Does anyone here know the history of the matrix changes for PB and MM?

Reply #12

Coin Toss — Tue, 11 Feb 2014 00:43:57 GMT

MR. THRIFTY,

I play PB now since MM 'did its' thing' and went to 75 numbers. I'm really hoping for a 5 + 0 so the choice is 5 of 59 as opposed to 5 of 75.

LottoMetro,

Yeah, I'm intersted. Thanks again for the info. Amazing that the odds have increased by over 120,000,00 compared to the original game. Sure the prizes are a lot more but this is convincing me that those running the games are paraphrasing the line in Field of Dreams to, If you offer it they will play.... [ More ]

Reply #11

THRIFTY — Mon, 10 Feb 2014 21:06:21 GMT

Mr. Coin Toss you should focus on the present odds of winning MM and PB.

Are you going to keep playing Mega Millions and Powerball regardless of the odds of winning? You do have a choice.

Reply #10

Lucky Loser — Mon, 10 Feb 2014 20:49:56 GMT

I like your lottery game idea

Well, thanks, Stack...I appreciate that! But, mind you and be very careful what you say around here, buddy. What I described will be considered Lotto Liberalism!!! LMFAO!!! Nothing wrong with giving back since I'm giving it right back to the people who put it there in the first d*mn place...all to recirculate again!!! I'm gonna get my a$$ handed to me any minute now by some coo-koo that would rather get even less back, if anything, just to be 'down with the cause... [ More ]

Reply #9

Stack47 — Mon, 10 Feb 2014 20:05:24 GMT

Both games are basically all or nothing because the lower prize payoffs are terrible compared to the odds. Matching two numbers plus the bonus number in PB will net you $5 with odds against of 706 to 1. The same $2 bet on any pick-4 box (single or double) combo will net you at least $398 with odds against of 570 to 1. The odds against a $2 PB bet netting $98 by matching 4 numbers is 12,245 to 1 and a $2 straight bet with 10,000 to 1 odds nets $9998.

MM lowered their overall odds of winning so... [ More ]

Reply #8

Lucky Loser — Mon, 10 Feb 2014 18:11:11 GMT

Yep, the gradual addition of (10) main numbers with a one-time (3) less PB number reduction. They could afford to pay out more because less people would match a given amount of numbers...if any. In just the last two changes, 1,610,216 LESS people were expected to match only (5) numbers by just adding another (6) numbers. Now, another (4) have been added. So, now, from the very last addition to the present one, another 1,590,023.65 LESS people are expected to match the same (5) numbers with anoth... [ More ]

Reply #7

LottoMetro — Mon, 10 Feb 2014 17:46:21 GMT

Here's the first 4 Powerball prize matrices if anyone is interested:

5/45 + 1/45 5/49 + 1/42

Match Odds Prize Match Odds Prize

5 + PB 1 : 54,979,155 Jackpot 5 + PB 1 : 80,089,128 Jackpot

5 Only 1 : 1,249,526 $100,000 5 Only 1 : 1,953,393 $100,000

4 + PB 1 : 274,896 $5,000 4 + PB 1 : 364,041 $5,000

4 Only 1 : 6,248 $100 4 Only 1 : 8,879 $100

3 + PB 1 : 7,049 $100 3 + PB 1 : 8,466 $100

3 Only 1 : 160 $5 3 Only 1 : 206 $7

2 + PB 1 : 556 $5 2 + PB 1 : 605... [ More ]

Reply #6

Lucky Loser — Mon, 10 Feb 2014 17:41:55 GMT

There's only two things which can happen with ANY type of lottery game: One, they can add more numbers to it which makes it much harder to match anything...which is the latest deal. Two, they can remove numbers to make it easier to match more numbers. While the term matrix does sort of apply, it's simply removing or adding to the range of numbers which increases or decreases total possible combinations There's no special formula they go through to reach a matrix.

If they were to take the Pick... [ More ]

Reply #5

LottoMetro — Mon, 10 Feb 2014 17:18:06 GMT

I forgot to add the very very first BG matrix, which was 5/50 + 1/15

Match Probability Prize

5 plus Big Money ball 1 : 52,969,000 Jackpot

5 match ONLY 1 : 2,207,042 $150,000

4 plus Big Money ball 1 : 235,418 $5,000

4 match ONLY 1 : 9,809 $150

3 plus Big Money ball 1 : 5,350 $100

3 match ONLY 1 : 223 $5

2 plus Big Money ball 1 : 373 $5

1 plus Big Money ball 1 : 71 $2

Big Money ball only 1: 43 $1

Reply #4

Coin Toss — Mon, 10 Feb 2014 16:41:16 GMT

Thanks guys, excellent post LottoMetro.

Reply #3

Jon D — Mon, 10 Feb 2014 14:39:31 GMT

Shortcuts:

http://www.usamega.com/mega-millions-stats.asp#notes

http://www.usamega.com/powerball-stats.asp#notes

Reply #2

RJOh — Mon, 10 Feb 2014 10:23:08 GMT

USAMega has the complete history of both MM and PB.

Reply #1

LottoMetro — Mon, 10 Feb 2014 06:35:14 GMT

The Big Game was originally 5/50 + 1/36. When it changed to The Big Game Mega Millions, the matrix went to 5/52 + 1/52.

As Mega Millions it changed to 5/46 + 1/46 in 2006.

5/50 + 1/36

MATCH

PRIZE*

ODDS

5 White Balls THE BIG MONEY BALL JACKPOT** (per $1 play)

1:76,275,360

5 White Balls $150,000 1:2,179,296

4 White Balls THE BIG MONEY BALL $5,000 1:339,002

4 White Balls $150 1:9,686

3 White Balls THE BIG MONEY BA... [ More ]

Does anyone here know the history of the matrix changes for PB and MM?

Coin Toss — Mon, 10 Feb 2014 05:44:32 GMT

Considering the threads about giving up on each game, does anyone know all the matrix changes?

Wikipedia has a pretty good history of the games but not all the matrixes.

MM is now 75 / 15, Prior that that it was 56 /46?

Can anyone go all the way back to the Big Game