United States
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June 30, 2004
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Quote: Originally posted by jimb11 on Feb 24, 2007
I don't like computer drawings either but a year ago I won $512 for getting 4 out of 5 on the fantasy 5 CA. lottery. And I only bought one ticket. I talked to someone from the CA. lottery about their computer drawings and he told me they will never go back to ball drawings again. I told him I was concerned about the drawings being fixed but he told me they had cameras everywhere, everything was sealed, and totally random. I would play super lotto plus but the odds are so much better with fantasy 5 and people do actually win 5 out of 5.
So my question is: What exactly makes computer drawings bad?
A computer can be programmed to do what you want it to do... Do you want a jackpot winner Saturday night? or how many MM Bonus ball are there for the number 17? Could be a bad thing..
United States
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March 1, 2006
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Quote: Originally posted by UNITEDWESTAND on Feb 23, 2007
Attention all lottery players im asking every one to not play lotto until they show the balls on TV.they make millions there CEo makes millions.they can buy a 3 minute slot to show the balls coming up the shoot.I know its hard to stop, but to increase our odds we have to stop! try for one week. im sure if they show the balls on tv we can win a whole lot$$$$$ more .
They don't have to buy a 3 minute spot, the could post it for free on youtube. I find it odd that 5 second place winners were all in the New York City area.
New Jersey United States
Member #1
May 31, 2000
28,004 Posts Online
Quote: Originally posted by jimb11 on Feb 24, 2007
I don't like computer drawings either but a year ago I won $512 for getting 4 out of 5 on the fantasy 5 CA. lottery. And I only bought one ticket. I talked to someone from the CA. lottery about their computer drawings and he told me they will never go back to ball drawings again. I told him I was concerned about the drawings being fixed but he told me they had cameras everywhere, everything was sealed, and totally random. I would play super lotto plus but the odds are so much better with fantasy 5 and people do actually win 5 out of 5.
So my question is: What exactly makes computer drawings bad?
Check the petition for answers to that question. The information is all here for those willing to seek it.
mid-Ohio United States
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March 24, 2001
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Quote: Originally posted by tntea on Feb 23, 2007
I was upset with the PB matrix change. Adding two more digits didn't help the chances.. When I mention people going on strike.. I have the "uned" people say they think they have better chances of hitting with less people playing....
For people who only play when the jackpot gets over $150M, this is true. The less people playing the better the chance of a jackpot roll over which allows them more chances to play at that level. They are not "uned", they just want the best return on their gambling dollars if they get lucky.
From what I've read many of the larger jackpot winners own their own businesses which makes me think that the mix of people playing the lotteries change as the jackpots get larger.
* you don't need to buy every combination, just the winning ones *
United States
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Quote: Originally posted by RJOh on Feb 24, 2007
For people who only play when the jackpot gets over $150M, this is true. The less people playing the better the chance of a jackpot roll over which allows them more chances to play at that level. They are not "uned", they just want the best return on their gambling dollars if they get lucky.
From what I've read many of the larger jackpot winners own their own businesses which makes me think that the mix of people playing the lotteries change as the jackpots get larger.
From what I've read many of the larger jackpot winners own their own businesses which makes me think that the mix of people playing the lotteries change as the jackpots get larger
Right the mix does change.. The "uned" feel they don't have that great of a chance when the Amount has increased..
Wisconsin United States
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March 27, 2003
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Quote: Originally posted by Todd on Feb 23, 2007
Thank you for pointing out a terrific example of how we differ.
The fact is that since Lottery Post raised public awareness of the issue of fake computerized drawings not one single state has converted from real drawings to computers. The only game I am aware of that converted is Hot Lotto, and it was handled quietly "in the dark of night".
This is despite the fact that computerized drawings had been gaining momentum for years, and without the awareness generated by Lottery Post, we would have most likely lost a few more states.
Where are the folks with positive attitudes this evening?? Have you gone into hiding? It's tough holding down the fort while you all are snoozing!
Hate to have to puncture your balloon Todd, but when I first joined LP I signed the petition, because I do agree that lottery drawings should be televised and computer drawn.
Since then, Wisconsin went from ball drawings to RNG "faux draws" on all state games.
And they did it in the Dark of Night also. They only posted the change on their website after they did it.
It's about money. What isn't? And they saved, according to the media, about $300,000 a year just on not having to televise the drawings alone.
Let's never forget, state lotteries are a business. And businesses are in business to make all the profit they can. And in business there are three ways to increase profits: Increased sales, decreased costs, and decreased Accounts Payable.
Wisconsin United States
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March 27, 2003
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Quote: Originally posted by tntea on Feb 23, 2007
I was upset with the PB matrix change. Adding two more digits didn't help the chances.. When I mention people going on strike.. I have the "uned" people say they think they have better chances of hitting with less people playing....
