If You Are Playing An Office Lottery For Powerball You Need Rules

Here are 5 rules to follow when you're buying tickets with others.

With upwards of 1.4 billion at stake, you bet you need rules if you're buying tickets with others.

It's all for one and one for all until there's a winning ticket involved. Then it's back stabbing, lying, cheating, and pretty soon lawyers are involved.

Forbes.com published 5 rules that make a ton of sense if you are in a workplace lottery.

Here's a cliff note version.

1. Name a leader. Name a leader who will be in charge of the lottery pool.

2. Create a contract. Create a simple contract that spells out the big issues (e.g., who is playing, how often, how much, whether you will take the lump-sum or an annuity...etc) that all participants sign.

3. Make it public. Make a public list of who has signed the contract and who is participating.

4. Make copies of tickets. Make copies of the tickets before each drawing and give them to each participant.

5. Keep the tickets safe. Keep the original tickets in a safe but accessible place.

These are really good tips to avoid the drama and high costs of lawyers if you're lucky enough to win.