Comments on: Rich Congressman Won Lottery for the Third Time: Lucky or Conspiracy? http://www.neatorama.com/2007/09/12/rich-senator-won-lottery-for-the-third-time-lucky-or-conspiracy/ The Neat Side of the Web Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:50:10 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Another Jake http://www.neatorama.com/2007/09/12/rich-senator-won-lottery-for-the-third-time-lucky-or-conspiracy/comment-page-1/#comment-221103 Another Jake Thu, 13 Sep 2007 15:17:42 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2007/09/12/rich-senator-won-lottery-for-the-third-time-lucky-or-conspiracy/#comment-221103 Conspiracy theories are BS. Conspiracy theories are BS.

]]> By: David B http://www.neatorama.com/2007/09/12/rich-senator-won-lottery-for-the-third-time-lucky-or-conspiracy/comment-page-1/#comment-220756 David B Thu, 13 Sep 2007 11:58:48 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2007/09/12/rich-senator-won-lottery-for-the-third-time-lucky-or-conspiracy/#comment-220756 The lottery, any lottery, has some weird statistics. Just recently a couple won their second million using the exact same numbers. How likely is that? http://www.lotterypost.com/news/16939 Nothing suprises me when it comes to winning. Out here in California we have a second chance drawing using a mail in coupon, to go in and play a special game on the televised lottery show. I've sent in literally hundreds of them over the years. Never have been chosen. I've seen people go three and even four times. Some people are just super lucky. I've stopped playing altogether because I'm the exact opposite of super lucky. I never win anything and I finally got it through my head I was never going to win. The lottery, any lottery, has some weird statistics. Just recently a couple won their second million using the exact same numbers. How likely is that?

http://www.lotterypost.com/news/16939

Nothing suprises me when it comes to winning. Out here in California we have a second chance drawing using a mail in coupon, to go in and play a special game on the televised lottery show. I've sent in literally hundreds of them over the years. Never have been chosen. I've seen people go three and even four times. Some people are just super lucky.
I've stopped playing altogether because I'm the exact opposite of super lucky. I never win anything and I finally got it through my head I was never going to win.

]]> By: Alex http://www.neatorama.com/2007/09/12/rich-senator-won-lottery-for-the-third-time-lucky-or-conspiracy/comment-page-1/#comment-220615 Alex Thu, 13 Sep 2007 07:25:32 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2007/09/12/rich-senator-won-lottery-for-the-third-time-lucky-or-conspiracy/#comment-220615 Winning one time isn't that unlikely? What? And how come I never win or 99.9999999999% other people who play. No no no, winning the lottery is a VERY unlikely event. Winning two more times is EXTREMELY unlikely. Winning one time isn't that unlikely? What? And how come I never win or 99.9999999999% other people who play.

No no no, winning the lottery is a VERY unlikely event. Winning two more times is EXTREMELY unlikely.

]]> By: Mr.Jamos http://www.neatorama.com/2007/09/12/rich-senator-won-lottery-for-the-third-time-lucky-or-conspiracy/comment-page-1/#comment-220612 Mr.Jamos Thu, 13 Sep 2007 07:22:39 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2007/09/12/rich-senator-won-lottery-for-the-third-time-lucky-or-conspiracy/#comment-220612 Alex >> As you can figure out from the calculation I started to count AFTER the first 250k because to win one time isn't that unlikely and the article mentioned a conspiracy and to loose 3200$ in 10 years doesn't meet my requirments for that. Alex >> As you can figure out from the calculation I started to count AFTER the first 250k because to win one time isn't that unlikely and the article mentioned a conspiracy and to loose 3200$ in 10 years doesn't meet my requirments for that.

]]> By: lDAVE http://www.neatorama.com/2007/09/12/rich-senator-won-lottery-for-the-third-time-lucky-or-conspiracy/comment-page-1/#comment-220601 lDAVE Thu, 13 Sep 2007 07:05:13 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2007/09/12/rich-senator-won-lottery-for-the-third-time-lucky-or-conspiracy/#comment-220601 Mob Payoff. Say anything otherwise and you might as well believe in unicorns. Mob Payoff.

Say anything otherwise and you might as well believe in unicorns.

]]> By: Dan http://www.neatorama.com/2007/09/12/rich-senator-won-lottery-for-the-third-time-lucky-or-conspiracy/comment-page-1/#comment-220520 Dan Thu, 13 Sep 2007 04:40:07 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2007/09/12/rich-senator-won-lottery-for-the-third-time-lucky-or-conspiracy/#comment-220520 <i>...and right at least 95 percent of the time.</i> So why doesn't he win the lottery more often? ...and right at least 95 percent of the time.

So why doesn't he win the lottery more often?

