[newopty]

Amazingly, nobody won and the drawing next Wednesday will be for 1.3 Billion. It looks like I am going to have to win even more money

No winner of record Powerball jackpot, next draw put at $1.3 billion | Reuters

[KKVegas]

Originally Posted by Hemlock140

Still better odds than not buying any tickets, which is Zero.

While that is technically true (0.000000003 vs. 0), I think if the lotto were structured as in my example (pick a house and knock on the door), people wouldn't play because they would say, "That's impossible."

By the way, I find it funny that people will wait in line for hours for a chance to win when the prize gets over several hundred million dollars, but they don't play when the prize is $50 million. For most normal people, winning either amount would have the exact same effect (freedom).

[oeccscclhjhn]

Originally Posted by KKVegas

While that is technically true (0.000000003 vs. 0), I think if the lotto were structured as in my example (pick a house and knock on the door), people wouldn't play because they would say, "That's impossible."

so you're saying there's a chance.

[beachhead]

Originally Posted by KKVegas

By the way, I find it funny that people will wait in line for hours for a chance to win when the prize gets over several hundred million dollars, but they don't play when the prize is $50 million. For most normal people, winning either amount would have the exact same effect (freedom).

I don't know about "most people", but I recognize that the chance of winning the lottery is extremely small, and is basically throwing my money away. So I only throw away a couple bucks when the prize is ultra large...cause if lightning is gonna strike me three times (about the same odds), I want it to be a really good jolt.. Plus on the more practical side, for me, this limits my throw away to probably less than $20/year, and I don't think the wife and I will miss that fast food meal..

[gunslinger256]

Originally Posted by KKVegas

While that is technically true (0.000000003 vs. 0), I think if the lotto were structured as in my example (pick a house and knock on the door), people wouldn't play because they would say, "That's impossible."

By the way, I find it funny that people will wait in line for hours for a chance to win when the prize gets over several hundred million dollars, but they don't play when the prize is $50 million. For most normal people, winning either amount would have the exact same effect (freedom).

I normally play a local state lottery where the jackpot typically doesn't get over $50k but the odds of winning are only 1 in 575,000 which means I'm 500 times more likely to win the jackpot.

[newopty]

People are spending a few dollars to have some fun. Of course, winning is highly unlikely but it is a real cheap thrill. It amazes me how much it bothers some people.

[City Guy997S]

Originally Posted by logline

"They had an employee selling 10 quick picks a shot for $20 and you didn't have to wait in line."

Wait.. he was selling the tickets for double the price? Now there's a side business I could get into! Making more money off the rubes by doubling their price is perfect. I bet he was doing big business with that plan too. Why the hell not.... these idiots are innumerate anyway.

powerball tickets are $2 each

[City Guy997S]

Originally Posted by KKVegas

While that is technically true (0.000000003 vs. 0), I think if the lotto were structured as in my example (pick a house and knock on the door), people wouldn't play because they would say, "That's impossible."

By the way, I find it funny that people will wait in line for hours for a chance to win when the prize gets over several hundred million dollars, but they don't play when the prize is $50 million. For most normal people, winning either amount would have the exact same effect (freedom).

The best explanation I heard was 292 million pennies stretches from Miami to Northern Wisconsin (couple thousand miles). Now if you buy 5 tickets, imagine in that long trail of pennies you could do the roadtrip but since you bought 5 tickets you can stop 5 times and pick up one penny on the side of the road.....if that penny has an X on it......you win!

Now shorten that penny line to just your route to work or the grocery store and imagine the same trick, just pick one penny.......nobody would think even the short route would be possible!

[Merrily Gather]

I haven't bought a ticket yet for any of the drawings. Do they sell these lottery tickets on Sunday? I don't want to drive to the State border for a ticket if they're not selling today.

[ScoopLV]

Originally Posted by City Guy997S

Now shorten that penny line to just your route to work or the grocery store and imagine the same trick, just pick one penny.......nobody would think even the short route would be possible!

That's because most people concern themselves with small math -- the kind that enriches casinos. Lottery operators and casino execs concern themselves with big math.

If people concerned themselves with big math, lotteries would fail for want of customers. And conventions would be Las Vegas' only reason for existence.