[BITLOTTO] Mar 1 draw over $2000 or 50BTC! Tickets now 0.1 BTC for Apr 5

[Otoh]

Feature request:

Put a clock on the front page of the website that shows current UTC time.

+1 my Mac app for OS X 10 shows UTC to be 11.25pm atm, remember any too late entries will be refunded so don't worry about chancing a last minute bet

[bitlotto]

Looks like it will be over 500 BTC jackpot  
> $2,500 or more than 4 BFL Singles this time  
> 482 atm, ha - the Chinese have sniffed it out at last maybe with all that volume on the Chy ex this week too

suggestion, the Bitlotto site should have a link to the month's BE address as it's interesting to see the individual bets going in:

http://blockexplorer.com/address/1BdTh4FtbkajrFjkv6jbLX8xQ11n1KfXDf

eg - someone today dropping 75 BTC in & another sweeping a ton of addresses together to send 0.25 BTC

I was guessing that was you!

Oh, and as mentioned, later I may add some type of count down. As it is now, the website should update automatically at 00Z to switch to a new address for the next month.

I really can't believe we almost hit 500 BTC!!!!

[Otoh]

& nicely timed for new high $5.22 price atm + next to no ask volume up to $6.00, not that ppl may fall for that  
unless they're all s3052 followers of course  

[DutchBrat]

Ps: 3% donation if I win 

[bitlotto]

Well, now that all the tickets are sold, we wait for the confirmations and the final step of the Mega Millions draw!

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!!

My very rushed calculations show a total of just over 460 BTC!!!!

That's OVER TWO THOUSAND USD!!

July 6, draw address has been posted.

[bitlotto]

Ps: 3% donation if I win 

Thank you. I kind of hope that the winners do donate. Not only to me, but to others as well. As it is now, I can barely afford the host and server. Let alone, graphic design, advertising, etc... I'm getting by though. I'm just glad I'm providing something that people like.

I can't wait to see what next month looks like!

[N.Olmos]

Well, now that all the tickets are sold, we wait for the confirmations and the final step of the Mega Millions draw!

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!!

My very rushed calculations show a total of just over 460 BTC!!!!

That's OVER TWO THOUSAND USD!!

July 6, draw address has been posted.

Hi bitlotto,

Can you rework how the prize amount is displayed on the site? Before the May draw closed the site had 490+ btc total prize amount. This amount was incorrect and should not have been displayed.

For those that don't recall, the discrepancy is from the 25+ btc that was returned.
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=34007.msg906543#msg906543

The site currently displays the total btc received as the prize amount. It should display (total received) - (total sent) = (prize amount)


n.olmos

[bitlotto]

Can you rework how the prize amount is displayed on the site? Before the May draw closed the site had 490+ btc total prize amount. This amount was incorrect and should not have been displayed.

For those that don't recall, the discrepancy is from the 25+ btc that was returned.
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=34007.msg906543#msg906543

The site currently displays the total btc received as the prize amount. It should display (total received) - (total sent) = (prize amount)

The site uses a php script to display the total. As soon, as the refund was given, the script was updated to reflect a more accurate total. (The amount was taken off like you suggested above) For some reason while updating the site, an older copy must have slipped in.

I will investigate and take extra care so it doesn't happen again. Luckily it was only off by 25 and for a short period. But, I do agree, it should be accurate. Thanks.

...are you aware how long it showed an extra 25 BTC?



 

[bitlotto]

Can you rework how the prize amount is displayed on the site? Before the May draw closed the site had 490+ btc total prize amount. This amount was incorrect and should not have been displayed.

For those that don't recall, the discrepancy is from the 25+ btc that was returned.
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=34007.msg906543#msg906543

The site currently displays the total btc received as the prize amount. It should display (total received) - (total sent) = (prize amount)

The site uses a php script to display the total. As soon, as the refund was given, the script was updated to reflect a more accurate total. (The amount was taken off like you suggested above) For some reason while updating the site, an older copy must have slipped in.

