto game (or replace it with Hot Lotto).

Reply #38

Todd — Tue, 19 Apr 2005 21:01:25 GMT

Quote: Originally posted by RJOh on April 19, 2005The only input the public has in any lottery is weather to buy a ticket or not. Lotteries are designed to make the most money and if more tickets are sold then that's a thumb up to the people running them. Years ago when Ohio had one of the most successful State lottery in the country with jackpots of $50M+, the lottery commission listened to some public input and reduced the maximum one ticket could win to $20M. After six months of losing sal... [ More ]

Reply #37

RJOh — Tue, 19 Apr 2005 20:42:46 GMT

The only input the public has in any lottery is weather to buy a ticket or not. Lotteries are designed to make the most money and if more tickets are sold then that's a thumb up to the people running them. Years ago when Ohio had one of the most successful State lottery in the country with jackpots of $50M+, the lottery commission listened to some public input and reduced the maximum one ticket could win to $20M. After six months of losing sales they did away with that rule, learned a lesson... [ More ]

Reply #36

urug2000 — Tue, 19 Apr 2005 19:46:09 GMT

I am very happy to disagree with mr/ms TG636. I want to feel that the lottery commissioners and staffs are no different from you players and me in that they are doing the job they were hired to do with honor and integrity.In like manner i would like to think that LP members are honorable and respectable; especially TODD, our web master.To denigrate our President over some weird thinking that exists only in one's mind is worthy of absolutely nothing, especially posting on this forum.Can we not... [ More ]

Reply #35

Todd — Tue, 19 Apr 2005 19:20:07 GMT

The problem with player input driving the Mega Millions matrix is that it is a sophisticated analysis that goes into creating it, not something created on what would be really cool . There is way too much money at stake for each of the twelve states (and millions of residents) to take chances on creating a matrix that loses money.That's a fact, and that's just the way it works. Now, if I've just described a conspiracy theory , then you are entitled to your opinion, and you are free to expr... [ More ]

Reply #34

MPJO — Tue, 19 Apr 2005 16:46:03 GMT

All we are is the result of what we have thought. Mike

Reply #33

bobby623 — Tue, 19 Apr 2005 15:38:32 GMT

I thought this was a forum where people can express their views about lotteries.It would be a wonderful world if the people with the power to design and implement lotteries would conduct their business in open forums. But the fact is that they don't. They usually meet in an open session to approve what has already been decided behind the scenes.Any lottery director will tell you he was hired to make money for his state, to maximize profits whenever and however possible. There is precious little... [ More ]

Reply #32

Todd — Tue, 19 Apr 2005 14:47:26 GMT

Quote: Originally posted by tg636 on April 19, 2005I take it the reason there is no story on here is because there has been no official press release. Although a letter from the MA lottery to season ticket holders is pretty official. It shows you they consider the change a shady, shameful act, are not proud of it and don't want to publicize it. Like most things the Bush administration does.I just don't think I can continue being a regular player after the changes. The 40,000,000 more combinati... [ More ]

Reply #31

tg636 — Tue, 19 Apr 2005 14:13:23 GMT

I take it the reason there is no story on here is because there has been no official press release. Although a letter from the MA lottery to season ticket holders is pretty official. It shows you they consider the change a shady, shameful act, are not proud of it and don't want to publicize it. Like most things the Bush administration does.I just don't think I can continue being a regular player after the changes. The 40,000,000 more combinations have sucked a lot of the fun out of it for me,... [ More ]

Reply #30

danisiri — Tue, 19 Apr 2005 06:33:36 GMT

At the highlight of his career, John D. Rockefeller was the richest man in the world. When asked by a reporter how much money was enough, Rockefeller replied, Just one more dollar. Studies have shown that Americans that earn enough to meet their basic needs (food, housing, car, etc.) make about $60K/year. When rated for their happiness, they were as happy as those who made $250K/year, and happier than those who made $1 million/year. Money that comes fast tends to be spent fast. The questio... [ More ]

Reply #29

JAG331 — Tue, 19 Apr 2005 03:15:00 GMT

It's all about EXCESS. More is good and more than more is even better! Live a little, spend a little, dream a little, someone's going to win a lot.

Reply #28

ryanm — Tue, 19 Apr 2005 02:50:17 GMT

Not many state lotto jackpots get into the $20 to $50 million range that often.

