Colin,
I did go back and read the entire SUMS thread. It was interesting reading. Perhaps the most enlightening aspect of the thread was your statement that your enjoyment of the lottery comes from just being able to improve on the odds ever so slightly. I suppose that's why I failed to recognize the validity of your argument. You see, I thought we were all trying to actually win money.
Well, I'm thinking that my computer, my pocket calculator, and all of my acquired math skills must be failing me. For some reason, I just cant get the numbers you gave in your last post to add up, but I'll assume that your figures must be right. Even though you've made it clear that you'd never stoop to calling anyone stupid, I'll do it for you. I must be the stupidest person here at Lottery Post because I can't understand how wagering $41,000 to get back a grand total of $9840 can possibly be construed as winning or beating the odds. The notion of payoff odds (I apologize if that offends you) and my demonstration that they are effectively reduced as more and more tickets are bought, must be entirely wrong. What on earth was I thinking?
Even though, to my convoluted way of thinking, your claim of beating the odds is at best a statistical pyrrhic victory, I will concede and defer to your superior intellect and skills. Now, as a heartfelt gesture of humility and penitence, allow me to extend a most generous offer to you. Since you are justifiably elated with achieving a total return of 24% on your money, I will return to you the generous sum of $20,500 if you will first send to me $41,000. That's a full 50%! That beats by far any small amount that you might be able to move the lottery odds in your favor. Additionally, I have some prime real estate and bridges here in the United States that I'm sure will make excellent investment opportunities for you. I accept checks and all major credit cards, but I do have a strong preference for cash in the form of US dollars.
Good luck and best wishes for continued success in all your lottery play.