Do you ever play the lottery?
If so, have you ever won anything?
If you won big (like millions) what's the first thing you would do with your money?
I have played very rarely, both scratch offs and the kind where you choose numbers for the big lotteries. Probably fewer than 20 times in my entire life. I think I won about $5 once.
If I won a lot of money I would share it with my family, especially my kids. I would probably donate some of it to causes I deemed worthy and who would not squander it, though for whatever reason I'm somewhat leery of charities and what they accomplish. Then I would take the rest and enjoy it. That would include getting a swimming pool and paying someone to take care of it.
Yes.
Yes, I've won. Recently I could have won some money if AndyKing1967's soccer team wasn't so shit. (Sorry, Andy.)
I don't usually spend money. I'd just save it until I really needed it.
It is wise to save money, but I figure if I win hundreds of millions even after sharing it with others and enjoying some of it, I'll still have plenty left for needs down the road.
Plus I really want a swimming pool that someone else takes care of.
Richard Wolff (US economist) has once said, answering to the extremely high taxes of 50% or more that states charge on lotteries
"People think lotto is an extra tax on poor people, but actually lotto is an extra tax on people who failed in math."
My parents have played German lotto from the day it was invented in 1955 to the day they died over 50 years later, never won more than a bit of pocket change. Luckily they didn't play any expensive system, just a regular ticket that has cost them (adjusted for inflation in todays money) roughly $10 a week. Still 50 years times 52 weeks times $10 = $26,000 and subtracting the estimated amount they won a few times that's still way over $20,000 they lost.
Personally I tried it a few times when I was young, maybe for half a year or so where I bought a ticket maybe 2 out of every 3 weeks, but I quickly discovered it's not worth it.
Still I had a lucky shot where I won 20 times the ticket price 2 weeks in a row and I remember the guy in the lotto shop the 2nd week looking at me as if he had seen a miracle.
In total I can estimate I came out slightly ahead, but nothing worth mentioning and only because I've quit after a short time.
What always strikes me as absurd is when people play every week, then get 100 or so back in a lucky week and call it a win, disregarding the 1000s they lost up to then.
I am guessing for some people who play very frequently it's not just about the money, but about playing the game itself and the thrill of trying different strategies (different lucky numbers for example or playing at different locations) and seeing if they win.
shareYes, I know, some people believe in "lucky numbers", but in reality that's similar to believing in astrology.
Not sure about the US, but in Germany you can actually make use of it if you know what other people do (which is how I won 20 times the ticket price).
In Germany lotto is 6 of 49, you win with 3 or more correct and how much you win depends not only on how many numbers you have correct, but also on how many others have the same amount of numbers correct.
It's a known fact that there are much more people playing the numbers 1-31, even more people playing 1-12, still more when they are born in a year past 49 which they split into two single digits, because they are all playing the bdays of the whole family, that if the winning numbers are mostly low numbers the amount you win is much lower than what it is with numbers above 31.
Therefore I played exclusively high numbers, thinking chances are identical, but ifffffff I win, I win more and lucky enough for 2 weeks in a row they had 5 numbers above 31 where I had 4 correct each time.
Fun fact aside:
In Germany they have "system tickets" where you can mark more than 6 numbers, where any combination of the numbers you mark counts as a winner, but of course those tickets also cost as much as there are possible combinations. They have also "partial system tickets" where you can mark up to 22 numbers in one ticket but not all possible combinations win.
This leads to the fact that numbers closer together win on average less than numbers further apart, especially for low numbers where bday players and system players merge.
Years ago they did have an on first view very unusual, but from a probability point of view equal row of winning numbers all very low and all close together, I don't really remember when or what numbers that was, something like 1,2,3,5,6,7.
That weekend after the numbers were published and before they published how much one would win with all 6 correct, which they used to publish the next tuesday, there were loads of parties of people who had all 6 correct all over Germany, all thinking they were rich, until the winning amount was published and quite a few people found out they had won less than that weekend party has cost them.
Yes, I do. I would say about every sixth week.
Yes.
I would first invest the money, then renovate the house.
A little bit later I (we) would study how many would get our kids.
Some donations.
A couple of nice trips.
I’ve tried my luck with the lottery a few times, and while I haven’t hit the jackpot there, I’ve definitely had some memorable wins elsewhere. Honestly, the most exciting and rewarding experiences I’ve had were through this platform - https://glory-casino-bd.pro/bonus/. It’s not just about luck here, they offer a wide variety of games and incredible bonuses that make the entire experience much more enjoyable and worthwhile. Whether you’re looking for a quick thrill or aiming for a big win, this platform stands out with its user-friendly interface, secure payment options, and fast payouts.
If I were to win big—like millions—the first thing I’d do is take a moment to reflect and plan carefully. I’d likely start by consulting financial advisors to ensure the money is managed wisely. Helping my family and close friends would be a top priority, whether that’s paying off debts, funding education, or making their dreams come true. Of course, I’d set some money aside for investments to secure my future and then treat myself to a dream vacation or maybe even a luxury item I’ve always wanted.
What about you? Have you ever tried your luck with lotteries or similar platforms? And if you were to hit the jackpot, what’s the very first thing you’d do with your winnings?
No.
I don't believe the government wants to give me or anyone else free money.
If I won millions, I'd listen to this song again for ideas:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8zdNe_l3M8
Dejon ketchup sounds nice.
I think you should buy one of these.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=XeE_3YGV8zM&pp=ygURTWVkaWV2YWwgY2F0YXB1bHQ%3D
I still ain't seen no eggs.
If you played video games, I'd tell you the eggs are a lie and you'd think that was super hilarious.
Is it enough for me to think it's super hilarious?
My mom used to play the “pick six” or whatever it’s called. She and a few co-workers would go in on it together once a week. Don’t think she ever won anything big.
She would stash the tickets away and forget to look. One time dad took out a pile of tickets and checked the numbers.
He said, ”If your mother won a million and I’ve been working for nothing, I’ll kill her.”😆
I always prided myself on never playing the lottery, not even scratch off tickets. But one time about five years ago I bought a few tickets for someone’s birthday. He always bought the scratch offs. I didn’t realize the machine didn’t give change ,so I bought one ticket for myself
Wouldn’t you know it, it was a forty dollar winner. And I was hooked. The one dollar and two dollar tickets are not worth it. All I ever win is a free ticket or two dollars. If I get a ticket,I buy a three or five dollar one. I won a hundred last year. Sometimes I win ten, twenty or forty dollars. Yeah, not really a big win. But I justify it by saying that I don’t smoke, so this is my vice.
Those are funny stories, both about your mom and your conversion to a lover of scratch offs. As long as it brings you joy and you stay within your budget I don't see any harm in it.
shareI think you're super hilarious even without the eggs.
share