Winning the lottery is life-changing. Hit the jackpot, and you’re all set. But how to win the lottery? Well, a magical button is unavailable. The good news is that mathematics remains the only tool that can help.
Before discussing the good news, allow me to talk about the bad news first. Once you understand the obstacle that prevents you from winning, developing a sensible lotto strategy that works will be easy. Let’s begin.
Table of Contents
Winning the Lottery is Not Easy
The lottery is truly a random game—unpredictable. That’s why playing the lottery is gambling.
The odds of winning the U.S. Powerball 5/69 grand prize are one to 292 million. In Mega Millions 5/70, the odds are one to 302.6 million. The odds are so monumental. So far, the worst odds I have seen are those of the South African and Italian Superenalotto, which involves picking from 90 numbers. Winning in this kind of game format is like wishing for a miracle.
Many people say the possibility that you get killed by a shark is much higher than winning the lottery. That’s not entirely true. There are games with better odds than shark attack, such as Match 4 in Washington, the North 5 of Minnesota, the Easy 5 of Louisiana, Fantasy 5 of California, the Bank a Million of Virginia, and more.
The whole truth is that the probability of meeting a shark is zero when you don’t swim in the ocean.1 Similarly, you must be in it to win it. So, despite the enormous odds, why do people gamble in a lotto game? One reason is the issue of availability bias. People think winning is very likely if they hear about recent lottery winners.2
But how likely is it that you will win soon this year?
Understanding the Odds
On average, winning the U.S. Powerball will take 292 million attempts. If you play 100 tickets every week, then you need 2,920,000 weeks. That corresponds to 56,154 years (if you ever lived that long). You see, the risk of losing money is very high. Winning any prize in Powerball is 1 in 24.87 (0.0402). So, the probability of not winning a prize is 95.98%. We square this number to get your probability of losing twice in a row.
P(losing twice) = 0.95982
To have a 50/50 chance of winning a prize, you must purchase at least 17 tickets. To have a 99.99% guarantee of winning any prize, you will need 224 tickets.
P(winning any prize) = 1 – 0.9598224 tickets = 0.9999
However, note that you will likely win a $4 prize, as the payout favors the lowest-tier prize. It’s best to face the odds when gambling in a lottery game. That said, don’t believe you can win small prizes more frequently while waiting for a big win. This game cannot be an alternative source of income. Learning how to win the lottery requires understanding how the game works randomly over time.
Don’t Take the Lottery Too Seriously.
Play just for fun. The lottery is fun and interesting, which I will prove later.
The truth is that no one can beat the odds. But people do play anyway. Like kids, adults want to play, too. So occasionally, playing just for fun and taking a shot at the tease of “What if I win?” that comes with it is not a bad idea. However, some people think they have a smart solution to beat the odds. Some people tried to rig the system with no success.3
No lottery hack can ever predict the exact winning number combination. Surely, a computer system or artificial intelligence can help you calculate all possible choices, but the computer cannot predict the outcome of a lottery draw. Most especially, a fortune teller or your psychic friend will not help.
So, what do you do when you want to play intelligently? The answer is to make informed choices using mathematics. That’s the good news because, in this article, I will discuss how the lottery behaves over time and help you optimize your play for success.
Use Math to Support Your Gut Feeling
The only way to increase your probability of winning is to buy more tickets. However, purchasing many tickets won’t work if you’re not making informed choices. Consider a ticket with 1-2-3-4-5-6 on it. It amazes me that some players buy tickets with such a line. I’m glad many avoid it because, according to them, if this line ever wins a lottery draw, the possibility of splitting the jackpot prize is very high. Of course, that’s true. But that is not the right explanation. For one, you cannot apply the same reason for 1-10-11-20-21-22.
We have to stop explaining things in English. You must explain your choices through strong mathematical reasoning. Take a look at the following lines below:
- 20-21-30-31-40-41 (three sets of consecutive numbers)
- 01-11-21-31-41-51 (all numbers ending in 1)
- 11-22-33-44-55-66 (skip counting by 11)
I asked 100 lotto players if they would spend money on these combinations, and they all replied with a resounding NO. Surprisingly, most people do not trust their math even though they believe all combinations have the same likelihood of winning.
