Big surprise there isn't it...
I'm reading these posts about quick-picks,praying and system-bashing here at lottery post. So here is my two cents. For Free!!
Do you really think that the lottery would exist if it payed out more than it took in? We all know the answer to that one, now don't we.
The Michigan Lottery just adopted the new extra play that I've been told Illinois has had for awhile now. At first I was thrilled. That is until I saw the odds of this thing. Winning yourself $10 has odds of 1/97.... I won't go into the others except that winning $500 has odds of over 1/866,000+....
Now the odds of winning this thing are the same for the 3 and 4 digit extra play. Excuse me for calling their bluff, but computer pick or not. The odds of matching all three or four digits is still 1/1000 and 1/10,000 respectively.
So as I'm standing there at work Saturday morning, mulling over how the lottery commission thinks we are all stupid cattle. In walks Mr. Regular who just heard about the extra play and wants to give it a try.
He decides that he's going to play 212 Two-Way for the Midday with the Extra Option. As I punch in the number and hit the extra key. Up pops his ticket, he matches the computer generated number exact (212). Don't get excited because the amounts were $4-$4-$2... So he wins ten bucks.
-$8 Profit-
Later that day I go back in the office and check the lottery sales reports we keep on hand. I had already sold a few extra plays earlier that morning.
Guess what? At the beginning of my shift (3rd). We had sold approximately 94 extra plays since the game started on the 16th. So no matter what number he or anyone else played at that moment. The payout was going to be $10 regardless. (see odds above)
My point is simply this. When you play easy picks (computer generated), you are playing by their rules. Their rule is that they will come out ahead, bottom line.
If you don't believe me then by all means go ahead and play quick-picks. No offense intended but someone has to pay for the winnings of all the systems players. The Big Game is another story because you really need divine intervention, system or not.
I hope you do pray to a higher power for a win. Because when you play by their rules, you're going to need all the help you can get.
If you do win on a quick-pick however. Then please donate 10% on Sunday because God has certainly smiled upon you.
As for me, I'm going to ask my store manager to give me a call when we have sold 866,000+ extra plays. I think I'm going to play 999 for fifty-cents... With the extra-play of course. :-)
Have a great evening.
......./George
