I won the lottery

[Freitag]

In my old job, I ran the office pool for the lottery when the jackpot got to a certain point.

I decided to bring the tradition to the new job.

I actually got 15 people to buy in at $5.

I was debating getting more tickets for Liz and myself, but I never got a chance to.

Well, our pool hit. 4 numbers.

Sadly, it's not a huge amount - only $150 bucks - but it's still the closest I've ever gotten to the jackpot. And we doubled the investment.

And of course, we're re-investing for Friday's drawing. (If the jackpot popped, we would have bought lunch for the office, but we figured... why not.)

Anybody else going to play?

[Freitag]

F_S Thinks That The Lottery Is A Tax For The Stupid. Especially In New Jersey, Where The Stupid People Rule.

[IMSlacker]

If you're talking about the Mega Millions lottery, a group of my co-workers played yesterday too. They turned $95 into $15 in just one day! They're all kicking in another $5 for Thursday's drawing. I refuse to participate, but I've told them all that I'll gladly buy out anyone's $5 share for $1. I have to agree with F_S on this one.

[Don Stugots]

F_S Thinks That The Lottery Is A Tax For The Stupid. Especially In New Jersey, Where The Stupid People Rule.

true true true. but why are you posting in F_S's gimmick? unless...

[cupcakelove]

I usually buy one ticket when the jackpot gets ridiculously huge, like it is now. It really is a waste to buy more than one ticket, your odds are not really improved at all.

[Freitag]

true true true. but why are you posting in F_S's gimmick? unless...

oh crap

[IMSlacker]

true true true. but why are you posting in F_S's gimmick? unless...

The real F_S changes his font size too.

[Snoogans]

nice one iddiot. I usually get 5 bucks every time its over 100 mill. thats basically it though

[Raging Bull]

I usually buy one ticket when the jackpot gets ridiculously huge, like it is now. It really is a waste to buy more than one ticket, your odds are not really improved at all.

i will put a 20 down when it gets this big. i like to sit around and think about how i will get hookers to let me eat a steak on their heads.

[Snoogans]

my pre lotto thoughts are always about building myself some massive compound inside a wall with everything i want and just having huge parties all the time

[Don Stugots]

F_S Thinks That The Lottery Is A Tax For The Stupid. Especially In New Jersey, Where The Stupid People Rule.

true true true. but why are you posting in F_S's gimmick? unless...

oh crap

nice one iddiot. I usually get 5 bucks every time its over 100 mill. thats basically it though

HA HA.

[FUNKMAN]

i had 5 out of 6 on a pik6 and as i checked the numbers i went 5 for 5 till the last number

could have won 3 mil but got 673.00 instead

highly disappointing

i'll buy a mega tik on my way to work this afternoon

[Fat_Sunny]

true true true. but why are you posting in F_S's gimmick? unless...

That Insinuation Was An Insult To F_S And To All Board Characters!

[Snoogans]

yea we arent buyin it, bro

[Don Stugots]

yea we arent buyin it, bro

i am heart broken.

[FUNKMAN]

i am heart broken.

http://www.myplasticheart.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/brknhrtrobot_blue.jpg

:smile:

[drjoek]

My son works the Lottery counter at the local Pararmacy and it is the busiest thing in the place. All the people who play are usually those who can least afford to do so.They are also the ones buying all the off brand cigarette too. Go figure. I ahve even noticed that one of the signs that is printed up by the Lottery Commision is spelled out incorrectly though in a "street" jargon appeling to those who can't justify the expense BUT always do.

Powerball - Prizes and Odds
Grand Prize 1 in 146,107,962
Chance of dying from a mountain lion attack in California: 1 in 32,000,000
Chance of contracting the human version of mad cow disease: 1 in 40,000,000
Chance of dying from parts falling off an airplane: 1 in 10,000,000
Odds of getting canonized: 20,000,000 to 1
Odds of being killed by lightning: 2,320,000 to 1
Odds of getting a royal flush in poker on first five cards dealt: 649,740 to 1

[Hottub]

...and you hit the lottery every time a kid is born with bad teeth.

