CA lotto is $355,000,000 what would you buy??

[Joe in PA]

Why would I say that? Because gambling is for those who do not understand statistics & probability. Someone doesn't necessarily win every week and that is the reason the jackpot is currently so high.

That $3k would have been better donated straight to a needy family or elderly person instead of being used to feed the gov't bureaucracy known as the lottery system.

[Rydis]

Originally Posted by Setec Astronomy

I never really understood the "gambling as entertainment" argument. You say "it's not like you lost much of anything" but it sounds to me like you lost $3100. I'd rather have $3100 dollars worth of detailing supplies or pretty much anything rather than $3100 of paper in the recycling bin.

I'm one of the few people who lives in NJ who's never been to AC (or Lost Wages, for that matter). I'm not hating on you, I have been known to buy a scratch-off once in a while, but now that I think of it I haven't done that for a while either...since that time I bought one and waited so long to scratch it that the game was over and I had to mail my ticket in to get my $5 check from the state...which I then felt I had to claim on my income taxes...

I never said gamble for entertainment. Not like this is craps or roulette. 3100 worth of detailing supplies over 60 years..probably wouldn't do much good. Sure..anyone would rather take the 3100 now..but 3100 over 60 years..isn't really anything. And thats only if youplay every week. 52 dollars a year isn't even much. But heh..tell that to the two people who just won 177 million dollars.

Will I ever win..probably not..but I think 20-30 a year is good enough risk vs reward for the odds.

Originally Posted by Joe in PA

Why would I say that? Because gambling is for those who do not understand statistics & probability. Someone doesn't necessarily win every week and that is the reason the jackpot is currently so high.

That $3k would have been better donated straight to a needy family or elderly person instead of being used to feed the gov't bureaucracy known as the lottery system.

Your a very ignornant person. We all know what happens when people "assume". Ive taken my share of statistic classes, and im sure a majority of the people that play know what the statistics and odds are. Saying some is a loser because they dont understand just because they dont agree with you is cocky and ignorant.

For most people, the risk for the odds is worth it to them, because the risk is extremely little. Its 3100 over 60 years..people dont spend this money right away..everyone would call them foolish. But hey..you can go to a auto car wash like anyone else and donate your AG purchases to a needy family or elderly person instead.

[Joe in PA]

You might want to read the forum rules before attacking anyone on a personal level.

You also might want to reread my original post as well. I didn't call anyone a loser for playing the lottery, I said I would buy a statistic book for each person who purchased a ticket and didn't win. If you play and don't win, you have lost and that is the manner in which I used the word loser. Continue to play if you want to and maybe one day you might even win. Probability is you won't and each ticket you purchase which doesn't pay out is indeed a losing ticket.

[Rydis]

Originally Posted by Joe in PA

You might want to read the forum rules before attacking anyone on a personal level.

You also might want to reread my original post as well. I didn't call anyone a loser for playing the lottery, I said I would buy a statistic book for each person who purchased a ticket and didn't win. If you play and don't win, you have lost and that is the manner in which I used the word loser. Continue to play if you want to and maybe one day you might even win. Probability is you won't and each ticket you purchase which doesn't pay out is indeed a losing ticket.

you might want to reread your post. If thats what you meant..you want to want reword it than. Because it says "for each loser who purchased a ticket". Not for each person who lost player, each person who played and was a loser, or each losing ticket.

nothing bad about calling someone ignorant either..its not an insult, appreciate the try though thanks!

[Joe in PA]

By definition, anyone who purchases a lottery ticket that doesn't pay out, is indeed a loser. That is not necessary the insult you wish to make it out to be but a simple statement of the fact that they gambled and failed to win. My original post was also not directed to you personally, nor was it a personal attack. However, calling me out as both ignorant and cocky for daring to state an opinion is indeed a personal attack.

You take me to task for supposedly assuming something about you in a post that in no way made any reference to you. Do you even see the irony in the your having made an assumption about my original post that is completely wrong? Probably not but that's ok too.

[Matt S.]

Can we stop arguing like children? I mean, is this really a topic suited for heated discussion? If you guys want to buy lottery tickets or not, that's your personal choice. You're not going to change anyone's views on gambling by arguing over the internet, so chill out and save the heated debate for PMs.

[Mazda.Mark]

Originally Posted by matt@autogeek.net

Can we stop arguing like children? I mean, is this really a topic suited for heated discussion? If you guys want to buy lottery tickets or not, that's your personal choice. You're not going to change anyone's views on gambling by arguing over the internet, so chill out and save the heated debate for PMs.

[jimmyjam]

Sorry about the up stir. My intention was not to raise a heated debate, but a thread others would enjoy. At work, we talk about what we would do or buy whenever the jackpot gets big, so I thought it would be fun to hear other members dreams. We all have dreams either for the lottery or the lover we never had, whatever the case we all have the right to dream!

[Matt S.]

I never had a problem with the original thread topic. I think it's a great idea for off-topic discussion. I just don't think this thread needs to turn into a heated discussion with insults flying around - there's simply no need for it and it will not be tolerated. So let's get back on topic and instead of discussing how dumb or intelligent one is for buying lottery tickets, what would YOU do if $355 million landed in your lap?

[Pristine Image]

Originally Posted by jimmyjam

Sorry about the up stir. My intention was not to raise a heated debate, but a thread others would enjoy. At work, we talk about what we would do or buy whenever the jackpot gets big, so I thought it would be fun to hear other members dreams. We all have dreams either for the lottery or the lover we never had, whatever the case we all have the right to dream!

To be honest I wouldn't do anything extravagent. I would pay off my family's two cars, the house, and student loans. I'd buy my brother's family a house and pay off their debt and pay off my parent's debt. I'd do the same for my wife's parents and sister.I wouldn't move to a larger house, I woudn't buy a Mercedes. I rather just take vacations whenever and wherever with my family. I'd also probably keep working just to keep sane and for the most part my job is usually interesting. Heck, I'll be going to Gabon, Africa late February to work on an offshore platform for two weeks. Overall, I wouldn't want to move to a large mansion, drive fancy cars, and become a target for an ever increasing population of thieves and criminals.