are those poker players going to buy 30k tickets or what ever it was when mega was at 600+ million...

Arieh is looking for interest per twitter, but doubt they will do that many again.

If I win, I am starting a "Moving to Vegas with 100 Million, Can I make it?" thread.

Kind of a noob here, is the powerplay thing a no-brainer?

In the context that someone thinks that they would win $425m it is completely meaningless. What is the value of that annuity? $278.3m, but the morons that buy these tickets don't understand that.

It is a no-brainer to avoid purchasing the power play. The power play doesn't even affect the Jackpot, only the smaller payouts and you absolutely shouldn't be playing the lottery for the smaller payouts.

Just look at the payout table. As an example, if you buy a $2 ticket and match only the power ball you get $4 back. Thus you would need 1 in 2 odds for this to be a neutral investment (ignoring all other prize levels). With the power play option, you would spend $3, and get $12 back. So now, you only need 1 in 4 odds for this to be a neutral investment. That sounds great until you realize that your odds of hitting the powerball (and nothing else) are 1 in 55.41 (odds of winning any prize are 1 in 31.85). I would just say play for the jackpot and if you win something else that's gravy on top.

ok ty

I'd definitely stay anonymous if I won.

You wouldn't post in the BBV?

Some states, such as mine MN, you cannot remain anonymous.

And the $278 will be taxed at what? 45-55%?

yea taxes suck, ill let you know how much they take once i win.....

I would buy a nice house in Vegas, one in Denver, and buy Hooters and donate it to LVL.

I've always thought certain locations or whatever are due for a winning ticket like there's a 7/11 nearby that has had 3 lotto winners ....I would think buying a lotto ticket in some gas station in the middle of nowhere has a better shot at winning than buying one near a casino..... superstitious

I live on a border. One state you cannot be anonymous and one you can. Really need to cross the border and get the tickets from the non-publicity state. If I win as part of the group, the fiancee and I will probably stay where we are. If we win solely, we're outta here.

Depends on where you live due to if you have state taxes, too.

If you want to play, play.

I have a minor in math, and a Masters in Finance, and I started playing a few years ago, a few dollars a week.

My state allows anonymous claiming. I will set up a blind trust, pay the taxes, dissolve it, and keep it moving.

25% + your state rate, if any + your local rate, if any.

http://www.lottostrategies.com/scrip..._analysis.html

"A Dollar and a Dream" syndrome

I hope there are riots at gas stations in the hood. Much like on black friday where people get trampled underfoot at Wal-Mart and Target. This would bring me great joy.

Not if you can find someone who will buy the annuity from you for more than what the lottery offers. Don't just assume the installments are a bad deal. There are companies out there that buy annuities and someone just might give you more than $278.3M for your $425M annuity.

All part of why they tell people to go find a competent attorney and accountant before you show up to collect your winnings. Advice which I will surely ignore in my haste to hurry up and start living large on Thursday morning.

my luck if I took the installment option I would find out I only have six months to live

idk if they buy annuities that big, but even commercial annuities brokers only take 15-20 percent at the max.
you could probably will it to your family at least.

don't forget that you get to deduct previous losing lotto tickets.

"So you're saying there's a chance!"

the ROI investment for a winning ticket is massive... no where else you can get that equity play in the world outside of a lottery.

$1 - $425,000,000

Thanks to those increasing the money I'm going to win tomorrow.

Ummm i think your equity play is more like $1 = $ .50 . Still a good entertainment value while thinking about what to do with all those millions. Wife bought two tickets, so we have cut our odds in half!