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shyguitar

United States
Member #122,462
February 1, 2012
530 Posts
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Mar 1, 2012, 11:09 am

I was doing better the last few months with playing the lottery. But my anxieties got the better of me last week and I started buying more scratch tickets again, not to mention the weekly PB and MM and also started playing my state lottery game daily. It started when the new scratch tickets came out last week the ones that say you can win 5k, 2.5k, 1K, or 500 a week for life. The odds of winning the big prize is pretty much impossible yet I can't seem to help myself and was buying lots of tickets. For years I was someone who was not a gambler and was always conservative when it came to money (that could be because I've never had jobs that paid much), then I started thinking that the only way to be able to pay for my daughter's college would be to win the lottery (sorry for repeating myself I mentioned that on another post). I feel like there are two sides to myself, the side that says do not throw money down the drain because the odds are not in your favor and then the other side that says maybe a miracle will happen and I keep holding onto that dream even though I would have a better chance of getting struck by lightning than winning the big jackpot. Everytime I buy a scratch ticket or a PB, MM ticket I have that dream and then as soon as I scratch that ticket or find out the next morning that the winning numbers were not mine that dream vanishes. I just hope that I can get a handle on things. I always make sure my bills are paid first. Do other people feel like they are getting addicted to playing?
mrsinful

South Carolina
United States
Member #66,772
November 5, 2008
319 Posts
Offline

Mar 1, 2012, 11:28 am

Quote: Originally posted by shyguitar on Mar 1, 2012
I was doing better the last few months with playing the lottery. But my anxieties got the better of me last week and I started buying more scratch tickets again, not to mention the weekly PB and MM and also started playing my state lottery game daily. It started when the new scratch tickets came out last week the ones that say you can win 5k, 2.5k, 1K, or 500 a week for life. The odds of winning the big prize is pretty much impossible yet I can't seem to help myself and was buying lots of tickets. For years I was someone who was not a gambler and was always conservative when it came to money (that could be because I've never had jobs that paid much), then I started thinking that the only way to be able to pay for my daughter's college would be to win the lottery (sorry for repeating myself I mentioned that on another post). I feel like there are two sides to myself, the side that says do not throw money down the drain because the odds are not in your favor and then the other side that says maybe a miracle will happen and I keep holding onto that dream even though I would have a better chance of getting struck by lightning than winning the big jackpot. Everytime I buy a scratch ticket or a PB, MM ticket I have that dream and then as soon as I scratch that ticket or find out the next morning that the winning numbers were not mine that dream vanishes. I just hope that I can get a handle on things. I always make sure my bills are paid first. Do other people feel like they are getting addicted to playing?

Welcome back friend. On a serious note though, you pay your bills first and that is a good thing. Just like any vice, people go off now and

then. Sometimes casual drinkers get plastered and sometimes people go off gambling. What matters is that if you think you have a problem with it

then try to get some help. I go off bad sometimes myself and its a sick feeling. Best of luck to you in life and the lottery.

Rehab is for quitters.
MzDuffleBaglady

25

F-I-L-T-E-R-S
United States
Member #81,312
October 16, 2009
44,581 Posts
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Mar 1, 2012, 11:32 am

Yes,

Just as bad, figuring out the winning pick 3, and not play it, playing it a day before.

Hoping things get better for you with those scratchers, lol, I buy them sometimes. I feel like I'm scratching off gunpowder, lmaoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.

Good Luck.

Missouri pick 3, giving out humble pies!
NightStalker

Estero, FL
United States
Member #120,837
December 28, 2011
458 Posts
Offline

Mar 1, 2012, 11:32 am

I have played the lottery most of my adult life. Off and on in my 20's, but more consistently as I got into my 30's and now into my 40's. I rarely play pick 3 or pick 4, mostly MM or PB and lately the Classic Lotto. I understand the dream. I have those same kinds of dreams as probably everyone here does.

You sound somewhat desperate as if you must have the money or your children's futures are in doubt. I have three kids. We have told them that we will help them as much as we can while they are in college, but we made it clear that the vast majority of their schooling is going to be paid by student loans or scholarships. As much as you want to help your children, sometimes you just can't do as much as you'd like, so do what you can and be happy with that.

I wouldn't say that I am addicted to playing the lottery. I could afford to spend more than I do. But that would mean one less dinner out with the family or sacrificing something else we enjoy.

Good luck to you.

