Jessica Mendoza

Marantelli is looking around for something that gives him an advantage. And one day, something across the pond grabs his attention. The Texas lottery. No one had won for a while, so the jackpot was ballooning. And not many people had bought tickets. So the odds look good. And this is when Marantelli contacts his partner.

Marantelli is looking around for something that gives him an advantage. And one day, something across the pond grabs his attention. The Texas lottery. No one had won for a while, so the jackpot was ballooning. And not many people had bought tickets. So the odds look good. And this is when Marantelli contacts his partner.

Marantelli is looking around for something that gives him an advantage. And one day, something across the pond grabs his attention. The Texas lottery. No one had won for a while, so the jackpot was ballooning. And not many people had bought tickets. So the odds look good. And this is when Marantelli contacts his partner.

Back in the 80s, the Joker dropped out of college and started gambling full-time. He pooled money to play the horses, slots, and keno. And today, the Joker and his business partners bet an estimated $10 billion a year. What is the relationship between Marantelli and the Joker?

Back in the 80s, the Joker dropped out of college and started gambling full-time. He pooled money to play the horses, slots, and keno. And today, the Joker and his business partners bet an estimated $10 billion a year. What is the relationship between Marantelli and the Joker?

Back in the 80s, the Joker dropped out of college and started gambling full-time. He pooled money to play the horses, slots, and keno. And today, the Joker and his business partners bet an estimated $10 billion a year. What is the relationship between Marantelli and the Joker?

So I'm thinking like Ocean's Eleven here. So would Marentelli sort of be the Danny Ocean, George Clooney character and Joker's like Ruben with the robe and the money in the background?

So I'm thinking like Ocean's Eleven here. So would Marentelli sort of be the Danny Ocean, George Clooney character and Joker's like Ruben with the robe and the money in the background?

So I'm thinking like Ocean's Eleven here. So would Marentelli sort of be the Danny Ocean, George Clooney character and Joker's like Ruben with the robe and the money in the background?

By the spring of 2023, the dynamic duo seemed ready to take on the Texas lottery. Marantelli had figured out the method. The Joker had the money to front the operation. And their plan was actually really simple. What gives you the best odds to win the lottery? Buy as many tickets as you can. And for this lottery, that actually seemed possible.

By the spring of 2023, the dynamic duo seemed ready to take on the Texas lottery. Marantelli had figured out the method. The Joker had the money to front the operation. And their plan was actually really simple. What gives you the best odds to win the lottery? Buy as many tickets as you can. And for this lottery, that actually seemed possible.

By the spring of 2023, the dynamic duo seemed ready to take on the Texas lottery. Marantelli had figured out the method. The Joker had the money to front the operation. And their plan was actually really simple. What gives you the best odds to win the lottery? Buy as many tickets as you can. And for this lottery, that actually seemed possible.

Right. They don't want to split the pot with anybody else.

Right. They don't want to split the pot with anybody else.

Right. They don't want to split the pot with anybody else.

There were 25.8 million number combinations for the drawing. So to tip the scales in their favor, Marantelli and the Joker planned to buy almost all the tickets at a dollar a pop. So around $25 million worth. But the timing was key. Marantelli and the Joker needed to wait until the jackpot was big enough for their gamble to pay off.

There were 25.8 million number combinations for the drawing. So to tip the scales in their favor, Marantelli and the Joker planned to buy almost all the tickets at a dollar a pop. So around $25 million worth. But the timing was key. Marantelli and the Joker needed to wait until the jackpot was big enough for their gamble to pay off.

There were 25.8 million number combinations for the drawing. So to tip the scales in their favor, Marantelli and the Joker planned to buy almost all the tickets at a dollar a pop. So around $25 million worth. But the timing was key. Marantelli and the Joker needed to wait until the jackpot was big enough for their gamble to pay off.

Jackpot draws in the Texas lottery are three times a week, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. And on Wednesday, April 19th, no one had the winning numbers. So the cash rolled over into the next drawing on Saturday. At that point, what was the jackpot?

Jackpot draws in the Texas lottery are three times a week, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. And on Wednesday, April 19th, no one had the winning numbers. So the cash rolled over into the next drawing on Saturday. At that point, what was the jackpot?