Powerball jackpot is $400 million ...however

[manning]

Your chance of winning is 1 in 292,201,338.00. That's BIG odds.

 

[happily single]

But...you cant win if you don't play.

 

[Flight]

*sigh*

So you are saying I probably won't win?

 

[disneychrista]

Someone has to win.

 

[MillauFr]

But...you cant win if you don't play.

Sure you can still win. Not likely, but possible. Statistically though, your odds of winning are not significantly increased by buying a ticket.

 

[GaryDis]

Someone has to win.

Nope. That's how the jackpot keeps growing each week, with no one winning.

 

[Malestrom Troll]

Sure you can still win. Not likely, but possible. Statistically though, your odds of winning are not significantly increased by buying a ticket.

Actually your odds are infinitely increased by purchasing a ticket. Your odds with one ticket may not be statistically significant enough for you to value the purchase worthy.

 

[MillauFr]

Actually your odds are infinitely increased by purchasing a ticket. Your odds with one ticket may not be statistically significant enough for you to value the purchase worthy.

Any number multiplied by zero is still zero. 1/292,201,338.00 for all practical purposes equals zero.

 

[Malestrom Troll]

Any number multiplied by zero is still zero. 1/292,201,338.00 for all practical purposes equals zero.

To many people yes, those odds are are practically zero. However when it comes to lotteries, many people are not risk adverse to spending little to winning big. My personal opinion is that the lottery is a tax on the mathmatically challenged.

 

[MillauFr]

To many people yes, those odds are are practically zero. However when it comes to lotteries, many people are not risk adverse to spending little to winning big. My personal opinion is that the lottery is a tax on the mathmatically challenged.

Exactly. What I find fascinating is the number of lottery "winners" who end up bankrupt in five years. I think it is close to 50%.

 

[DisneyMandC]

I play because honestly I'd be happy enough just to win 1 million, or even the $250,000! I don't need the mega jackpot, just through a little bit of cash my way and I'll be happy!

 

[Narnia_girl]

It's fun to dream about a windfall like that but honestly that kind of money would ruin most people's lives. Big lottery winners often suffer the Big D's: divorce, destitution, deceit and death.

 

[KKB]

$2 is a pretty cheap dream...I personally know a family that won a $50 million dollar Poweball prize. Luckily they very much are smart with their money & expect their family to benefit for generations to come. They do enjoy their money but for the most part use/invest it quite wisely.
If you don't buy a ticket have NO POSSIBILITY of winning.
If you buy one (and only buy ONE, please--this is when the probabilities make it pointless to buy more)--you at least have a POSSIBILITY.

 

[mom2rose&john]

I also know of a large winner. She was a teacher and he was in construction. They invested wisely and live a very nice, not lavish, lifestyle. Still are married, humble and kind. Their kids are the same. This was back in the 80's and the jackpot was around 25 million.

I play the lottery and would hope that if I did win a sizable amount I could handle the pressure that would arise. It's a calculated risk I am will to take

 

[supersnoop]

If you buy one (and only buy ONE, please--this is when the probabilities make it pointless to buy more)--you at least have a POSSIBILITY.

You have about the same chance of finding the winning ticket laying on the ground as you do if you buy the ticket. The lottery is a tax on dumb people.

 

[a742246]

I wouldn't go out of my way to buy a lottery ticket. But at 400 million I might try if I am at a store that sells them. PS I wouldn't bother at a 50 million powerball prize though. I dream big! lol

 

[eliza61]

To many people yes, those odds are are practically zero. However when it comes to lotteries, many people are not risk adverse to spending little to winning big. My personal opinion is that the lottery is a tax on the mathmatically challenged.

or it's a cheap way to have a bit of fun.

We have a lottery pool at work. It's ten people. we each chip in 2 bucks a week. for me that's the price of 1 20 oz bottle of coke. and then we chat at lunch about all the things we're going to do when we hit.

So once a week I save 150 calories from skipping one soda and I have fun with my coworkers.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

I'd play if it were still $1 per ticket. I'm cheap like that.

 

[jenf22]

Your chance of winning is 1 in 292,201,338.00. That's BIG odds.

"Never tell me the odds"

I but a $2 ticket every once and a while. I figure your odds go up dramatically with one ticket, but not so much each subsequent ticket. My husband put some scratch off tickets in my stocking and I won $43. So I pocketed $20, put $20 back into scratchers, and got a Powerball and a Lotto ticket. I ended up getting 4 numbers on the Powerball. It was only $100, but still pretty cool to see 4 of 5 numbers match. I really don't stress about $2-$4 a week on Lottery considering that's my only real vice (some people spend that on Starbucks per day!). But I just love when people call me dumb because of it

 

[Minnesota!]

We buy tickets 2x/week year round. So, I spend $104/year...so worth it!

I also buy scratch offs...about $10/week. I normally make back my money...maybe lose $5/month. I get the crosswords ones, that take a bit. Nice mental vacation for 10 minutes or so. Worth it, in my opinion, to lose track of reality for a bit of time in my chaotic life

Powerball - I will buy into it (we usually get Mega Millions and Hot Lotto). $400 million would help a LOT of people.