[Don Stugots]

http://www.myplasticheart.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/brknhrtrobot_blue.jpg

:smile:

just like that but worse.

[Freitag]

My son works the Lottery counter at the local Pararmacy and it is the busiest thing in the place. All the people who play are usually those who can least afford to do so.They are also the ones buying all the off brand cigarette too. Go figure. I ahve even noticed that one of the signs that is printed up by the Lottery Commision is spelled out incorrectly though in a "street" jargon appeling to those who can't justify the expense BUT always do.

Powerball - Prizes and Odds
Grand Prize 1 in 146,107,962
Chance of dying from a mountain lion attack in California: 1 in 32,000,000
Chance of contracting the human version of mad cow disease: 1 in 40,000,000
Chance of dying from parts falling off an airplane: 1 in 10,000,000
Odds of getting canonized: 20,000,000 to 1
Odds of being killed by lightning: 2,320,000 to 1
Odds of getting a royal flush in poker on first five cards dealt: 649,740 to 1

That's why I usually do it in a pool rather than solo. You increase your odds exponentially for a lesser payout. That's what makes it more worthwhile when it gets this big.

I put five bucks in, and now my investment is a part of $160 dollars going towards an est. $200 Million cash prize split 16 ways. Less the goverment's take of 40%, that's 7.5 million dollars.

After spending 2.5 on various stuff, 5 million at a 6% return is still 300K a year. Thanks.

[drjoek]

...and you hit the lottery every time a kid is born with bad teeth.

That is correct sir
And don't forget kids sucking their thumbs

[Recyclerz]

Why you should play the Lottery (sometimes)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expected_value#Uses_and_applications_of_the_expect ed_value

Short version: It is not economically irrational to buy a lottery ticket if the result of the payout multiplied by the odds of winning is greater than the price of a ticket, in this case $1.

That said most people do play the lottery stupidly, but since their actions keep my state & local taxes somewhat lower than they otherwise would be, I don't try too hard to stop them.

[mendyweiss]

...and you hit the lottery every time a kid is born with bad teeth.

Most kids I know were born with no teeth.
Must be that radioactive Jersey water where you live !!

[AJDELAWARE]

I had an idea for a scheme, and im sure every idiot has thought of it, but im surprised its never been done.

If you knew someone with 10 million dollars (with access to it), why not buy every possible ticket, it would only take 2.36 million tickets/combos (5 numbers + Powerball), and if its a 300 million dollar pot, thats a hell of an investment.

[mendyweiss]

I had an idea for a scheme, and im sure every idiot has thought of it, but im surprised its never been done.

If you knew someone with 10 million dollars (with access to it), why not buy every possible ticket, it would only take 2.36 million tickets/combos (5 numbers + Powerball), and if its a 300 million dollar pot, thats a hell of an investment.

According to drjoek, your math is way off !!!

[Raging Bull]

I had an idea for a scheme, and im sure every idiot has thought of it, but im surprised its never been done.

If you knew someone with 10 million dollars (with access to it), why not buy every possible ticket, it would only take 2.36 million tickets/combos (5 numbers + Powerball), and if its a 300 million dollar pot, thats a hell of an investment.

Can you buy every single ticket? I don't think so.

[AJDELAWARE]

Can you buy every single ticket? I don't think so.

Why not though? I honestly dont see a reason and I doubt its against the rules. I think the logistics would be really hard to pull off. You would have to get a bunch of people and assign them all a set of numbers, and then have them go to different stores to collect.

[IMSlacker]

According to drjoek, your math is way off !!!

Yeah, I think that math is off. Also, you would have to hand cash out to hundreds of people to get that many tickets printed up in the time you have between drawings, so then how do you make sure no one gets a duplicate number? Also, how do you guarantee that no one else gets a winning number as well?

