Am I the only one who is aggravated by the Public's virtual line?

[winston89]

Posted: 6/18/09 at 1:08pm

I have tried the virtual line three times now and lost each time including today. However, for today, I signed up at midnight on the dot the very second it started and I still lost.

Is there any strategy in winning this damn thing. Am I the only one who is annoyed by this whole thing?

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 6/18/09 at 1:09pm

Yes.

[#1Elphie]

Posted: 6/18/09 at 1:11pm

It's a lottery. There's no strategy. And before last year they didn't even have the virtual line, so you had to go wait in the park for tickets. Be thankful they have this option now, even if it's difficult to win. I tried countless times last year and never won.

I won today, but the performance will probably be cancelled because of rain.

[ashley0139]

Posted: 6/18/09 at 1:13pm

Yes, you are the only one.

I would much rather this than have to sit outside for hours.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 6/18/09 at 1:14pm

Yeah. You lost because there are so many people trying for tickets. Especially because there is not much involved to enter except sitting in front of your computer and pressing a button.

A lady I spoke to over the phone at the Public said the virtual line is random. Doesn't matter when you sign up. I signed up a few minutes before the deadline and won once.

EDIT: If only I kept my picture of Lauren Graham as my avatar, we would have had three Laurens in a row...

Updated On: 6/18/09 at 01:14 PM

[winston89]

Posted: 6/18/09 at 1:17pm

#1Elphie, I was talking with a friend of mine who won via the virtual line and we were talking last night about if this was a lotto or if it was an actual line. In that the first people to sign up are the ones that win.

I do agree that it is most likely going to be canceled and therefor I am glad that I didn't win and that I do have other plans for tonight. I am going to do the line tomorrow and see what I can do that way.

[#1Elphie]

Posted: 6/18/09 at 1:17pm

If anyone wants my one extra ticket for tonight (if it's not rained out), PM me.

[heo1128]

Posted: 6/18/09 at 1:26pm

It's a little frustrating to sign up every day and not win, but being able to acquire tickets without having to get out of bed is kind of awesome.

[Just_John]

Posted: 6/18/09 at 1:37pm

I won the virtual line today as well. But is it worth traveling in to when the weather forecast is just rain til 1 am?
http://www.weather.com/weather/hourbyhour/graph/USNY0996?from=hrly_table_tab

[Anakela]

Posted: 6/18/09 at 1:41pm

I'm not aggravated by the online lotto that I haven't won yet (and never won for Hair), but man I do really miss being able to line up at The Public, instead of in the Park.

[#1Elphie]

Posted: 6/18/09 at 1:41pm

Depends on where you'll be traveling from. For me it's no big deal, but for others who live far away it might not be worth it.

If the show DOES go on tonight, I'm sure it will be incredibly easy for anyone to just show up and get tickets.

[jordangirl]

Posted: 6/18/09 at 1:42pm

I'm 0/5 this year so far. Last year I was 0/every performance I was able to attend. In other words I have never won. And I have tried signing up right at midnight to signing up right before the cut off and everything in between. It really appears to be a lottery and completely random.

That said, I finally on Sunday did the stand-by line and got in.

I'd be very surprised if it lets up enough for the show to go tonight...it's been raining all day.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 6/18/09 at 1:54pm

It's all part of the wuss-ification of today's generation.

I remember the days when Joe Papp ran the Public. You had to wait in the Park all day to get a ticket. You enjoyed the performance because you felt you had earned it.

Then they started only making you wait until noon to get a ticket. But you still enjoyed the performance because you had made the effort.

It used to be fun to go and sit in line and talk with other people and enjoy a lounge in Central Park.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 6/18/09 at 2:07pm

The public has stated that there are a MINIMAL amount of tix available for the virtual line.

The public has stated that it is totally random.

The public didn't have to provide an alternative method.

If you live close enough to get into the city with only a few hours notice then consider yourself lucky.

If you are able to score FREE tickets to a b'way quality show consider yourself lucky.

Personally, I love the whole line waiting thing....it was a lot of fun. I am really bummed that my schedule no way allows for getting to 12th Night. I'm hoping for the Bacchae later in the season.

[taylorPHENOMENON2]

Posted: 6/18/09 at 4:08pm

Yup.
Updated On: 6/18/09 at 04:08 PM

[jordangirl]

Posted: 6/18/09 at 4:42pm

Gotham ~ I agree that I love doing the line waiting thing. I've done it before, but last summer and thus far this summer have not panned out. I'm considering doing it one day when I have a couple of days off between school and summer school because I know the weekends are crazy. It's nice that there is the OPTION of the virtual line for those who have to work and can't wait on the line as much as they might want to.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 6/18/09 at 4:46pm

Ahhhhhh I want to go tonight. People need to stop tempting me by posting about their extra tickets. :) (Although I don't think they'll go on tonight, since it's supposed to rain pretty relentlessly.)

Anyway. Winston, what do you not understand about a lottery? And you've lost three times and you're upset? Relax. Yeah, it's frustrating because the fact that it's so simple means the volume of people entering is probably pretty high, but I think this is a great idea and I'm glad they have it.

Updated On: 6/18/09 at 04:46 PM