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PCF Powerball Group - 12/20 Drawing - 12/22 Drawing - CLOSED (1 Viewer)

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Tommy said:
The drawing is tonight. We are just going to roll with it. I'll be checking in periodically but will be out at 6pm to go make my daily ATM withdraws and to get the remaining batch of tickets. Then get all the tickets scanned and sent to everyone before the drawing.
Click to expand...
Bet you cant wait to do this again on Wednesday :wtf:
 
Geremie said:
I can’t get the OCR to produce the other 5 columns though. I’ll try again tomorrow to get the PDFs to excel and then it’s an easy lookup to see how many numbers hit
Click to expand...

If you're interested, the below script extracted 1359 rows of the previous buy in. I didn't do anything with the results because it took a while to get results :p It for some reason still misses the `I` row on a number of pages. Maybe you can take it further

You need to download tesseract for OCR and poppler for PDF to image conversion.
Markdown (GitHub flavored): 
## Installation

### 1. Install Python dependencies:
```bash
pip install pdf2image pytesseract Pillow --break-system-packages
```

### 2. Install Tesseract OCR:

**Ubuntu/Debian:**
```bash
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install tesseract-ocr poppler-utils
```

**macOS:**
```bash
brew install tesseract poppler
```

**Windows:**
- Download Tesseract from: https://github.com/UB-Mannheim/tesseract/wiki
- Download Poppler from: https://github.com/oschwartz10612/poppler-windows/releases/
- Add both to your PATH

## Usage

Basic usage:
```bash
python lottery_ocr.py your_lottery_tickets.pdf
```

Specify output file:
```bash
python lottery_ocr.py your_lottery_tickets.pdf results.csv
```

Python: 
#!/usr/bin/env python3
"""
Lottery Ticket OCR Script
Extracts lottery numbers from a multi-page PDF of scanned lottery tickets.
Outputs: CSV with columns: page, row, num1, num2, num3, num4, num5, pb_num
"""

import csv
import re
import sys
import argparse
from pathlib import Path

try:
    import pdf2image
    from PIL import Image
    import pytesseract
except ImportError:
    print("Missing required packages. Installing...")
    import subprocess

    subprocess.check_call(
        [
            sys.executable,
            "-m",
            "pip",
            "install",
            "pdf2image",
            "pytesseract",
            "Pillow",
            "--break-system-packages",
        ]
    )
    import pdf2image
    from PIL import Image
    import pytesseract


# ============================================================================
# CROP SETTINGS - ADJUST THESE VALUES
# ============================================================================
# Set to None to disable cropping, or define (left, top, right, bottom) in pixels
# Example: CROP_BOX = (100, 200, 800, 1000) means crop from x=100,y=200 to x=800,y=1000

# Suggested crop for the ticket area (based on preview image)
# This focuses on just the lottery numbers section (rows A-J)
# Adjust these values if needed based on your actual page dimensions
CROP_BOX = (50, 440, 620, 770)  # Crops to the ticket rows area
# You can also define multiple crop boxes if tickets are in different regions
# CROP_BOXES = [
#     (100, 200, 800, 600),   # First ticket area
#     (100, 650, 800, 1050),  # Second ticket area
# ]
CROP_BOXES = None
# ============================================================================


def extract_numbers_from_text(text, page_num, debug=False):
    """
    Extract lottery numbers from OCR text.
    Looks for patterns like: A1924394565P:22Q6 or A. 19 24 39 45 65 Powerball: 22 Q6
    Returns list of dictionaries with page, row, num1-5, pb_num
    """
    if debug:
        print(f"\n{'='*60}")
        print(f"OCR TEXT FOR PAGE {page_num}:")
        print(f"{'='*60}")
        print(text)
        print(f"{'='*60}\n")

    results = []

    lines = text.split("\n")

    for line in lines:
        # Skip empty lines
        if not line.strip():
            continue

        # Pattern 1: Compact format like "A1924394565P:22Q6" or "I. 20 38 42 53 58 Powerball: 14 Q6"
        # Matches: Letter + 10 digits (5 pairs) + P: + 2 digits
        # More flexible to handle spacing variations
        compact_match = re.search(
            r"([A-J])[\.\s]*(\d{2})\s*(\d{2})\s*(\d{2})\s*(\d{2})\s*(\d{2})\s*(?:Powerball:|P:?)\s*(\d{2})",
            line,
            re.IGNORECASE,
        )

        if compact_match:
            result = {
                "page": page_num,
                "row": compact_match.group(1),
                "num1": compact_match.group(2),
                "num2": compact_match.group(3),
                "num3": compact_match.group(4),
                "num4": compact_match.group(5),
                "num5": compact_match.group(6),
                "pb_num": compact_match.group(7),
            }
            results.append(result)
            if debug:
                print(f"Line: {line}")
                print(f"  ✓ Compact format extracted: {result}")
            continue