]]> By: Tom McMahon http://www.neatorama.com/2007/09/12/rich-senator-won-lottery-for-the-third-time-lucky-or-conspiracy/comment-page-1/#comment-220260 Tom McMahon Thu, 13 Sep 2007 00:21:21 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2007/09/12/rich-senator-won-lottery-for-the-third-time-lucky-or-conspiracy/#comment-220260 Jim Sensenbrenner is my Congressman, from suburban Milwaukee. He's a great guy, and right at least 95 percent of the time. Jim Sensenbrenner is my Congressman, from suburban Milwaukee. He's a great guy, and right at least 95 percent of the time.

]]> By: Philipp Lenssen http://www.neatorama.com/2007/09/12/rich-senator-won-lottery-for-the-third-time-lucky-or-conspiracy/comment-page-1/#comment-220178 Philipp Lenssen Wed, 12 Sep 2007 22:38:15 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2007/09/12/rich-senator-won-lottery-for-the-third-time-lucky-or-conspiracy/#comment-220178 improbably = improbable probably = probably (I think :) ) improbably = improbable
probably = probably (I think :) )

]]> By: Philipp Lenssen http://www.neatorama.com/2007/09/12/rich-senator-won-lottery-for-the-third-time-lucky-or-conspiracy/comment-page-1/#comment-220175 Philipp Lenssen Wed, 12 Sep 2007 22:36:00 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2007/09/12/rich-senator-won-lottery-for-the-third-time-lucky-or-conspiracy/#comment-220175 You could just calculate the probability. All you need is the chance to win the lottery and the number of participants playing each turn. Do not make the error of looking at how improbably a *single* person winning is, but how probably *any one person* winning each round is. And even when the chances at winning lottery are very small, in almost every turn -- at least with German lottery -- *someone* wins. So the one is likely, the other is unlikely. So -- how likely is it that *any one person* wins twice? How likely is thrice? You could just calculate the probability. All you need is the chance to win the lottery and the number of participants playing each turn. Do not make the error of looking at how improbably a *single* person winning is, but how probably *any one person* winning each round is. And even when the chances at winning lottery are very small, in almost every turn -- at least with German lottery -- *someone* wins. So the one is likely, the other is unlikely. So -- how likely is it that *any one person* wins twice? How likely is thrice?

]]> By: Alex http://www.neatorama.com/2007/09/12/rich-senator-won-lottery-for-the-third-time-lucky-or-conspiracy/comment-page-1/#comment-220120 Alex Wed, 12 Sep 2007 21:09:44 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2007/09/12/rich-senator-won-lottery-for-the-third-time-lucky-or-conspiracy/#comment-220120 That's $252,000 total, Mr. Jamos. That's $252,000 total, Mr. Jamos.

]]> By: Alex http://www.neatorama.com/2007/09/12/rich-senator-won-lottery-for-the-third-time-lucky-or-conspiracy/comment-page-1/#comment-220118 Alex Wed, 12 Sep 2007 21:08:44 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2007/09/12/rich-senator-won-lottery-for-the-third-time-lucky-or-conspiracy/#comment-220118 Hey - I knew that! Yet somehow I managed to still type in Senator instead of Representative. Fixed, thanks Sid Morrison and Adam. Hey - I knew that! Yet somehow I managed to still type in Senator instead of Representative. Fixed, thanks Sid Morrison and Adam.

]]> By: jxr http://www.neatorama.com/2007/09/12/rich-senator-won-lottery-for-the-third-time-lucky-or-conspiracy/comment-page-1/#comment-220098 jxr Wed, 12 Sep 2007 20:36:39 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2007/09/12/rich-senator-won-lottery-for-the-third-time-lucky-or-conspiracy/#comment-220098 Yeah, if he spends $10 a week then winning a $1000 prize every few years isn't unlikely. Even if he only spent $1 a week it wouldn't be any big deal. Yeah, if he spends $10 a week then winning a $1000 prize every few years isn't unlikely. Even if he only spent $1 a week it wouldn't be any big deal.

]]> By: Mr.Jamos http://www.neatorama.com/2007/09/12/rich-senator-won-lottery-for-the-third-time-lucky-or-conspiracy/comment-page-1/#comment-219874 Mr.Jamos Wed, 12 Sep 2007 19:38:27 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2007/09/12/rich-senator-won-lottery-for-the-third-time-lucky-or-conspiracy/#comment-219874 WTF? 2000$ in ten years. If the 'article' is true he spent 5200$ (10years * 52 weeks * 10 $) so in reality he hasn't won anything since 1997, he lost 3200$! WTF? 2000$ in ten years. If the 'article' is true he spent 5200$ (10years * 52 weeks * 10 $) so in reality he hasn't won anything since 1997, he lost 3200$!

