# Fuck scratch-off lottery tickets **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 6, 2015, 7:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-scratch-off-lottery-tickets/733693 "2015-10-06T07:35:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Lacunae\_Matata](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8491ac/32.png) [@Lacunae\_Matata](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lacunae_Matata)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2015, 8:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-scratch-off-lottery-tickets/733693/21 "2015-10-06T08:26:15Z")
If you’re serious? I knew/of two people with serious gambling problems. My uncle died, leaving my aunt with nothing, thanks to his late-in-life fascination with scratch-offs. My aunt is now 83, with nothing except a small Social Security pension and a crappy house with land and rising taxes that threaten her ability to support herself in even a modest way. And my husband’s ex-wife forced him/them to file for bankruptcy, because the next ticket was gonna hit big. It never did. After six years of marriage, my husband and I have helped him establish enough credit to keep a small charge card and hold a small mortgage. The ex-wife moved to a different state, where a casino has now garnished her wages due to gambling debts. But she apparently still believes that the next ticket, or nickel in the slot, or whatever she plays now, will be her deliverance. (And, before the bankruptcy? She gambled away a half-million, took out a second a third mortgage on the house, and finally embezzled money from a social group - felony amounts, but she got lucky and avoided prosecution.) If your question is serious? Do the math. Lottos don’t stay in business because the house loses. ---
**Author:** ![brovolone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a88e4f/32.png) [@brovolone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brovolone)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2015, 8:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-scratch-off-lottery-tickets/733693/22 "2015-10-06T08:30:37Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > He’s decided that he’s another **Snowboarder Bo** , and this lame joke from a thread about plurals is going to be his qarry-esque catchphrase. It’s quarry, ffs Throw yourself in it. Take me with you. I dug two graves down there. We can be neighbors. ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2015, 8:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-scratch-off-lottery-tickets/733693/23 "2015-10-06T08:33:38Z")
> [@brovolone](#): > > So what you’re saying is that the lottery exists today because people are fools. Hard to say. Many people like gambling because they find it entertaining. I believe at least a substantial number of - but not all - people when they say that. Gambling for this reason is not inherently foolish, assuming the people who do this understand the price they are paying and consider it good value. Other people gamble because they think they will win. This makes them fools by at least one definition. You can adopt the perspective that the human brain’s ability to accurately assess probability is deeply flawed, and it is unkind to call people fools for being the way they were born. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2015, 8:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-scratch-off-lottery-tickets/733693/24 "2015-10-06T08:37:12Z")
> [@brovolone](#): > > I’m not going to buy anymore scratch-offs, but I’m curious to know if there’s a more promising technique to buying these things. Use my plan for winning the lottery jackpot. I don’t buy any tickets. I plan on finding the winning ticket lying on the sidewalk. You might think my plan is unrealistic. But in actuality, the odds of winning the jackpot are so astronomically bad that not buying a ticket doesn’t make them all that much worse. ---
**Author:** ![brovolone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a88e4f/32.png) [@brovolone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brovolone)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2015, 8:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-scratch-off-lottery-tickets/733693/25 "2015-10-06T08:46:27Z")
> [@Princhester](#): > > Hard to say. Many people like gambling because they find it entertaining. I believe at least a substantial number of - but not all - people when they say that. Gambling for this reason is not inherently foolish, assuming the people who do this understand the price they are paying and consider it good value. > > Other people gamble because they think they will win. This makes them fools by at least one definition. You can adopt the perspective that the human brain’s ability to accurately assess probability is deeply flawed, and it is unkind to call people fools for being the way they were born. Hold’em player here, and only halfway decent. The reason I like to play Hold’em is not for the money, but because it’s fun. You have somewhat of an idea of what you can do with the cards you’re dealt. I’m drawing a flush, so there’s x probability of hitting this flush if not outright on the flop, still this chance on the turn, and river. Play by assessing the full scheme of things and enjoy. Scratch-offs are like slot machines. I look at people playing slot machines and all I can think is “wtf are they doing?” and every time I see someone buying scratch-offs, I think, WTF ARE THEY DOING? So I guess the question is… wtf was I doing? Being a fool is what I was doing. Fuck scratch-offs. Thinking I’d make at least $10 back was outright stupid. BUT SERIOUSLY… ONLY $2? Reparations demanded!!! The least the scratch-off makers could do is make them scratch-n-sniff. Give them the same aroma that’d be stained on your skin after boinking a hooker… cigarette butts and Sweet Pea by Bath and Body Works, the universal smell of bad mistakes. