Pick-Quickpick Question

Reply #39

Todd — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 15:01:38 GMT

No, because that doesn't change the fact that the only way to manipulate the outcome would be to rig the drawing. Texas conducts real drawings with mechanical ball machines, meaning that the chances of the drawings being rigged are practically nil.

Knowing the distribution of numbers is a good thing. Would you really want the lottery to NOT see if their machines are operating properly?

They get the reports from the ticket data -- AFTER the numbers have been selected at the lottery terminal... [ More ]

Reply #38

spy153 — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 14:49:25 GMT

The on-line gaming system produces a statistical report for each

drawing. This report shows how many times each number was selected and

what percentage of the total selections it represented for all Quick

Pick wagers. This report indicates on a continuous basis that the random

number generator is producing random selections.

Wouldn't this make it possible to control the outcome, knowing what the lesser payout would be by picking a combination that has the least amount of pick... [ More ]

Reply #37

LANTERN — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 02:14:04 GMT

I am just now looking at this thread, I knew that the quick picks were generated by the lottery terminals at the stores, I don't remember how I knew, I think that when the lottery came to Tx I was told about it, either by the stores' managers and or by the Tx lottery's agents, but very very much later I also read about it here at LP.

Reply #36

bobby623 — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 00:01:24 GMT

Tood:

Here is an email I received today from the Texas Lottery Commission.

Thought you might want it for your reference files.

When you read this reply, you can't help but notice that they are talking in singular fashion when referring to a couple thousand

RNGs across Texas.

The statement about the May 2008 RNG test is interesting, and confusing.

In any event, the question is closed as far as I'm concerned.

Dear Bobby623

Each terminal has a random number generator... [ More ]

Reply #35

psykomo — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 23:55:48 GMT

bobby623 all LP member'$$$$$$$

be careful w/UR $ in these TIME'ss!

psyko spent $50 on QP's 11-04 !!!!!!

(WON only $10)...............this is what U may expect!!!!

2-YEAR's ago my QP'sss WON MORE !!!!

LOL

PSYKOMO

Reply #34

psykomo — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 23:06:17 GMT

bobby623:

NOW LET's WIN with QUICK-TRIX!!!!!

LOL $$$$$$$$$$$

psykomo

Reply #33

psykomo — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 21:31:57 GMT

thank's bobby623:

GREAT ANSWER !!!!!

G@@D RE$EARSH'$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

UR the ^^^^^^^^^^BEST^^^^^^^^^^^^!

LOL

psykomo

Reply #32

tnlottodreamer — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 18:00:05 GMT

Todd, Very well said.Its all by chance and luck nothing more nothing less.

Reply #31

Todd — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 17:31:23 GMT

Thank you for following up and posting the response. It is good to have this issue settled.

I think there are some people, particular lottery critics, who aren't particularly computer-savvy and believe that a central computer generates the quick picks because it either makes logical sense to them, or because it fits their notion that somehow the lottery is controlling the outcome. Taking the Quick Picks out of the equation of controlling the outcome would mean that the only other way the lott... [ More ]

Reply #30

bobby623 — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 16:34:44 GMT

Todd

As promised, here is the reply I received from a unbiased person who has lot of interest in how the TLC does things.

It seems, you and others are correct about how quick picks are generated in Texas, and elsewhere.

I stand corrected. Seems a lot of folks here in the Lone Star state, myself included, have been led astray by folks

who undoubtedly don't know what they are talking about. The convenience store clerks I know were surprised to learn

they are generating QPs on their... [ More ]

Reply #29

BobP — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 04:27:19 GMT

There is no requirement the lottery QP run through all the possible combinations before starting again.

The more QP's purchased, the better the odds one will win, but there is always the possibility of two or more jackpot winning QP's without all the possible combinations in the game being run through.

Is there a switch at the lottery director's disposal that could make this happen? Perhaps, but why would they ever want to use it?

BobP

Reply #28

Greg — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 02:38:04 GMT

The computer is programmed (or NOT programmed by a human being) to issue ALL the POSSIBLE combinations found in a number field of 55 numbers (i.e. Powerball) or LESS than all those possible combinations.

The quickpick you buy in Pennsylvania might be the SAME quickpick combination issued in ANOTHER state.

The proof? Look at how many SECOND place winners there are in PB or MM drawings, especially when the Jackpot exceeds about $150 million dollars.

I'm convinced that the reason PB or MM... [ More ]

Reply #27

Todd — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 01:38:05 GMT

Neither have you.

