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realtorjim

United States
Member #106,918
February 27, 2011
556 Posts
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Oct 5, 2015, 11:50 am

I made the following post previously concerning the new PB matrix:

... And the powers that be just simply can't get past their GREED factor! I used to play 20 tickets a draw years ago because I actually thought the increase in odds warranted the extra tickets. However, this has decreased with each matrix change, and now with this most recent change I plan to play just one ticket per draw, just to be in it. However, no actual thoughts of winning surface, which is the real reason to play in the first place. No hope to win, no real reason to play.

To put it in perspective, if EVERY adult in the United States had one ticket with unique numbers for a drawing there will still be a 20% chance NO one will win! With the matrix that was just abandoned (the one that just hit for $310 mil in Michigan) it was impossible for every adult in the US to each have unique numbers thus a jackpot winner would be guaranteed and 50 million additional players stood the chance of also being a jackpot winner. Thus, there was a reasonable chance, though remote, to hope for a jackpot win.

Now the Powerball is promoting the measly $4 win as something special? With odds of 1:24.9 I would spend close to $50 to win $4, and I am supposed to be excited about that?

Bottom line, players play to win the real money, not four bucks! If I don't feel I can win the major prize, and with the new matrix on Powerball I do not, I am not putting forth the effort. And in terms of effort, respective of the lottery, that equates to cash that is not going to be played on their "new and improved" Powerball game.

While it is obvious I play to win lottery jackpots, I started thinking others might play just for the thrill of winning a smaller prize, or other factoring. What is your perspective and main objective when playing lotteries?

I'm feeling a $312,000,000.00 jackpot win coming my way!
bigbear29

United States
Member #145,261
August 1, 2013
1,740 Posts
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Oct 5, 2015, 12:12 pm

I now just play to be in the game with no excitement what so ever. Lottery has gotten so boring and now it will take forever for someone in the same locations to win the jackpot. I would be happy if the lottery had more jackpot winners of say 20 to 30 million cash before taxes. (30,000,000 may-be 15,000,000 after taxes) Again, I'm playing to just say that I'm in the game.
Todd

50

Chief Bottle Washer

New Jersey
United States
Member #1
May 31, 2000
27,935 Posts
Online

Oct 5, 2015, 12:55 pm

<Moved to Jackpot Games forum>
Please post in the appropriate forum ... thank you.
lejardin

United States
Member #118,604
November 4, 2011
1,443 Posts
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Oct 5, 2015, 1:26 pm

Quote: Originally posted by realtorjim on Oct 5, 2015
I made the following post previously concerning the new PB matrix:

... And the powers that be just simply can't get past their GREED factor! I used to play 20 tickets a draw years ago because I actually thought the increase in odds warranted the extra tickets. However, this has decreased with each matrix change, and now with this most recent change I plan to play just one ticket per draw, just to be in it. However, no actual thoughts of winning surface, which is the real reason to play in the first place. No hope to win, no real reason to play.

To put it in perspective, if EVERY adult in the United States had one ticket with unique numbers for a drawing there will still be a 20% chance NO one will win! With the matrix that was just abandoned (the one that just hit for $310 mil in Michigan) it was impossible for every adult in the US to each have unique numbers thus a jackpot winner would be guaranteed and 50 million additional players stood the chance of also being a jackpot winner. Thus, there was a reasonable chance, though remote, to hope for a jackpot win.

Now the Powerball is promoting the measly $4 win as something special? With odds of 1:24.9 I would spend close to $50 to win $4, and I am supposed to be excited about that?

Bottom line, players play to win the real money, not four bucks! If I don't feel I can win the major prize, and with the new matrix on Powerball I do not, I am not putting forth the effort. And in terms of effort, respective of the lottery, that equates to cash that is not going to be played on their "new and improved" Powerball game.

While it is obvious I play to win lottery jackpots, I started thinking others might play just for the thrill of winning a smaller prize, or other factoring. What is your perspective and main objective when playing lotteries?

Hi Realtorjim:

Been thinking about this recently myself. The change is so bad I am thinking why even bother? Then I think even at the old odds, it was pretty slight I would ever win but someone always beat the odds why couldnt that someone be me? I tried to play most games with one line. That last pb draw I won $7 and was off one on other numbers, close but as we know only counts in horseshoes.