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2015, 8:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-scratch-off-lottery-tickets/733693/26 "2015-10-06T08:46:39Z")
> [@Rigamarole](#): > > Well in any case, I hope next time you scratch off three avocdae in a row. > [@brovolone](#): > > It’s avocadae, ffs. Let’s call the whole thing off. ---
**Author:** ![Locrian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/locrian/32/14146_2.png) [@Locrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Locrian)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2015, 8:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-scratch-off-lottery-tickets/733693/27 "2015-10-06T08:51:31Z")
I think betting, in general, is just a bad thing for most people, fools or not. Hell, even I buy the two scratchers thinking I have a really good chance of winning an extra $100. I know I don’t. Hell, the odds are written on the ticket. How about all the people who fall for the half point thingy in sports betting? That brings in more bets automatically. And our scratchers are based on things we like-- poker, crosswords, Wheel Of Fortune… ---
**Author:** ![brovolone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a88e4f/32.png) [@brovolone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brovolone)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2015, 8:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-scratch-off-lottery-tickets/733693/28 "2015-10-06T08:52:42Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > Let’s call the whole thing off. No. Cochrane. If that’s even your name. Just no calling anything off, ever. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2015, 9:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-scratch-off-lottery-tickets/733693/29 "2015-10-06T09:15:35Z")
> [@brovolone](#): > > No. Cochrane. If that’s even your name. > Just no calling anything off, ever. You say “to-may-to,” I say “to-mah-to.” You say “po-tay-to,” I say “po-tah-to.” Let’s call the whole thing a whoosh! And get off my lawn. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2015, 9:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-scratch-off-lottery-tickets/733693/30 "2015-10-06T09:34:44Z")
Here’s a way to gamble on becoming a millionaire that has **no risk of losing your original stake** : Premium Bonds I win something every month. 🆒 The difference between this and a lottery is simple: - Premium Bonds are the UK Government borrowing our money and paying us tax-free interest in the form of prizes up to £1,000,000 ($1,520,000) - Lotteries are private companies making a guaranteed profit (e.g. The UK National Lottery only pays out 50% of income as prizes) Which is better for you - an expected **profit** of 1.35% or an expected **loss** of 50%? ---
**Author:** ![GreenElf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@GreenElf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreenElf)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2015, 9:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-scratch-off-lottery-tickets/733693/31 "2015-10-06T09:34:58Z")
As bad as the odds are for scratch-offs, they’re better than for the lottery tickets, probably because a greater % of winners aren’t cashed due to incorrect play or invalidation of the ticket. If you can hold your losses to a reasonable amount, it’s not a bad way to give yourself a chance at being rich. If you buy just one or two $1-$5 each grocery/gas trip, that’s a lot less money spent than a few hours at a slot machine. ---
**Author:** ![brovolone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a88e4f/32.png) [@brovolone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brovolone)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2015, 9:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-scratch-off-lottery-tickets/733693/32 "2015-10-06T09:39:05Z")
> [@glee](#): > > Here’s a way to gamble on becoming a millionaire that has **no risk of losing your original stake** : > > Premium Bonds > > I win something every month. 🆒 > > The difference between this and a lottery is simple: > > - Premium Bonds are the UK Government borrowing our money and paying us tax-free interest in the form of prizes up to £1,000,000 ($1,520,000) > - Lotteries are private companies making a guaranteed profit (e.g. The UK National Lottery only pays out 50% of income as prizes) > > Which is better for you - an expected **profit** of 1.35% or an expected **loss** of 50%? How long have you been doing this? ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2015, 10:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-scratch-off-lottery-tickets/733693/33 "2015-10-06T10:45:48Z")
