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GatorShea

Tulsa
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Feb 13, 2016, 3:19 pm

It should not matter if a ticket is bought ten minutes before the draw if the numbers are completely random. Also, the ticket sales before each draw add to the jackpot amount of the following drawing, if I am correct. I have a hard time believing that the people behind these drawings do not want to see the jackpot drag out to get as many people as possible in. I have more friends that say they will play the lottery when it is a substantial amount: a few hundred million plus than I do friends that are semi-regular to regular players regardless of the size of the jackpot. Think of the absurd lines and ticket sales that occurred for the last big drawing. Also, do the people that win that jackpot get any of those tickets sales?
amber123

United States
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Feb 13, 2016, 3:22 pm

The officials want to avoid all the people who are running to the store naked to buy their tickets.
GatorShea

Tulsa
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Feb 13, 2016, 3:23 pm

Well, then they are taking away all of the fun for the rest of us spectators. I saw that the winning ticket from Tennessee bought their one line (<snip> it!) mere hours before the drawing.

This post has been automatically changed by the Lottery Post computer system to remove inappropriate content and/or spam.
Candlelight777

Indiana
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Feb 13, 2016, 3:31 pm

I think you said it...long lines at the checkout. I think the cutoff ensures that people won't wait until the last minute to get their tickets...like five minutes before the drawing kind of last minute. I can only imagine the headache that could be created by making the cutoff that close to a drawing.

"Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip, conflict calms down.

Like adding charcoal to embers or wood to fire, quarrelsome people kindle strife."

Proverbs 26: 20-21
RJOh

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mid-Ohio
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Feb 13, 2016, 3:45 pm

All lottery tickets in Ohio except PowerBall are sold up to fifteen minutes before their drawings. Each states have different rules, check their websites.

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

Fresno, California
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Feb 13, 2016, 3:50 pm

Quote: Originally posted by Candlelight777 on Feb 13, 2016
I think you said it...long lines at the checkout. I think the cutoff ensures that people won't wait until the last minute to get their tickets...like five minutes before the drawing kind of last minute. I can only imagine the headache that could be created by making the cutoff that close to a drawing.

with Candlelight777. There is a Canadian who purchased two tickets. One ticket was printed just before the cut-off. The second ticket was purchased 7 seconds after the cut-off time. The second ticket had all the correct numbers but was too late to win. That man has sued the Lottery and has lost all the way up to the Highest court in Canada.

One of the many good reasons why American lotteries have cut-off times so that will not happen here. They know that players believe that it is good luck to wait until the last second.

"We are all in this together!"
Stack47

Kentucky
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Feb 13, 2016, 4:07 pm

Quote: Originally posted by RJOh on Feb 13, 2016
All lottery tickets in Ohio except PowerBall are sold up to fifteen minutes before their drawings. Each states have different rules, check their websites.

If they can't understand their state lottery rules, they'll never figure out each state lottery has different rules.
GatorShea

Tulsa
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Feb 13, 2016, 4:42 pm

I'm going to buy a QP tonight one minute before my state's cut off time. Wish me luck!
TheMeatman2005

Brooklyn, NY
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Feb 13, 2016, 5:16 pm

Quote: Originally posted by GatorShea on Feb 13, 2016
Well, then they are taking away all of the fun for the rest of us spectators. I saw that the winning ticket from Tennessee bought their one line (<snip> it!) mere hours before the drawing.

This post has been automatically changed by the Lottery Post computer system to remove inappropriate content and/or spam.

Here is a link to the ABC video

The Moment Powerball Jackpot Winning Ticket Was Bought in Tennessee

http://abcnews.go.com/US/moment-powerball-jackpot-winning-ticket-bought-tennessee/story?id=36324796.

The Meatman 🥩🍗🍔🍖🍤🌭

“The quickest way to double your money is to fold it in half and put it in your back pocket.” Will Rogers

Winning happens in a flash, Like A Bolt Of Lightning!
Dreaming Gemini

The Windy City
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Feb 13, 2016, 7:10 pm

Quote: Originally posted by TheMeatman2005 on Feb 13, 2016
Here is a link to the ABC video

The Moment Powerball Jackpot Winning Ticket Was Bought in Tennessee

http://abcnews.go.com/US/moment-powerball-jackpot-winning-ticket-bought-tennessee/story?id=36324796.

Maybe we should all start buying our tickets in a gorilla costume....and claiming them the same way.

- Wanna win at least a couple commas
Coin Toss

Zeta Reticuli Star System
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Feb 13, 2016, 11:43 pm

Quote: Originally posted by amber123 on Feb 13, 2016
The officials want to avoid all the people who are running to the store naked to buy their tickets.

Excellent, great sense of humor!

Dreaming Gemini,

All jp winners should appear as Dr Zaius

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.
pickone4me

Wisconsin
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Feb 14, 2016, 9:21 am

I wouldn't be surprised the reason why it is done is to find number combinations that haven't sold, or a they are looking for a certain number combination drawn from a certain area.

Redacted
RJOh

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mid-Ohio
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Feb 14, 2016, 11:07 am

Quote: Originally posted by Stack47 on Feb 13, 2016
If they can't understand their state lottery rules, they'll never figure out each state lottery has different rules.

You're probably right, if more players read and understood their state lotteries rules less of such questions would be asked.

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

Tulsa
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Feb 14, 2016, 11:30 am

I'm leaning to think that they want to find combinations that have not been purchased. There were at least 4 million dollar winners last night but no jackpot winners. Yes, the game is "random" but even randomness can be somewhat swayed. With declining PB sales, they love to see the jackpot get up to the hundreds of millions as it gets more players to buy in. 40-100 million jackpot winners don't get the coverage like the 1.5 billion dollar jackpot we just had which, in turn, gives the lottery a lot of free exposure and creates excitement. To be honest, I just started playing the lottery with the big drawing and I will continue to do so.
GatorShea

Tulsa
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Feb 14, 2016, 11:35 am

Quote: Originally posted by RJOh on Feb 14, 2016
You're probably right, if more players read and understood their state lotteries rules less of such questions would be asked.

I didn't see any explanation as to why the sales are cutoff an hour before in my state's rules. So, I am free to ask as to why people might think that rule exists. I agree with one of the reasons is to keep people from swarming the stores at the last second. However, I believe that is not the only reason.