[Raging Bull]

Why not though? I honestly dont see a reason and I doubt its against the rules. I think the logistics would be really hard to pull off. You would have to get a bunch of people and assign them all a set of numbers, and then have them go to different stores to collect.

So, I am then trusting people with my money and with the "winning" tickets?

[AJDELAWARE]

Yeah, i was way off:
80,089,128

Now its a terrible idea haha.

[angrymissy]

I have $5 in my purse that I plan to buy tickets with. I only do it when the jackpot is huge.

My father and grandfather were the types that go to the corner store every day and play all the different kinds of lotto, pick 3, pick 4, regular lotto, scratch off. They shat away so much money on that shit.

[AJDELAWARE]

I only play when it hits the $200m plus mark, and then the most Ill spend is $5

[grlNIN]

$150 more than you started out with.

I advise you to spend it all on ice cream.

[Marc with a c]

I hate those assfaces that buy 10 lottery tickets in the store and take 5 minutes doing so.

[JPMNICK]

this is so sad to see the end of the F_S regime

[Don Stugots]

for me its 20 bucks, quick pick, annuity and walk out.

[AJDELAWARE]

I hate those assfaces that buy 10 lottery tickets in the store and take 5 minutes doing so.

it takes me no longer then 15 seconds "5$ powerball random please" - hand the bill - thanks, out.

[zentraed]

Chance of dying from parts falling off an airplane: 1 in 10,000,000

I'm never leaving the house again

I've never played, but I would happily plop down $5 on a massive jackpot, especially in a pool. But anytime people are gambling as an individual, it's pretty foolish unless there's a human component (like poker where you can bluff). Casino's are genius, though. You get thousands of people to give you their money, and then you randomly give it out to other people while keeping some for yourself.

[Ritalin]

Fat Sunny's board character is right: the Lottery is the Stupid Tax.

I do like to play the Cashword scratch-em-off when I do the laundry, though. I have a theory that in order to redeem your winnings from a Cashword ticket, you have to properly define all the words that you scratched off on your card.

Double the Edumacation for the money.

[Hottub]

THis thread just inspired me to buy the 1st ticket I have gotten in years.
I picked up 1 Mega Ticket for a buck.
My mega$$ number is 32.
Wish me luck.

I also picked up a King Can of Bud while I was there. I am already a winner!

[JPMNICK]

THis thread just inspired me to buy the 1st ticket I have gotten in years.
I picked up 1 Mega Ticket for a buck.
My mega$$ number is 32.
Wish me luck.

I also picked up a King Can of Bud while I was there. I am already a winner!

i will be picking up my ticket this week, and you have just inspired to me tag-team it up with some beer. good thinking!

[Hottub]

That's right Nick. We are now the epitome of F_S's New Jerseyan. Buying liquor and lottery tickets!
Hell, I may even quit my job and get on the dole!

Thank you, Fat!

[JPMNICK]

That's right Nick. We are now the epitome of F_S's New Jerseyan. Buying liquor and lottery tickets!
Hell, I may even quit my job and get on the dole!

Thank you, Fat!

i need to support my state, we are in a lot of debt!

[ChrisTheCop]

Theres a guy at work who told me, when he buys tickets, he doesnt "waste his time" with different numbers. He buys 3-5 of the SAME exact number tickets, so that if they hit...and others around the country hit your numbers as well and you have to share the pot, you get more $ than every one else.

His logic is that youre not increasing your chances by much if you buy different numbers, but if you hit YOUR lucky numbers, youll get a bigger payout.

At first, I thought he was wrong, but he's a super smart guy (math whiz, etc).

I figured I'd reach out to the few tech geek, super smart people we have here (TENBATS please ask Liz); does this theory hold water?

[Don Stugots]

this is so sad to see the end of the F_S regime

Soooo Sad Is D_S Over That.

