Playing Mind Games in the Lottery
By Jim Bauer
@porwest (94602)
United States
August 18, 2022 2:47pm CST
I like to trick myself, sometimes. You see, I play the lottery, and one of the ones I like to play is the Lucky Day one, which is an Illinois only one that draws twice a day.
It starts off at $100,000 and rises by $50,000 each drawing until someone wins.
Yeah, yeah. It's a total waste of money. But it is fun to play and I can afford it. So, why not, right? A ticket only costs $1 and I generally only start playing it when the jackpot gets around $500,000.
Right now it is $1.25 million. Worth about $750,000 after taxes.
The trick part is I sometimes tell myself that I did not win the last one just because the game is letting the jackpot go higher so that I can win bigger.
Of course that's not the case at all, but it is fun to think of it that way. Finally someone wins. It's not me. Then I just tell myself it is waiting for me to win the BIG big one like the Powerball or something. 
12 people like this
11 responses
@Mysticpizza (201)
• United States
19 Aug 22
We keep talking about playing but never seem to be able to justify it. I don't know if ours is $1. I think the smallest is more like $5.
1 person likes this
@porwest (94602)
• United States
19 Aug 22
@Mysticpizza That could be anywhere. lol. I was trying to figure out what lottery is available in your state. But I understand wanting to be somewhat clandestine. lol
1 person likes this
@kaylachan (73508)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
18 Aug 22
Maybe you will be a big winner someday.
1 person likes this
@kaylachan (73508)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
19 Aug 22
@porwest LOl, that's true. I suppose crossing fingers might be better.
1 person likes this
@porwest (94602)
• United States
20 Aug 22
@kaylachan Yeah. I might as well stick to that otherwise I am going to walk funny. lol
@moffittjc (122144)
• Gainesville, Florida
21 Aug 22
I think there's nothing wrong with playing the lottery win you have discretionary income and you can afford to play. People say, "Jim, you're just throwing away your dollar." But in truth, you would have just spent that dollar somewhere else; maybe to buy a candy bar or a soda or something. But it's your discretionary money, and if brings you joy spending it on the lottery, then by all means keep playing!
I find the problem in these situations is that people who do not have discretionary income keep pumping money into the lottery, because they feel that is their only hope to get out of a bad financial situation. That's when playing the lottery can become an issue, when they need to put food on the table but instead they buy a bunch of lottery tickets.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (122144)
• Gainesville, Florida
23 Aug 22
@porwest You mean gambling is not a solution? Dammit, I’ve been in the wrong mindset all this time!
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (183944)
• United States
19 Aug 22
That's what I keep saying about the Ohio Classic Lotto. It's up to a $17 million cash option; and I can't believe it's gotten this high. Normally someone wins by now.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (183944)
• United States
19 Aug 22
@porwest Probably not. Hubs turns 81 tomorrow. I would hate to be stuck down there and not know anyone and need assistance doing some normal everyday things.
1 person likes this
@porwest (94602)
• United States
20 Aug 22
@LindaOHio Understood. Happy birthday to him and here's to many more.
1 person likes this
@Nakitakona (56484)
• Philippines
26 Aug 22
That's good for you. You can afford to spend money in playing it.
1 person likes this
@RebeccasFarm (90741)
• Arvada, Colorado
19 Aug 22
Good luck though I doubt youd be back to myLot
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (81616)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
19 Aug 22
I think I might try to play some lottery game just once a month and see if luck might be with me,
1 person likes this
@everwonderwhy (7375)
•
19 Aug 22
I hope your winning the jockpot Lucky Day one is on its way to your doorstep this week.
1 person likes this
