Powerball
- Thread starter Merlin99
- Start date
This is more than the GNP of many small nations.
Larry Gude
Strung Out
And there it talk that Brice Harpers contract is gonna end up being near a billion. We live in a loony bin.
I heard a little tidbit this morning that only about 54-55% of all the possible combinations of numbers had been selected.
Somebody in Berlin, MD matched 5 for a cool $1M.
Somebody in Berlin, MD matched 5 for a cool $1M.
Larry Gude
Strung Out
That's interesting.
Larry Gude
Strung Out
Wonder how much it would cost to have bought all the rest of the possible combinations?
GWguy
*
Wonder how much it would cost to have bought all the rest of the possible combinations?
Well, the odds of winning are 1 in 292,201,338. Take roughly half of that, times the price of a single ticket.
Larry Gude
Strung Out
Hmmm...So, it costs about $300,000,000 to win the lottery.
Wonder if the bank would float me $300 mil so I can rake in $1.5 bil next week?
Wonder how much it would cost to have bought all the rest of the possible combinations?
With 292 million possible combinations, 46% not selected, leaves 134.32 million not selected, at $2 a pop, that would give you a cost of $268.64 million. Now the real question would be, who has the time and energy to fill out the cards to ensure that you have all of the selections covered?
GWguy
*
With 292 million possible combinations, 46% not selected, leaves 134.32 million not selected, at $2 a pop, that would give you a cost of $268.64 million. Now the real question would be, who has the time and energy to fill out the cards to ensure that you have all of the selections covered?
I would not doubt there are organized factions that hire people to do just that.
But there aren't any powerball machines in China, are there?
Larry Gude
Strung Out
Right but once a combination is gone, it's gone, right? So, you'd have to buy them ALL before a single one was sold to Jane or Joe?
GWguy
*
No. Multiple people can have the same numbers, and share the winnings.
Nope, everyone playing could have the same combination and split the jackpot.
Larry Gude
Strung Out
Ok, so, there goes that great idea and thus the magic poison pill that would prevent anyone from bothering.