I will investigate and take extra care so it doesn't happen again. Luckily it was only off by 25 and for a short period. But, I do agree, it should be accurate. Thanks.

...are you aware how long it showed an extra 25 BTC?

N.Olmos: Did you happen to see the value showing on satoshidice at the same time?

Edit: it could have been an issue with the data I was caching or an error from blockexplorer....
Hopefully no one makes another error payment for years to come!

[N.Olmos]

I can't. I only noticed the discrepancy after you posted the final prize amount and remember that the final prize amount was about 490+. I have been checking the site the last few days but I could not tell that the amount was off by 25btc at anytime if any. I had no reason to believe otherwise and had no reference to compare the amount.

As for SatoshiDice, I haven't used the site so I do not know.

I think you will always get deposits made by mistake and have to make adjustments so the site should always check for address balance not the total amount received.

n.olmos

[Otoh]

@BL see my post #444 it was showing 482 BTC then & later showed 484 so I was certain with half an hour plus to go that 500 would be reached, shame that it was a glitch & slipped back to 460 odd, but still 460 is nada malo  

still enough for 4 BFL Singles @ $5.23 atm 

I too pledge 3% donation of any winnings for site dev etc...

[bitlotto]

im not sure, how is the winner picked? i buy 4 tickets each month but do not really understand how this works,. thanks

What I do is look at every transaction hash. When the Mega Millions draw occurs I use those numbers and the first block after 00:00 UTC to create a single SHA256 hash. I then add that hash to the end of every transaction. Then I re-hash it. What I end up is a huge list of SHA256 hashes. I then sort them. Whatever hash sorts to the beginning is the winner. I then find out, what transaction hash it came from and pay the winner.

This method guarantees that no one can manipulate their tx's to give themselves an advantage. Everyone has the same chance.

Edit: From http://www.bitlotto.com/2012may2.txt
This was the tx hash: 1c41a4df93a9e2a2e96e95259c4fa05ba53dabe6a4da20b67871eeab3c90812f
The block after 00:00 UTC had a hash of: 00000000000003723f19329de9a63afc06abd3d9cfb1aea444cc9226ea13c611
Mega Millions Numbers were: 24 27 31 45 52 Mega Ball: 38
Using the block hash with the mega millions numbers at the end then hashed created: d9e3badbed16a90ab2486cad4935e82823a4ab954bac2b99fd69927592290cfa (this is added to EVERY tx)

so: 1c41a4df93a9e2a2e96e95259c4fa05ba53dabe6a4da20b67871eeab3c90812fd9e3badbed16a90 ab2486cad4935e82823a4ab954bac2b99fd69927592290cfa hashed became "50a0e203288d5f6e38812355da7b9a9b82c1475ffa21031f6e5c7794f327c0e8" This is what I use to figure out the winner. I sort all of them. The winner likely begins in 0's.

[Daily Anarchist]

im not sure, how is the winner picked? i buy 4 tickets each month but do not really understand how this works,. thanks

What I do is look at every transaction hash. When the Mega Millions draw occurs I use those numbers and the first block after 00:00 UTC to create a single SHA256 hash. I then add that hash to the end of every transaction. Then I re-hash it. What I end up is a huge list of SHA256 hashes. I then sort them. Whatever hash sorts to the beginning is the winner. I then find out, what transaction hash it came from and pay the winner.

This method guarantees that no one can manipulate their tx's to give themselves an advantage. Everyone has the same chance.

I assume this method is something that each individual can do to verify? A step-by-step instructions on Bitlotto would be nice. It would help add some trust to it for the skeptical.

[bitlotto]

I'm considering a policy change:
"There will be no refunds. No exceptions."

-eliminates any confusion about jackpot size if a refund does occur (just happened, but luckily is was small enough to not really influence people buying)

I wondered what IF someone made a large payment of 200 BTC. Everyone gets excited and buys tickets. The person is then is disappointed with the jackpot size and claims it was a mistake and wants the BTC back. I would be in a tricky spot.

