Chicago, March 29 : Michelle Obama has changed the way tickets are distributed for the yearly Easter Egg Roll at the White House by making them available online.

The U. S. First Lady reworked the conventional "first come, first served'''' process, which had previously seen many piling all night on the Ellipse before the roll, to make it more accessible for those from other towns.

This year will see the traditional game, usually played with hard-boiled, decorated eggs at Easter, as a nine-hour affair beginning at 8 in the morning on April 13 on the South Lawn.

"The online ticketing system has allowed us to reach families from 41 states interested in coming to the Easter Egg Roll,'''' the Chicago Sun-Times quoted her spokesman as saying.

The new system has, however, managed to gather mixed opinions, leaving some unhappy while others with delight with the extended opportunity.

A Maryland mother said in a blog: “My sister-in-law and I brave the elements (two years ago it snowed on us) in excess of 24 hours to ensure our kids get to experience the Easter Egg Roll at the White House. Not everything in Washington is broken, Mr. President. Some traditions will be missed.”

But a happy Jackie from Durham, N. C., said: "Thank you Mr. President and Mrs. Obama for thinking of this idea of letting everyone across the USA have a chance to get tickets. ... Other persons would love to have the chance of getting tickets." (ANI)