By getting quick picks, I don’t feel compelled to play every drawing. Have to agree, I likely win more when I don’t play than when I do. The big games are all $2 now.
Three things: 1. I might play to generate and justify the pleasant images of winning. 2. If you buy one ticket, the odds are, say, 200M to one; but if you buy 2 tickets, your odds drop to 100M to one, and if you buy four tickets, your odds drop to 50M to one… 3. If you buy one ticket, there are 199,999,999 others that might win instead of yours; but if you buy two tickets, there are 199,999,998 others that might win instead of yours, and if you buy four tickets, there are 199,999,996 others that might win instead of yours.
So I occasionally buy a ticket for 1., but don’t very often because of 3.
A few weeks ago I was waiting in line at a convenience store and the guy in front of me asked for either a PowerBall or MegaMillions ticket (which ever one was near 1 billion at the time) and said “Today I have more money than brains”, then he continued (with a grin) “the sad thing is the ticket is only $2 and I still have more money than brains”
Maybe Brutus wins a buck not buying a lottery ticket, but these days it probably costs him a buck or more in gas to drive Uncle Ted to the lottery store. Will he get that gas money back? So the saying goes money comes but it goes even faster.
I spend ten dollars a week on lottery tickets. Cigarettes are ten dollars a pack and I don’t smoke. I don’t drink either. I know that I’ve got a snowballs chance in Hell to win a big jackpot, but there’s aways a chance.
On the back… near the bottom… all one-armed-bandits… are legally obliged to display the average payout of that machine… 70%… Effectively… you give the machine your 100€… and it will promise to return 70€… Brutus is definitely a winner here…
I have a friend who only buys tickets when the the jackpot goes over $200M. I guess winning $150M isn’t worth the trouble. And no, I don’t play the lottery.
I’m with Brutus. The only time I buy a lottery ticket or a scratch off is at Christmas to add as stocking stuffers. Folks seem to enjoy them and sometimes one will be a winner, but that’s only the scratchers and those are small amounts. To my knowledge, none of the lottery tickets has been a winner for anyone except the people running the lottery…
Good ole’ Brutus Thornapple, the only guy I know that figures it is better to never try than to try and loose. I suppose that explains why he ended up with Mother Gargle as his MIL.
Some might see Brutus as a Born Loser today, but I don’t. He knows Uncle Ted lives alone and needs to get out sometimes. He could just as easily have asked Uncle Ted which ticket(s) he wanted and just picked them up on his way to Uncle Ted’s house. I hope they stop for a small meal or something, too. I also agree with Brutus’ theory on gambling, but we maybe should remember how tight his budget is. There probably isn’t a dollar left over each week for him to even consider throwing money away.
Sometimes I’ll comment on how big the lottery prize is, and my husband says, “Yes, but the winner will get taxed 50%.” I always say, “Yes, but the winner will still have more money than they would have had they not won.”
Good for you Brutus. Actually, the biggest danger begins with winning. Asking the winners is a good way of learning some good ideas to enact after winning. Besides, as Brutus referred to, weekly single dollars add up.
C over 2 years ago
The buck stops here
Wilde Bill over 2 years ago
Or as I used to say, “You can’t lose if you don’t play.”
GiantShetlandPony over 2 years ago
By getting quick picks, I don’t feel compelled to play every drawing. Have to agree, I likely win more when I don’t play than when I do. The big games are all $2 now.
mischugenah over 2 years ago
My grandpa used to say “The quickest way to double your money is to fold it in half and stick it back in your pocket.”
The dude from FL Premium Member over 2 years ago
WOW! Brutus made cents ( I know weak, but it’s all I had)
Zykoic over 2 years ago
Yes!
The Reader Premium Member over 2 years ago
Here’s a scary thought; I agree with Brutus!
GROG Premium Member over 2 years ago
My thoughts, exactly.
drycurt over 2 years ago
Three things: 1. I might play to generate and justify the pleasant images of winning. 2. If you buy one ticket, the odds are, say, 200M to one; but if you buy 2 tickets, your odds drop to 100M to one, and if you buy four tickets, your odds drop to 50M to one… 3. If you buy one ticket, there are 199,999,999 others that might win instead of yours; but if you buy two tickets, there are 199,999,998 others that might win instead of yours, and if you buy four tickets, there are 199,999,996 others that might win instead of yours.
So I occasionally buy a ticket for 1., but don’t very often because of 3.
mgl179 over 2 years ago
A few weeks ago I was waiting in line at a convenience store and the guy in front of me asked for either a PowerBall or MegaMillions ticket (which ever one was near 1 billion at the time) and said “Today I have more money than brains”, then he continued (with a grin) “the sad thing is the ticket is only $2 and I still have more money than brains”
JamesSweet over 2 years ago
Once I won $100 from Lotto. The next day I needed a muffler, costing $99. Talk about a “born loser”!
