about to buy $100 in scratch-offs

Maverick2002

Diamond Member
Jul 22, 2000
4,694
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this is something I've been wanting to do for a while to celebrate my new job but I couldn't during the first two months because of moving expenses (and buying new crap). anyway, I want to drop $100 on scratch off tickets for fun. is there any "strategy" to doing this? I was thinking of doing $20 per gas station in a couple different neighborhoods.

anyone done anything like this before?
 

Pacemaker

Golden Member
Jul 13, 2001
1,184
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A good strategy would be to throw 20 dollars in the trash and keep the rest. This will probably save you money.

As for doing it for fun, I'd rather spend 100 bucks on something else.
 

Maverick2002

Diamond Member
Jul 22, 2000
4,694
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Originally posted by: Pacemaker
A good strategy would be to throw 20 dollars in the trash and keep the rest. This will probably save you money.

As for doing it for fun, I'd rather spend 100 bucks on something else.

that wasn't my question, and good for you
 

JTsyo

Lifer
Nov 18, 2007
12,020
1,129
126
It's probably more fun to blow it in a casino than scratch offs. As for the question, since it's random there isn't a right strategy.
 

rudeguy

Lifer
Dec 27, 2001
47,351
14
61
just flush $100 down the toilet.

I got addicted to the $10 scratchies during Christmas time....that got expensive
 

OdiN

Banned
Mar 1, 2000
16,430
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Don't get less than 3 (in multiples really) of one kind at any place. 1 in 3 should be a winner...even though it may just be a free play.

Otherwise you could get one of a type but at bunches of places.

I predict you will lose money, esp. after you figure in the gas you're spending driving around to different places to buy tickets.
 

KeithTalent

Elite Member | Administrator | No Lifer
Administrator
Nov 30, 2005
50,231
118
116
I'd rather spend $75 on booze and $25 on steak to celebrate. I think sratching card after card without winning anything would actually get kind of depressing.

Good luck though! :beer:

KT
 

OdiN

Banned
Mar 1, 2000
16,430
3
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You guys are all gonna be eating crow when he comes in tomorrow and is like "I WON $250,000 PLAYING SCRATCHERS!"
 

Maverick2002

Diamond Member
Jul 22, 2000
4,694
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Originally posted by: OdiN
Don't get less than 3 (in multiples really) of one kind at any place. 1 in 3 should be a winner...even though it may just be a free play.

Otherwise you could get one of a type but at bunches of places.

I predict you will lose money, esp. after you figure in the gas you're spending driving around to different places to buy tickets.

I've done $10-20 in the past before and it's been pretty close to the 1:4 odds listed per card, so statistically if I really don't win jack I should only lose about $75.

However, I've had better luck with $5-10 ones rather than the $1 ones ... which seem kind of pointless to begin with.

Seriously, stop trying to discourage me. I'm doing it for fun. Getting hosed 3x at a bar will lose you just as much. It doesn't matter.
 

IceBergSLiM

Lifer
Jul 11, 2000
29,932
3
81
Dude, I worked at a deli/convenient store in college....people would come in and buy 50-100 in tickets all the time(they would spend 200+ per week) and not win a dime. Those things are the biggest scam.
 

Pacemaker

Golden Member
Jul 13, 2001
1,184
2
0
Originally posted by: Maverick2002
Originally posted by: Pacemaker
A good strategy would be to throw 20 dollars in the trash and keep the rest. This will probably save you money.

As for doing it for fun, I'd rather spend 100 bucks on something else.

that wasn't my question, and good for you

A strange game. The only winning move is not to play. How about a nice game of chess?
 

IceBergSLiM

Lifer
Jul 11, 2000
29,932
3
81
Originally posted by: Maverick2002
Originally posted by: OdiN
Don't get less than 3 (in multiples really) of one kind at any place. 1 in 3 should be a winner...even though it may just be a free play.

Otherwise you could get one of a type but at bunches of places.

I predict you will lose money, esp. after you figure in the gas you're spending driving around to different places to buy tickets.

I've done $10-20 in the past before and it's been pretty close to the 1:4 odds listed per card, so statistically if I really don't win jack I should only lose about $75.

However, I've had better luck with $5-10 ones rather than the $1 ones ... which seem kind of pointless to begin with.

Seriously, stop trying to discourage me. I'm doing it for fun. Getting hosed 3x at a bar will lose you just as much. It doesn't matter.

yeah getting drunk is an entire evening of fun. Scratching paper for 15 minutes is gay.
 

acheron

Diamond Member
May 27, 2008
3,171
2
81
There's no "strategy". If you're going to do this, might as well just buy them all at the same place and save the gas.
 

OdiN

Banned
Mar 1, 2000
16,430
3
0
Originally posted by: IcebergSlim
Dude, I worked at a deli/convenient store in college....people would come in and buy 50-100 in tickets all the time(they would spend 200+ per week) and not win a dime. Those things are the biggest scam.

I get some at the bowling alley once and awhile.

Last time I spent $3 and won $24
 

buck

Lifer
Dec 11, 2000
12,273
4
81
Originally posted by: Pacemaker
Originally posted by: Maverick2002
Originally posted by: Pacemaker
A good strategy would be to throw 20 dollars in the trash and keep the rest. This will probably save you money.

As for doing it for fun, I'd rather spend 100 bucks on something else.

that wasn't my question, and good for you

A strange game. The only winning move is not to play. How about a nice game of chess?

Sounds like pacemaker needs attention....


Good for you OP, have fun with it. I have no advice but keep the post updated for shits and giggles.
 

geno

Lifer
Dec 26, 1999
25,074
4
0
I knew someone who knew someone who bought an entire roll for something like $1600 and ended up with over 2 million in winnings.
 

Jeff7

Lifer
Jan 4, 2001
41,596
19
81
Use the same strategy you use in any other game that involves random chance. :p

If there raelly was a working strategy, the discoverer would be winning the lottery every single day, and he'd probably own all of Las Vegas as well.

 

buck

Lifer
Dec 11, 2000
12,273
4
81
Originally posted by: geno
I knew someone who knew someone who bought an entire roll for something like $1600 and ended up with over 2 million in winnings.

shens...
 

Capt Caveman

Lifer
Jan 30, 2005
34,543
651
126
I believe scratch cards have the highest winning percentage out of any of the lottery offerings. Most are 1/3 or 1/4 winners but the most of those winnings are the value of the scratch card itself.