Reply #27

Maverick — Tue, 19 Apr 2005 02:44:12 GMT

Quote: Originally posted by rabbitfoot on April 18, 2005I for one would like to see MegaMillions restructured to the point where jackpots are won in the $20-$50-million range. We're being played for suckers if we have to wait for someone to win a $300-$400-million jackpot! No one really needs that kind of money. Why not restructure where there could be 8-15 winners or so how of those super jackpots?$20 - $50 million... They'd probably say that's what your own state lottery is for.$300 - $400 m... [ More ]

Reply #26

rabbitfoot — Tue, 19 Apr 2005 02:09:56 GMT

I for one would like to see MegaMillions restructured to the point where jackpots are won in the $20-$50-million range. We're being played for suckers if we have to wait for someone to win a $300-$400-million jackpot! No one really needs that kind of money. Why not restructure where there could be 8-15 winners or so how of those super jackpots

Reply #25

bobby623 — Mon, 18 Apr 2005 20:50:27 GMT

If you read the minutes of the March Texas Lottery Commission meeting (see Legal notices at their website) you will discover that MegaMillions isn't run by any one person. The lottery directors of the participating states make a lot of decisions via telephone, emails, etc. They do meet once in a while, but there are no announcements, no public information on an agenda, no minutes are kept (violates some states open records acts), winks, buddy systems, you name it. Maximum profit seems to be the... [ More ]

Reply #24

dvdiva — Mon, 18 Apr 2005 19:55:14 GMT

I am also wondering why no official announcement on the website

Reply #23

dvdiva — Mon, 18 Apr 2005 19:07:23 GMT

I think it depends on sales. If sales go up then they should just add more money to the next roll so it can go from 12 to 20 faster. As far as the odds go your odds always are bad in a lottery. I didn't win the quinto at $5 million and the odds were only 1:2.6 million, odds are I won't win the Mega or powerball either. It's about hope and the chance to win more than anything.

Reply #22

Maverick — Mon, 18 Apr 2005 17:12:50 GMT

Quote: Originally posted by tg636 on April 18, 2005Yeah, I know, but so what. The question is, do you want to have a slim chance at winning a jackpot or almost no chance. One in 5 million sounds a lot better than one in 175 million, and I think I could live okay on $2.2 million over 20 years.That's a very good point. Before we can debate on cash vs annuity, WE FIRST NEED TO WIN A JACKPOT. First things first.

Reply #21

Maverick — Mon, 18 Apr 2005 17:10:12 GMT

Quote: Originally posted by tg636 on April 18, 2005Adding 40,000,000 more combinations to an already huge 135,000,000 is a little much for me, and whether I am going to get a ticket for every drawing or wait for $200 million+ jackpot will depend on the lower prizes and odds... just seem too impossible to bother with. I have criticized MA Megabucks, but the odds of winning that are 35 times better than the new Mega Millions will be, and I'd like to have somewhat of a chance. After all, you do p... [ More ]

Reply #20

tg636 — Mon, 18 Apr 2005 14:01:35 GMT

Yeah, I know, but so what. The question is, do you want to have a slim chance at winning a jackpot or almost no chance. One in 5 million sounds a lot better than one in 175 million, and I think I could live okay on $2.2 million over 20 years. Quote: Originally posted by CASH Only on April 18, 2005tg:MM will still have a cash option, unlike Megais bad$.

Reply #19

CASH Only — Mon, 18 Apr 2005 13:37:31 GMT

tg:MM will still have a cash option, unlike Megais bad$.

Reply #18

tg636 — Mon, 18 Apr 2005 13:07:56 GMT

I am waiting to see the overall odds of winning any prize (currently 1:43) and the odds and amounts of the lower prizes. Adding 40,000,000 more combinations to an already huge 135,000,000 is a little much for me, and whether I am going to get a ticket for every drawing or wait for $200 million+ jackpot will depend on the lower prizes and odds. I'm on the fence; it might just seem too impossible to bother with. I have criticized MA Megabucks, but the odds of winning that are 35 times better tha... [ More ]

Reply #17

Maverick — Mon, 18 Apr 2005 01:00:31 GMT

Ok JAG331, that I do understand.

Reply #16

JAG331 — Mon, 18 Apr 2005 00:58:00 GMT

Maverick,You are correct. Buy 10 tickets and you have the same odds of winning a $10m jackpot as winning a $200m jackpot. I'm just more inclined to buy those 10 tickets at the $200m level because I want to win big.

Reply #15

Maverick — Mon, 18 Apr 2005 00:54:14 GMT

Quote: Originally posted by danisiri on April 17, 2005It is just simple probablity. Buy one ticket you have a chance of 1 in some huge number. Buy five tickets, you have 5 chances in some huge number. Theoretically, you could buy every number combination, but the jackpot would have to be around $16 billion to break even. Yes that is simple, but I don't see how a higher jackpot betters anyones chances of winning, versus a lower jackpot. The number of combinations remains the same no matter w... [ More ]

Reply #14

danisiri — Mon, 18 Apr 2005 00:46:03 GMT

Quote: Originally posted by Maverick on April 17, 2005Quote: Originally posted by bobby623 on April 17, 2005there are millions of players who seem to think that, despite the odds, they have a better chance of winning when the jackpot if large.I never understood that. Can someone please explain the rationale behind that idea?It is just simple probablity. Buy one ticket you have a chance of 1 in some huge number. Buy five tickets, you have 5 chances in some huge number. Theoretically, you could... [ More ]