But WHY? If all combinations are equally likely, why be afraid to bet on certain lines?
Their gut feeling takes over. Gut feeling alone, without calculated reasoning, is not an acceptable explanation.4
How to Win the Lottery Using Math
No one, not even a paranormal creature (if that even exists), can foretell what will occur in the next draw. When a magic button is unavailable, mathematics remains the only useful tool you can rely on to achieve lottery success.
It’s possible to play with your best shot using combinatorial math and probability theory. Read The Proven Lottery Formula Using Combinatorics and Probability Theory.
What about statistics?
I’m sorry, but statistics are not the right mathematical tools to analyze lottery games. Why? Because the lottery is finite. And since it is finite, any question you ask is a probability problem to solve, not a statistical one.
When finite structure is involved, sampling is unnecessary, and there’s no need for historical results. So, stop using statistical analysis to analyze lottery games.
Let me remind you that calculations differ from one game to another. But no matter what lotto games you play, combinatorial mathematics and probability theory work the same for all of them. So, if you are ready to unleash the power of math, keep reading below.
How to Win the Lottery By Choosing the Right Game
Your chances are slim if you want to win the U.S. Powerball or U.S. Mega Millions. Go for a smaller game that offers better odds despite smaller jackpot prizes.
The first factor is the number field. The lesser the set of numbers, the better the odds. For example, a lottery with 42 balls is better than a pool of 49 balls. 32 is better than 35, and 35 is better than 39.
The second factor is the pick size. Pick-5 is better than a pick-6 game. So, if you want to win, always choose a game with a small pick size and a smaller number field. The table below will give you an idea of the odds of different games.
But Watch Out for the Extra Ball
The extra ball may affect your chances of winning. Extra balls can have different names depending on the game you are playing. For the U.S. Powerball, it is called the “Powerball.” In Euro Millions, it’s called the “lucky star.” Some systems take the extra ball from the same drum. For instance, the Tattslotto system takes two supplementary numbers from the same drum, which makes this lottery more favorable than the U.S. Powerball or the U.S. Mega Millions.
In the Irish Lottery system, the supplementary numbers are taken from the same drum, so that’s an easy game like the Tattslotto. However, it’s harder to win when the extra ball is drawn from a separate drum. When you play Powerball, for instance, you must match another number drawn from a separate set to win the jackpot. This additional ball increases your odds to 1 in 292 million.
How Do We Compute the Odds of the Lottery?
To compute your odds, we must calculate the total number of combinations in the game. We use the combination formula C(n,r) to calculate the number of possible combinations, where n is the size of the number field, and r is the number of balls drawn.5
Where:
n = The size of the number field
r = the pick-size
Using the above formula, we determined that there are 13,983,816 possible combinations in a lotto 6/49 system. From that given value, determining the odds is as simple as separating the number of ways you win and lose.
There’s only one way to win the jackpot. Therefore, the odds in favor of winning the grand prize are expressed in the following way:
Odds of winning the grand prize = 1 / (13,983,816 minus 1)
So the odds of winning the jackpot are expressed as 1 is to 13,983,815. The table below shows you the odds of the most popular lotteries in the world.
The Power of a Small Lottery System
Of course, a lottery with a huge jackpot is usually harder to win. People start with a large and more popular game for a better payout. I suggest you define what you want in life. How much is big enough depends on you. Ultimately, you choose the game that is not too hard to win yet offers a jackpot prize big enough to change your life.
Many lottery games in the United States have no extra ball. You might want to consider the Illinois Lucky Day Lotto with a starting jackpot of $100,000 that grows. The odds are 239 times easier than the Powerball and 248 times better than the Mega Millions. At the time of writing, the jackpot of the Lucky Day Lotto is $350,000.
Tip #1: Choose a lottery game with small number field and a small pick size.
The Power of Composition: Your Best Shot at Winning the Lottery
I always encounter people saying, “All combinations are equally likely.” I agree. There’s no question that the 1-2-3-4-5-6 combination is equally likely as any six numbers you can pick from the top of your head. That’s because there’s only one way to win a jackpot.
But you have to look at the game in a different light.
