Mega Millions Lotto over 500 MILLION

[dali]

odds of winning: 1 in 175,711,536

gotta love the people who think 2 (or 3, 4, 5, etc) in 175,711,536 is somehow better (ie, people who bet $5 quick pick as opposed to $1)

The largest Mega Millions jackpot, $500 million (annuitized), will be drawn Friday, March 30, 2012. The initial estimate for this drawing was $476 million; brisk ticket sales may push the jackpot values, both annuitized and the cash option, higher.

Mega Millions' largest jackpot which was won, of $390 million, was for the March 6, 2007 drawing

[Romeo]

you only need a dollar and a dream....

[creep]

when it goes over 200 million i'm one of those guys that plays $5.

[JOEinPHX]

i put my 5 dollars down. but not one one drawing. i always play one set of numbers for 5 consecutive drawings.

Not sure if that is better or worse, but it saves me the hassle of having to be embarrassed to ask for lottery tickets multiple times like i am somehow desperate.

[mockbee]

when it goes over 200 million i'm one of those guys that plays $5.

What I don't get is, 'cause below 200 million just wouldn't cut it????

[creep]

when it goes over 200 million i'm one of those guys that plays $5.

What I don't get is, 'cause below 200 million just wouldn't cut it????

it just helps to justify wasting money on something i will never win.

[Artemis]

i put my 5 dollars down. but not one one drawing. i always play one set of numbers for 5 consecutive drawings.

Not sure if that is better or worse, but it saves me the hassle of having to be embarrassed to ask for lottery tickets multiple times like i am somehow desperate.

in an office lottery pool it is better to keep the same numbers.

I know this because i got kicked out of my pool for changing my numbers all the time. the group felt I was diminshing their chances of winning.

[Xizen47]

I know this because i got kicked out of my pool for changing my numbers all the time. the group felt I was diminshing their chances of winning.

as if they have a better chance of winning by keeping the same numbers

[Hype]

I know this because i got kicked out of my pool for changing my numbers all the time. the group felt I was diminshing their chances of winning.

as if they have a better chance of winning by keeping the same numbers

They feel psychologically better because the imagined thought of the numbers you normally play being the winning numbers the one time you change is mentally painfully. But of course the whole thing is stupid. Why not save $5 a week for 20 years and invest it? Then you could say that you "won" $5200 + interest? How many lottery players win $5200 in their lifetime?

[Artemis]

My right palm is really itchy now. Somebody by a ticket on my behalf.

If you win, I only want $1 million.

[Romeo]

I'm buying the NY Mets & a heated toilet seat if I win

[chaos]

My right palm is really itchy now. Somebody by a ticket on my behalf.

If you win, I only want $1 million.

My husband just got a ticket. If we win, he won't miss a million.

[Essence_Smith]

My right palm is really itchy now. Somebody by a ticket on my behalf.

If you win, I only want $1 million.

Check...a million dollars CANADIAN of course...

[farrellgirl99]

if anyone on the board wins, they should have to give some to everyone here right

[Artemis]

if anyone on the board wins, they should have to give some to everyone here right

I think this is an excellent idea.

Also, the winner should spring for fixing the youtube feature.

[Artemis]

My right palm is really itchy now. Somebody by a ticket on my behalf.

If you win, I only want $1 million.

My husband just got a ticket. If we win, he won't miss a million.

When you win that much money a million is like the loose change that falls in the cracks of the sofa.

[Artemis]

My right palm is really itchy now. Somebody by a ticket on my behalf.

If you win, I only want $1 million.

Check...a million dollars CANADIAN of course...

That'll be fine since our money is on par right now.

[dali]

When statistics go bad:



^Lines around city blocks because this one particular store in Hawthorne, CA (aka "da hood") has sold "winners" before.

It's funny watching humans try to calculate statistics.

[Hype]

But it's not even statistics... the numbers are (pseudo-)random... it's probabilities, but ... those don't really need to be calculated because we already know them. Gamblers are just not thinking clearly.

[dali]

But it's not even statistics... the numbers are (pseudo-)random... it's probabilities, but ... those don't really need to be calculated because we already know them. Gamblers are just not thinking clearly.

That's why "gambling" exists as an industry, because inately humans just aren't very good at calculating probabilities, combinations, etc.

Hype, you should track down and watch a clip from the HBO show called "Real sports with Bryant Gumbel". He interviews a high school football coach (kevin kelley) who has won the championship the last three years in a row and he bases his success on the proper use of statistics. For instance, when his team is to receive a punt he has all the player on his team leave the field so that the kick may land wherever it wants and there is no possibility of his players doing anything that could cause an error.

He also "goes for it" on EVERY 4th down because he says the statistics are in your favor if you do and interviews a professor that validates his claim.

[Hype]

I may just check out that show. Thanks!

[chaos]

Another dream dashed.

[creep]

i read that 200 million in tickets were sold in california today. if my math is correct that is like $6 for every person. crazy

[Mescal]

i read that 200 million in tickets were sold in california today. if my math is correct that is like $6 for every person. crazy

Somebody won though.

Somebody out there is now thinking: What the fuck am I gonna do with all that money?

[sinep]

4 dollars down the drain... i could have bought a taco and a beer with that money.