To mark its third anniversary, the Tennessee Lottery introduced a game Monday that gives Tennesseans the "best odds yet" to win $1 million.
The new game, "Million $ Madness," gives players a "one in 200,000" chance of winning $1 million.
Rebecca Paul Hargrove, the chief executive officer of the Tennessee Education Lottery, said lotto players always want a better chance of winning prizes, which they can have in the new game.
"It's the best odds yet of winning $1 million," Hargrove said.
The way it will work, Hargrove explains, is that $10 tickets will be sold statewide until 800,000 are purchased.
At that time, sales will halt. The game will then award four $1 million winners, two prizes of $50,000 and 100 rewards of $500.
"There's never been a lottery game where we've guaranteed there would be four winners of a $1 million," Hargrove said.
Tickets for "Million $ Madness" went on sale Monday.
The occasion for announcing the new game was the Tennessee Education Lottery's third-year anniversary. It started Jan. 20, 2004, after voters approved a state constitutional amendment in 2002.
Between Jan. 20, 2004, and Dec. 31, 2006, the lottery has transferred more than $763 million for HOPE Scholarships for higher education, pre-kindergarten classrooms and after school programs.
Dr. Robert Ruble, the executive director of the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation, which administers the college scholarships, said it currently serves 60,000 students, spending about $172 million this year on their tuition.
"You've done so much in three-years, and we're seeing the effect of that on enrollment in Tennessee," Ruble said of the lottery program.
Overall, state retailers have sold more than $2.8 billion in ticket sales during the past three years, with $1.6 billion being awarded to lotto winners.
Hargrove could not say whether Tennessee's sales were comparable to similar states' start-up lotteries, but added "we are real, real happy with where we are."
The lottery also has $315 million in reserve funds. The debate on how to use that money, like a school building fund, will likely occur during the upcoming legislative session.
"We're very fortunate that the debate right now is what to spend with the $300 million in surplus," Hargrove said, "as opposed to what to do had we not raised enough money to fund those programs."
Quote: Originally posted by MrBobb on Jan 23, 2007
The new game, "Million $ Madness," gives players a "one in 200,000" chance of winning $1 million.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems to me that the actual odds of winning the:
First $1 Million prize are "one in 800,000."
Second $1 Million prize are "one in 799,999."
Third $1 Million prize are "one in 799,998."
Fourth $1 Million prize are "one in 799,997."
That would be correct if there was one $1 million prize, but there are four $1 million prizes so the 1 in 200,000 is correct. For your other odds calculations, that's not how the odds works. The closest thing to what you're showing is a count of how many non-winning tickets there are.
That would be correct if there was one $1 million prize, but there are four $1 million prizes so the 1 in 200,000 is correct. For your other odds calculations, that's not how the odds works. The closest thing to what you're showing is a count of how many non-winning tickets there are.
Ok. This is one area of statistics that has always confused me. So then if you buy 10 tickets, the odds are 1 in 20,000? If so, those are pretty good odds for a $100 purchase (10 tickets).
Quote: Originally posted by MrBobb on Jan 23, 2007
That would be correct if there was one $1 million prize, but there are four $1 million prizes so the 1 in 200,000 is correct. For your other odds calculations, that's not how the odds works. The closest thing to what you're showing is a count of how many non-winning tickets there are.
Ok. This is one area of statistics that has always confused me. So then if you buy 10 tickets, the odds are 1 in 20,000? If so, those are pretty good odds for a $100 purchase (10 tickets).
Right. It sounds like a great deal. I'd buy one if I lived in Tennessee.
There is know way the odd's can be 1 in 200.000 .The odd's would be how many tickets you bought,if you buy 50 tickets,your odds are 50 chances in 800.000 the next drawing it would be 50 chances in 799.999 an so on.The way some people want you to belive is once the drawing start's,after the first ticket number is drawn,the odds would be one every 200.000,which makes no sence.If the lottery sold different blocks of tickets,say 200.000 an they were only giving away one prize of a million dollars.Than the odds would be 1 in 200.000.Think about what i just said,an explain to me how the lottery officals can state the odds like they do,Georgia did the same thing an they were wrong also.Tenn is drawing 4 tickets worth a million dollars each.an also more tickets worth smaller prizes.After the first pick,that leaves 799.999 different ticket numbers to draw for the next million dollar ticket.This is not ramdon numbers like a regular lottery drawing,where the machine picks.There will be a winner every time,that a set of numbers is displayed.