How should we study lottery games? Well, realize that odds and probability are not mathematically equivalent. Probability is the likelihood of an event occurring. Mathematically, we express probability as:
On the other hand, odds are the ratio of success to failure. In mathematical parlance, this is commonly known as the “odds in favor” or simply odds. We express odds in favor using the equation below:
We can define the difference of the two equations in the following simple terms:
Probability = Chance
Odds = Advantage
You cannot change the probability of any game. You cannot beat the odds. But you can choose odds that you think are more favorable.
The Strategy to Win the Lottery Lies in Your Composition
Making an intelligent choice is about choosing the best odds or advantage. And how do you calculate your advantage? Well, you look at the composition of the combination.
Combinations can be organized into combinatorial groups based on their composition.
However, odds in favor are often associated with winning and losing, which may create confusion when applied to combinatorial groups.
To avoid ambiguity and maintain consistency, I use the term “frequency ratio” to highlight the relative frequency of occurrence of each group, offering a clearer representation of favorable shots rather than framing it in terms of winning or losing.
Let’s examine the combination 2-4-6-8-10-12. Notice that all these numbers are even numbers.
In a 6/49 game, there are 134,596 ways to combine six even numbers. So, on average, you have 134,596 favorable shots against the 13,849,220 ways you will not. This event gives you a meager frequency ratio of 1 to 103. That means, out of approximately 104 attempts, one is a favorable shot, and 103 are sure losses. Read: How Odd and Even Numbers Influence Lottery Outcomes.
In short, the ratio of 1:103 is an expensive strategy. You don’t want to spend your money on 104 attempts and get only one favorable shot.
Use the calculator below to discover how your favorite lottery game behaves over time, focusing on odd and even number composition.
Understanding Composition: Why Combinations are Not Created Equally
You heard me say that all combinations have the same chance of winning. It’s a mathematical fact, giving the game a unique property that makes it fair for everyone participating. But just because all combinations are equally likely doesn’t mean all hope is lost.
The truth is that not all combinations are created equally.
This time, let’s switch to low and high numbers.
In a 6/49 game, there are 4,655,200 ways to combine six numbers composed of three low and three high numbers. That means you have approximately 33 favorable shots in every 100 attempts. In other words, the relative frequency ratio is 1 to 2, indicating one favorable shot for every two failures. Read The Impact of Low and High Numbers on Your Lottery Chances.
Frequency Ratio = 4,655,200/9,328,616 = 1/2
That means you only need three attempts to get one favorable shot on average.
According to probability theory, a truly random draw spreads the probability fairly across the entire number field. That is why combinations composed purely of low numbers or purely high numbers are less frequent events. True randomness neither favors the low nor the high set. If you check the past historical results, you will see that most winning combinations are mix of low and high numbers.
Let’s compare two compositions: one made entirely of high numbers and the other a balanced mix of 3 low and 3 high numbers.
Based on the comparison table above, you should avoid purely 6-high numbers (ex: 44-45-46-47-48-49) as you don’t want to have only one favorable shot after spending your money on 104 tickets. You want to have as many favorable shots as possible and be closer to the winning combination for most draws.
As you can see, getting a favorable shot depends on the composition of your combination. This proves that composition matters when learning how to win the lottery.
Use the calculator below to explore how your favorite lottery game behaves over time, using low and high number composition.
How the Frequency Ratio Guides Your Choices
A ratio indicates relative frequency. In other words, the ratio 1:103 doesn’t mean that a 0-odd-6-even composition should appear exactly once in 104 draws. Based on the law of large numbers, we should expect an infinite series of draws to approach this theoretical expectation. A ratio is a relative measure, not an absolute value. Confusing the two can lead to flawed reasoning, similar to the gambler’s fallacy. We will discuss the gambler’s fallacy later below. For now, realize that the objective is to understand the behavior of your lottery game over time.
In this article, the important thing is knowing how to leverage the frequency ratio to make informed choices for winning. To illustrate, let’s compare two players who decide to play under different frequency ratios.
Your goal is to win the lottery, and the first thing you should know when selecting numbers is your frequency ratio. You cannot change the underlying probability, and you cannot beat the odds, but you can calculate and make informed choices.
