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CASH Only

United States
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Jun 25, 2005, 11:56 am

The most interesting thing about California joining Mega Millions is the pari-mutuel prizes for ALL nine tiers. For example, whoever had 5/5 must be especially happy since they win $290,000+ instead of $250k. On the other hand, those who matched only the Mega Ball must feel gypped ($1).
ryanm

Morrison, IL
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Jun 25, 2005, 12:00 pm

I wonder what happens if California doesn't have any second place winners. Does that prize pool roll over as well or does that get distributed to the rest of the lower tier winners?
CASH Only

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Jun 25, 2005, 12:02 pm

ryan:

I've been wondering myself. The jackpot pool is shared by the states. Most likely either 2d prize is added to 3d prize, or the entire 2d prize pool is distributed to 3d through 9th prizes.
Todd

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Chief Bottle Washer

New Jersey
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Jun 25, 2005, 1:00 pm

I think CO is right about that, which would account for the lower 0+1 prize. When there's no 2nd tier winner, I'm sure we'll see a higher 0+1 prize.

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RJOh

100

mid-Ohio
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Jun 25, 2005, 1:24 pm

With that type of prize structure, a second place winner is a Californian player worst nightmare if it not him and even worst if he is and he's not the only one. The MegaMillions lottery will never have a payout like PowerBall when they had all those second prize winners.

RJOh

* you don't need to buy every combination, just the winning ones *
Bradly_60

Atlantic Mine, Michigan
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Jun 25, 2005, 2:13 pm

Para-mutual prizes are a cheap out for the lottery. By doing it that way they gaurantee themselves a win every time. I mean what is wrong with letting the players win something more than 50% every now and then. (example: Michigan Evening Daily 3 for April 15, 2004 2600% of sales was the payout.) I mean what would have happened it two or three people would of matched 5 white balls in last nights drawing in Cali. Would they have gotten only 145k or 96k. I mean that would be a cheap shot.

Brad
ryanm

Morrison, IL
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Jun 26, 2005, 1:29 am

Well, pari-mutuel can go both ways. If there's less winners than statistically expected, they have to pay the same prize amount out for that level anyway, so the players get more than the fixed prize amount.

When lotteries pay fixed prizes, they base them on the expected amount of players sharing in the prize pool at that level. They expect to balance higher payouts than expected with times when they get less winners than expected at that level.
Just6ntlc

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Jun 26, 2005, 4:47 am

I like pari-mutuel prizes best with higher payouts with fewer winners, but not if they win only $1 for California Super Lotto Plus for 1/5+Mega and only $1 for 0/5+Mega instead of $2 for Mega Millions.
RJOh

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mid-Ohio
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Jun 26, 2005, 11:06 am

It seems like the only thing that's standard about MegaMillions lottery in all the States is the jackpot amount and the number of prize levels, other wise each state can have its own rules. California make all 9 level pari-mutuel, Texas has the multiplier and another state is offering an extra prize amount on randomly picked tickets that are winners.

* you don't need to buy every combination, just the winning ones *
ryanm

Morrison, IL
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Jun 26, 2005, 11:27 am

Oh yeah, the third case applies to my MM state, Illinois!

I'll bet the only reason CA can get away with offering pari-mutuel prizes is because they have such a big population with such a high amount of expected draw sales, so CA would be expected to have a second place winner nearly every drawing.
DoctorEw220

Yinzer Country, PA
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Jun 27, 2005, 1:09 am

here's where pari-mutuel prizes can work in CA's favor, and against them at the same time.

they have the percentages at the wrong ends. you want a smaller percentage of the prize pool at the 2nd prize, and a larger perceentage at the lower levels. that way, the lower levels get better prizes, while the 2nd prize winner doesn't get screwed.

the raising of percentages for lower prizes would increase player support, since that's what the players go for. they know that their odds of hitting the jackpot are slim, so they go for sweeter lower prizes.

the way they have it, the 2nd prize winner could have had to split that prize with another winner, had there been one, and they would have been screwed, and the lower prize level winners are screwed as well.

I've redone my website. Go to www.dr-ew.com. I kept a lot of the old stuff, and I've added some new stuff. Look for more new stuff in the coming weeks.
danisiri

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Jun 27, 2005, 2:56 am

Quote: Originally posted by DoctorEw220 on June 27, 2005

here's where pari-mutuel prizes can work in CA's favor, and against them at the same time.

they have the percentages at the wrong ends. you want a smaller percentage of the prize pool at the 2nd prize, and a larger perceentage at the lower levels. that way, the lower levels get better prizes, while the 2nd prize winner doesn't get screwed.

the raising of percentages for lower prizes would increase player support, since that's what the players go for. they know that their odds of hitting the jackpot are slim, so they go for sweeter lower prizes.

the way they have it, the 2nd prize winner could have had to split that prize with another winner, had there been one, and they would have been screwed, and the lower prize level winners are screwed as well.

Actually, I live in CA and only play the lottery for the jackpot. I really do not care about the smaller prizes and figure if I win something small, I am just getting a "tax" refund on the money I have put into the lottery over the years. I also only buy one $1 quickpick with the cash option per drawing, so I guess I am not the normal Lottery Post player, anyway!

Yeah, the odds are slim, but if I am meant to win, then it does not matter if I play $1 or $1000 dollars - especially with the change to the MM odds. If all I could win were the smaller prizes, I would not play.

I just thought I would give one CA player's perspective.
CASH Only

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Jun 27, 2005, 9:52 am

Too many people care only about the jackpot (NY players throw their money away on NY Lotto and its 38%-40% payout).
RJOh

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mid-Ohio
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Jun 27, 2005, 10:27 am

MegaMillions States also have different rules for paying the retailer that sells the winning tickets. A few years ago when the BigGame(now MegaMillions) had it largest jackpot, one winner bought his ticket in Illinois and another in Michigan, they both received equal portions of the jackpot but the Illinois retailer got about $100K and the one in Michigan got $1K.

* you don't need to buy every combination, just the winning ones *
danisiri

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Jun 27, 2005, 12:13 pm

Quote: Originally posted by CASH Only on June 27, 2005

Too many people care only about the jackpot (NY players throw their money away on NY Lotto and its 38%-40% payout).

In my opinion, without the JP, there is no reason to play? If the point is to win money, there are casino games with better odds. I can get more consistency at blackjack or poker. If the point is to get a large return on the amount bet (e.g., $1 becomes $20,000), then I could see why some may play for the smaller prizes. I just do not understand how some players can drop $40, $70, or $100+ on each draw using a number system in attempts to "beat" the game. For some it seems it is their form of entertainment, but for others, it seems like an addiction.

As I said in a previous post, I only play to win the JP. But, I only want to spend the smallest amount possible, since the odds are so great. Some may ask then why play at all, but as the cliche goes, if you never play, then you can never win!

Regardless of why we play, I just hope that someone from Lottery Post will break the single jackpot record and not become a horror story!

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