]]> By: meg http://www.neatorama.com/2007/09/12/rich-senator-won-lottery-for-the-third-time-lucky-or-conspiracy/comment-page-1/#comment-219862 meg Wed, 12 Sep 2007 19:11:09 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2007/09/12/rich-senator-won-lottery-for-the-third-time-lucky-or-conspiracy/#comment-219862 Yeah, representative from northern WI. He's a bit of a nutter. Not many from southern WI like him. Yeah, representative from northern WI. He's a bit of a nutter. Not many from southern WI like him.

]]> By: Eugenio Martínez Sierra http://www.neatorama.com/2007/09/12/rich-senator-won-lottery-for-the-third-time-lucky-or-conspiracy/comment-page-1/#comment-219846 Eugenio Martínez Sierra Wed, 12 Sep 2007 18:47:48 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2007/09/12/rich-senator-won-lottery-for-the-third-time-lucky-or-conspiracy/#comment-219846 They buy the winner tickets to the real winners for a little of extra buck (the prize and a little bit more) and then they can clean their undeclared money. They buy the winner tickets to the real winners for a little of extra buck (the prize and a little bit more) and then they can clean their undeclared money.

]]> By: Adam http://www.neatorama.com/2007/09/12/rich-senator-won-lottery-for-the-third-time-lucky-or-conspiracy/comment-page-1/#comment-219827 Adam Wed, 12 Sep 2007 18:22:14 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2007/09/12/rich-senator-won-lottery-for-the-third-time-lucky-or-conspiracy/#comment-219827 Good story, but Sensenbrenner is a Congressman, not a Senator (thankfully). Good story, but Sensenbrenner is a Congressman, not a Senator (thankfully).

]]> By: Sid Morrison http://www.neatorama.com/2007/09/12/rich-senator-won-lottery-for-the-third-time-lucky-or-conspiracy/comment-page-1/#comment-219815 Sid Morrison Wed, 12 Sep 2007 18:18:01 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2007/09/12/rich-senator-won-lottery-for-the-third-time-lucky-or-conspiracy/#comment-219815 um... he's a Congressman, not a Senator! Also, considering he spends about $500 / year on the lottery, hitting two $1000 prizes isn't an example of tremendous luck. Even the $250,000 prize he won 10 years ago was nice, but it wasn't a typical multi-million dollar "jackpot" by any means. If he hit 3 such multi-million $ prizes, I'd be a little more suspicious... As for your assertion that either dirt poor people or filthy rich are typical lottery winners, I'd guess there's substantial validity to it. Both groups will probably purchase a "greater than average" number of tickets. The rich buy them because they can afford to play for a little excitement and the poor play because they are too stupid to realize that it is a poor investment of their limited resources. Since each of these groups is over-represented in the "purchasing column", they are over-represented in the "winning column" as well. As the slogan goes, "Ya gotta be in it to win it" um... he's a Congressman, not a Senator!

Also, considering he spends about $500 / year on the lottery, hitting two $1000 prizes isn't an example of tremendous luck. Even the $250,000 prize he won 10 years ago was nice, but it wasn't a typical multi-million dollar "jackpot" by any means. If he hit 3 such multi-million $ prizes, I'd be a little more suspicious...

As for your assertion that either dirt poor people or filthy rich are typical lottery winners, I'd guess there's substantial validity to it. Both groups will probably purchase a "greater than average" number of tickets. The rich buy them because they can afford to play for a little excitement and the poor play because they are too stupid to realize that it is a poor investment of their limited resources. Since each of these groups is over-represented in the "purchasing column", they are over-represented in the "winning column" as well. As the slogan goes, "Ya gotta be in it to win it"

]]> By: Chris http://www.neatorama.com/2007/09/12/rich-senator-won-lottery-for-the-third-time-lucky-or-conspiracy/comment-page-1/#comment-219806 Chris Wed, 12 Sep 2007 18:13:25 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2007/09/12/rich-senator-won-lottery-for-the-third-time-lucky-or-conspiracy/#comment-219806 lucky for the 250K, ok. but what do you do with a thousand bucks today? I was expecting a bigger sum. I'm disapointed. lucky for the 250K, ok. but what do you do with a thousand bucks today? I was expecting a bigger sum. I'm disapointed.

]]> By: xopl http://www.neatorama.com/2007/09/12/rich-senator-won-lottery-for-the-third-time-lucky-or-conspiracy/comment-page-1/#comment-219801 xopl Wed, 12 Sep 2007 18:10:42 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/2007/09/12/rich-senator-won-lottery-for-the-third-time-lucky-or-conspiracy/#comment-219801 While we're on the subject, the WI State Lottery Pick 3 on Halloween (Oct. 31) of the year 1996 was: 666 http://www.wilottery.com/lottogames/apick3.asp While we're on the subject, the WI State Lottery Pick 3 on Halloween (Oct. 31) of the year 1996 was:

666

http://www.wilottery.com/lottogames/apick3.asp

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