Gaming the lottery. (1 Viewer)

[r0llin_game]

Came across this article earlier and thought it was super interesting seeing that I played a ton of poker in my life and how much math is used in the game. This is a story about a retired man learning how to game the lottery profitably due to math. It's a really long read so be warned!

http://highline.huffingtonpost.com/articles/en/lotto-winners/

 

[Phil Elliott]

 Love the story but as you mentioned, the article is about 90% too long. Met Jeff Ma  several years ago when we were both speakers at a data analytics conference. 

 

[eoMMan]

Came across this article earlier and thought it was super interesting seeing that I played a ton of poker in my life and how much math is used in the game. This is a story about a retired man learning how to game the lottery profitably due to math. It's a really long read so be warned!

http://highline.huffingtonpost.com/articles/en/lotto-winners/

Good read.  I agree that it's too long but still interesting.  Thanks.

 

[Johnny Rock]

Yeah I read that too. Wish I had a share. Unbelievable. 

 

[wilked]

Agreed, too long 

 

[The General]

I’m not reading unless it tells me what numbers to play for the next one?

 

[AcerFC]

I thought the WIRED article was interesting too. Not only did they cover this game's flaws, but, also the guy who cracked the code of scratchers tickets.

Thx for posting. Interesting stuff. 

 

[Dan Lambskin]

I thought the WIRED article was interesting too. Not only did they cover this game's flaws, but, also the guy who cracked the code of scratchers tickets.

This is a good one too - Video Poker

 

[pollardsvision]

This article aside, I'm trying figure out if "gaming the lottery" is possible in any other scenario. 

Not for me, but I work in a restaurant and before that, I had never thought about the lottery at all or even spent much time around people that played. Tons of people here love it though. The game they play most often is Pick 3 (with some Pick 4 mixed in). What's more, they think it can be beat. They keep notebooks, have systems, and swear some people are "good" at it. There are a few people that hit it with some frequency that they swear it can be beaten.

Am I taking crazy pills here? Pick 3 is a 50% house edge, right, unless my math off (1 in 1000 to win, yet a $1 winner only returns $500). Casino games have, what, a 5-10% house edge on most games? Nothing wrong with some informed wagering that involves some research and strategy. There's even entertainment value in the losses, assuming you keep it in check. I used to love a day at the track, and don't regret the money burned. But this lottery stuff just sounds insane.

It's no secret the lottery is in place to separate fools from their money, but I really never realized just how ridiculous this whole thing is. Or am I missing something?

 

[Dan Lambskin]

This article aside, I'm trying figure out if "gaming the lottery" is possible in any other scenario. 

Not for me, but I work in a restaurant and before that, I had never thought about the lottery at all or even spent much time around people that played. Tons of people here love it though. The game they play most often is Pick 3 (with some Pick 4 mixed in). What's more, they think it can be beat. They keep notebooks, have systems, and swear some people are "good" at it. There are a few people that hit it with some frequency that they swear it can be beaten.

Am I taking crazy pills here? Pick 3 is a 50% house edge, right, unless my math off (1 in 1000 to win, yet a $1 winner only returns $500). Casino games have, what, a 5-10% house edge on most games? Nothing wrong with some informed wagering that involves some research and strategy. There's even entertainment value in the losses, assuming you keep it in check. I used to love a day at the track, and don't regret the money burned. But this lottery stuff just sounds insane.

It's no secret the lottery is in place to separate fools from their money, but I really never realized just how ridiculous this whole thing is. Or am I missing something?

They’re idiots.  It’s 3 random numbers that are just as likely to come up as any other. They might win a lot because they play a lot

 

[Nigel]

They’re idiots.  It’s 3 random numbers that are just as likely to come up as any other. They might win a lot because they play a lot

I’ve seen people scribbling in notebooks at craps tables too. Even bigger idiots. 

 

[pollardsvision]

They’re idiots.  It’s 3 random numbers that are just as likely to come up as any other. They might win a lot because they play a lot

The other day, they all played 4-4-4 because somebody's notebook of research said that day was supposed to be 4-4-4. I spent the day trying to wrap my mind around the mental gymnastics that led to any of this. 

 

[Peyton Marino]

good read but I wish they would have gone into the details a little more