I would love to see a breakdown of the total household incomes of all lottery players, tntea...I suspect that a great majority of the tickets are bought by those you call the "uned". This is solely based on what I see in the local retailers, so I have no validation of it. But it also follows that those people would think they are playing against the other players rather than against the mathematical odds, which don't change even if they would be the only person playing the game.
New Jersey United States
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May 31, 2000
28,004 Posts Online
Quote: Originally posted by Badger on Feb 24, 2007
Hate to have to puncture your balloon Todd, but when I first joined LP I signed the petition, because I do agree that lottery drawings should be televised and computer drawn.
Since then, Wisconsin went from ball drawings to RNG "faux draws" on all state games.
And they did it in the Dark of Night also. They only posted the change on their website after they did it.
It's about money. What isn't? And they saved, according to the media, about $300,000 a year just on not having to televise the drawings alone.
Let's never forget, state lotteries are a business. And businesses are in business to make all the profit they can. And in business there are three ways to increase profits: Increased sales, decreased costs, and decreased Accounts Payable.
It was August 29, 2004 -- two and a half months before Wisconsin announced the transition to fake drawings.
So technically you're right, Wisconsin did switch after the petition was started.
However, one does not switch to fake drawings in two and a half months, and the petition would not have been able to stop the switch by that point. They were most likely working on the transition for at least a year, and there was nothing anyone could do about it.
On your other comments about "profit", I think I've been very clear about the MYTH of higher profits via fake drawings.
I have been responsible for growing several business from scratch. I have been responsible for big P&Ls within major companies. I think I understand a bit about profits.
And anyone who has worked on this stuff knows that the lowest priority projects are ones that merely cut cost. And worse than that is a project that cuts cost, but has a potential downside effect on revenue. Which is exactly what we have with fake drawings.
In my opinion, the fact that the computerized drawing companies can't run around selling their wares without publicly being challenged by Lottery Post and all its members is a major factor in holding the line on the expansion of fake drawings. I look forward to hearing some others chime in about how Lottery Post has helped in this area, and how we're not going to accept fake drawings.
Many of you have strong feelings about this as I do, but sit there silent, as I alone stand up and talk about it. Don't do that, because silence = acquiescence = you lose.
United States
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June 22, 2005
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Todd,
How do you feel about pre-tests and tube shuffling? I'm starting to wonder whether taking a risk of a computerized drawing, is worth or equal to the risk of a ball drawing.
A ball drawing requires messing with the system. Do pre-tests ruin the flow of what was meant to be in the first place? Then play musical tubes afterwards....Just shoot me...LOL
Sure it's possible to mess with computers, but In my opinion, the risk is less, when compared with what I have to go through on a daily basis.
New Jersey United States
Member #1
May 31, 2000
28,004 Posts Online
Quote: Originally posted by pacattack05 on Feb 24, 2007
Todd,
How do you feel about pre-tests and tube shuffling? I'm starting to wonder whether taking a risk of a computerized drawing, is worth or equal to the risk of a ball drawing.
A ball drawing requires messing with the system. Do pre-tests ruin the flow of what was meant to be in the first place? Then play musical tubes afterwards....Just shoot me...LOL
Sure it's possible to mess with computers, but In my opinion, the risk is less, when compared with what I have to go through on a daily basis.
Maybe you should just read the petition first, since I have laid out my opinion there. It sounds like you're saying the opposite thing that I am. If you are somehow saying that it is better to use a computer to draw lottery results, then you and I complete disagree.
Michigan United States
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September 24, 2005
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Quote: Originally posted by pacattack05 on Feb 24, 2007
Todd,
How do you feel about pre-tests and tube shuffling? I'm starting to wonder whether taking a risk of a computerized drawing, is worth or equal to the risk of a ball drawing.
A ball drawing requires messing with the system. Do pre-tests ruin the flow of what was meant to be in the first place? Then play musical tubes afterwards....Just shoot me...LOL
Sure it's possible to mess with computers, but In my opinion, the risk is less, when compared with what I have to go through on a daily basis.
Pre-tests and tube shuffling are used to make the game as random as humanly possible and prevent some flaw that makes the game predictive.
But I like the way you think Pac...the lotteries should throw out anything that makes it difficult for your numbers to come in on the next draw. LOL
Computerized games can be manipulated by programmers and should be outlawed.
It was August 29, 2004 -- two and a half months before Wisconsin announced the transition to fake drawings.
So technically you're right, Wisconsin did switch after the petition was started.
However, one does not switch to fake drawings in two and a half months, and the petition would not have been able to stop the switch by that point. They were most likely working on the transition for at least a year, and there was nothing anyone could do about it.
On your other comments about "profit", I think I've been very clear about the MYTH of higher profits via fake drawings.
I have been responsible for growing several business from scratch. I have been responsible for big P&Ls within major companies. I think I understand a bit about profits.
And anyone who has worked on this stuff knows that the lowest priority projects are ones that merely cut cost. And worse than that is a project that cuts cost, but has a potential downside effect on revenue. Which is exactly what we have with fake drawings.
