I play consistently the first ten cards in a new roll.....however some retailers start a new roll back to front with 000 starting the new roll...then i wait and play the seller up the street. I think at times I frustrate clerks, but if they refuse ...i don't buy....and seemily a lot of people ask! Buying rolls is too costly---becauser I only play $10---$20 dollar tickets. Moreover, the return is @ 1/3 the face value unless you get lucky!
...A typical buy is .....i walk into a carryout and their on ticket number 004 for a prise-packed ticket (reviewed online) I purchased 005----thru---010 then. Costs me $120-bucks, but the return can be three-fold. If I hit less than $120 on 3-consective buys----I lay off a few weeks, and re-think my ticket strategy. The scratch-off play is hit or miss----win 1k---stop play for at least a month....typical win is 1k---20k per 100,000 tickets----so pass on every 4000 sold!