Life's Too Short To Be Unhappy
RJOh

100

mid-Ohio
United States
Member #9
March 24, 2001
20,272 Posts
Offline

Mar 1, 2012, 12:15 pm

Quote: Originally posted by shyguitar on Mar 1, 2012
I was doing better the last few months with playing the lottery. But my anxieties got the better of me last week and I started buying more scratch tickets again, not to mention the weekly PB and MM and also started playing my state lottery game daily. It started when the new scratch tickets came out last week the ones that say you can win 5k, 2.5k, 1K, or 500 a week for life. The odds of winning the big prize is pretty much impossible yet I can't seem to help myself and was buying lots of tickets. For years I was someone who was not a gambler and was always conservative when it came to money (that could be because I've never had jobs that paid much), then I started thinking that the only way to be able to pay for my daughter's college would be to win the lottery (sorry for repeating myself I mentioned that on another post). I feel like there are two sides to myself, the side that says do not throw money down the drain because the odds are not in your favor and then the other side that says maybe a miracle will happen and I keep holding onto that dream even though I would have a better chance of getting struck by lightning than winning the big jackpot. Everytime I buy a scratch ticket or a PB, MM ticket I have that dream and then as soon as I scratch that ticket or find out the next morning that the winning numbers were not mine that dream vanishes. I just hope that I can get a handle on things. I always make sure my bills are paid first. Do other people feel like they are getting addicted to playing?

I like playing the lotteries too, but only the jackpot games. I'm more addicted to being cheap than spending money so that limits my playing. Also, I created a system for picking the numbers I play that is so time consuming that some time I can't come up with any combinations to play before the drawing and I won't play any numbers I did personal pick.

Sounds like you don't spend much time thinking about what you're going to play before buying your tickets, perhaps if you did you wouldn't have time to buy so many. Good luck.

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

NY
United States
Member #121,955
January 21, 2012
3,169 Posts
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Mar 1, 2012, 12:22 pm

It's so easy to become addicted. The worst thing to do is read the winner storys. Makes you want to play more then you should. Winter time is boring for me, so I play 5 or 6 different games a week for fun, dollar a day, only if i have extra cash.
LucyMontgomery

United States
Member #123,807
February 29, 2012
43 Posts
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Mar 1, 2012, 12:23 pm

I completely understand because I literally have nothing else to lose and this would actually be my only income coming in if I were to win. BUT, I have prioritized because I'm dead broke right now, so I only myself $6 a month on tickets. Not all at once, just about three tix every two weeks. It really is money down the drain and sometimes you have to accept that it's just not your game. BUT you have to be in it to win it ;) very conflicted. I don't play scratch offs thoough they have better odds. I think you should match whatever you put into your games? Like if you spend $20 a month, also put away $20 in your savings account that same month. And always, calculate how much you spend a year and how much you've lost. That realization will set you straight in a sec!
THRIFTY

100

NEW YORK
United States
Member #90,531
April 29, 2010
13,291 Posts
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Mar 1, 2012, 12:24 pm

Quote: Originally posted by shyguitar on Mar 1, 2012
I was doing better the last few months with playing the lottery. But my anxieties got the better of me last week and I started buying more scratch tickets again, not to mention the weekly PB and MM and also started playing my state lottery game daily. It started when the new scratch tickets came out last week the ones that say you can win 5k, 2.5k, 1K, or 500 a week for life. The odds of winning the big prize is pretty much impossible yet I can't seem to help myself and was buying lots of tickets. For years I was someone who was not a gambler and was always conservative when it came to money (that could be because I've never had jobs that paid much), then I started thinking that the only way to be able to pay for my daughter's college would be to win the lottery (sorry for repeating myself I mentioned that on another post). I feel like there are two sides to myself, the side that says do not throw money down the drain because the odds are not in your favor and then the other side that says maybe a miracle will happen and I keep holding onto that dream even though I would have a better chance of getting struck by lightning than winning the big jackpot. Everytime I buy a scratch ticket or a PB, MM ticket I have that dream and then as soon as I scratch that ticket or find out the next morning that the winning numbers were not mine that dream vanishes. I just hope that I can get a handle on things. I always make sure my bills are paid first. Do other people feel like they are getting addicted to playing?

HOW TO WIN THE LOTTERY by not playing. SAVE YOUR MONEY.
JezzVim

Pennsylvania
United States
Member #78,050
August 6, 2009
842 Posts
Offline

Mar 1, 2012, 12:46 pm

When you are in the middle of it all the time your propective gets dim, so walk away for a bit and come back s l o w.

Watch your ebb and flow with your luck, play on paper until your 'sights' get better and start winning on paper then HIT EM HARD with a nice bet.

Wish you the best with it and hope you get clarity soon.

Take two asprin and call me!

Life Is Wonderful If You Don't Weaken
dallascowboyfan

Oklahoma
United States
Member #82,389
November 12, 2009
6,374 Posts
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Mar 1, 2012, 1:39 pm

Hang in there shyguitar........
mcginnin56

United States
Member #111,437
May 25, 2011
6,323 Posts
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Mar 1, 2012, 2:08 pm

Quote: Originally posted by LucyMontgomery on Mar 1, 2012
I completely understand because I literally have nothing else to lose and this would actually be my only income coming in if I were to win. BUT, I have prioritized because I'm dead broke right now, so I only myself $6 a month on tickets. Not all at once, just about three tix every two weeks. It really is money down the drain and sometimes you have to accept that it's just not your game. BUT you have to be in it to win it ;) very conflicted. I don't play scratch offs thoough they have better odds. I think you should match whatever you put into your games? Like if you spend $20 a month, also put away $20 in your savings account that same month. And always, calculate how much you spend a year and how much you've lost. That realization will set you straight in a sec!