Dawn Nettles is not the source I would go to for un-biased information about the Texas Lottery. She has made her entire reputation by trying to continuously belittle and criticize the Texas Lottery, and while some of that is good and needed, I have no need for someone whose entire business is based upon it.

Reply #26

RJOh — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 18:04:15 GMT

As long as the official drawings are fair and truly random, it doesn't matter how QPs are picked. QPs are offered as an option to those players who don't want to take the time to fill out a play slip. If a player doesn't feel comfortable having his combinations picked by a system he doesn't understand then he should pick his own combinations and stop blaming the system for his loses. The odds are a player is going to lose 90% of the time regardless of how his numbers/combinations are picked... [ More ]

Reply #25

bobby623 — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 17:06:54 GMT

Hi JKING

Although Texas uses a centralized computer to generate quick picks, ball machines are used to generate winning combinations.

However, there is some evidence (meeting transcripts) that GTECH has capability to analyze quick pick combinations. I don't know exactly what the data is used for. They can't know in advance what the winning combinations will be, so, I don't know if their studies impact on the drawings and payouts.

As for computer drawings. suggest you run a search. You w... [ More ]

Reply #24

JKING — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 16:42:13 GMT

Hi,

I'm going to go back to my original thought.

Do the varios lotteries have the opportunity to profile the distribution of winners based on what numbers have been issued or selected by customers?

This would apply to computer generated winning numbers, not ball machines.

Is there any checks or balances to make sure this is not happening?

Thanks to everybody for your comments. *S

Reply #23

bobby623 — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 15:42:18 GMT

Good morning!

FYI: I have sent an email to the Texas Lottery requesting information on random number generators and QP generation. Basically, I posed two general questions:

1. Are the on-line lottery terminals located at hundreds of convenience stores in Texas random number generators capable of generating quick picks on demand. If true, how often are these hundreds of RNGs checked to ensure that combinations they generate are truly random.

2. Are quick picks generated at a centralized

Reply #22

Todd — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 04:25:54 GMT

There are really not all that many manufacturers around the world of online lotto machines. Just a handful. I've heard it called an incestuous industry by those on the inside, for that reason.

Things are certainly a lot different from the 70s and 80s, when lotto machines first made their appearances, but back when they were first created there was no such thing as a Quick Pick.

The back-end systems for the lottery industry are mainly accounting-type systems, not systems that run the front... [ More ]

Reply #21

BobP — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 03:58:49 GMT

Long as this thread is continuing, I'd like to point out there are multiple companies supplying lotto equipment in multiple countries over a long period of time, so not everything has to be the same everywhere.

I do recall reading way back when that the Florida terminals could print tickets while offline and send info later in burst packets, not having to be online all the time. We're talking 80's computers here. That's the way I remember it, I could be wrong.

I'm sure things have ch... [ More ]

Reply #20

pacattack05 — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 03:45:10 GMT

The terminal inside a liquor store in California where my friend worked had the numbers already on display. He showed them to me one night. This was actually discussed here a year or so ago.

He showed me a list of p-3 numbers and which one(s) looked good to pick. I was not happy to see this. I thought they were generated when you hit the QP key. Not only that, if no one bought from that list, the list stayed the same even when you came back later to look at it. I do remember a button to hit t... [ More ]

Reply #19

Todd — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 02:49:38 GMT

By the way, I went digging around for some definitive info about the lottery machines generating the quick picks, and it is just darn hard to find anything on the subject.

But I DID find a very interesting piece published in Wired magazine in 2004 about Scientific Games and GTECH lottery machines, and some advancements they had made at the time.

It includes a VERY INTERESTING look at how the random numbers are derived, at least in some cases. I do know that many of the terminals in around... [ More ]

Reply #18

Todd — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 02:24:41 GMT

There is no such common knowledge , you are giving inaccurate information, and I'm trying to say that as gently as possible.

I'm not sure if you realize that by saying thousands of RNGs you are really not making sense. Every personal computer sold (billions) has a RNG as part of the programming languages that drive it. Since lottery terminals are computers, they too have RNGs .

It is not some exotic technology, it's entirely boring stuff, no big deal.

This topic DOES matter, which is wh... [ More ]

Reply #17

bobby623 — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 02:13:45 GMT

I guess we are at a standoff.

I'll go with 'common knowledge' here in Texas until proven otherwise.

I'm doing more research and will reveal results later.

