Some players confused by new Michigan Lottery poker game

Nov 3, 2013, 3:33 pm (22 comments)

Michigan Lottery

It debuted Oct. 19, but Poker Lotto, a new daily lottery drawing by the Michigan Lottery, is still trying to gain the attention — and understanding — among lottery players.

It has created a little confusion, too, said lottery officials.

"It's so new that we're getting so many calls in Lansing," said Gretchen Villareal of the Michigan Lottery. "People are not grasping the concept of instant wins and the nightly draw."

How to play

  • Poker Lotto is a new nightly game where players use easy picks only.
  • Tickets are eligible for two games: Instant winners see their cards drawn in front of them at the terminal, and those same cards participate in a nightly drawing for more prizes.
  • Winning the instant-win game is based on whether you receive a winning hand. The nightly drawing is exclusively a matching game.
  • Cards from the nightly drawing are not used to form a winning hand. The only way to win the nightly drawing is if two or more of your cards match the cards drawn.
  • Tickets are $2 each. The draw is for cards, not numbers. The payout for 5 of 5 cards is $100,000. The top instant winner is a Royal Flush, which pays out $5,000.

I thought I understood the concept, but playing the game caught me a little off guard, too.

The first time I played, the lottery outlet said they did not have the appropriate screens to display the cards. So, they could not sell me the tickets.

Villareal said some retail outlets do not have the proper terminals to allow them show the player his or her cards.

"There are over 10,800 Michigan Lottery Retailers, and of that number, approximately 80 percent have the equipment to sell Poker Lotto," she said.

And the second time I played, the retailer handed me my tickets and said, good luck.

Villareal said retailers should alert you to the screen where you can see your cards drawn to see if you're an instant winner.

"Retailers are required to have a Customer Point of Sale Monitor to have the Poker Lotto privileges on their Altura terminal," she wrote in an email. "There are some locations that have Poker Lotto on other Lottery devices. These devices have a screen that shows the poker cards being dealt, similar to the Point of Sale Monitor."

My next trip was to Party World on Alpine Avenue in Comstock Park.

Party World is known for a great Michigan Craft Beer selection, as well as a reputation for selling major Lottery jackpots. (And a lucky shamrock.)

Andy Bekins of Party World happened to be at the Lottery counter when I walked in, and he explained the process and showed me how to play.

I bought two tickets: On the first draw I almost had a flush, but still won $2 on a pair of Aces, and I didn't win anything on the second draw. (Later that evening I failed to match any of the cards to win a prize in the nightly draw.)

The winning cards on Nov. 2: 9 of Hearts, King of Spades, Jack of Diamonds, 3 of Hearts and Ace of Clubs. Twelve tickets won $500, matching 4 of 5 cards. There were 31 instant winners who had 4 of a kind, winning $150 each. Two instant tickets had a straight flush, winning $500 each.

Poker Lotto drawings are held every night at 7:29 p.m.  The deadline to purchase tickets is 7:08 p.m.

For the latest Michigan Lottery winning numbers, check out Lottery Post's Michigan Lottery Results page.

MLive

Comments

noise-gate

Sounds like a game that belongs on a Riverboat Casino.

CutlassBob's avatarCutlassBob

I've played it on day one, was the first person to play at that store. I've spent $162 dollars on this game so far and have won $20.00,  Pffft.  I'm not happy with the game winners/payout's.

#1) I do not believe there has been a $100,000 winner yet and very few $5000 instant winners, if not only 1 so far. 

#2) I do not like computer drawn games which this must be. 

This game will be a "flash in the pan" if people don't start winning.

Remember "Lucky Lines"

JMHO, Play at your own risk but for 2 bucks a ticket and MAX payout being $100,000 i will keep playing "Fantasy5" instead of Poker Lotto.

helpmewin's avatarhelpmewin

I think it is a FUN game every time i have played the game i have won Instantly Dance

CutlassBob's avatarCutlassBob

FYI: Cost 2 dollars. Receiving your money back does not count as a win.

helpmewin's avatarhelpmewin

Quote: Originally posted by CutlassBob on Nov 3, 2013

FYI: Cost 2 dollars. Receiving your money back does not count as a win.

Green laughyour funny i won $2.00 then $4.00 twice hope that counts as something

CutlassBob's avatarCutlassBob

Quote: Originally posted by helpmewin on Nov 3, 2013

Green laughyour funny i won $2.00 then $4.00 twice hope that counts as something

I'm sure you know what i mean. And yes i can be a joker. Sorta wish they had a joker in the mix of cards. Would make the odds a little better.

 

helpmewin's avatarhelpmewin

Quote: Originally posted by CutlassBob on Nov 3, 2013

I'm sure you know what i mean. And yes i can be a joker. Sorta wish they had a joker in the mix of cards. Would make the odds a little better.

 

Smiley yes i do,LOL

after all this talk about the poker game i went to get me a ticket and just won another $4.00 instant so minus the $2.00 i spent i guess i am ahead $2.00 bucks well see what happens tonight. 

4 clubs/ J clubs/ 8 spades /4 spades/ 8 hearts Hurray!

there we go Smash

CutlassBob's avatarCutlassBob

7 Hearts

9 clubs

2 clubs

6 clubs

J diamonds

helpmewin's avatarhelpmewin

Quote: Originally posted by CutlassBob on Nov 3, 2013

7 Hearts

9 clubs

2 clubs

6 clubs

J diamonds

Good Luck tonight Lep

Todd's avatarTodd

Poker Lotto games have been growing in popularity very quickly.  The first ones starting appearing in Canada, and now they're spreading in the U.S.  Seems like a nice, different game.

Tatototman65's avatarTatototman65

One of the worst lottery games to play....

Want that $5,000? Ha! You have a better chance winning the Fantasy 5 jackpot ($100,000+). Looking forward to that $100,000 nightly drawing? Ha again! You still have a better chance winning the Fantasy 5 jackpot and you have a better chance winning the Daily Keno jackpot ($250,000).

Smile

LottoBoner

Andy Bekins of Party World happened to be at the Lottery counter when I walked in, and he explained the process and showed me how to play.

 Timeout for a second.

 Todd are you saying you were a Eyewitness in this article?

charmed7's avatarcharmed7

MY husband purchase a ticket yesterday. He had three of kind (2) they gave him 5 bucks and reissued the ticket for

the evening drawing, he didnt win on the reissued ticket. but he brought a second ticket and won 3 bucks.

Personally i like the game. Never know when luck will fall into your hands.

Well!!! Good Luck which ever game you choose

helpmewin's avatarhelpmewin

Quote: Originally posted by charmed7 on Nov 4, 2013

MY husband purchase a ticket yesterday. He had three of kind (2) they gave him 5 bucks and reissued the ticket for

the evening drawing, he didnt win on the reissued ticket. but he brought a second ticket and won 3 bucks.

Personally i like the game. Never know when luck will fall into your hands.

Well!!! Good Luck which ever game you choose

I Agree! Congrats on your wins Party

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