Well my Mega_Powerball partner and I caught the Mega ball last night and we made $1.00. So I will be reinvesting our win right back into Tuesdays game.

I am still not so sure how this new concept of so many numbers is going to work out.  Before they started this new format I most generally would buy at least 5 tickets with the mulitiplier added and sometime more than that if the payout got up to a certain level.....I also would play power ball the same way.  Now with Mega Million adding all these additional numbers it has actually taken the fun out of even having a chance of hitting a decent prize....so I now finding myself buying one ticket per draw with the mulitplier just to have a chance.....no more multiple tickets. 

My question to others.....are you all buying the same or have you cut the amount down. Do you really think this is going to work for them.

Atoz, I agree with you.   I play the Mega and the Powerball with parter/partners. I don't really like the change myself with Mega Millions.

I also agree with you Atoz, the odds are really really bad for the new MM.  I have cut back on MM and have added the extra money to buying more PB tickets.

I don't get a game that is pushing to have the biggest jackpot ever.  Alot of wasted money to get to the biggest jackpot ever.

Don, I think it's going to steer a lot of players away.  The odds are rough.

 I've only played MM once since the recent change in odds and before that I played every drawing. With such super high odds I often feel like I should just keep my dollar instead of throwing it away, the new odds do turn players off.

Like I said Diablo1714, I only play it now when I have a partner or partners. Odds way to high!

I would think with the new odds more people would be playing their State Jackpot game if they had one. I know I would.

I agree. I buy $3 at the most now.

"When the multi-state Mega Millions lottery game was changed a month ago, it was done so amid promises of bigger jackpots without needing to raise ticket prices.  Now it appears the promise has been met."

Yep, and now with Powerball reset, MM is free to grow as large and as fast as ever for the rest of the year.

Contrary to what some people thought, there was no mass exodus of players after the new MM matrix change. Sales figures showed that about the same amount people were at least "in it to win it" and likewise play more as the jackpot grows.

PB still has an advantage with minimum $2 bet. But as with the case of this run, the MM will have more rollovers, and continue to grow as PB resets more often. MM will have fewer jackpots per year but of higher values, with the accompanying buying frezy above $200M.

The new change is great!  I love it.  I'm glad that it's not too easy to win.

However, 5+0 is still too easy if you buy your tickets in New York.

In March of 2012 there was a $655.8 MM jackpot split three ways, and that was under the old format.

To hype up $205M is a little strong on MM's part.

Come to papa....Papa needs some new shoes, and a mansion. LOL!

What is really interesting to me is the lack of the second tier of winners. Only two. With the new astronomical odds we will probably see 500m jackpots won by single tickets more often than splits but also few second place winners as well in my opinion. 

With MM there will be much larger jackpots (probably records in the 800m range) but fewer per year. Perhaps 5-6 huge ones and the run up will take a while (2months per run is 6 wins). This means for a lot of people eventually they will only play when it gets huge which takes players out of the lower part of the run up and will in the end make the time from the start 15m to the jackpot win even longer.

Fewer 2nd prize winners was inevitable when they quadrupled the value of the second prize -- and which can go up to $5,000,000 with the Megaplier.

The sad thing is the CASH jackpots are now smaller. Mega cash payouts were always bigger than Powerball. The good thing is when Powerball increased to 2 dollars, the cash payouts went up coming closer to what Mega was at that time. Now Powerball has bigger cash payouts.        

The mega millions lottery is rigged! If you'll go in their website and look at the little bit of winners they do have, u will see the same states that keep hitting big which is California, Texas, Virginia, Maryland , Massachusetts , New York, and New Jersey. It just skipped right by Pennsylvania! I been stopped "donating" my money to the rigged mega millions because no matter how many tickets u buy they have it set up for those 7 states to keep winning! U will be now went broke while those states are getting richer and that dream will never come. If u are smart u will save your money from playing mega millions, it's a scam!

Oh and if I may add the state of Michigan also has a lot of winners! If u don't live in those 8 states, I wouldn't play mega millions!

My personal opinion is that the new format will not produce astronomical jackpots because there are only 15 Mega balls.  The very first draw under the new format there were 3 players with a 5 number win and it appeared that they only sold 28 million tickets. That would have been a 1 in 5 chance that one of them could have had the correct Mega ball. The next several draws produced only 1 player with 5 numbers with sales averaging only about 30 million. The last draw had two players with 5 numbers and it looks like only about 34 million tickets were sold. That is close to the odds of 2 players getting a 5. When they hit 70 million tickets, there could be as many as 4- 5 players with a 5 and then it is just a 1 in 3 chance for a winner. Meanwhile the payouts for winning anything at all have fallen. Getting the mega ball and one number is about all most can hope for with just a few tickets purchased.....and then not to often. We'll see, but I'm skeptical at this time.