Tip #2: It’s not easy to win the lottery. But you can make intelligent choices. You should choose the composition where the most favorable shot is most likely achievable, putting you closer to winning. Let the frequency ratio guides you when making choices.
How to Win the Lottery Using Lotterycodex
I have demonstrated how different mixes of numbers can affect your frequency ratio. It’s time to go deeper into the combinatorial aspect of lottery numbers.
Truth be told, a combination of 3-low-3-high numbers or a combination of 3-odd-3-even numbers doesn’t necessarily represent a clear combinatorial advantage.
Probability analysis can be problematically complex if you are not careful. For example, a combination such as 1-2-3-4-5-6 falls under the 3-odd-3-even composition. However, notice that it belongs to the 6-low-0-high group, suggesting a poor composition.
Two separate analyses present contradicting conclusions.
A problem like this requires complex combinatorics and probability solutions to integrate low/high and odd/even numbers in a single analysis. That’s how Lotterycodex comes into play. We analyze compositions and their corresponding frequency ratio and present our analysis using templates. These templates serve as a simple guide to help you make informed choices.
The Advantage of Using Lotterycodex Templates
It’s important to understand that “choosing the right template will not win you any grand prize.” You win only when you match all the right numbers. But these templates are an excellent guide to help you pick numbers with the best shot possible. We separate the dominant, the occasional, and the rare groups to give you a straightforward approach to winning.
The tables below are examples of combinatorial templates made possible using a Lotterycodex calculator.
Truth is, certain templates are primed to dominate over time. If you know how to take advantage of this simple truth, you gain an unfair advantage that 99% of lottery players are missing.
Many players blindly choose combinations with a very poor frequency ratio. You might be doing the same without realizing it. But how do you know? You can’t fix something you don’t know exists. So, be familiar with combinatorial groups in your lottery game and make an informed choice. Use a Lotterycodex calculator to help you out.
Tip #3: Choose the dominant template and put yourself closer to winning the jackpot. Use a Lotterycodex Calculator to guide you in making informed choices.
How To Use Randomness to Win the Lottery
All random events are subordinate to the dictate of probability theory.
What does it mean? It means that the lottery is mathematically predictable to an extent. Therefore, we are 100% sure that our probability calculation is precise and accurate based on the law of large numbers. Any external force that disturbs the game’s random nature will invalidate our probability calculations.
There are two types of processes: deterministic and random. When elements of both are combined, the resulting process is probabilistic.
The general results of a random lottery game with finite possibilities agree with the probability calculations. We’ll talk more about this below.
Let me remind you that this article does not hope to bring you an illusion of control.6 We cannot predict the next winning numbers. Still, we can predict the general behavior of a game to an extent over time.
Understanding Lottery’s Random Behavior
Using probability theory and combinatorial mathematics, you can make informed choices based on how the game behaves over time.7
Lotterycodex mathematically determines which template dominates lottery draws and will continue to do so as the number of draws approaches infinity. When you play lotto, you aim to follow this dominant group and be closer to the winning numbers for most draws. Then, luck is a matter of time if you play long enough and allow this strategy to work.
Predicting these dominant groups is mathematically certain. It’s not magic. That’s how combinatorics8, probability theory9, and the law of large numbers work together.
Predicting the World’s Most Popular Lottery Games
Below, you will see how mathematics predicts the behavior of some of the world’s most popular lottery games using lotterycodex templates. Based on the law of large numbers, the dominant template will continue to dominate as the number of draws gets larger and larger. If you want to give yourself the best possible chance of winning, you might consider strategically aligning your choices.
5/50 Lottery Game
These templates don’t alter each combination’s equal shot at winning; rather, they shed light on which composition might appear more or less frequently over the long run, helping you see your game from a more data-driven angle.
There are 56 combinatorial templates in a 5/50 lotto game. Only two of these templates exhibit dominance. Familiarizing yourself with these combinatorial templates can be very helpful, as they guide you in making more favorable decisions.
5/69 Lottery Game
In a 5/69 game, only one template from 56 is dominant. Realize that template #1 will continue to dominate as drawing events get larger and larger. This is a mathematical certainty.