So if I did offer refunds for mistake payments, I'm stuck with what criteria I use. Amount? How old the tx? Etc.

No refunds makes it simple. My only concern is what if someone does make a large payment that is legitimately a mistake? Do I just keep it and tell the person there is nothing I can do, but they should just hope that maybe they will win?

I also don't like refunds because it forces me to open the account. Just time consuming....

What do the BitLotto gamblers think is fair?

[Daily Anarchist]

I'm considering a policy change:
"There will be no refunds. No exceptions."

-eliminates any confusion about jackpot size if a refund does occur (just happened, but luckily is was small enough to not really influence people buying)

I wondered what IF someone made a large payment of 200 BTC. Everyone gets excited and buys tickets. The person is then is disappointed with the jackpot size and claims it was a mistake and wants the BTC back. I would be in a tricky spot.

So if I did offer refunds for mistake payments, I'm stuck with what criteria I use. Amount? How old the tx? Etc.

No refunds makes it simple. My only concern is what if someone does make a large payment that is legitimately a mistake? Do I just keep it and tell the person there is nothing I can do, but they should just hope that maybe they will win?

I also don't like refunds because it forces me to open the account. Just time consuming....

What do the BitLotto gamblers think is fair?

The only way I could see a refund being legitimate is if they made a large payment but didn't realize that the payments had to be sent in 0.25 BTC increments. But you fixed that, right? So, really I don't see any reason for refunds. Do other lotteries allow refunds? The answer is no.

[Otoh]

I'm considering a policy change:
"There will be no refunds. No exceptions."

-eliminates any confusion about jackpot size if a refund does occur (just happened, but luckily is was small enough to not really influence people buying)

I wondered what IF someone made a large payment of 200 BTC. Everyone gets excited and buys tickets. The person is then is disappointed with the jackpot size and claims it was a mistake and wants the BTC back. I would be in a tricky spot.

So if I did offer refunds for mistake payments, I'm stuck with what criteria I use. Amount? How old the tx? Etc.

No refunds makes it simple. My only concern is what if someone does make a large payment that is legitimately a mistake? Do I just keep it and tell the person there is nothing I can do, but they should just hope that maybe they will win?

I also don't like refunds because it forces me to open the account. Just time consuming....

What do the BitLotto gamblers think is fair?

The only way I could see a refund being legitimate is if they made a large payment but didn't realize that the payments had to be sent in 0.25 BTC increments. But you fixed that, right? So, really I don't see any reason for refunds. Do other lotteries allow refunds? The answer is no.

+1 No refunds at all, send money & you've bought irrevocable tickets, even if sent too late I wouldn't refund but instead would apply the funds (by resending or something) as entries to the next month's lotto, this way it is clear that no one is spoofing the pot total cost free.

[bitlotto]

im not sure, how is the winner picked? i buy 4 tickets each month but do not really understand how this works,. thanks

What I do is look at every transaction hash. When the Mega Millions draw occurs I use those numbers and the first block after 00:00 UTC to create a single SHA256 hash. I then add that hash to the end of every transaction. Then I re-hash it. What I end up is a huge list of SHA256 hashes. I then sort them. Whatever hash sorts to the beginning is the winner. I then find out, what transaction hash it came from and pay the winner.

This method guarantees that no one can manipulate their tx's to give themselves an advantage. Everyone has the same chance.

I assume this method is something that each individual can do to verify? A step-by-step instructions on Bitlotto would be nice. It would help add some trust to it for the skeptical.

The opening post links to some software that will quickly figure out the winner automatically. I also post the entire ticket list with all the calculations done. Pick any random tx and verify the results if you would like.

[DutchBrat]

If you say I won, I'll believe you, no need to verify

[Justin00]

so is this over ?
we do we know which address won yet ?

[Lord F(r)og]

so is this over ?
we do we know which address won yet ?

it's not over, it starts all over again

according to http://www.bitlotto.com/winners.html 1G5apmPvo2iTtmkNWAHTCET7Y842Ufijs8 has won the pot. wouldn't be surprised if it's Otho again