In my opinion, the fact that the computerized drawing companies can't run around selling their wares without publicly being challenged by Lottery Post and all its members is a major factor in holding the line on the expansion of fake drawings. I look forward to hearing some others chime in about how Lottery Post has helped in this area, and how we're not going to accept fake drawings.
Many of you have strong feelings about this as I do, but sit there silent, as I alone stand up and talk about it. Don't do that, because silence = acquiescence = you lose.
You are correct in the cost-cutting areas rank in priority lower than increasing revenue due to new sales. But this is in real business, run by real business people. Most state lotteries are staffed by govt workers; not IMHO, the cream of the business-savy crop. They have the Union Mentality.
Add to this (especially in WI ) the fact that there is a limited market. OUr state population is about 5 million, and they are obviously NOT all lottery players. The members of LP do not, I feel, represent your average ticket-buyer. LP members are much more informed, and much more into an understanding of odds and are looking for ways to reduce those odds. People who know nothing about what they are playing against (especially in the Daily Games) go into the stores here and buy QPs....and many of them are spending a lot more than I would ever do, and they just "hope". From the looks of many of them, they would be better off spending half of that on a decent meal.
So I see the big "market" being those that are, as tntea calls them the "uned". And they don't care about RNG or ball drawings, or any technicalities. But they probably spend the majority of the money the state takes in. People that don't see the lottery as a challenge (trying to figure it out) and who already have a nice standard of living seldom play unless the game is PB and they want to play for many millions.
We have a state 6/49 game here, and every week I notice it goes up (the jp) about 100K and that's all. WHen it finally is hit by someone, it is usually maybe a $4M jp. It's not going up much each week, because there is a limited market for it. We don't have a large state population, and those actually playing is a substantially smaller proportion of that population. So unlike some businesses (like the cell industry) who, when seeing their market saturated, can create a larger market (by promoting what I call "bells and whistles" benefits like cells with cameras, text messaging, etc) the lottery here can do very little to create a larger market. Therefore, they look highly at cost-savings.
They also jump on the bandwagon, it seems. I saw a brochure this week (first I heard of it) where it looks like WI is going to offer very shortly a $10 Raffle ticket game, with one top prize of $1M. I don't know what other prizes, since it doesn't interest me as there is no method or system for winning a raffle.....I admit that what I like about (especially the daily games) is playing with the numbers in order to come up with the winning draw. Relying on someone to pull my ticket out of a huge barrel is not of interest to me. But my point is that it does appeal to a lot of the "uned" and WI has seen this, so they jump on the bandwagon. Frankly, I would be shocked if the lottery here ever did anything inovative. They are always the "me too" kind of operation.
United States
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June 22, 2005
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Quote: Originally posted by truecritic on Feb 25, 2007
Pre-tests and tube shuffling are used to make the game as random as humanly possible and prevent some flaw that makes the game predictive.
But I like the way you think Pac...the lotteries should throw out anything that makes it difficult for your numbers to come in on the next draw. LOL
Computerized games can be manipulated by programmers and should be outlawed.
Pre-tests and tube shuffling are used to make the game as random as humanly possible
Make the game as random as possible? You mean it's not random enough? HA!
I think that is a big lie on their part, if that's what they also say. Any reason to throw as many wrenches in the natural flow. That's why they do it.
A lottery official in NY admitted to that many years ago in an article, in the New York Daily News.
I'm not asking for any favors from them. All I ask them is to leave the dang machines alone.
Pre-test are for what? To make sure it's runnung properly? What makes them think that it won't break down, even after a pre-test. Not only that, If pre-testing is such an important thing, will someone show me the stats of machines falling apart during a drawing.
I'm sure there are dozens of machines exploding during the drawings twice a day, in many places around the country...LOL
AH!!! I just heard one go off....
P.S. If all that isn't bad enough, they haven to play musical tubes to make it even that much more difficult.
Let me guess, the real reason they rotate is not to prevent any possible patterns from forming, but because they want to reduce the wear and tear on the balls and have 3 or 4 sets on hand. I understand....ping pong balls are very expensive to replace, considering the the lack of funds available to them.....LOL
It would take a trillion dollars worth of revenue to buy ping pong balls, and lets not forget the expensive paint...!
Dover, Delaware United States
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November 25, 2005
178 Posts
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Hi UNITEDWESTAND.... I agree with you because, for the amount of money I'm loosing and considering the fact that I can go 2 to 3 years playing everyday and not win a thing well, maybe forty dollars it seems to be in my best interest to boycot. I'm already excited about the amount of money I will save. The only thing is though, I believe we would have to go state by state and a lot longer than a week. Let me know when you get around to Delaware because, I'm in. THANKS
numbergirly
PS. I see that Delaware's rating is something like 17% how awful, how sad, how depressing but, more important how dissapointing.