The game must follow the dictates of probability theory, so these dominant groups will continue to manifest their dominance as more draws occur.
6/49 Lottery Game
5/70 Lottery Game
Tip #4: You should be thankful for the lottery’s randomness. If something is disturbing the random nature of a draw, any probability predictions we make cannot be trusted.
How to Win the Lottery Without FOMO
Do you know what FOMO means? It stands for “fear of missing out.” FOMO is a big deal because you worry that your combination may occur if you don’t play. The likelihood that your favorite combination will come out is about 1 in 292 million (if you play the U.S. Powerball). So, FOMO, as far as probability theory is concerned, is pure “irrational fear.”
If you play just one ticket per week, it will take you 5.6 million years to win. So winning may probably not happen to you in your lifetime. Instead of FOMOing, I suggest you buy more tickets and play less draws, meaning:
- Save entertainment money
- Play fewer draws
- Buy more tickets while considering the composition (Use the Lotterycodex Templates as your guide).
Lotterycodex templates are specially designed to guide you and help you optimize your selection for most draws in a calculated way. Use a Lotterycodex calculator so you don’t have to compute manually.
More tickets will give you more chances of winning. And that is especially true when you employ a lottery wheel (aka covering in combinatorics). For example, if you buy one ticket for the 6/49 game, your probability of winning is 1 in 14 million. If you buy two tickets, your probability of hitting the jackpot increases to 1 in 7 million. Buying more tickets increases your probability of hitting the jackpot prize.
So How Could This Thing Possibly Work?
Since there are 13,983,816 total combinations in a 6/49 game, and there is only one favorable way to win a jackpot, we calculate the probability as follows:
In probability theory, we measure the probability between 0 and 1. Zero indicates impossibility, and one means certainty of winning.
When you buy two tickets, the probability becomes 2/13,983,816 or 1 in 7 million. And you can improve it to 10/13,983,816 or 1 in 1.4 million if you buy ten tickets. In short, more tickets equal more chances of winning, putting you closer to the value of one, which means success. As the probability gets closer to the value of one, your chances of winning the jackpot get closer.
Buying More Tickets Must be Strategic to Win the Lottery
I hear someone asking, “Hey, Edvin. Isn’t the probability of playing one ticket in ten separate draws the same as playing ten tickets in a single draw?” Of course, they are the same because
10/13,983,816 = 10 x (1/13,983,816).
However, playing one ticket at a time won’t allow you to cover more events. We call this a covering strategy in combinatorics. It’s a powerful method to help you cover more winning numbers with more tickets. We will discuss this covering strategy when we get to the lottery wheel section.
For now, please look at the probability of winning the Lotto 6/49 jackpot based on the number of distinct tickets you play.
I put a zero on the first line to indicate that winning is impossible without buying a ticket. On the other hand, if you play all the 13,983,816 unique combinations, the probability of winning the lottery is a sure thing.
Of course, buying all the tickets is not achievable. Somewhere in the middle, you’ve got to define how many tickets you can afford to buy (and lose). Remember, the lottery is a random game. And it’s best to play for fun. The table below shows the calculations for different games.
Tip #5: Save money for your lottery entertainment, then use the savings to buy more tickets while keeping the frequency ratio in mind.
How to Win the Lottery Using a Number Wheel
Earlier, I mentioned increasing your chance of winning by purchasing many tickets. You can do this in two ways:
- You pick random combinations, which creates numbers out of thin air. Another example is using a quick pick machine.
- You pick combinations strategically using a lottery wheel.
The big difference between the two is that the former generates combinations randomly, and the latter generates combinations strategically to ensure success to some degree. Simply put, a lottery wheel is a combinatorial calculation that effectively traps the winning numbers when certain conditions are met.
There are many wheeling systems, the most popular being the full wheel, abbreviated wheel, and filtered wheel. Several game operators offer players the option to play the full-wheeling system. In Australia, this is called system play. Both Tattslotto and Australian Powerball allow players to use system play.
How Lottery Wheel Works?
