The new Encore looks horrible! The odds of winning go from 1 in 5 or so to 1 in 9 or so. You used to be able to get a free ticket with encore (so $3) for matching either of the first or last numbers. Now, the first number by itself is worth squat, and the last is only worth $2. Sure, like they say the odds of you winning at least $5 go up, but at the cost of giving up many $3 prizes, or getting $2 instead of $3?
Even their FAQ is a joke. 5. WHY DOES ENCORE NOW OFFER ONLY CASH PRIZES AND NO LONGER OFFERS FREE TICKETS AS A PRIZE?
Many players prefer a cash prize to a free ticket. Offering all prizes in cash also allows us to offer ENCORE on any new lottery games.
Most people I know play 6/49 every draw. Who plays it once, and is going to win $2 on the new Encore, and say "Yeah, give me the $2, I'm not going to play this week." Crap.
The only good thing about the new encore is that it won't appear when you don't play, so you won't have to worry about noticing you've lost out on $1 million because you didn't have an extra loonie in change.
No way I'm playing the new Encore.