Megamillions now 1.6B!!

[Majes]

It's my personal threshold of $250m. Lotto is like crack for my office. They all play regardless.

I was at 200m... May raise it to 250 or 300 here since 200 is happening more and more. I dislike throwing money away, but it's a small vice to throw 4 bucks twice a week at it when it hits a decent size.

 

[zinfamous]

welp. time to buy a few tickets so I can finally get my ass to Mars.

 

[Majes]

welp. time to buy a few tickets so I can finally get my ass to Mars.

What's on Mars?

 

[TXHokie]

Guess I'll spring another $2. This will be my third lottery ticket I bought this year.

 

[GagHalfrunt]

welp. time to buy a few tickets so I can finally get my ass to Mars.

If I win I'll pay your way to Mars as long as you take Mayne and Naer with you.

 

[clamum]

Forgot to buy tickets yesterday, oops. But there were no winners (duh, I didn't buy any) so I'm in for Friday. HERE I COME FAME, GLORY, AND SNAPPERS

 

[TheVrolok]

Oh, that makes my deal even better. It's like paying half as much, getting a free cup of coffee, and virtually an equal chance of getting rich. I don't know why anyone do anything else.

While in general I would agree with you, in this case a chance (even if miniscule) is dramatically different than no chance.

I suppose it does depend on how much value 2 dollars has to you, if it has a high value than perhaps it's not worth the almost certain risk of loss.

However, I can't think of many other wagers that have such a massive risk/reward than the lottery when it's this high for the value of 2 dollars. (this benefit falls dramatically after the first ticket purchase).

To me, 2 dollars has very little value, particularly for the incremental potential gain of winning the jackpot vs no chance. But, I won't buy a second ticket as the math changes entirely.

In short, I'll spend probably 4-6 dollars on the lottery a year when jackpots are this big and I remember to buy a ticket. I'll never buy more than a single ticket. I'll also never miss those six dollars. Shrug.

 

[tortoise]

In the Tuesday, October 16, 2018 Mega Millions drawing . . NONE of the 5+0 winners paid the extra dollar for the 5 Megaplier, a $4,000,000 loss (excluding pari-mutuel California). Just saying . . around 25 times better odds for a 5+0 win than the 5+1 jackpot.

The odds are what the odds are . . but every line on every ticket has equal odds, right up until that first ball exits the mixing chamber.

 

[zinfamous]

If I win I'll pay your way to Mars as long as you take Mayne and Naer with you.

I can do that!

 

[ctbaars]

Due to peer pressure, I just joined the office pool.

 

[madoka]

The odds are what the odds are . . but every line on every ticket has equal odds, right up until that first ball exits the mixing chamber.

Just out of curiosity, what are the odd of hitting the jackpot if you bought one ticket? 100 tickets?

 

[zinfamous]

Just out of curiosity, what are the odd of hitting the jackpot if you bought one ticket? 100 tickets?

I believe 1 / 272,000,000, and 100 / 272,000,000*

*assuming no duplicates out of those 100 tickets (for overall chance of winning once, with 100 tickets. obviously each individual ticket has the same 1/not going to happen chance).

so effectively, no real difference in winning with 1 vs.100 tickets, because the difference is just statistical noise at that point.

 

[sdifox]

What's on Mars?

Mars bars duh

 

[highland145]

Mars bars duh

Mars womenz but they've already been plundered by James T Kirk. Ruint, I say.

 

[Svnla]

Latest news, the jackpot is at 900 million USD (for now).

I am in with the office pool for about 10-15 people.

 

[paperfist]

What numbers should I play?

 

[Fir]

Lottery tickets are a "stupid at math" tax...

Ever hear the saying "hard as finding a needle in a haystack"?

Imagine the needle being a LOT smaller and the stack the size of a mountain.
Still don't get it?

Shoot a bb out of a decent gun at 800fps at a 45 degree angle.
Now find the bb!
Do this 3X in a row (with success!) and you're still more likely to find it a fourth time.
Then win at the powerballs.

 

[AznAnarchy99]

Lottery tickets are a "stupid at math" tax...

Ever hear the saying "hard as finding a needle in a haystack"?

Imagine the needle being a LOT smaller and the stack the size of a mountain.
Still don't get it?

Shoot a bb out of a decent gun at 800fps at a 45 degree angle.
Now find the bb!
Do this 3X in a row (with success!) and you're still more likely to find it a fourth time.
Then win at the powerballs.

I'll let you know after I buy my private jet.

 

[highland145]

Lottery tickets are a "stupid at math" tax...

Ever hear the saying "hard as finding a needle in a haystack"?

Imagine the needle being a LOT smaller and the stack the size of a mountain.
Still don't get it?

Shoot a bb out of a decent gun at 800fps at a 45 degree angle.
Now find the bb!
Do this 3X in a row (with success!) and you're still more likely to find it a fourth time.
Then win at the powerballs.

So just sit on your couch while others make bank. Good plan, Wilbur.

 

[RossMAN]

Where do I send my $20 stupid tax?

 

[zinfamous]

Where do I send my $20 stupid tax?

say....couldn't you have picked a better thread, man?

OK OK, probably few more appropriate. Just saying.

 

[RossMAN]

say....couldn't you have picked a better thread, man?

OK OK, probably few more appropriate. Just saying.

I was watching the news, saw the new jackpot and wondered what are the odds JEDI created an ATOT thread?

Bingo.

Edit: as much as I hate to admit it, JEDI is right last time I did PM him asking why he didn't create a lottery thread.

 

[Lanyap]

I’m getting turnt up when I win the next drawing.

 

[gorcorps]

Fun fact... the odds of winning the powerball or mega millions is still better than winning the $1 million prize from Mcdonald's monopoly game. McD's released the odds of finding the rare "boardwalk" piece as being 1 in 602 million. Powerball is 1 in 292,201,338... megamillions is 1 in 258.9 million

 

[highland145]

Fun fact... the odds of winning the powerball or mega millions is still better than winning the $1 million prize from Mcdonald's monopoly game. McD's released the odds of finding the rare "boardwalk" piece as being 1 in 602 million. Powerball is 1 in 292,201,338... megamillions is 1 in 258.9 million

With the McDs fraud going on, I doubt the odds are that...good.