In a pick-5 lottery game, if you pick seven numbers: 8, 16, 17, 21, 24, 25, 36, the wheel will produce 21 possible combinations based on these seven numbers. Suppose the numbers 8, 17, 24, and 36 are drawn. The system has provided you with two 4-matches and nine 3-matches.
With the full wheeling shown above, you lose on ten tickets, but at least you win on 11. The disadvantage of the full-wheeling system is that it tends to become expensive when selecting more numbers. The more numbers you choose, the more combinations you need to buy for maximum win coverage. For instance, if you select ten numbers, then it will produce 252 possible combinations. If you pick 12 numbers, the possible combinations will increase quickly to 792. So, it comes down to how many combinations you can afford. Thus, the full wheel is more commonly useful for lottery syndicates. The abbreviated and filtered wheel will be an economical alternative when the budget is limited, especially for solo players.
Lottery wheeling is better implemented using a Lotterycodex calculator.
Lotterycodex is the only number wheel online that uses combinatorial math and probability theory in one system to separate combinatorial groups based on their varying frequency ratios, helping you play the lottery intelligently.
Tip #6: Use Lotterycodex calculator as a lottery wheel to trap the winning numbers strategically.
Skip Some Draws to Win the Lottery
Probability theory also provides a decent estimation of when you may skip certain draws. However, you cannot tell when the perfect timing is because of the random nature of the draw. Nonetheless, understanding your lottery’s behavior over time may give you clues on how to plan your next action. It’s all about seeing the big picture. Let me explain that bit by bit.
Each Lottery Draw is Independent.
The lottery is a random game. Each drawing always provides random results independent of the past draws. Indeed, yesterday’s winning combination may occur in the next draw. It can happen because it’s not impossible. In a truly random game, we do not know what will happen. Past draws cannot influence the outcome of the succeeding draws.
However, you must realize that each drawing is a small part of a larger picture. People only see what happens in an individual draw, but we must understand how the game works to see the larger picture. The lottery is governed by mathematical laws, one of which is the law of large numbers, or LLN.
The Strategy of Skipping Draws
The LLN does not help you win the lottery per se, but it provides pieces of mathematical information that can guide you.
The law of large numbers suggests that when you see the game’s behavior over many draws, you have information on how to make smart moves. One smart move you can make is skipping.
Let’s use Lotterycodex template #1 in a 5/35 lottery system as an example. This template has a frequency ratio of 1:13 and appears approximately seven times in 100 draws.
The ratio of 1:13 doesn’t mean the template should appear exactly seven times in 100 draws. Realize that the template will approach this average as the number of draws increases. Again, your objective should be to understand the behavior of your lottery game from many draws and not based on short-term outcomes.
Gambler’s Fallacy
Now, don’t fall for the gambler’s fallacy just because you believe you have mathematical information.10. When someone believes that a certain event will occur because it is due to happen, they engage in a gambler’s fallacy.
We cannot predict the outcome of any lottery draw. Let’s say a template occurs yesterday, it may occur twice or even thrice in a row. We do not know. However, we know that a random draw follows the dictate of probability. For example, Template #1 has a 0.037% probability of occurring thrice in a row.
P(template #1 occurring thrice in a row) = (0.072)3 = .037%
This means that it’s not impossible but very unlikely. We do not know what the lottery draw will do in the next draw. However, according to probability theory and the law of large numbers, template #1 will occur approximately seven times in 100 draws over time. You have a piece of mathematical information to tell you how a template will behave over time. Don’t be afraid to skip some draws. Use this opportunity to set aside money to play more lines when your entertainment budget is ready.
Tip #7: Use Lotterycodex templates to know when to skip and when to play
Avoid the Improbable When Playing the Lottery
One of the famous quotes of Sherlock Holmes says:
Eliminate the impossible; whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth. – Sherlock Holmes
Sherlock Holmes reinforces the fact that improbable things occur. True, improbable events indeed occur in the lottery. Therefore, one might say it’s okay to pick an unusual combination. Right?
Wrong. Let me explain.
