Texas Hold'Em remains the top rated game but I have some serious concerns about it. The game is coming out on top as 1 of its 3 Grand Prizes of $75,000 remains to be claimed from an estimated 14% of its original float. That means that there are 360,000 tickets left to sell. The problem is that the secondary top prizes for the game have been hollowed out. All 5 trips to the World Poker Tournament (I would have taken the cash equivalent) have been claimed; only 2 of 18 $1000 Prizes are left to be claimed, and only 5 of 37 $515 prizes are left to be claimed. I also agree with the reader who expressed his dislike for the game based on getting his four of a kind hand(s) being beaten by the dealer's straight flushes.
And we have the ongoing problem with supply as the tickets are becoming hard to find. I find the reports from posters interesting as Wild 10s, Silver Gold, Cleopatra, and some other games are in some sort of limbo as they continue to appear on the OLG site yet retailers are being asked to return unsold tickets. Is this some process whereby the OLG tries to scoop back any unsold Grand Prizes before they retire the game? Why not let retailers sell whatever quantity they have on hand? What they appear to be doing is a good business decision for the OLG but not a good one for players.
I have included the estimated size of the ticket float remaining to be sold for each game. I came across a young woman sitting on a bench this week who had bought two tickets - a Horse Shoes ticket and a Scrabble ticket. I asked her how she made out. "Two Losers" was the reply. I wonder if she would have bought that Scrabble ticket if she knew that there were no Grand Prizes left to be claimed, no $25,000 second prizes left to be claimed, no $15,000 third prizes left to be claimed, no $10,000 fourth prizes left to be claimed, and one out of seven $5,000 fifth prizes left. And yet the OLG continues to sell this game whereas Instant Millions was retired with......, oh well, you know my rant so I won't bore you again.
The Interprovincial Lottery Corporation retired Extravaganza this past week. Two of the initial 14 - $1 million prizes were left to be claimed from the almost 3 million tickets left to be sold. This game had begun to be sold in 2012 and was long in the tooth. I think that the OLG has trouble selling $10 and $20 tickets when there are too many of those games for sale at the same time. Extravaganza was not the worst game to play, but it was not among the best. This decision should help the sale of Prestige and Classic White tickets. I only hope that Wild 10's has not been retired as it is currently the best game in this group.
Money Multiplier #1748 was introduced this week. This game has more prizes of $100 or more but less than the $100,000 Grand Prize than any other $5 Game. Those prizes come at the expense of the prizes of less than $100 but more than $5. Overall, your chances to win any prize and to win any prize more than the cost of the ticket are third out the eight $5 games currently for sale. It will be an interesting game to watch.
A smorgasbord of tickets including Texas Hold'Em, Scrabble, and Wild 10's produced a small loss for the week. I now stand at a 38% cash rate and a 73% return on investment. As usual, I need a $100 win to give my results a boost. Is that too much to ask?
I normally restrict all comments on this blog to the subject of Scratch and Win tickets. I have, however, undertaken to a friend to inform you of his NFL Survivor Pool that will get underway next week. It costs $10 to enter and he normally has about 1000 entries. A portion of the entry fees are directed to Variety Village which is the only reason why I am doing this. If you want more information, you can email him at poolmaster55@rogers.com. I can offer you the absolute assurance that he is trustworthy. There, my promise is fulfilled.
May Lady Luck be with you this week.
Doug
And we have the ongoing problem with supply as the tickets are becoming hard to find. I find the reports from posters interesting as Wild 10s, Silver Gold, Cleopatra, and some other games are in some sort of limbo as they continue to appear on the OLG site yet retailers are being asked to return unsold tickets. Is this some process whereby the OLG tries to scoop back any unsold Grand Prizes before they retire the game? Why not let retailers sell whatever quantity they have on hand? What they appear to be doing is a good business decision for the OLG but not a good one for players.
Top Rated Games
- Texas Hold'Em (14%)
- Prestige (93%)
- Cleopatra (17%)
- Wild 10s (17%)
- Fast 200s (70%)
Games to Avoid
- Scrabble #1754 (12%)
- More Lucky Lines (24%)
- Bingo #3008 (38%)
- Bonus Keno (25%)
- Keno (33%)
I have included the estimated size of the ticket float remaining to be sold for each game. I came across a young woman sitting on a bench this week who had bought two tickets - a Horse Shoes ticket and a Scrabble ticket. I asked her how she made out. "Two Losers" was the reply. I wonder if she would have bought that Scrabble ticket if she knew that there were no Grand Prizes left to be claimed, no $25,000 second prizes left to be claimed, no $15,000 third prizes left to be claimed, no $10,000 fourth prizes left to be claimed, and one out of seven $5,000 fifth prizes left. And yet the OLG continues to sell this game whereas Instant Millions was retired with......, oh well, you know my rant so I won't bore you again.
$1 - $2 Game Update
Fast 200s and Pick 3 remain the best choices here.$3 Game Update
Lots of games to avoid in this area. Apart from Texas Hold'Em, Super Bingo and Bingo #3009 are OK.$4 - $5 Game Update
Cleopatra is good but scarce. 20X Lucky is a good choice.$10 - $20 Game Update
All the games in this area are playable.Comings and Goings
The Interprovincial Lottery Corporation retired Extravaganza this past week. Two of the initial 14 - $1 million prizes were left to be claimed from the almost 3 million tickets left to be sold. This game had begun to be sold in 2012 and was long in the tooth. I think that the OLG has trouble selling $10 and $20 tickets when there are too many of those games for sale at the same time. Extravaganza was not the worst game to play, but it was not among the best. This decision should help the sale of Prestige and Classic White tickets. I only hope that Wild 10's has not been retired as it is currently the best game in this group.
Money Multiplier #1748 was introduced this week. This game has more prizes of $100 or more but less than the $100,000 Grand Prize than any other $5 Game. Those prizes come at the expense of the prizes of less than $100 but more than $5. Overall, your chances to win any prize and to win any prize more than the cost of the ticket are third out the eight $5 games currently for sale. It will be an interesting game to watch.
Personal Play
A smorgasbord of tickets including Texas Hold'Em, Scrabble, and Wild 10's produced a small loss for the week. I now stand at a 38% cash rate and a 73% return on investment. As usual, I need a $100 win to give my results a boost. Is that too much to ask?
I normally restrict all comments on this blog to the subject of Scratch and Win tickets. I have, however, undertaken to a friend to inform you of his NFL Survivor Pool that will get underway next week. It costs $10 to enter and he normally has about 1000 entries. A portion of the entry fees are directed to Variety Village which is the only reason why I am doing this. If you want more information, you can email him at poolmaster55@rogers.com. I can offer you the absolute assurance that he is trustworthy. There, my promise is fulfilled.
May Lady Luck be with you this week.
Doug