Skeptical Meg over 2 years ago
The lottery is a tax on people who can’t do math.
dcdete. over 2 years ago
Maybe Brutus wins a buck not buying a lottery ticket, but these days it probably costs him a buck or more in gas to drive Uncle Ted to the lottery store. Will he get that gas money back? So the saying goes money comes but it goes even faster.
e.groves over 2 years ago
I spend ten dollars a week on lottery tickets. Cigarettes are ten dollars a pack and I don’t smoke. I don’t drink either. I know that I’ve got a snowballs chance in Hell to win a big jackpot, but there’s aways a chance.
A Common 'tator over 2 years ago
On the back… near the bottom… all one-armed-bandits… are legally obliged to display the average payout of that machine… 70%… Effectively… you give the machine your 100€… and it will promise to return 70€… Brutus is definitely a winner here…
treutvid over 2 years ago
I have a friend who only buys tickets when the the jackpot goes over $200M. I guess winning $150M isn’t worth the trouble. And no, I don’t play the lottery.
Little Caesar over 2 years ago
Brutus… always a happy face.
Chris over 2 years ago
smart… but wouldn’t it be nice to have more then just a buck though.
manowarrior over 2 years ago
I don’t play the lottery.I go to casinos.most of the time I win at least 200 bucks.
Frank Salem Premium Member over 2 years ago
The odds of winning the lottery are about the same whether you have a ticker or not.
[Traveler] Premium Member over 2 years ago
To quote an old ad “you can’t win if you don’t enter”
boydjb47 over 2 years ago
or he could have said “every week I don’t spend $100 on lottery tickets and I win $100.” or any figure. (Bread and Circuses)
Just-me over 2 years ago
I’m with Brutus. The only time I buy a lottery ticket or a scratch off is at Christmas to add as stocking stuffers. Folks seem to enjoy them and sometimes one will be a winner, but that’s only the scratchers and those are small amounts. To my knowledge, none of the lottery tickets has been a winner for anyone except the people running the lottery…
Alberta Oil Premium Member over 2 years ago
That’s why I don’t buy those $100 tickets, have won now well over $25,000. Give me another couple of years and I can buy a new car with my winnings.
MuddyUSA Premium Member over 2 years ago
That is called the logic of Brutus…..kind of makes sense!
enigmamz over 2 years ago
“You can’t win if you don’t play! Then again, you can’t lose if you don’t play!”
Daltongang Premium Member over 2 years ago
Good ole’ Brutus Thornapple, the only guy I know that figures it is better to never try than to try and loose. I suppose that explains why he ended up with Mother Gargle as his MIL.
Brent Rosenthal Premium Member over 2 years ago
I would have thought that after getting hit by lightning after the time he won Uncle Ted would give up buying lottery tickets!
jconnors3954 over 2 years ago
That’s my theory on all gambling these days.
KEA over 2 years ago
good thinking
raybarb44 over 2 years ago
I like the man’s thinking…..
Moonkey Premium Member over 2 years ago
Some might see Brutus as a Born Loser today, but I don’t. He knows Uncle Ted lives alone and needs to get out sometimes. He could just as easily have asked Uncle Ted which ticket(s) he wanted and just picked them up on his way to Uncle Ted’s house. I hope they stop for a small meal or something, too. I also agree with Brutus’ theory on gambling, but we maybe should remember how tight his budget is. There probably isn’t a dollar left over each week for him to even consider throwing money away.
cuzinron47 over 2 years ago
He knows he is cursed.
mfrasca over 2 years ago
Thank you for keeping my taxes down. /s
Lola85 Premium Member over 2 years ago
Sometimes I’ll comment on how big the lottery prize is, and my husband says, “Yes, but the winner will get taxed 50%.” I always say, “Yes, but the winner will still have more money than they would have had they not won.”
Buckeye67 over 2 years ago
I hope more people don’t figure that out Brutus. If they do, the state lotteries will go broke and then the states will have to raise our taxes.
heathcliff2 over 2 years ago
Good for you Brutus. Actually, the biggest danger begins with winning. Asking the winners is a good way of learning some good ideas to enact after winning. Besides, as Brutus referred to, weekly single dollars add up.
Walter Parmantie Premium Member over 2 years ago
Lottery Ticket sales are a tax on stupidity.
gopher gofer over 2 years ago
whenever you feel like playing the lottery, just take some cash out and burn it…
paullp Premium Member over 2 years ago
Brutus is the Born Winner today!
Mary McNeil Premium Member over 2 years ago
And you won’t feel guilty if you spenc that dollar foolishly !
edeloriea14 about 2 years ago
If Brutus had a dollar for that remark, he’d be filthy rich.