The saddest thing about people who buy scratchers is their inability to comprehend exactly how stacked in favour of the house their tickets can really be. When you buy into a numbers lottery, you COULD win the big prize, just get the right number. But the scratchers are different. They keep selling the tickets until they are all sold. Even though all of the large prize amounts were won last week! Yep, they just keep selling those tickets, till they’re gone! Think about that the next time you’re inclined to purchase some scratchers. Lotteries are just a way for them to tax your day dreams! But, before you play, at least make some effort to understand how the damn thing works! ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2015, 10:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-scratch-off-lottery-tickets/733693/34 "2015-10-06T10:52:19Z")
You didn’t play enough then, just buy some more. ---
**Author:** ![brovolone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a88e4f/32.png) [@brovolone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brovolone)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2015, 10:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-scratch-off-lottery-tickets/733693/35 "2015-10-06T10:57:53Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > The saddest thing about people who buy scratchers is their inability to comprehend exactly how stacked in favour of the house their tickets can really be. > > When you buy into a numbers lottery, you COULD win the big prize, just get the right number. But the scratchers are different. They keep selling the tickets until they are all sold. Even though all of the large prize amounts were won last week! Yep, they just keep selling those tickets, till they’re gone! > > Think about that the next time you’re inclined to purchase some scratchers. > > Lotteries are just a way for them to tax your day dreams! But, before you play, at least make some effort to understand how the damn thing works! Is there a way to find out whether or not a big prize has been won from that roll of tickets? of course not > [@kanicbird](#): > > You didn’t play enough then, just buy some more. I should’ve bought more that day from the same roll, if anything. But that opportunity is gone. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2015, 11:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-scratch-off-lottery-tickets/733693/36 "2015-10-06T11:33:01Z")
> [@brovolone](#): > > I should’ve bought more that day from the same roll, if anything. But that opportunity is gone. Too bad, you will need to start over again then. ---
**Author:** ![brovolone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a88e4f/32.png) [@brovolone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brovolone)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2015, 11:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-scratch-off-lottery-tickets/733693/37 "2015-10-06T11:36:14Z")
> [@kanicbird](#): > > Too bad, you will need to start over again then. That opportunity is gone. ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2015, 11:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-scratch-off-lottery-tickets/733693/38 "2015-10-06T11:49:17Z")
If your state lottery functions like mine, you can actually go to their website and look up each scratcher game. It will TELL you how many tickets remain, and what prizes have been claimed. So really, you can improve your odds a bit by playing games with fewer remaining tickets and more unclaimed prizes. Likewise, you can see if that million- dollar prize has been found and not play that game. ---
**Author:** ![Sinaptics](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/278dde/32.png) [@Sinaptics](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sinaptics)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2015, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-scratch-off-lottery-tickets/733693/39 "2015-10-06T12:01:06Z")
I like the Bingo scratch-offs. That way, at least I get to play a game for the money. I love the people who come up to the register with a stack of the things and just scratch off the little space to see if they win; don’t even care about the fun of playing. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2015, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-scratch-off-lottery-tickets/733693/40 "2015-10-06T12:14:23Z")
> [@brovolone](#): > > I still don’t see how I only won $2 out of 15 tickets. Actually, you got exactly what the odds predicted. Assuming you live in Florida, [here is the $1 scratcher page](http://www.fllottery.com/scratch-offs?amount=1) on the Florida lottery page. Just pick out the game you played, and check the odds for a $2 winner. I’ll save you the time; they range from 1:14.29 to 1:15. That’s how you won $2 on $15 worth of scratchers. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-scratch-off-lottery-tickets/733693.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-scratch-off-lottery-tickets/733693.md?page=3)