        # Pattern 2: Spaced format like "A. 19 24 39 45 65 Powerball: 22 Q6"
        # First find the row letter (A-J at start of line or after whitespace, followed by . or space)
        row_match = re.search(r"(?:^|\s)([A-J])[\.\s]", line)
        if not row_match:
            continue

        row_letter = row_match.group(1)

        # Extract all 2-digit numbers from the line
        numbers = re.findall(r"\b(\d{2})\b", line)

        if debug:
            print(f"Line: {line}")
            print(f"  Row: {row_letter}, Numbers found: {numbers}")

        if len(numbers) >= 6:  # Need at least 5 regular numbers + 1 powerball
            # Take first 5 as regular numbers, 6th as powerball
            result = {
                "page": page_num,
                "row": row_letter,
                "num1": numbers[0],
                "num2": numbers[1],
                "num3": numbers[2],
                "num4": numbers[3],
                "num5": numbers[4],
                "pb_num": numbers[5],
            }
            results.append(result)
            if debug:
                print(f"  ✓ Spaced format extracted: {result}")

    return results


def process_pdf(
    pdf_path, output_csv, debug=False, preview_pages=None, save_images=False
):
    """
    Process PDF file and extract lottery numbers to CSV.

    Args:
        pdf_path: Path to the PDF file
        output_csv: Path to output CSV file
        debug: If True, print OCR text and extraction details
        preview_pages: List of page numbers to preview (e.g., [1, 2, 3])
        save_images: If True, save processed images to disk
    """
    print(f"Processing PDF: {pdf_path}")
    print("Converting PDF to images... (this may take a while)")

    # Convert PDF to images
    try:
        if preview_pages:
            # Only convert specified pages for preview
            images = []
            for page_num in preview_pages:
                img = pdf2image.convert_from_path(
                    pdf_path, first_page=page_num, last_page=page_num
                )
                images.extend(img)
        else:
            images = pdf2image.convert_from_path(pdf_path)
    except Exception as e:
        print(f"Error converting PDF: {e}")
        print("Make sure poppler-utils is installed:")
        print("  Ubuntu/Debian: sudo apt-get install poppler-utils")
        print("  macOS: brew install poppler")
        return

    print(f"PDF converted to {len(images)} images")

    # Preview mode - save images and show dimensions
    if save_images or preview_pages:
        print("\nSaving preview images...")
        for i, image in enumerate(images):
            page_num = preview_pages[i] if preview_pages else i + 1
            output_path = f"page_{page_num}_preview.png"
            image.save(output_path)
            print(f"Saved: {output_path} (Size: {image.width}x{image.height})")

            # If cropping is enabled, also save cropped versions
            if CROP_BOX:
                cropped = image.crop(CROP_BOX)
                crop_path = f"page_{page_num}_cropped.png"
                cropped.save(crop_path)
                print(
                    f"Saved cropped: {crop_path} (Size: {cropped.width}x{cropped.height})"
                )

            if CROP_BOXES:
                for j, box in enumerate(CROP_BOXES):
                    cropped = image.crop(box)
                    crop_path = f"page_{page_num}_crop_{j+1}.png"
                    cropped.save(crop_path)
                    print(
                        f"Saved cropped region {j+1}: {crop_path} (Size: {cropped.width}x{cropped.height})"
                    )

    all_results = []

    # Process each page
    for idx, image in enumerate(images):
        page_num = preview_pages[idx] if preview_pages else idx + 1
        print(f"Processing page {page_num}...", end="\r" if not debug else "\n")

        # Apply cropping if enabled
        images_to_process = []

        if CROP_BOX:
            images_to_process.append(image.crop(CROP_BOX))
        elif CROP_BOXES:
            images_to_process = [image.crop(box) for box in CROP_BOXES]
        else:
            images_to_process = [image]

        # Process each image/crop
        for proc_img in images_to_process:
            # Perform OCR on the image
            # Using config to improve number recognition
            custom_config = r"--oem 3 --psm 6 -c tessedit_char_whitelist=ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0123456789:)PB"
            text = pytesseract.image_to_string(proc_img, config=custom_config)

            # Extract numbers from OCR text
            results = extract_numbers_from_text(text, page_num, debug=debug)
            all_results.extend(results)

    print(f"\nExtracted {len(all_results)} lottery ticket rows")