I play to win and as long as I have a ticket I can dream of winning. Net $10 to $20 million would be fine for me. The huge lotteries like the one of $310 mil. just won kind of scares me. But certainly didnt stop me of thinking what in the world someone could do with that kind of money lol.

Not excited either about the change in odds and think I may play occassionally and might just stop altogether. All these changes in mm and pb is such a disappointment, why they cant leave it alone is beyond me. Ive said it before, they must be politicians, just cant keep their greedy hands off it.
realtorjim

United States
Member #106,918
February 27, 2011
556 Posts
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Oct 5, 2015, 1:27 pm

Quote: Originally posted by bigbear29 on Oct 5, 2015
I now just play to be in the game with no excitement what so ever. Lottery has gotten so boring and now it will take forever for someone in the same locations to win the jackpot. I would be happy if the lottery had more jackpot winners of say 20 to 30 million cash before taxes. (30,000,000 may-be 15,000,000 after taxes) Again, I'm playing to just say that I'm in the game.

I agree, one ticket just to be in it, but without any excitement or expectation. And lacking either equates to no desire to make additional plays, at least from my viewpoint. A $15 million net would be just fine. Seriously, why would an average Joe and Jane need to win a billion dollar jackpot? I'm not saying I would decline such a win and I do realize many causes could be helped, etc., however...

I'm feeling a $312,000,000.00 jackpot win coming my way!
realtorjim

United States
Member #106,918
February 27, 2011
556 Posts
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Oct 5, 2015, 1:41 pm

Quote: Originally posted by lejardin on Oct 5, 2015
Hi Realtorjim:

Been thinking about this recently myself. The change is so bad I am thinking why even bother? Then I think even at the old odds, it was pretty slight I would ever win but someone always beat the odds why couldnt that someone be me? I tried to play most games with one line. That last pb draw I won $7 and was off one on other numbers, close but as we know only counts in horseshoes.

I play to win and as long as I have a ticket I can dream of winning. Net $10 to $20 million would be fine for me. The huge lotteries like the one of $310 mil. just won kind of scares me. But certainly didnt stop me of thinking what in the world someone could do with that kind of money lol.

Not excited either about the change in odds and think I may play occassionally and might just stop altogether. All these changes in mm and pb is such a disappointment, why they cant leave it alone is beyond me. Ive said it before, they must be politicians, just cant keep their greedy hands off it.

I encourage a ticket to be in it, Lejardin. As you surmised, someone will beat the odds. Unfortunately, knowing the probability respective the ratio has drastically impacted the 'post purchase pre draw' dream.

I'm feeling a $312,000,000.00 jackpot win coming my way!
rcbbuckeye

100

Texas
United States
Member #55,887
October 23, 2007
17,755 Posts
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Oct 5, 2015, 1:58 pm

I play every. single. draw. Without fail. Because you gotta be in it to win it. No ticcie, no winnie, guaranteed. Even second prize is life changing, to those who don't like the $300 million jackpots. Or.....when it gets that high....don't play at all. Only play when the jackpot is $50 million or less.

CAN'T WIN IF YOU'RE NOT IN

A DOLLAR AND A DREAM (OR $2)
realtorjim

United States
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February 27, 2011
556 Posts
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Oct 5, 2015, 2:44 pm

Quote: Originally posted by rcbbuckeye on Oct 5, 2015
I play every. single. draw. Without fail. Because you gotta be in it to win it. No ticcie, no winnie, guaranteed. Even second prize is life changing, to those who don't like the $300 million jackpots. Or.....when it gets that high....don't play at all. Only play when the jackpot is $50 million or less.

Oh, it's not that I don't like $300 million jackpots RC, don't get me wrong. I'm just thinking about the chaos that would/will ensue when a jackpot is approaching one BILLION dollars. Not even considering the media hoopla, it is all the people who think they can/should get a piece of it, and some by any means possible. Legalities out the window. Kidnap the hummingbird and hold it for a billion in ransom, not even understanding the winner would only get half the amount pushed by the media mobs. Fortunately I live in a State that allows a cloak for winners, but when involving such a staggering amount I'm not sure that would be adequate for a billion dollar jackpot.

