Lottery price rise 'an unfair tax on the stupid'

[pErvinalia]

If you play the lottery with the expectation of winning the jackpot, you're an idiot. No ifs or buts.

You'd be better off by far to invest that money, $10 a week or whatever it is. In 30 years time you'll see a return of $100,000, probably more.

But 30 years is a long time, and I could be dead tomorrow. Besides which, I've already made arrangements so that I will have funds in 30 years time. (Mind you, thelefties Marxists keep trying to retax my already taxed wages, so saving is beginning to lose its attractions).

[Cormac]

I only buy a ticket when the astronomical chance of winning seems suitable recompense. Which is to say at least £14 million, any less than that is not respectable odds. Also I pick numbers randomly, the addiction thing starts with "lucky" numbers.

As probability indicates that any grouping of numbers has exactly the same chance of coming up at each draw, it is not clever to be sucked into "lucky numbers". That is where magical thinking comes into things. (And, in fact, it is similar thinking that has led Banking Regulation so far astray).

[Cormac]

If you play the lottery with the expectation of winning the jackpot, you're an idiot. No ifs or buts.

You'd be better off by far to invest that money, $10 a week or whatever it is. In 30 years time you'll see a return of $100,000, probably more.

But 30 years is a long time, and I could be dead tomorrow. Besides which, I've already made arrangements so that I will have funds in 30 years time. (Mind you, thelefties Marxists keep trying to retax my already taxed wages, so saving is beginning to lose its attractions).

:fixed:

Let me put is another way:

The unrealistic, irrational, envious, and economically ignorant keep trying to retax my already taxed wages. And not just trying - but actually doing it.

[Svartalf]

I only buy a ticket when the astronomical chance of winning seems suitable recompense. Which is to say at least £14 million, any less than that is not respectable odds. Also I pick numbers randomly, the addiction thing starts with "lucky" numbers.

As probability indicates that any grouping of numbers has exactly the same chance of coming up at each draw, it is not clever to be sucked into "lucky numbers". That is where magical thinking comes into things. (And, in fact, it is similar thinking that has led Banking Regulation so far astray).

If I'm going to play against astronomical odds, a bit of magical thinking is not that bad... it enhances the dream.

[JimC]

I only buy a ticket when the astronomical chance of winning seems suitable recompense. Which is to say at least £14 million, any less than that is not respectable odds. Also I pick numbers randomly, the addiction thing starts with "lucky" numbers.

We have a "Quickpick" system, where I can buy a ticket containing 18 sequences of randomly generated numbers...

[Cormac]

I only buy a ticket when the astronomical chance of winning seems suitable recompense. Which is to say at least £14 million, any less than that is not respectable odds. Also I pick numbers randomly, the addiction thing starts with "lucky" numbers.

As probability indicates that any grouping of numbers has exactly the same chance of coming up at each draw, it is not clever to be sucked into "lucky numbers". That is where magical thinking comes into things. (And, in fact, it is similar thinking that has led Banking Regulation so far astray).

If I'm going to play against astronomical odds, a bit of magical thinking is not that bad... it enhances the dream.

[Cormac]

I only buy a ticket when the astronomical chance of winning seems suitable recompense. Which is to say at least £14 million, any less than that is not respectable odds. Also I pick numbers randomly, the addiction thing starts with "lucky" numbers.

We have a "Quickpick" system, where I can buy a ticket containing 18 sequences of randomly generated numbers...

Me too.

[klr]

Ah, but how do you know they're "randomly generated"?

[Gawdzilla Sama]

The most fun I ever had with the lottery here was choosing six numbers at random, writing them down on a piece of paper and then watching to see if they came up (without buying the ticket..).

And if they did come up, you'd have to shoot yourself, right?

Well at the very least a game of Russian roulette!

What are the odds you'd win?

[HomerJay]

The most fun I ever had with the lottery here was choosing six numbers at random, writing them down on a piece of paper and then watching to see if they came up (without buying the ticket..).

And if they did come up, you'd have to shoot yourself, right?

A friend of mine uses the random quick pick purely for this reason - if he used the same numbers every time and they came up when he forgot to buy a ticket he'd jump.

[Audley Strange]

The most fun I ever had with the lottery here was choosing six numbers at random, writing them down on a piece of paper and then watching to see if they came up (without buying the ticket..).

And if they did come up, you'd have to shoot yourself, right?

A friend of mine uses the random quick pick purely for this reason - if he used the same numbers every time and they came up when he forgot to buy a ticket he'd jump.

Yep that's how THEY get ye.

To be honest though I think the government should make it a fiver and purloin 3/4 of it. If the plebs have that much money to fritter away on fantasies it could be put to better use for the dumb bastards, like a new tyre swing or fresh hay in their council estates.

[Coito ergo sum]

If you play the lottery with the expectation of winning the jackpot, you're an idiot. No ifs or buts.

You'd be better off by far to invest that money, $10 a week or whatever it is. In 30 years time you'll see a return of $100,000, probably more.

But 30 years is a long time, and I could be dead tomorrow. Besides which, I've already made arrangements so that I will have funds in 30 years time. (Mind you, the lefties keep trying to retax my already taxed wages, so saving is beginning to lose its attractions).

We're entering an age where the Aesop's fable of the Grasshopper and the Ant has many people, particularly those identifying themselves as on the left, thinking the ant is the one that needs to learn a lesson.

[Coito ergo sum]

Let me put is another way:

The unrealistic, irrational, envious, and economically ignorant keep trying to retax my already taxed wages. And not just trying - but actually doing it.

But...the only reason you were able to save for a rainy day is because you were lucky, born with advantage and privilege, and/or you took advantage of those less fortunate or less able than you. Therefore, fairness and justice dictate that you give yours up. One would have to be stupid or meanspirited to think otherwise.

[MrJonno]

Well at 14 million to 1 that's by far my best chance and most other people's of ever being rich. (its also coincidentally roughly the same chance of being murdered) as long as playing doesn't increase your chances of being very poor not sure what the problem is with it.

Through I wouldnt be surprised if doubling the price will half the number of people playing (and half the jackpot)

[Coito ergo sum]

If they'd concentrate less on lotteries and television, and more on something industrious, they'd might improve their odds...