Lottery

[Thunder]

I rarely see any mentioning of lottery winners. How often are there any winners? No matter how big or small. Is it only the winners of the huge jackpot are publicized through the media? There are national lottery and state lottery. I'm curious as to how many winners and how often for Oklahoma. When I go to buy some tickets, there are stupidly many different options/games to play. Which one is the best and better chance at winning...any amount?

[BBatesokc]

Unless something has drastically changed regarding the finances in your life, why on Earth would you even consider buying lottery tickets?

Reminds me of something I watched last week that really pissed me off. I was at an On Cue and some woman was at the counter buying over $80 worth of lottery tickets. She said she did that every week. Then she bought herself a whole bag full of crap food with a food stamp card!

[HewenttoJared]

I win the lottery every day by not playing.

[kevinpate]

Thunder, the odds of winning are slim to none, and slim done left town. All those options you see at the counter are scratch off games. The big money, and the highest odds against winning anything, would be in the twice weekly powerball drawing.

I doubt you ought to be playing, as your finances seem tight based on your posts here. Sure, it's only a buck a play, but think of it it this way. Even just a few plays would use up what you need to cover food for Taz. So probably not your best use of your limited funds.

[lasomeday]

I win the lottery every day by not playing.

Really? I thought the lottery was for teachers? Do you not support teachers?

[HewenttoJared]

I spend plenty on education directly.

[Roadhawg]

I play the Powerball once a week and donate $5 to education lol

[ctchandler]

Lasomeday,
So is liquor, and parimutuel (Remington Park), so, if I stay drunk and bet on the horses, I have contributed my "fair share".
C. T.

Really? I thought the lottery was for teachers? Do you not support teachers?

[venture]

Eh the lottery is well...a gamble. Some people win, most don't. It also depends on what you play. I have a family member that plays a good amount, but mainly it is "Pick 3" drawings or high value ($10-25) scratch off games. They don't play with money they can't afford to lose, but they break even or stay ahead at the end of the year. A few years back they hit around $20k on a Pick 3 drawing, but normally it is just a couple thousand every few months. It is one of those things though, you have to watch and play the cycle of numbers and also get lucky. I personally feel scratch off games are a rip off, though I have seen people win decent amounts (few hundred) on them before.

[oneforone]

The lottery is just like a casino. The odds are always on the side of the house. Most of the people who hit the big payouts have spent several thousand dollars on lottery tickets over the course of several years. The rest win through office pools I set a limit of $10 and I play every once in awhile. I will grab a few scratchers and buy 2-3 of the drawing tickets. I usually win about $3-$5 of it back.

[Thunder]

Brian, everyone buys lottery tickets. Those that say they do not is simply a liar. I buy once in a while and it doesn't bring me hardship.

[ultimatesooner]

Brian, everyone buys lottery tickets. Those that say they do not is simply a liar. I buy once in a while and it doesn't bring me hardship.

Lol

[MDot]

Brian, everyone buys lottery tickets. Those that say they do not is simply a liar. I buy once in a while and it doesn't bring me hardship.

Not everyone does but a huge chunk of people do.

[HewenttoJared]

Brian, everyone buys lottery tickets. Those that say they do not is simply a liar. I buy once in a while and it doesn't bring me hardship.

Wrong.

[BBatesokc]

Brian, everyone buys lottery tickets. Those that say they do not is simply a liar. I buy once in a while and it doesn't bring me hardship.

Wrong again.

[Thunder]

Wrong again.

Nope. I only buy tickets when I have extra cash. Maybe one or two tickets once in a while. It doesn't make me go into starvation.

[RadicalModerate]

When I buy a "lottery" ticket, it is attached to a medium drink at McDonalds.
If I want to double my chances, I will bet on a Big Mac.

But only until the Monopoly promo ends in about a week.

[jn1780]

Might as well go to a casino. At least it can be fun while your playing.

[oneforone]

There is nothing wrong with playing the lottery provided you keep in mind your chances of winning are slim. I just don't like the way this conversation is heading. (The money misers are beating down the guy who has admitted to having money trouble.) At the end of the day nobody has any business telling another how to spend their money. Especially if the person earned the money by working for a living. In my honest opinion we have too many busy bodies in the world. There are just way too many people that did not have the tattle tale worked out of their personality when they were kids. As they say mind your own business as soon as you do you will probably find yourself way too busy to worrying about everybody else.

[coldbeer]

I have figured out that the lottery is a really a " tax on dreamers" ....hehe

[Thunder]

Unless something has drastically changed regarding the finances in your life, why on Earth would you even consider buying lottery tickets?

I don't know the importance of my own finances when buying lottery tickets. There is nothing wrong with occasional buying of a few tickets here and there. These tickets cost $1 or $2 each. I'd go months without buying a single ticket and suddenly feel like buying one. Why would you be worried about me buying one or two tickets? Did you assume that I'd buy several tickets twice weekly?

[RadicalModerate]

When the courteous, young--sometimes not so young--lady at the checkout counter at the grocery store asks me if I'd like to buy a lottery ticket for a dollar, I ask her if it would be OK to simply pull a dollar bill out of my pocket and set fire to it. But she knows I'm just joking 'cause I say it with a smile.

After while, they--all of them--quit asking.

Now if I could just figure out a way to politely and with a bit of humor move the Lottery Junkies/Scratchers along at the convenience store counters . . .

[Stew]

Unless something has drastically changed regarding the finances in your life, why on Earth would you even consider buying lottery tickets?

Reminds me of something I watched last week that really pissed me off. I was at an On Cue and some woman was at the counter buying over $80 worth of lottery tickets. She said she did that every week. Then she bought herself a whole bag full of crap food with a food stamp card!

I see that all the time. Tons and tons of junk food and all sorts of drinks on the public dole card followed by smokes, beer, and/or lottery tickets with cash. Then the 3 or 4 dollars left over in gas. That's so not right.

[RadicalModerate]

Especially if you are in line behind her.
(Just wanting to pay for your gas and go . . .)

[Achilleslastand]

Unless something has drastically changed regarding the finances in your life, why on Earth would you even consider buying lottery tickets?

Reminds me of something I watched last week that really pissed me off. I was at an On Cue and some woman was at the counter buying over $80 worth of lottery tickets. She said she did that every week. Then she bought herself a whole bag full of crap food with a food stamp card!

I remember back in the day when there was a certain amount of shame involved using these. Nowadays they are called EBT cards and disguised as credit cards as to make people feel less shameful. They should be a handup not a handout and not a way of life as many abuse them. I have seen several people in stores that were dressed very nice and had nice vehicles but for some odd reason qualified for an EBT card.