I completely agree you've gotta be in it to win it, and somebody will win. But how often yet remains to be seen. It is difficult for me to get past the new odds and therefore only will buy the 'get in' ticket whereas before I usually purchased several tickets. And prior to the change I would think about the life altering possibilities, but now, I will just be 'in it' without much thought about it.

I'm feeling a $312,000,000.00 jackpot win coming my way!
HoLeeKau

Idaho
United States
Member #94,279
July 17, 2010
2,453 Posts
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Oct 5, 2015, 3:36 pm

I play it to win a life changing amount which for me is 400K after taxes. So I used to play PB for the million dollar 2nd prize or the jackpot.

I understand many people, maybe most, don't get excited until the jackpot is several hundred million.

I think PB could have made both people like them and people like me happy just by cutting down on the number of white balls so the million dollar prize would have better odds, and increasing the red balls so that the jackpot would be harder to hit.

It seems to me like the increase in play as the jackpot got higher would bring in enough extra prize money to be able to pay for a few more million dollar prizes each week.
ElinaSammy2081

Bronx, NY
United States
Member #164,546
March 6, 2015
1,374 Posts
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Oct 5, 2015, 3:50 pm

it's my hobby it keeps me entertained my mind is busy thinking about numbers I love it. If I win I am more happy if I don't no problem there will always be a next draw. For me the lottery is in my blood as its my father and my uncles hobbies I love talking about numbers with them. I really don't care about the matrix change in the powerball I will still play it.
realtorjim

United States
Member #106,918
February 27, 2011
556 Posts
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Oct 5, 2015, 4:04 pm

Quote: Originally posted by ElinaSammy2081 on Oct 5, 2015
it's my hobby it keeps me entertained my mind is busy thinking about numbers I love it. If I win I am more happy if I don't no problem there will always be a next draw. For me the lottery is in my blood as its my father and my uncles hobbies I love talking about numbers with them. I really don't care about the matrix change in the powerball I will still play it.

Thanks ES, I understand where you are coming from. I once was a semi-professional musician. I love to play and it is in my blood. The money doesn't mean much in that endeavor, though I certainly did enjoy getting paid for doing it. However, if there is a chance for me to play pro bono, especially to a crowd, count me in. As such, I can connect and see how the matrix doesn't mean much to you, for there is much much more to it. Good for you. Great attitude!

I'm feeling a $312,000,000.00 jackpot win coming my way!
maximumfun

United States
Member #124,610
March 16, 2012
3,733 Posts
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Oct 5, 2015, 4:38 pm

I play for:

a. fun (I don't go to casinos) and

b. enjoyment (knowing how much less I spend now than when I smoked - this is money from the "I quit and spending 6$/wk is less than 1 pack of cigarettes" fund) and

c. dreams (periodically my co-workers and I talk about the "what if's" and

d. camaraderie (once again - the small group of us who have played together in a pool for many years - we have developed a special bond aka friendship both from our losses and our meager wins) - our pool is a tuesday/wednesday pool. the friday/saturday draws are for personal play only.
RedStang

NY
United States
Member #121,955
January 21, 2012
3,169 Posts
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Oct 6, 2015, 1:41 am

I just like to gamble whether it's lotto or hitting the casinos. I always try new lotto games to see how they play out. One thing I've learned is wins come when you least expect it.
RJOh

100

mid-Ohio
United States
Member #9
March 24, 2001
20,272 Posts
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Oct 6, 2015, 10:44 am

Quote: Originally posted by rcbbuckeye on Oct 5, 2015
I play every. single. draw. Without fail. Because you gotta be in it to win it. No ticcie, no winnie, guaranteed. Even second prize is life changing, to those who don't like the $300 million jackpots. Or.....when it gets that high....don't play at all. Only play when the jackpot is $50 million or less.

I'm just the opposite, I will probably only play when the jackpots are $300M or more. When its jackpots are lower other jackpot games with $1 tickets and better odds are more attractive.

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

Economy class
Belgium
Member #123,694
February 27, 2012
4,035 Posts
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Oct 7, 2015, 2:54 pm

I play by habit and because I know that I make a chance.

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