That's the reason Im playing the megaplier all the time now...and look my state got a 3 million dollar winner....Ohhh it shudda been me LOL

It's very, very  possible! Sometimes it's not about the odds. If you have it than you got it! Keep that in mind! : )

Oh and NEw york will win again : )

i still play both

Possible, but only if your near NYC. Nothing but losers outside the concrete jungle. I almost thought you were talking about the G-men.

  I play the megaplier more often now too. I spend the same amount on tickets but I have less tickets because of that megaplier. $20 on mega equaled 20 tickets for me before the matrix and now it means 10 tickets for me.

I agree with Todd the promise has been met.  The increased odds are negligible to win the jackpot.   Even if MM & PB eliminated all secondary prizes sales drop offs would be very small.  I'd say 95%+ play for the jackpot only.  If you want small wins play scratchers and state games.

veganlife125,

"The increased odds are negligible to win the jackpot..."

Seriously? The differnece in the increase is an additional 83 million to one. State Pick 6 games have jackpopt odds in the 20 million to one range.

I have been playing mega millions more since the matrix change but that is because I want my chance at the $5 million prize so $5 with megaplier for $10.  I pick my own numbers so hopefully I can get lucky soon.  I play powerball less because of the $2 price and I only pick two lines with powerplay for $6.  They still get $160 out of me every month so no complaining bye either jackpot game.-weshar75

This is what I've been doing, too. Less tickets, but playing megaplier. I've actually gotten more back than usual, but put it right back into the game. I'm playing for the jackpot, but 2nd is nice, too, with the megaplier.

The jackpot is not growing as fast as it should, and the cash value appears to be dwindling also. So much for our much anticipated billion dollar threshold.

Maybe because the Holidays are coming everyone is getting ready for traveling.

I cannot be bothered with this game anymore. IMHO these odds of 1:258,890,850 are a mockery to players intelligence.

Wonder if the usual winning states will win the jack pot,  or will it be a state that hasn't won in many years?

I think yes, in the last 4 mega millions games, New York has won 3 second tier games.  One that I know of had multiplier which equals 3 million dollars.  The game is played the same, only thing that changed is the odds/matrix.

I am just hoping that we get our 1st big Mega Millions winner in Pennsylvania soon

Playing Mega Millions is a waste of time and money.

I've been hoping the same thing but it seems like that will never happen. As anyone can see, the same states keep winning the jackpot. California, Texas, Massachusetts , Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey and New York! It just keeps bypassing Pennsylvania and we play mega million like any other state that wins! I been stopped "donating" to mega millions though. Clearly it's rigged!!!

No the same 8 states are going to keep winning the jackpots which are California, Texas, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, New York, and New Jersey. I don't waste my money on it anymore. It's rigged and as scam!

I think Pennsylvania is due again!  Pennsylvania use to win alot also, either PB or MM or both (jackpots and second tier wins).  I use to drive from Maryland to Pennsylvania to get tickets.

I don't understand why people wait until the jackpot is thur the roof and than start playing the lottery.  I don't have a million in the bank so I would be very happy to win a second tier lotto.

I am with you atoz.  I would also purchase 5, though not the multiplier usually.  When it would hit 200 mil I would go $10.  Higher, maybe $20.  However, I now just play $1... just to have a ticket for the draw.  Funny though, there was not an intent to not buy because of the change.  I just don't feel it now.  With the numbers looking like a bingo playing card, and knowing the true odds... what's the point.  Also, a $1 mega ball win... again, what's the point, other than for them to say "we have more winners".  If the fun ain't there, then I'll just go elsewhere.  And I have, though as unintentional as it may be.  I don't even check my ticket anymore... I just throw it on the dresser.  I also used to check the site to see if anybody won, and what the new pot was if nobody did win.  Reading this post made me realize I don't even do that anymore.  I guess one good point is that we will see a half billion dollar jackpot, or maybe even a billion dollar jackpot.  Wouldn't it be nice for my $1 ticket to win!  Hope I don't forget to buy it!

I still haven't played MM since they announced the changes.

Hey Coin Toss,

I see you like astronomy as well.  It's too bad congress cancelled the "Terrestrial Planet Finder" missions proposed by NASA.  Those orbital space telescopes would have been fantastic.