    # Write to CSV
    if all_results:
        with open(output_csv, "w", newline="") as csvfile:
            fieldnames = [
                "page",
                "row",
                "num1",
                "num2",
                "num3",
                "num4",
                "num5",
                "pb_num",
            ]
            writer = csv.DictWriter(csvfile, fieldnames=fieldnames)

            writer.writeheader()
            for result in all_results:
                writer.writerow(result)

        print(f"Results saved to: {output_csv}")
    else:
        print(
            "No lottery numbers found. You may need to adjust the OCR settings or pattern matching."
        )
        if not debug:
            print("\nTry running with --debug flag to see the OCR output:")
            print(f"  python lottery_ocr.py {pdf_path} --debug --preview 1")


def main():
    parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(
        description="Extract lottery numbers from PDF to CSV",
        formatter_class=argparse.RawDescriptionHelpFormatter,
        epilog="""
Examples:
  # Preview first page with debug output
  python lottery_ocr.py tickets.pdf --debug --preview 1
 
  # Preview pages 1-3 and save images
  python lottery_ocr.py tickets.pdf --preview 1 2 3 --save-images
 
  # Process entire PDF
  python lottery_ocr.py tickets.pdf output.csv
 
  # Process with debug output
  python lottery_ocr.py tickets.pdf --debug

After previewing, edit CROP_BOX in the script:
  CROP_BOX = (left, top, right, bottom)
  Example: CROP_BOX = (100, 200, 800, 1000)
        """,
    )

    parser.add_argument("pdf_file", help="Path to PDF file")
    parser.add_argument(
        "output_csv",
        nargs="?",
        help="Output CSV file (default: <pdf_name>_results.csv)",
    )
    parser.add_argument(
        "--debug",
        "-d",
        action="store_true",
        help="Show OCR text and extraction details",
    )
    parser.add_argument(
        "--preview",
        "-p",
        nargs="+",
        type=int,
        metavar="PAGE",
        help="Preview specific pages (e.g., --preview 1 2 3)",
    )
    parser.add_argument(
        "--save-images",
        "-s",
        action="store_true",
        help="Save page images to disk for inspection",
    )

    args = parser.parse_args()

    pdf_path = args.pdf_file

    if not Path(pdf_path).exists():
        print(f"Error: File not found: {pdf_path}")
        sys.exit(1)

    # Default output name
    if args.output_csv:
        output_csv = args.output_csv
    else:
        output_csv = Path(pdf_path).stem + "_results.csv"

    # Show crop settings if enabled
    if CROP_BOX:
        print(f"Using CROP_BOX: {CROP_BOX}")
    if CROP_BOXES:
        print(f"Using CROP_BOXES: {CROP_BOXES}")

    process_pdf(
        pdf_path,
        output_csv,
        debug=args.debug,
        preview_pages=args.preview,
        save_images=args.save_images,
    )


if __name__ == "__main__":
    main()
 
This is the code I use in Acrobat Pro to remove all the even number pages which are the back of the tickets. :cool No sense in having e.g. 300 pages when you only need 150.

JavaScript: 
for (var i = this.numPages - 1; i >= 1; i -= 2) {
    this.deletePages(i);
}
 
Tommy said:
This is the code I use in Acrobat Pro to remove all the even number pages which are the back of the tickets. :cool No sense in having e.g. 300 pages when you only need 150.

JavaScript: 
for (var i = this.numPages - 1; i >= 1; i -= 2) {
    this.deletePages(i);
}
Click to expand...
Lot less lines of code here. :)
 
shorticus said:
Lot less lines of code here. :)
Click to expand...
Gold Rush GIF by Discovery
 
BEANO52 said:
I can see the 6:00 news now:

“VIRAL VICTORY: GROUP OF MOSTLY‑STRANGERS — UNITED ONLY BY THEIR BIZARRE POKER CHIP‑COLLECTING OBSESSION — CASH IN ON POWERBALL, PROVING HOARDING PAYS OFF”

note: TY you ai.
Click to expand...

"BIZARRE".... ?????!

:ROFL: :ROFLMAO:
 
Guys I'm started to get worried we might have unintentionally allowed a mush to join this group. The mush is why we didn't win and we've got to identify then and exclude them or we risk continuing to not win. Please report them asap. They are usually identified by their inability to win flips or realize equity on draws.
 
Highli99 said:
Guys I'm started to get worried we might have unintentionally allowed a mush to join this group. The mush is why we didn't win and we've got to identify then and exclude them or we risk continuing to not win. Please report them asap. They are usually identified by their inability to win flips or realize equity on draws.
Click to expand...
thinks back on flip history

Shit.
 
FordPickup92 said:
Darn I want in lol
Click to expand...
See first post and the couple of unpaid round 2 slots. Have member send group DM if they are giving their slot to you. Available cash to buy tickets is limited. Maxing out ATM withdraw limits. 125 players is the max.
 
Yesterday, I played my normal $2 game for today's drawing.
I don't know why, but I looked at the ticket today and discovered the clerk handed me back the old ticket by mistake
(I hand them the ticket and do a 'replay' for the same #'s all of the time).

So I guess if I win I am only getting half (I bought another ticket) :mad:.
Or maybe all of it if I go dumpster diving. :sick:
 
Last edited:
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