I'm sorry to ask....but what is that vibrating Avatar?
lottoAficionado

Orange City, Florida
United States
Member #123,229
February 16, 2012
12 Posts
Offline

Mar 1, 2012, 6:41 pm

There was a time in my life that I would spend about $20 - $30 in lottery games, hopping that the more I played would also increase my chances of winning. It was my strong belief that by the laws of logic you can lose so many times until by default you are forced to win. Well, not only was I deceiving myself, but I was making the most common of all lottery players mistake: “trusting on the fairness of the lottery system”.

The lottery system was not developed for the purpose to grant citizens (players) a chance at being wealthy. The system was created for the sole purpose to create state revenues. Simply stated, the lottery system is a state funded business; and, therefore, its purpose is to ensure increase in profits annually. Consequently, and just because its goal is to profit, the system was not designed to be fair.

Fortunately, I was able to find good literature on the subject, and commenced my own interned research into a better understanding of the lottery system. This is why now I spend less money on lottery games, I play smarter and take control in selecting the numbers, and have been able to win small amounts of money from-time-to-time (although still working in making my first million). Much like any other addiction out there, the more you learn about it (educate yourself), and the more you understand how the system works (get reliable source information), the better you can deal with it.

Yes, there is a lot of unpleasant truth about the lottery system kept from the general public, but there is also a considerable amount of information and resources to help you make the system give you a fair advantage (so the money you invest in the system is not a total waist).

Search for the “Lottery Solution” or “Smart Numbers QuickPick” over the internet and gain knowledge from all the information offered. I do not know if the e-books are still available for free, but there is still free information out there.
imagine

United States
Member #85,044
January 7, 2010
102 Posts
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Mar 1, 2012, 7:16 pm

Quote: Originally posted by shyguitar on Mar 1, 2012
I was doing better the last few months with playing the lottery. But my anxieties got the better of me last week and I started buying more scratch tickets again, not to mention the weekly PB and MM and also started playing my state lottery game daily. It started when the new scratch tickets came out last week the ones that say you can win 5k, 2.5k, 1K, or 500 a week for life. The odds of winning the big prize is pretty much impossible yet I can't seem to help myself and was buying lots of tickets. For years I was someone who was not a gambler and was always conservative when it came to money (that could be because I've never had jobs that paid much), then I started thinking that the only way to be able to pay for my daughter's college would be to win the lottery (sorry for repeating myself I mentioned that on another post). I feel like there are two sides to myself, the side that says do not throw money down the drain because the odds are not in your favor and then the other side that says maybe a miracle will happen and I keep holding onto that dream even though I would have a better chance of getting struck by lightning than winning the big jackpot. Everytime I buy a scratch ticket or a PB, MM ticket I have that dream and then as soon as I scratch that ticket or find out the next morning that the winning numbers were not mine that dream vanishes. I just hope that I can get a handle on things. I always make sure my bills are paid first. Do other people feel like they are getting addicted to playing?

It's noble that you want to pay for your daughters college education, but she can always go to college with a loan.

So many stories of JP winners who buy one or two tickets a week, or hardly ever.

A miracle can find you for a dollar. Chasing a miracle won't make it show up.

Keep your head up.
grwurston

100

Same #'s. Different games.

United States
Member #90,247
April 24, 2010
13,848 Posts
Offline

Mar 1, 2012, 7:38 pm

Instead of trying for the jackpot games with the near impossible 175 million to one odds, why not try the pick 3? It's only 1,000 to one. You won't get wealthy but 3 or 4 straight hits a month wouldn't hurt.
savagegoose

adelaide sa
Australia
Member #37,135
April 11, 2006
3,341 Posts
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Mar 1, 2012, 7:45 pm

hi shyGrl. ;) we all have times we go over board. and various strategies can be used to differring success.

delaying the fix via buying long dated games, ie instead if instants, where the thrill is right now and once its gone you are left empty, for a ticket thats drawn next week. or scratch 1 panel a day off the ticket, taking a week to actually see if you won?

budget a set amount, like $3 a week for all gambling, and stick to it.

save your gambling money till you can buy an oz of silver, and save that for the kids schooling.

being a precious metal its harder to break into and sell for tickets. and its value goes up with inflation , not down like a bank account.

" Still swinging, still missing "
2014 = -1016; 2015= -1409; 2016 = -1171; 2017 = -1257 ; 2018 = - 1380 = TOT = - 6233

keno historic = -2291 ; 2015= -603; 2016= -424; 2017 =-427; 2018= -223 TOT = -3968

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