When you buy scratch tickets do you buy from local places or do you travel to get them?Prev Topic Next Topic

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shyguitar

United States
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February 1, 2012
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May 18, 2012, 9:20 am

Hi,

Okay I'm wondering what people do when they buy their scratch tickets. I have tended to buy scratch tickets locally spread among various places but lately I've been having no luck (I know that means I shouldn't be buying them but I still buy them). In some other posts I mentioned that the price of gas has kept me more local but at this point I'm wondering if I should just randomly go to other towns a bit off the beaten path. It's funy because prior to a few years ago if you asked me if I would ever be buying scratch tickets I would have laughed and said that's a losing proposition, unfortunately once I started a few years ago can't seem to stop. When I buy scratch tickets will buy one or a few at a time. Was wondering if I should just do something different, okay there is no strategy to scratchers it's random but why does it seem like some people have better luck than others when playing. Weeks ago I went to a gas station that was a few towns away from me hoping that maybe someplace new for me would be different (no such luck). Look forward to hearing from others.
RedStang

NY
United States
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January 21, 2012
3,169 Posts
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May 18, 2012, 10:56 am

I stick to the stores/vend machines on my way to work. There's probably 10-15 that sell. I agree on the random buy theory. I cash in at different stores. Like you, i never thought i would play 20$ scratchers, but they are the only ones i been hitting on. GL
ChrisH

United States
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November 8, 2003
18 Posts
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May 18, 2012, 1:25 pm

In PA, Lottery officials tend to disribute the BIG winning tickets to the larger cities.

Why ? A big win in the bigger towns = more publicity.
KPaul

Florida
United States
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May 16, 2012
63 Posts
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May 18, 2012, 5:18 pm

I use to live in PA and thought the same thing about the distribution. Since I was from a small town, it made me not want to buy scratch-offs.
Coin Toss

Zeta Reticuli Star System
United States
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January 17, 2006
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May 20, 2012, 2:34 am

I can't see any reason to travel to buy scratchers unless you want them from another state.

For example, I'm in Illinois but Missouri has two scratchers right now that are tempting - $750,000 tax free and $3,000,000 tax free.

Maybe Illinois will get something like that as it seems these lottery directors are talking to each other.

Illinois has had a Black Pearls ticket and now Misouri does.

Those who run the lotteries love it when players look for consistency in something that's designed not to have any. So many systems, so many theories, so few jackpot winners.

There is one and only one 'proven' system, and that is to book the action. No matter the game, let the players pick their own losers.
jeankedemetser

Belgium
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May 19, 2012
96 Posts
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May 20, 2012, 9:57 am

I buy scratch tickets locally.
Ronnie316

100

United States
Member #116,263
September 7, 2011
20,243 Posts
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May 20, 2012, 10:10 am

Quote: Originally posted by Coin Toss on May 20, 2012
I can't see any reason to travel to buy scratchers unless you want them from another state.

For example, I'm in Illinois but Missouri has two scratchers right now that are tempting - $750,000 tax free and $3,000,000 tax free.

Maybe Illinois will get something like that as it seems these lottery directors are talking to each other.

Illinois has had a Black Pearls ticket and now Misouri does.

I'm a "big city" resident. Live here, play here.

I checked out the Illinois Lottery web site looking for odds on the $3mil game. Found none. I do see that only one remains on Cash Bonanza and I can only imagine that they guard the last one VERY closely as it will virtually end the game when it is redeemed.

What are the odds Coin Toss?

AZ Extreme Green distributes one $500k ticket per 240,000 printed.
rdgrnr

100

The Hall Of The Mountain Kings Tennessee
United States
Member #73,902
April 28, 2009
15,378 Posts
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May 20, 2012, 10:27 am

Quote: Originally posted by shyguitar on May 18, 2012
Hi,

Okay I'm wondering what people do when they buy their scratch tickets. I have tended to buy scratch tickets locally spread among various places but lately I've been having no luck (I know that means I shouldn't be buying them but I still buy them). In some other posts I mentioned that the price of gas has kept me more local but at this point I'm wondering if I should just randomly go to other towns a bit off the beaten path. It's funy because prior to a few years ago if you asked me if I would ever be buying scratch tickets I would have laughed and said that's a losing proposition, unfortunately once I started a few years ago can't seem to stop. When I buy scratch tickets will buy one or a few at a time. Was wondering if I should just do something different, okay there is no strategy to scratchers it's random but why does it seem like some people have better luck than others when playing. Weeks ago I went to a gas station that was a few towns away from me hoping that maybe someplace new for me would be different (no such luck). Look forward to hearing from others.

I very rarely buy scratchers but I don't buy anymore where there's guys hangin' around to see what you get and then they jump up to get the next one.

Local or on the road, I never had much luck with 'em anyway.

I like the jackpot games.
PrisonerSix

Baton Rouge, LA
United States
Member #4,602
May 7, 2004
1,192 Posts
Online

May 20, 2012, 10:45 am

I buy mine locally too. There are maybe 3 or 4 places I buy them, places I frequent. I don't make special trips for scratchers.

Prisoner Six

"I am not a number, I am a free man!"
maximumfun

United States
Member #124,610
March 16, 2012
3,733 Posts
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May 20, 2012, 3:12 pm

I try to buy all my tickets locally (in-state - which for us is local - cuz we are really small)