Would be a nice Christmas gift. I know I'm one of those selfish Republican types, but I sure do enjoy helping people out. What a hoot that would be.

Would someone do me a huge favor and explain in detail how to play powerball and any other big lottery thats not scratch off. Ive been trying to figure it out for years and still have no clue. Its one of those things that i want to try thats new to me but it intimidates me. So if someone could clear that up it would be much appreciated.

Well, there's not much to it. Your odds of winning by picking 1,2,3,4,5 and 6 are just the same as any other combination of numbers. 83,000,000:1 or so for the Powerball if I remember correctly. Or roughly the same as being struck by lightning 3 times in your life. Yeah, it's tough, but worth a buck or two if you have it to spare.

TWAL1011,

Actually the odds have increased to like 120 million to one. Some more numbers were added recently. 1 thru 56 I think. Not a bad chuck of change though, eh?

I know that if I were so lucky to pick up this jackpot, one sparkling new PC-12 would be ordered! Along with a great hangar home on Lake Norman, North Carolina; a home in Grand Lake, Colorado; and one more in Florida somewhere, Probably another hangar home.

Not that I've thought about it or anything.  

(sighhhh)

Ooooo, I almost forgot about my dream location.

http://www.mountainaircc.com

(deeper sighhh)  

120 million to 1?!?

Forget it then!  

No, I didn't know they added numbers.

A PC12, eh? I'd like a Commander 1000.

The thing with lotteries is that someone usually wins. In the UK there are at least two millionairs created every week. Someone has to win so it might as well be you ( or me preferably).

In the US, Powerball is a multi-state game, Saintsman, and believe it or not there have been several instances where no one's won and the jackpot rolls over...a few months ago I think it was up in the $350,000,000 range before it was won (by like 10 people too)

Greg

And how much of that $101 million is payable in tax?

One thing with I do have to say about the Aussie lotteries, is that whilst our jackpots aren't as big, the government recognises the fact that winning the lottery is a stroke of good luck for the winner, and doesn't deduct tax from the winnings.

Is it also true, that if you want your entire winnings on the spot, that they basically take away half for this "privilege"?

Aviatsiya,

Figure on the US Govt taking almost half of that.

dirty, rotten, sons-a-bit****, ......

Oooo, did I say that out loud?

No winner on 12/11. It's now $125 million for Saturday (12/14). Cash value is @ $67.5 million. Figure you'd take home around $40.5 million after taxes...

This is what I don't understand:

It's now $125 million for Saturday (12/14). Cash value is @ $67.5 million.

OK, so the jackpot is for $125 million. The winner (assuming there is only one) will receives this $125 million in yearly installments over a 20 or 25 year period (if I remember correctly).

But they say the cash value is $67.5 million.

This leaves a difference of 57.5 million. How do they pay you that 57.5 million? In empty soft drink bottles, or maybe bottle tops?

That is a total rip for a start. I win $125 million, I want the whole fricking lot right there and then.

This payout over a period of time is also a gip. You win $125 million, but only get a few million in the first year. The rest of your $125 million is sitting in lottery accounts, earning a shitload of interest. They are making a shitload of money from YOUR money.

On 19th December we have a Powerball jackpot of AU$15 million (over US$7.5 million). The winner of that draw will receive a cheque fo $15 million as soon as the draw and their winning ticket is verified.

When you work it out over the period of the payout of the US powerball jackpot, you wouldn't be much worse off winning the smaller Australian powerball jackpot; compound interest and all that.

Whilst I wouldn't say no to even a million buck (you would have to be farking crazy to do so), you Yankees should be pissed at getting totally ripped with your crazy lottery system over there.  

Here in California we've had our share of Lotto fever whenever the jackpot zooms through the roof.

The first time when the original Lotto 6/49 game went to US$65 million it was a madhouse at every Lottery terminal; when the Lotto 6/53 game went to US$115 million it happened again; and just last year when the current Super Lotto game went to US$185 million it was just insane at every Lottery terminal. Good thing I got my tickets early on every draw.   The jackpot amounts I mentioned were all USA single-state records at the time of the draw. I have my doubts that any single-state lottery will ever come close to that US$185 million jackpot anytime soon.

Aviatsiya,

Thats the great thing about the US. The government here is very proud of the lottery system. In fact, they are the first ones to congratulate you on winning, and they do that by taking, in this case, $57.5 million.

Welcome to income tax my friend.

The United States of America. I love my country, but I hate my Government.  

 

Nah, you've got it wrong. The reason that the $67.5 million cash value equals a $125 million installment value is because of the interest. They're able to pay you that much over 29 years because that unpaid money is earning them interest.

I would take the cash value, personally. Anyone who couldn't live of the interest generated by a $40.5 million deposit is reckless.

For bonus points, can anyone name the location where the Powerball drawing is held? ? ?

Des Moines, IA? .

Close. Technically it's held at:
Iowa Teleproduction Center
4800 Corporate Dr
West Des Moines, IA 50266-5916

How far west is West Des Moines?

Is now expected to be @ $280 million for 12/25. Cash value after taxes could be over $90 million.

What a swell Christmas gift.

You know, Boeing nut, I think the PC-12 is an awesome aircraft, and would be perfect for someone with a family. But there's only 3 people in our family (plus Mom's never regularly flown anything bigger than a 182 [the Queen Air doesn't count because she's not multi-rated]), so I think a Socata TBM 700 would fit us nicely. Then again, the PC-12 has a potty...the most important thing when you're flying with women.

As for me, if I had $90 million (minus the $45 mil or so in taxes), I would so have a Grumman Albatross and a Dee Howard 500.

As for me, if I had $90 million (minus the $45 mil or so in taxes),

Cash value after taxes could be over $90 million.

MD-90,

I'm also a big fan of the TBM 700. I think I lean towards the PC-12 since the performance is somewhat similar but you can get a much bigger payload. And yea, that potty thing is also a factor.   But in my fantasy, I'd need that bigger volume to move more stuff in between my multi homes!!

 

Oops I didn't notice that. I thought it meant that the immediate cash value was $90 million.

Well, I like the TBM's extra 30 knots of cruise speed (300 vs 270 for the Pilatus).

Of course, now if we're REALLY dreaming, I'd love a Piaggia P.180 Avanti. A huge cabin, fully potty, and 395 knots max cruise with turboprop fuel levels. Of course, I'd have to have a newer cockpit put in. I couldn't live with the 1990 Collins equipment they have in there currently. It's high time for something more modern.

My mom got our whole family a ticket for the powerball tonight for a small Christmas gift!

Continental

This is what I want:

Well, it was fun to dream.

Congrats on the win, whoever you are.

MD-90,

Well, if we are really dreaming,   then I choose a BBJ supplimented by a Hawker Horizon and a Bell 609 Tiltrotor. But I'd have to have a 182RG to "dink" around in as well.  

Regards

A 134 million Dollars cash value win!

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