Consecutive Numbers
Perhaps the most popular combination that epitomizes the consecutive pattern group is the infamous 1-2-3-4-5-6. According to a report by TheGuardian, about 10,000 people play this type of number combo in every draw. A massive number of players will bring home a measly prize each should this combo happen in a draw.11 A combination of this type can come in different flavors, such as the following:
| Two sets of consecutive numbers | 1-2-3, 40-41-42 |
| Three sets of consecutive numbers | 1-2, 30-31, 50-51 |
| Three sets of consecutive numbers in one group | 11-12, 15-16, 18-19 |
| Two sets of consecutive numbers in one group | 30-31-32, 37-38-39 |
| Four consecutive numbers | 1, 66-67-68-69 |
These unusual combinations are not impossible to occur. When learning how to win the lottery, you must know how to handle consecutive numbers. History shows strange combinations winning in a draw.
Unusual Combinations Must Occur
Truth be told, all these unusual combinations “must occur” because the law of truly large numbers suggests that unusual things, outrageous events, and coincidences can occur if given abundant opportunities.12 But just because unusual combinations must occur doesn’t mean you must pick your numbers the same way.
As an intelligent lotto player, your main objective is to follow the dominant trend based on the law of large numbers. Please don’t be confused between the law of truly large numbers and the law of large numbers. They are two different laws. The law of truly large numbers (LTLN) explains why unusual events occur in all random events. On the other hand, the law of large numbers (LLN) concludes the lottery’s general outcome from many draws.
Let me show you the actual results of real lotteries and see if you can spot a trend. You don’t need to understand how LLN or LTLN work for now, but by looking at the tables below, you will understand why you should avoid improbable combinations at all costs.
If your favorite lottery format doesn’t match any featured games above, use the calculator below to determine how your game behaves when drawing consecutive numbers.
Watch Out for Regularity.
Another type you should avoid at all costs is the combination that exhibits regularity. For example, combinations with equal intervals are unlikely to be winning combinations. We are not saying it is impossible, but you need a humongous quantity of draws to see these combinations occur.
Sometimes, the number’s interval increases at the same rate.
Out-of-balance Combination
Winning numbers in a random draw tend to balance across the number field. Therefore, probability says you should pick combinations to represent number groups in a balanced way. Here are some examples of out-of-balance combinations:
| Combination | Why improbable |
| 7-23-24-26-28-29 | Groups 10-19, 30-39, 40-49 are not represented |
| 5-7-11-14-16-19 | Groups 20-29, 30-39, 40-49 are not represented |
| 10-12-15-16-18-19 | Numbers belong to only one group |
| 40-41-42-43-44-45 | All numbers belong to only one group and all consecutive |
| 1-2-3-30-31-32 | Two sets of consecutive numbers from two groups |
We don’t say those out-of-balance combinations have no chance of occurring in a lottery draw. We say such combinations are highly improbable but not impossible. If you have played for many years, you have probably spent money on one of these improbable groups.
Tip #8: Avoid non-random combinations. Always pick your combination from a group with the best frequency ratio.
Don’t Use Statistics if You Want to Win
People learning how to win the lottery usually look for statistics to find answers. Applying the statistics method in the game often fails because it tricks you into believing something works until enough data proves it wrong.
First, probability and statistics are distinct concepts that approach a problem differently. Depending on the facts, our problem could be statistical or probabilistic. For example, we have a box full of marbles. When we don’t know the box’s composition, we need statistics to infer its composition based on a random sample.
But this is not the case in the lottery. The lottery has a finite set of numbers; therefore, we have adequate knowledge of the composition of the whole game. Any questions you ask are a probability problem to solve rather than a statistical one.
We could ask: “What is the likelihood of the numbers 1-2-3-4-5-6?” This question can be rephrased to make it more quantifiable and computable:
“What is the probability of a set of 6-low numbers consisting of three odd and three even numbers?”
Voila, the calculation reveals why you should or should not play the combination 1-2-3-4-5-6. The Lotterycodex calculator is built upon the principles of probability and combinatorics. Its results are high-precision and high-accuracy predictions, which statistics fail to provide.
Tip #9: Do not use statistics in the lottery. Use probability theory and combinatorial mathematics instead. The Lotterycodex calculator will do the heavy lifting, so you don’t have to worry about complex calculations.