As far as the odds i guess its how you look at it.  The nearest star in alpha centauri at 4.3 light years and the next closest star is Barnard's star at 5.9 light years.  Whats the chance you will get to either of them?

I'll buy one or two with the megaplier...but the odds now are just too atrocious to believe there's a snowball's chance. More than ever, there's the feeling of just pissing my money away.

The sexy nature these higher starting points and humongeous jackpots has spoiled alot of the fun. The idea should be more people winning in the $20-50 million range instead of week upon week of no JP winner and a buildup into the $200-300-400 millions with a couple winners at the end.

Smaller winning jackpots don't get all the press coverage and the hoopla. They just change more lives for the better. 

Yes it will be me in New Jersey!

Good luck to you pickone4me!

I don't know about other states, but sales for lotto in NY have been pathetic for at least a couple of years, and they're getting worse. I'm fairly sure that a big part of it is that most players are still spending their money on MM and PB. I'd  rather win $25 million or more too, but I'll take the 10 times greater chance of winning $5 million over the chance at $25 million every time. The only rub is that it now takes about a month without a winner before it gets to $5 million.

It isn't MM that's hyping the relatively modest (and not particularly uncommon) jackpot. The only promise I see in a rollover with an increase of $13 million in the cash value is that probability and history will continue doing  just what they did before the change.

The cash payouts are exactly what they've always been - 100% of the percentage of sales that  goes to the jackpot. The annuity that winners could have, but almost never choose, has gone up by about 25%.

I hope this jackpot continues to roll until there's one Mega Millions Jackpot that will hit the largest jackpot in United States history.

It's a game for losers........ Lottery players are losers.

If the fact that every lottery player can't spend a few dollars and end up a multi-millionaire several times over make them losers then there are a lot more losers in this world than lottery players.

The promise to make bigger jackpots by making the odds more insane is just crazy.lI'll still play becuase I do still dream. One day if its meant to be i will blessed and in that blessing I will be able to bless others. Don't get caught up in the odds becuase they are stacked against you, but believe that you are deserving of abundance and it will be provided to you.

We have never had a Mega Millions Jackpt winner!

I have spent $2 on this one .......... big time spender LOL

So why are you on this forum?

I'd  rather win $25 million or more too, but I'll take the 10 times greater chance of winning $5 million over the chance at $25 million every time. 

I finally saw the light on this. I was like many players and I believed I would win one of the multi state jackpots since "if others can hit, so can I." The new MM matrix change was the straw that broke the camels back. I am now into Cash 5, and Lotto 6/49 games. If I had the time I'd play the pick 3/4 games.

Agreed.  It looks like virginia has had a lot of wins in the past according to the MM website.   By the way, Welcome to lottery post.

i do not understand this lucky state theory. it cannot possible matter where a ticket was bought that makes it more probable that it will win. one would think that a state that sold more tickets than another would be more likely to have the winner. based on that everyone should head for the state with the highest population and buy your tickets there. but it doesn't matter. it only matters if you fill out cards that you mark the correct numbers on the card not where you do it. if you lazily ask for quick pics then it is the clerks fingers and the timing of his fingers on the machine that only matters. not what state the store is in. ridiculous...

I'm waiting for a Mega Millions $Onebillion drawing  before I buy one ticket. No exceptions.

i guess you will only playing about one drawing every two years or so then. good luck.  i hope you are not too old or you will only have a handful of chances left.  when you win this billion dollars prepare yourself to not enjoy it because it will be one headache after another dealing with it.

It ain't no theory,  Commiefornia is usually the winner,  or else its new york.

Traveling in style, should I win ............

If Mega goes over $500 million I'll play it. Other then that, I rather just play my state lottery and and ocassional PowerBall.

I knew there wasn't going to be a mass exodus for the simple reason that most players are causal players who don't pay attention to the odds of winning. If you ask the average play what is the odds of winning their digit games, their state lottos or the mutl states, they will look at you with a blank stare. In their mind, all they care about is that somebody is going to win it regardless of the odds.

JEP:

Would'n say the change is great!!!!!!!!!!but,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,at least they did'nt GO^^^^

on D rates like Power Ball did^^^^^^butt they did GO^^^^on D MATRIX!!!!!!!!!!

That is like put'ng D frog in warm water & slow>slow<slow<slow<slow<SLOWLY>

turning UP D VOLUME^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^!!!!!!!!!!