The problem has been solved by mathematitions the world over. Now I know how many people on this forum distrust experts, but please believe me when I tell you - the problem has been solved.
The odds are 1 in 200,000.
Debating it further is equivalent to debating the answer to the question - what is 2 + 2?
Lotto Groups. Okay explain your 1 in 200,000 theory please,When there is 800,000 tickets sold,how can the odds be 1 in 200,000. Once the first winning number is picked,someone has that winning ticket,This leaves another lottery pick out of 799,999 tickets an there will be another winner,an again an again,You are wrong an quit misleading people into beliving that they have great odd's of winning a million dollars. I have bought these tickets for this drawing also.The only way my odd's would be 1 in 200,000 is if i only purchased 1 ticket and the lottery sold 200,000 tickets.Then and only then would the odd's be 1 in 200,000.The odd's of winning a million dollars in the drawing is how mant tickets a person buy's,out of 800,000 is there odd's,You your self can't even explain you want to post a short smart allec answer,like 2+2,Go ahead impress everyone an explain the answer,an i don't mean 4.
I will not be able to convince you so I will not even try. We are not speaking the same language. You need to understand a certain level of mathematics that covers this topic. One of my majors was Combinatorics and Optimization and it covered this area of probability. You will need to take a similar course before the answer is self evident. There are also hundreds of great books that discuss this branch of mathematics.
The answer to the problem is considered a fundamental fact within mathematical circles.
Now there is another option without discussing theory. Hold your own test lottery with smaller numbers. Say, trying to guess a number from 1 to 100 and you get 10 choices (10 tickets). Try to play this lottery a hundred or so times and you will see the pattern emerge. This is referred to as real-time testing of a mathematical theory.
The reason you refuse to explain the answer is because you are unable,Plain and simple.There is know way that i can think of that would explain the odds of 1 in 200,000,There will be 800,000 ticket's sold, this we both know.This is not like a regular lottery drawing,due to the fact there will be a winner with each ticket drawn.Belive me if you would explain your reasons,i would have a open mind.The other prizes are 2 tickets 50,000 and 100 tickets 500.00 dollars.So how does this relate to the odds factor.The lottery game has been around for year's an noone has questioned,the odd's factor,Why all the sudden has this become diffucult.And thank you i need all the luck possible,hoping to win when ever they sell all these tickets.
I will buy at least one ticket, don't know if I will buy more. When the Lotto 5 has a high jackpot, you can beat these odds because 10 Lotto 5 tickets = 500,000 / 10 = 50,000 to 1 odds. However, when the Lotto 5 gets high it seems like the pot keeps getting split. Oh well, can't hurt to have a hand in both games I guess.
i like the odds of the new game i just dont like the fact that sales are not that fast because i think they still havent sold 300,000 and we are almost a month into it. i dont want to have to wait 4 months to have the drawing and if it takes too long i dont want them to cut it off early and really mess up the odds of winning a million.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems to me that the actual odds of winning the:
First $1 Million prize are "one in 800,000."
Second $1 Million prize are "one in 799,999."
Third $1 Million prize are "one in 799,998."
Fourth $1 Million prize are "one in 799,997."
That would be correct if there was one $1 million prize, but there are four $1 million prizes so the 1 in 200,000 is correct. For your other odds calculations, that's not how the odds works. The closest thing to what you're showing is a count of how many non-winning tickets there are.
Ok. This is one area of statistics that has always confused me. So then if you buy 10 tickets, the odds are 1 in 20,000? If so, those are pretty good odds for a $100 purchase (10 tickets).
That is correct.
800,000 combo are produce...
Once the first is drawn, the odds go down only one..
Right. It sounds like a great deal. I'd buy one if I lived in Tennessee.
