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kiteman

DALLAS
United States
Member #173,587
March 9, 2016
1 Post
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Mar 9, 2016, 6:57 pm

Just got into lottery recently with the 1.6b pot a few months back, I had never played before. I won like $30 and bought scratch-offs. My idea was to only spend my earnings but I think now I've spent another $75 on top of that in the last couple of months, ha. Not a lot of money to me and I'm just doing it for fun and not all that often. I have read Pick 4 (or some variation) is generally considered to have the best odds, and that playing the same number(s) every time is smart as well. Is that true? Any other game you think has better odds?

In general I know all of the odds are terrible with the lottery, so I am definitely not asking anyone to justify playing, just curious which games are the most reasonable. I think I've gathered the scratch-offs are pretty awful from an odds perspective. I am in Texas BTW.
BobP

Dump Water Florida
United States
Member #380
June 5, 2002
3,576 Posts
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Mar 10, 2016, 8:14 am

You have to compare game size odds versus prize size. Lower odds for a smaller prize is roughly equal, unless that is a forever prize you'd be happy to wipe out your luck winning.

If we were allowed (hey aren't we supposed to be free?) to play lottery in any state from home at counter price not butler service price, it would certainly be possible to find games with lower odds and/or higher payouts, and the very reason states want to keep their fish within their borders. Same reason corporations register in Delaware and ships in Panama, better deal.

For my money the Florida Fantasy Five is a sweet game because without a jackpot winner the prize money is rolled down into the lower tier prizes. One day the four number prize is $68. the next $1068. You never know!

BobP
rcbbuckeye

100

Texas
United States
Member #55,887
October 23, 2007
17,763 Posts
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Mar 10, 2016, 8:41 am

Quote: Originally posted by kiteman on Mar 9, 2016
Just got into lottery recently with the 1.6b pot a few months back, I had never played before. I won like $30 and bought scratch-offs. My idea was to only spend my earnings but I think now I've spent another $75 on top of that in the last couple of months, ha. Not a lot of money to me and I'm just doing it for fun and not all that often. I have read Pick 4 (or some variation) is generally considered to have the best odds, and that playing the same number(s) every time is smart as well. Is that true? Any other game you think has better odds?

In general I know all of the odds are terrible with the lottery, so I am definitely not asking anyone to justify playing, just curious which games are the most reasonable. I think I've gathered the scratch-offs are pretty awful from an odds perspective. I am in Texas BTW.

Check out all the games and the odds on Texas lottery's website. Cash 5 has odds of app 435000 to 1 on the jackpot. But, that jackpot will be around $15,000 or $16,000. Compared to Powerball or Megamillions, the odds for Cash 5 are great. The payout, not so much. If that's your goal...$15,000 or so, fine. If your goal is to retire immediately (like I want), Cash 5 isn't worth my time.

As a side note, you can play $5 straight on Daily 4 and win $25,000. Odds are 10000 to 1.

CAN'T WIN IF YOU'RE NOT IN

A DOLLAR AND A DREAM (OR $2)
SergeM

Economy class
Belgium
Member #123,694
February 27, 2012
4,035 Posts
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Mar 10, 2016, 6:10 pm

All or nothing is kind of nice, jackpot game with around 38% expectation in cash.

Pick 3 front pair or back pair, one out of hundred.

Keno pick 2, 20/70.

Texas 5 pays 2 dollars for 2/5. Aim 2/5.

If you want to play for fun, play for the small prices.
LottoBux

25

Ontario
Canada
Member #109,238
April 9, 2011
60,882 Posts
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Mar 10, 2016, 10:46 pm

Quote: Originally posted by SergeM on Mar 10, 2016
All or nothing is kind of nice, jackpot game with around 38% expectation in cash.

Pick 3 front pair or back pair, one out of hundred.

Keno pick 2, 20/70.

Texas 5 pays 2 dollars for 2/5. Aim 2/5.

If you want to play for fun, play for the small prices.

Here Keno 2 Spot Pays $7 For 2/2($1 Bet)

$25 For3/3....$100 For 4/4
Stack47

Kentucky
United States
Member #32,651
February 14, 2006
10,301 Posts
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Mar 11, 2016, 1:42 am

Quote: Originally posted by BobP on Mar 10, 2016
You have to compare game size odds versus prize size. Lower odds for a smaller prize is roughly equal, unless that is a forever prize you'd be happy to wipe out your luck winning.

If we were allowed (hey aren't we supposed to be free?) to play lottery in any state from home at counter price not butler service price, it would certainly be possible to find games with lower odds and/or higher payouts, and the very reason states want to keep their fish within their borders. Same reason corporations register in Delaware and ships in Panama, better deal.

For my money the Florida Fantasy Five is a sweet game because without a jackpot winner the prize money is rolled down into the lower tier prizes. One day the four number prize is $68. the next $1068. You never know!

BobP

"If we were allowed (hey aren't we supposed to be free?) to play lottery in any state from home at counter price not butler service price, it would certainly be possible to find games with lower odds and/or higher payouts, and the very reason states want to keep their fish within their borders."

But that goes against the government's idea it must treat us like children; they know what's best for us and we better not complain.
RJOh

100

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

Mar 11, 2016, 7:20 pm

Quote: Originally posted by kiteman on Mar 9, 2016
Just got into lottery recently with the 1.6b pot a few months back, I had never played before. I won like $30 and bought scratch-offs. My idea was to only spend my earnings but I think now I've spent another $75 on top of that in the last couple of months, ha. Not a lot of money to me and I'm just doing it for fun and not all that often. I have read Pick 4 (or some variation) is generally considered to have the best odds, and that playing the same number(s) every time is smart as well. Is that true? Any other game you think has better odds?

In general I know all of the odds are terrible with the lottery, so I am definitely not asking anyone to justify playing, just curious which games are the most reasonable. I think I've gathered the scratch-offs are pretty awful from an odds perspective. I am in Texas BTW.

Odds of most lottery games never change but their jackpots do so so you have to check their websites everyday for the best odds.

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

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