Normally I Don't Play
By Jim Bauer
@porwest (78761)
United States
January 19, 2023 6:10pm CST
In the state of Illinois there is a little lottery called the Lucky Day Lottery. It starts at $100,000 and goes up from there every time there is not a winner. Sometimes it gets over $1 million, but it is rare.
It's $1 per ticket.
I normally won't play it until it gets around $500,000 or so since if I win, after taxes I will get around $300,000.
Not life changing money by any means, but still a nice windfall.
But right now it is sitting at $400,000 and I thought, what the hell? Just get one. I mean, it's only $240,000 if I win. But I am sure I can find a use for that money. Plus, because it is a smaller lottery, it has better odds than any other one does.
So, who knows?
I think it is worth the buck to play for $240,000 cash out of a $400,000 prize. Don't you?
13 people like this
13 responses
@porwest (78761)
• United States
20 Jan 23
I am right there with you. I have heard people say similar things. "I won't play unless it's big money." But $1 million is $1 million, and it would sure help. People are funny. lol.
I have said similar things. $20 million reset on the Powerball? Nah.
It's probably one thing I DO say that is actually ridiculous. lol
Don't comment on my latter statement. I am sure you have a different opinion. 
3 people like this
@thislittlepennyearns (58134)
• Defuniak Springs, Florida
20 Jan 23
I haven't bought a lottery ticket in years
3 people like this
@Tampa_girl7 (48929)
• United States
20 Jan 23
I hope that you’re the lucky winner.
2 people like this
@DaddyEvil (137145)
• United States
20 Jan 23
Sometimes you're too funny, Porwest... To anyone else, $300,000 IS life changing. (I still wouldn't play, because the odds are against a person winning. *shrug*)
I wouldn't object to Pretty spending a buck to play, but she looks at lotteries the same way I do. I can find a use for that dollar...2 people like this
@porwest (78761)
• United States
21 Jan 23
Well, the thing is, if I can't retire completely on $300,000, it won't change much of what someone has to do now. I am not going to complain about it. But even $1 million isn't enough to retire on these days. lol
As for the money I spend on lottery, it's not money I need for something else, so I don't fret over spending it...just in case the stars align perfectly for me to offer up a big loot.
I remember having $9,000 in the bank many, many moons ago and I thought I was filthy rich. That would terrify me to have that in the bank right now. lol
@andriaperry (116860)
• Anniston, Alabama
20 Jan 23
$100,000 would change my life right now.
2 people like this
@quantum2020 (12040)
• Ciudad De Mexico, Mexico
20 Jan 23
It´s worth if you win. I´ve never brought a lottery ticket. The chances of me winning the lottery is one in a million or more. The reason I don´t play the lottery is that I don´t like the sensations; internal and mental, that it provokes. I don´t imagine what my life would be with so much money
1 person likes this
@porwest (78761)
• United States
2 Feb 23
For me it comes down to one simple thing. It costs $1 or $2 depending on which one I choose to play. It could be worth millions. I probably won't win. But I COULD win. And I can't win if I don't play. $1 or $2 is a drop in the bucket and I won't go broke playing...
So, I might as well toss a chance into the hat.
@cherriefic (10400)
• Philippines
20 Jan 23
Yes it is. Imagine, a $1 ticket for $250,000, not bad at all!
1 person likes this
@cherriefic (10400)
• Philippines
21 Jan 23
@porwest Who knows, you might end up getting the jackpot. I like lottery and other forms of gambling who donates to people in case I didn't win.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118435)
• Gainesville, Florida
21 Jan 23
I've been thinking more and more about this lottery thing. I rarely ever play, except for when Powerball gets up into the ridiculously high figures, as it has been lately. Then I get excited and buy a ticket. But the odds of winning are incredibly stacked against us, so I just become another sucker like everyone else. But the smaller lotteries, such as at the state level, and with lower jackpots, actually have higher odds of winning. So why don't I play those more? Is it greed? Do the dollar signs just dance in my head when Powerball gets to 1 billion? Sadly, I don't even need or want that much money. I'd be much happier and better off winning a smaller lottery, where I take home amounts similar to what you expressed above. So now I'm re-thinking my strategy. Maybe I will start playing our state lottery much more frequently now.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118435)
• Gainesville, Florida
24 Jan 23
@porwest Well of course you’re not going to win with that attitude! Lol. You have to have the mindset that you’re going to hit the jackpot every time you play. The power of posit thinking and all that crap.
1 person likes this
@porwest (78761)
• United States
27 Jan 23
@moffittjc Hmm. Maybe I should try this out. If it is any consolation I often to do the math to see what I'd get after taxes so I can dream-plan. lol
1 person likes this
@porwest (78761)
• United States
23 Jan 23
Generally speaking, a lot of the time when it comes to any lottery I tend to play more when the pots are higher. It's a ridiculous thing, but for whatever reason that's just my mindset.
But yeah, we're all suckers. You are right. But one sucker wins. lol
As for not needing $1 billion? In my world there is no such as too much money. I want it all and as much of it as I can get my grubby hands on.
But I do like playing the state only one sometimes a bit more since I am only competing against those playing within the state and not several others. The odds are indeed better. But odds are I will still not be the one who wins. lol
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (156067)
• United States
20 Jan 23
$240,000 will help pay for that medical insurance when you retire early!
1 person likes this