There is know way the odd's can be 1 in 200.000 .The odd's would be how many tickets you bought,if you buy 50 tickets,your odds are 50 chances in 800.000 the next drawing it would be 50 chances in 799.999 an so on.The way some people want you to belive is once the drawing start's,after the first ticket number is drawn,the odds would be one every 200.000,which makes no sence.If the lottery sold different blocks of tickets,say 200.000 an they were only giving away one prize of a million dollars.Than the odds would be 1 in 200.000.Think about what i just said,an explain to me how the lottery officals can state the odds like they do,Georgia did the same thing an they were wrong also.Tenn is drawing 4 tickets worth a million dollars each.an also more tickets worth smaller prizes.After the first pick,that leaves 799.999 different ticket numbers to draw for the next million dollar ticket.This is not ramdon numbers like a regular lottery drawing,where the machine picks.There will be a winner every time,that a set of numbers is displayed.
I am amazed how often this topic is debated.
The problem has been solved by mathematitions the world over. Now I know how many people on this forum distrust experts, but please believe me when I tell you - the problem has been solved.
The odds are 1 in 200,000.
Debating it further is equivalent to debating the answer to the question - what is 2 + 2?
Lotto Groups, BMath
Lotto Groups. Okay explain your 1 in 200,000 theory please,When there is 800,000 tickets sold,how can the odds be 1 in 200,000. Once the first winning number is picked,someone has that winning ticket,This leaves another lottery pick out of 799,999 tickets an there will be another winner,an again an again,You are wrong an quit misleading people into beliving that they have great odd's of winning a million dollars. I have bought these tickets for this drawing also.The only way my odd's would be 1 in 200,000 is if i only purchased 1 ticket and the lottery sold 200,000 tickets.Then and only then would the odd's be 1 in 200,000.The odd's of winning a million dollars in the drawing is how mant tickets a person buy's,out of 800,000 is there odd's,You your self can't even explain you want to post a short smart allec answer,like 2+2,Go ahead impress everyone an explain the answer,an i don't mean 4.
I will not be able to convince you so I will not even try. We are not speaking the same language. You need to understand a certain level of mathematics that covers this topic. One of my majors was Combinatorics and Optimization and it covered this area of probability. You will need to take a similar course before the answer is self evident. There are also hundreds of great books that discuss this branch of mathematics.
The answer to the problem is considered a fundamental fact within mathematical circles.
Now there is another option without discussing theory. Hold your own test lottery with smaller numbers. Say, trying to guess a number from 1 to 100 and you get 10 choices (10 tickets). Try to play this lottery a hundred or so times and you will see the pattern emerge. This is referred to as real-time testing of a mathematical theory.
Good luck
The reason you refuse to explain the answer is because you are unable,Plain and simple.There is know way that i can think of that would explain the odds of 1 in 200,000,There will be 800,000 ticket's sold, this we both know.This is not like a regular lottery drawing,due to the fact there will be a winner with each ticket drawn.Belive me if you would explain your reasons,i would have a open mind.The other prizes are 2 tickets 50,000 and 100 tickets 500.00 dollars.So how does this relate to the odds factor.The lottery game has been around for year's an noone has questioned,the odd's factor,Why all the sudden has this become diffucult.And thank you i need all the luck possible,hoping to win when ever they sell all these tickets.
OK Ronald99,
What are the odds of winning a $1 million prize?
I say they are 1 in 200,000.
What is you answer? No need to explain. Just the answer plain and simple.
Geez... 800,000 tickets divided by 4 Winners = 200,000 to 1 odds. Pretty simple math, go back to high school if you don't understand.
Tony
I will buy at least one ticket, don't know if I will buy more. When the Lotto 5 has a high jackpot, you can beat these odds because 10 Lotto 5 tickets = 500,000 / 10 = 50,000 to 1 odds. However, when the Lotto 5 gets high it seems like the pot keeps getting split. Oh well, can't hurt to have a hand in both games I guess.
i like the odds of the new game i just dont like the fact that sales are not that fast because i think they still havent sold 300,000 and we are almost a month into it. i dont want to have to wait 4 months to have the drawing and if it takes too long i dont want them to cut it off early and really mess up the odds of winning a million.