[AJDELAWARE]

Theres a guy at work who told me, when he buys tickets, he doesnt "waste his time" with different numbers. He buys 3-5 of the SAME exact number tickets, so that if they hit...and others around the country hit your numbers as well and you have to share the pot, you get more $ than every one else.

His logic is that youre not increasing your chances by much if you buy different numbers, but if you hit YOUR lucky numbers, youll get a bigger payout.

At first, I thought he was wrong, but he's a super smart guy (math whiz, etc).

I figured I'd reach out to the few tech geek, super smart people we have here (TENBATS please ask Liz); does this theory hold water?

Well lets see.

If the prize is $100, and 6 people win with 1 number each, then each person gets $16.67
So if 6 people win and you have 5 tickets, that makes 10 "winners" total...which means you win $10 each.

Therefore you win $50 v. everyone elses $10 if you play 5 tickets, same number.
Or you win $16 if you play just one ticket with 1 set of numbers.

[JPMNICK]

Theres a guy at work who told me, when he buys tickets, he doesnt "waste his time" with different numbers. He buys 3-5 of the SAME exact number tickets, so that if they hit...and others around the country hit your numbers as well and you have to share the pot, you get more $ than every one else.

His logic is that youre not increasing your chances by much if you buy different numbers, but if you hit YOUR lucky numbers, youll get a bigger payout.

At first, I thought he was wrong, but he's a super smart guy (math whiz, etc).

I figured I'd reach out to the few tech geek, super smart people we have here (TENBATS please ask Liz); does this theory hold water?

well kind of. if he does his, and 1 other person hits, it is a 50/50 split

if he bought 4 of the same tickets, it is technically a 5 way split, and he gets 80% of the jackpot, leaving the other guy with only 20%. so in terms of that, he makes out ahead of the game.

but the chances of 2 people splitting is pretty rare, so he is kind of wasting his money.

instead he can change his odds from 1:150,000,000 to 1:30,000,000 by buying 5 different lotto tickets.

plus, what is the big deal if you split 200 million with one other person. might as well increase your odds of wining by holding more tickets

[ChrisTheCop]

well kind of. if he does his, and 1 other person hits, it is a 50/50 split

if he bought 4 of the same tickets, it is technically a 5 way split, and he gets 80% of the jackpot, leaving the other guy with only 20%. so in terms of that, he makes out ahead of the game.

but the chances of 2 people splitting is pretty rare, so he is kind of wasting his money.

instead he can change his odds from 1:150,000,000 to 1:30,000,000 by buying 5 different lotto tickets.

plus, what is the big deal if you split 200 million with one other person. might as well increase your odds of wining by holding more tickets

well, i think he was thinking of when there are 6 or 7 winners spread across the country; not just 2 guys. Which seems to happen alot actually. but thanks for your input.

i'm still waiting for Liz. or TooCute.

[AJDELAWARE]

Chris, look up 3 posts.

[ChrisTheCop]

Chris, look up 3 posts.

well, i saw it. but.
i already realized that if i have more tickets in the winning lottery, i win more money than the guy who only has one.

the question was....ah geez, it took me forever to write it the 1st time. lol.

[AJDELAWARE]

Every ticket purchased doubles your odds.
So by buying $5 worth of random tickets, you are 5 times more likely to win.
But you only have 1 so if you split it, you only get 1 share.

So you have 2 choices, increase your chance of winning but possibly decrease the amount you will win, or have the smallest possible chance of winning, but maximize your potential winnings.

I think the random option is probably the better option, just because the odds of 2 people htting a 1 in 146,107,962 number, are pretty slim. So by buying 5 random tickets you make your odds 1 in 29,221,592ish.

[JPMNICK]

well, i think he was thinking of when there are 6 or 7 winners spread across the country; not just 2 guys. Which seems to happen alot actually. but thanks for your input.

i'm still waiting for Liz. or TooCute.

i do not think i have ever seen a powerball lotto with more than 4 winning tickets. the chances of that happening are so small, you might as well increase your chances with more tickets

[AJDELAWARE]

But you know what...he might actually be right though in the long run. Were only talking about the jackpot.

