florbeach9
florbeach9
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Joined: Jan 9, 2023
January 9th, 2023 at 2:18:13 PM permalink
Hello all.

I would like to know what the odd of getting the same bonus number 3 times on a 10 pick Mega Millions ticket.

Every time I spend $20 and get 10 on one ticket, I get 3 of the same bonus numbers.

The last 3 times i have had quick pick tickets for $20.00, I have seen the same bonus number 3 times on each one.

What are the odds?

The only thing I know is that when I get 3 of the same bonus numbers on a ticket, that bonus number is definitely not coming up.

I have the tickets for proof.

Thanks.
avianrandy
avianrandy
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January 9th, 2023 at 3:08:45 PM permalink
O idea what the odds are,but a coworker mentioned the same thing. I told her next time tell them you want x number of chances on the mega millions,but not on the same ticket. It is a computer program which is only infallible as the person who wrote it. X being the number of tickets you want in your case 10. Good luck in winning the jackpot and who gave you this advice if you win lol
BillHasRetired
BillHasRetired
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Joined: May 7, 2022
January 9th, 2023 at 9:41:20 PM permalink
Quote: avianrandy

O idea what the odds are,but a coworker mentioned the same thing. I told her next time tell them you want x number of chances on the mega millions,but not on the same ticket. It is a computer program which is only infallible as the person who wrote it. X being the number of tickets you want in your case 10. Good luck in winning the jackpot and who gave you this advice if you win lol
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There's another reason to do that: the small wins shaft you in taxes.

Suppose, for example, that you play ten bux per drawing, and enter all 104 drawings. That's $1040 dollars (ironic) You get a single ticket each drawing, which means that all five lines are on the ticket. One of them wins the bonus, a $2 win. You have $8 in losses. Say this happens every drawing (unlikely, but go with me here). You have $208 in winnings, but $832 in losses. Thing is, the seller has to hang onto the ticket to document that it was a winner (I've heard this explanation from an operator) So, you don't have the losing ticket to document your lottery losses.

Then you get a 1200 W-2G and can't lay it off against your casino losses, because you lack documentation....but you have your lottery tickets....oh. You could have reduced your 1200 win by 832, leaving $362 to be taxed.

This is where folks point out that wins are on the 'front side' of the 1040 and losses are in Schedule A, a 'back-side' of the 1040, and most people won't be able to deduct losses because they don't meet the standard deduction. I know. I'm talking theory here, that wins and losses should offset.

I know we're talking dinky bux, but it's the theory. Plus, you never know when you're going to be looking at every scrap of paper come April 10, looking for a lifeline.
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