Duke: "Henny, you need to stop playing Pick 3 here in Texas right now and I mean it!"
Henny: "Why Duke? What's up?"
Duke: "The Pick 3 is FIXED from the get go!"
Henny: "Oh yeah? What makes you think that?"
Duke: "In a perfect mathematical, statistical world - which we both agree does not exist Henny, how often should a triple hit?"
Henny: 'Well, let's see here. There are 10 triples: 000,111,222,333,444,555,666,777,888,999. There are also 1,000 possible outcomes. 10/1,000 = 1/100. Duke, that means a TRIPLE SHOULD HIT ONCE IN EVERY 100 DRAWS!"
Duke: "Excellent Henny! Henny, when did the last triple hit here in Texas?"
Henny: "October 9, 2006 - 170 drawings ago."
Duke: "Now, Henny. Tell me how many drawings it has been since the other triples have hit for the EVEning drawing."
Henny: "999 HAS NEVER HIT!
777 HIT 3,263 DRAWINGS AGO!!! 32 times longer than expected!!!!!!
444 HIT 1,210 DRAWINGS AGO!!! 12 times longer than expected!!!!
333 HIT 1,164 DRAWINGS AGO!!! 11 times longer than expected!!!
000 HIT 957 DRAWINGS AGO!!! 9 times longer than expected!!!
888 HIT 669 DRAWINGS AGO!!! 6 times longer than expected!!!
222 HIT 620 DRAWINGS AGO!!! 6 times longer than expected!!!
111 HIT 540 DRAWINGS AGO!!! 5 times longer than expected!!
666 HIT 489 DRAWINGS AGO!!! 4 times longer than expected!!
555 HIT 170 DRAWINGS AGO!!! 1.7 times longer than expected!!"
Duke: "Well done Henny. I see you can use Mr. Ricky's software program. Henny, all software programs are fruitless and pointless when the drawings are all fixed."
Henny: "But Duke, triples have to hit sometime don't they?"
Duke: "NO Henny they don't!!!! They will hit only when few people bet on a particular triple. Before each drawing the Texas Lottery Commission knows exactly how much it will cost them when a particular number hits. Trust me Henny, they are NEVER going to lose big on a drawing. I could prove it to you if all the pros would deliberately not bet on triples for TWO DRAWINGS."
Henny: "Wow Duke, you are blowing me away!"
Duke: "One other thing Henny, find a place way out in the boonies that has never had a hit. Place your random combo bet there and see what happens. Also, just play one number for fun until it looks like it might be ON THE UP AND UP. But, don't hold your breath Henny."
Henny: "So Duke, does this mean so long?"
Duke: "Yeah, afraid so Henny. Even my creator has called it quits. But, we did have some fun along the way now didn't we?"
Henny: "Yep, we sure did Duke. I love you Duke."
Duke: "I love you too Henny."