When I read the transcript of the meeting where the GTECH RNG was discussed, I can't recall that they were talking about multiple machines. In other words, they were not talking about a particular RNG at a particular store not being as random as some folks thought it should be. It was a discussion about a central RNG computer operated... [ More ]

Reply #16

Todd — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 01:44:19 GMT

Oh no, those are just operating guidelines for the lottery, they are in no way a guide to the technical methods by which the lottery is operated. Plus, when a lottery vendor like GTECH refers to online, they normally are referring to the remote terminals that communicate online through a telephone modem to the central computer, to communicate the numbers to play, and to receive back confirmation of the entry (and code number).

Another part of your message that I really didn't nit-pick, but I... [ More ]

Reply #15

bobby623 — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 00:25:42 GMT

This Information came from the Texas Lottery Website.

Go to Site Map.

Scroll to Current Rules

Chapter 401, SubChapter D, 401.301, General Definitions.

27) On-line game--A lottery game which utilizes a computer system to administer plays, the type of game, and amount of play for a specified drawing date, and

in which a player either selects a combination of numbers or allows number selection by a random number generator operated by the computer, referred to as

Quick Pick. The co... [ More ]

Reply #14

Todd — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 20:55:47 GMT

I do not believe that is correct about the Quick Picks being generated centrally.

From the Texas Lottery Web site:

How does Quick Pick work?

By marking the appropriate box on your playslip, or by telling the clerk you want to use Quick Pick, the lottery terminal will automatically select numbers for you. The Quick Pick random number generator for our on-line games has no built-in memory. Once a set of numbers is picked in one play, the random number process starts fresh for the next pla... [ More ]

Reply #13

bobby623 — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 20:37:45 GMT

I don't know about other states, but this is how it works in Texas.

The lottery is conducted by GTECH. They are well paid for their services.

All of the lottery terminals in the state are connected via satellite or hard line, to a central computer operations hub

located near Austin, Texas.

The terminals are NOT random number generators. They are fancy machines that can perform all the actions required to facilitate on-line games and scratch card lottery operations.

When a customer... [ More ]

Reply #12

soothsayer — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 13:57:22 GMT

Yes, I was referring to P3 and P4 and am remiss that I did not make that clear.

Reply #11

soothsayer — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 13:52:57 GMT

ROFL

Reply #10

Todd — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 04:52:07 GMT

That is not true as a blanket statement.

Such a thing would only be considered by a state for certain games such as Pick 3 and Pick 4. Not so for a lotto game like Pick 5 or Pick 6 (or a multi-state jackpot game).

Also, states that payout pari-mutuel, like California and New Jersey, do not have that issue. The numbers don't run out because the payouts are always adjusted based on the number of tickets sold for the winning combination.

Reply #9

pacattack05 — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 04:47:18 GMT

I already tried this. They told me i had to wait another 14 weeks before sending my tickets. I wrote the postmaster about this and he said there is nothing they can do about it.

I told him that the next time I purchase tickets with my own picks, I'd better get them straight from the terminal, and that those entries would be sent 2 day priority mail so it would get there in time for the drawing.

I can only cross my fingers.

Reply #8

soothsayer — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 04:35:06 GMT

Sorry, but due to the deficit and the economic nosedive, the Post Office can no longer mail those tickets to you. They ask kindly if you please go to your State Lottery Headquarters to get your tickets. P.S.- Get there early in order to get a low number for the waiting line.

Reply #7

soothsayer — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 04:22:01 GMT

Yes, and in the case of picking your own numbers, they are checked against a list to be sure that those numbers, in that order, do not exceed a pre-determined maximum of sales.

Reply #6

psykomo — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 01:31:39 GMT

thank's JKING:

great?????????????????????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!

psyko can only ask say I HOPE NOT ......but

maby Todd other's will have much better input!!

LOL

PSYKOMO

Reply #5

pacattack05 — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 18:09:46 GMT

Yes, but they mail them in, which by snail mail can take up to 5 business days.

Reply #4

guesser — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 17:38:51 GMT

yes.

Reply #3

CowboysFan — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 17:33:23 GMT

What about if you make your own picks? Do they send those numbers to the Lotto HQ immediately

Reply #2

Todd — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 12:50:32 GMT

Well, the lottery terminals in the stores do create the quick picks, but they are transmitted immediately. The ticket is not generated until the numbers are registered in the central database, which happens very quickly.

Reply #1

BobP — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 06:00:58 GMT

No. The terminal at the store makes up the QP, then transmits what it did to lottery HQ later. The draw computer is a stand alone machine connected to nothing else. At least that's what they tell us . . .

BobP

Pick-Quickpick Question

JKING — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 03:30:51 GMT

Hi,

Is the same computer that is used to pick the lottery numbers also used to issue quickpicks?

A nifty way to control the amount of winners. *S