It will produce mega jackpots. The enormous challenge is the 5 main numbers. I was curious, so I did a little number crunching. The old 5/56 game, five winning numbers represented 8% of the number pool. Compare that with a state lottery 5/39 game that would be 12% Now the new main 75 number pool represents 6.6% I think this is what the Mega Million Lottery foks figured out.  They knew that Powerball was beating them due to their bigger jackpots due mainly to their two dollar ticket prices. Few ticket combinations are bought because of the price yet the $2.00 per ticket cost helps to grow the jackpot steadly, until it gets to a catch point where the masses start playing based one the huge jackpot amount which gives it a blast off. Mega's problem was that at $1.00 a play it was eaiser for more people to buy up more combinations thus people constantly hitting ever few weeks and not allowing the jackpot to really grow to compete with PB. I think Mega Million has now hit a sweet spot. They can still market the affordability of a $1.00 and more people can buy up more combinations at that pricep but with such a huge five ball pool, they can grow their jackpots without having to worrry the jackpot is going to be hit every other week or so. They have the best of both worlds.

The odds now are ridiculous!  Greed is name of the game.

 so it has nothing to do with the fact that more people live in those 2 states than any other, and more tickets are sold there. so you advise anyone living anywhere else not to play because it's either gonna be calif or ny that has the winning combination. i have to assume you were educated in a third world country to believe that. let me reiiterate. it does not matter where you buy the ticket, it only matters what numbers you select or for the weak minded, what quick pic numbers were issued to you.

I think it will slow down the number of tickets sold , until the pot get bigger odds to great . people will lose interest for a while . on the flip side we might get a Billion dollar jackpot. because of it ...we'll see

lol my great uncle had a Rolls Royce....def on my list too 

My prediction- I think MM will be won before Christmas, and I don't think it will be a billion.

Haven't played since the odds changed. May play when it gets above $500 million.  Sticking to the Super Lotto

Untold riches are the siren call of the great unwashed masses.

I shan't be part of it.

I shan't.

Well, maybe one QP.

But that's it.

You might win the jackpot by spending $1. Good luck.

I have a feeling that you will win a lottery jackpot someday. Keep playing.

Buying multiple lottery tickets increases your chances of winning something. I might buy more than 1 ticket with Megaplier. It only takes 1 to win it all though.

Play 104 tickets once a year, and do not play the lottery again. You will have 104 chances of winning at one shot per year.

It takes 1 in 259 Millions to win the Mega Millions jackpot.

Mega millions odds are causing individuals to quit playing the lottery. I see a MM change coming soon. Money is a powerful thing.

Well alrighty then!

You are still playing anyway, at least you are giving yourself a chance to win someday. Good luck.

Humans have evolved to take a higher level of risk. I feel that evolution is playing its part in the lottery. Can you fight the desire to take risk? LOL

You will a lottery jackpot someday. Keep playing and forget about New York winning.

$205 Millions jackpot for new lottery players?

It was all a dream.The life that you are living now.

Lottery players will buy all 259 Million combinations, whenever the MM jackpot gets to $500 Million?

Mega Millions is a $2 lottery game in reality.

Play the Megaplier option. You can play for free, if you hit many small wins.

The lottery takes .50 Cent of every $1 you spend. What is new?

Do not worry. Lottery players will spend $2 Billions to win a $1 Billion Mega Millions Jackpot. The lottery always pays half of the money, it makes from tickets sales.

Spending $10 on Megaplier gives you 5 chances of winning up to $5 Million.

You see yourself as a lottery winner. I wonder what other lottery players have been thinking about.LOL

Mega Millions is played in New York? Lottery players are buying more tickets in New York.LOL

Buy more lottery tickets to increase your chances of winning. Lottery players are spending $100 per week in New York City. Wall Street likes to gamble.LOL

Megaplier cost $2 before the matrix change?

You will win a lottery jackpot someday. Keep playing Mega Millions and Powerball. It is good to have a dream. LOL

He will win a lottery jackpot on the other side of his mind.

Buying multiple lottery tickets increases your chances of winning the jackpot.$10 for a Megaplier ticket makes economic sense, if you can afford it. Good luck.

You are winning because you are spending $2 instead of $1.

Lottery players are spending less money on Mega Millions. They are chasing a jackpot win in too many lottery games.

How about $0 in 258,890,850?

I am hoping the same thing for New York.

I would love to win the jackpot prize! However with the huge amount of prize even if you match 5 numbers it feels like hitting the jackpot too! It is indeed exciting to play Mega Millions. I hope I will be the next millionaire!