Reply #13

Maverick — Mon, 18 Apr 2005 00:43:03 GMT

I may not have my thinking cap on today, but how does playing during a higher jackpot give better chances of winning

Reply #12

JAG331 — Mon, 18 Apr 2005 00:33:14 GMT

Quote: Originally posted by Maverick on April 17, 2005Quote: Originally posted by bobby623 on April 17, 2005there are millions of players who seem to think that, despite the odds, they have a better chance of winning when the jackpot if large.I never understood that. Can someone please explain the rationale behind that idea?I spend more money at higher jackpots, to give me a better shot at winning, because I'd rather win $200 million than $10 million.

Reply #11

Maverick — Mon, 18 Apr 2005 00:30:20 GMT

Quote: Originally posted by bobby623 on April 17, 2005there are millions of players who seem to think that, despite the odds, they have a better chance of winning when the jackpot if large.I never understood that. Can someone please explain the rationale behind that idea

Reply #10

danisiri — Sun, 17 Apr 2005 23:42:31 GMT

I am just happy to final get a date for when MM will be available in CA. I live in CA and have been wanting the large jackpots of MM compared to the usually small jackpots of SuperLotto PLUS - especially since there are no reputable online ticket sources for MM. Well, now my calendar looks like:May 19 - see RotSJune 24 (morning) - buy my first MM ticket(s)June 24 (evening) - win my first MM jackpotJune 25 - wake up and see if it was all a dream

Reply #9

four4me — Sun, 17 Apr 2005 16:12:01 GMT

I'm from Maryland and i agree this is kinda ridiculous. Buddy Roogow is the head honcho of megamillion. My guess is that he must have been pressured into this by the majority of other lottery directors. It wasn't that long ago that they said they were satisfied with the game and that no changes were forthcoming. But as soon as they said powerball was changing and California was joining megamilions they sought compete with powerball. I'm not happy about the change but people aren't going to stop... [ More ]

Reply #8

bobby623 — Sun, 17 Apr 2005 15:56:39 GMT

The new MegaMillions game has ALREADY been approved and adopted by the 12 states involved. This was done WITHOUT any player input. In some states the new game was adopted in secret. They are announcing the new game now because they have to shut down multidraws for the current game. Otherwise, the game would have been started without any significant advance notice.Each state has to adopt and implement the megaplier feature available in Texas. There is a lot of risk involved for some states. Recen... [ More ]

Reply #7

LOTTOMIKE — Sun, 17 Apr 2005 02:50:43 GMT

is it too late for players to demand a 5 million increase on mega millions like powerball is getting

Reply #6

Tnplayer805 — Sun, 17 Apr 2005 02:02:29 GMT

I wish Mega would start out at $15 million too. With Cali they will be able to afford it. AND since they are changing it they need to add the megaplier to all MM states. Just my thoughts.

Reply #5

Maverick — Sun, 17 Apr 2005 01:43:23 GMT

Quote: Originally posted by ryanm on April 16, 2005 I think that it's lame they're jacking up the odds to 1 in 175,711,536 but increasing the starting jackpot to only $12 million, while Powerball is only jacking up its odds to 1 in 146,107,962 but increasing its starting jackpot to $15 million. Mega should increase theirs to at least $15 million as well.Heh, a paltry $2 million increase. They sure do think highly of their customers.Can you all say getting the S H A F T

Reply #4

CASH Only — Sat, 16 Apr 2005 16:14:06 GMT

So do I.

Reply #3

jsk2001 — Sat, 16 Apr 2005 05:49:25 GMT

Reply #2

ryanm — Sat, 16 Apr 2005 05:20:34 GMT

I think that it's lame they're jacking up the odds to 1 in 175,711,536 but increasing the starting jackpot to only $12 million, while Powerball is only jacking up its odds to 1 in 146,107,962 but increasing its starting jackpot to $15 million. Mega should increase theirs to at least $15 million as well.

Reply #1

JAG331 — Sat, 16 Apr 2005 01:42:35 GMT

A 5/56 + 1/46 matrix has odds of 175,711,536:1. A step in the right direction toward super jackpots. I think this could easily generate a $400 million prize.

Mega Millions changing June 24 -official

tg636 — Sat, 16 Apr 2005 01:37:05 GMT

I am a Massachusetts Mega Millions season ticket holder. Today I got a letter from the MA lottery saying they are changing Mega Millions as of June 24th when California is joining, did I want to change my number? The new set up is 5 of 56 and 1 of 46 for the Megaball. Not sure what the new odds are, letter did not say.