I have been having this discussion off and on for quite a while with friends and acquaintances.

I will buy a lottery ticket when the pots go above ~70-80M. Why then, well I guess that I believe that it's a better "investment". For me it's the risk vs. reward thing. The odds of winning are the same as they are at 10M payoff, so same risk, but the reward seems a lot better.

This came up because Powerball (which is in Pa and De, in other words very close) was at $250M and no one won it and MegaMillions (NJ amongst many others participates) is at a paltry $77M.

I purchased tickets for both lotteries in the past week ($3 for each ). Are there any hardcore or even any other "big pot" players?

 

Rick goes to the store weekly and plays a few "regular" numbers in the State Lottery.

So far, nothing! Sometimes if there is a big jackpot out there, I get together with co workers and we'll buy some tickets to that.

Our lottery budget is minimal.

We watch people with those "scratch tickets." They win $20.00, and ask for 10 more tickets. They'll stand to the side of the store and scratch their tickets, if they win they get more tickets, and repeat this until they leave the store with no "winnings" at all.

Oh and the Catholics out there will appreciate this.

I was in the car waiting for Rick while he was in the store. A woman came out of the store, got in her car, made the "Sign of the Cross" then proceeded to scratch her lottery ticket.

I'm not sure, but I don't think you are supposed to call on the "big guy" for that kind of thing.

 

I have a big problem with the lottery. In essence it is just a tax on the poor who are the majority of the players or losers. That said I do buy lottery tx when it reaches absurd amounts like 200 mill, why? I don't know why well maybe just dreaming of a garage like Jay Leno. Hey zippy if you win can I help you spend it or will you leave beautiful New Jersey for warmer a climate

 

The answer is yes and yes, but if I won all that cash, I would keep my current house as well.

 

I think the regular players are all listed on the Statue of Liberty.

 

I buy 'em when it hits $100mm, so I went out at lunchtime today and bought $5 worth of quickpicks for the powerball.

The first guy in line was buying $100 worth. The next guy had a handful of change and bought a $2 ticket. He didn't look as if he could afford it.

 

Paying taxes is usually mandatory; participation in the lottery is not.

I play the lottery every week. I have no delusions of winning, but my five dollar a week habit gets dumped into the state's education fund.

 

And we all know what a great job they do with it....

 

haha the education fund is my justification too. I throw 5 dollars in whenever it's over 20m and I notice it in the grocery store line.

It's sure a money making machine for Florida.

fltsfshr

 

I figured out that if continue to "play" at five dollars a week, all I have to do is live to be 485,632 years old to have an even shot at winning.