The odds of winning a prize at all is 1/35. So if he has 5 tickets with all the same numbers, then if he hits that 1/35 chance, he win 5times the prize.

[JPMNICK]

But you know what...he might actually be right though in the long run. Were only talking about the jackpot.

The odds of winning a prize at all is 1/35. So if he has 5 tickets with all the same numbers, then if he hits that 1/35 chance, he win 5times the prize.

who cares about winning a prize, the 1/35 number includes all the people who get just the powerball number right and get 1$

[JPMNICK]

plus anything other than the jackpot is a standard payout, and does not get split regardless of the number of people who win

[lleeder]

One time I got 3 numbers and the Mega ball it paid $150

[Midkiff]

When I saw this thread, I knew for a fact there was no God.

[Don Stugots]

One time I got 3 numbers and the Mega ball it paid $150

GREAT! now can you pay Pitzy back for the cab ride from Bar 9 to Penn Station?

[Fallon]

THE LOTTERY IS FIXED!!!

http://media.philly.com/images/20070524_inq_sixr23-d.JPG

[murfee]

about 20 years ago i put in a lotto ticket for my boss and he hit and hit big he did .he then told me I was not entitled to anything . later his goumare told him to up some cash or else . he asked me how much i should get i said nothing he said fine case closed morale of this tale put your own tix in

[sr71blackbird]

I organized it in my office. I got 45 people to give $5 each. I buy $225 worth of lottery tickets for the Mega Millions. Spent an hour making photo copys of all the tickets and handing them out to the people. Pain in the ass! We end up winning a whopping $49. I reinvested the money in new tickets for tonight's game. The is the second time I have tried this. I am starting to think I am unlucky. I am surprised how easily people will fork over money to me though.

[SatCam]

I organized it in my office. I got 45 people to give $5 each. I buy $225 worth of lottery tickets for the Mega Millions. Spent an hour making photo copys of all the tickets and handing them out to the people. Pain in the ass! We end up winning a whopping $49. I reinvested the money in new tickets for tonight's game. The is the second time I have tried this. I am starting to think I am unlucky. I am surprised how easily people will fork over money to me though.

do you work for the government?

[Kris10]

do you work for the government?

LMAO!

[sr71blackbird]

The next best thing! :wink:

[murfee]

this morning I show up at work and i find out that we hit the mega for 10grand.but it has to be split 21 ways every one is fighting ove money we don't have yet again the morale of the story is play your own tickets

[JPMNICK]

this morning I show up at work and i find out that we hit the mega for 10grand.but it has to be split 21 ways every one is fighting ove money we don't have yet again the morale of the story is play your own tickets

sucks for whoever cashes the ticket from a tax stand point.

[PapaBear]

this morning I show up at work and i find out that we hit the mega for 10grand.but it has to be split 21 ways every one is fighting ove money we don't have yet again the morale of the story is play your own tickets

sucks for whoever cashes the ticket from a tax stand point.
In a big jackpot, I think you can work it out through a lawyer and the IRS to have the winnings officially split, but I don't think it would be worth it for 10k. Best bet would probably be to have the person with the lowest income cash it, and everyone split the amount that he gets taxed.

[JPMNICK]

In a big jackpot, I think you can work it out through a lawyer and the IRS to have the winnings officially split, but I don't think it would be worth it for 10k. Best bet would probably be to have the person with the lowest income cash it, and everyone split the amount that he gets taxed.

that's what I was thinking. still sucks to have to deal with the headache.

I would sell it for 8k to a single person outside the company, and then split the 8k among the workers.

[murfee]

thanx guys a fistfight broke out over the money today and now people that did not put in to the lotto pool are claiming they are due a share because they were in last weeks pool and no we did not getany money from last weeks pool