Don’t Waste Your Money on Silly Lotto Strategies
There has been a lot of silliness ever since the lottery was invented. You must understand what works and back it up with solid evidence. Any conclusion you make must be falsifiable. Superstition doesn’t fit that criteria. So, what are these silly strategies that don’t work? Below are some examples:
- hot and cold numbers
- law of attraction
- numbers from your dream
- prime numbers
- lucky numbers
- fortune spell
- horoscope numbers
- quick picks
The quick pick machine is not quite a silly lotto strategy. It doesn’t provide better control. It simply generates random numbers for lazy players. Why rely on the quick pick machine when you can make informed choices through calculations? Calculate the possibilities and make informed choices when playing a lottery game. If you hate math, then use a Lotterycodex calculator.
Tip #10: Superstitions will not provide the solution to the lottery puzzle. Mathematics remains the only tool that can provide useful information to help you make informed decisions.
How Not to Lose Each Draw
There are two groups in the lottery. One group always wins, and another always fails. I am sure you want to be part of the winner group. Imagine that. In each draw, you win all the time. Enter The Inverse Lotto Strategy.
If you’ve been playing the lottery for many years and all you’ve achieved is losing lots of money, you’re doing it all wrong. It’s time to use the odds in your favor. If you can access Lotterycodex calculator, you should be able to know how this inverse strategy works.
Tip #11: Don’t play the lottery to lose. Lotterycodex suggests a number of ways you can play without losing money.
Play and Invest
If you play the lottery, you may win a massive windfall. But it’s also possible that it may not happen. When you put some money into investments (e.g., stocks, mutual funds, or index funds), that money will grow over time. That doesn’t happen in a lottery game, so it is considered gambling rather than investment.
Consider the stock market as an alternative playpen if you are open to more productive entertainment. Of course, you can do both. Play if you want fun, but remember to invest for retirement.
Actionable Tips on How to Win the Lottery
It’s hard to win because the odds are against you. If you want to know how to win the lottery, here are some guidelines you may follow:
- Choose the right lottery with better odds and with a better payout. Choose a game with easier odds and offer a life-changing payout.
- Make an informed choice and be mathematically right most of the time. You want to look at the composition of your combinations and ensure that you have more favorable shots based on their frequency ratio.
- Save entertainment money so you can play more lines. Skip several draws to save money and buy more tickets.
- Use Lotterycodex templates. Don’t spend money on a composition that will only occur once in 100,000 draws.
- Use a lottery wheel to strategically trap the winning numbers. Use a Lotterycodex calculator to separate combinations based on their varying frequency ratios.
- Make a game plan and implement it consistently. Learning how to win the lottery also involves careful planning. Anyone playing without a proper attitude can be at risk of gambling addiction. Play for fun, and remember that a lottery is not an investment.
- Know how not to lose. It’s more fun if you know how to win the lottery from its inverse perspective. It is available for users of a Lotterycodex calculator.
There’s more to winning the game than meets the eye. I invite you to study the role of combinatorial mathematics and probability theory in the context of the lottery. Read: The Winning Lottery Formula Using Math
Unlock Lottery Success with Proven Math-Based and Data-Driven Insights
Access Lotterycodex now!FAQs About the Lottery
Play as a group. A lotto syndicate can use a covering strategy by spreading the cost of tickets among the members. This increases the chances of winning while each member does not spend too much. It’s more fun when you play with friends as one group.
Consider a more favorable frequency ratio when picking numbers. Calculating this ratio is possible through the study of combinatorial compositions and probability theory. If you need help, use a Lotterycodex calculator.
It’s not possible. The expected value is always negative. In other words, when playing the lottery, your potential financial losses often outweigh the possible winnings.
Extremely hard. For example, in Powerball, with 292 million combinations, you need 5.6 million years to win the game if you play once weekly. The odds are worse when you play the Mega Millions since the game has 302 million combinations, and you have to match one combination to win the jackpot.
Explore more:
References
- Feeling Lucky? How Lotto Odds Compare to Shark Attacks and Lightning Strikes [↩]
- Why We Keep Playing the Lottery [↩]
- The Man Who Cracked the Lottery [↩]
- Do The Math, Then Burn The Math and Go With Your Gut [↩]
- Binomial coefficient [↩]
- Why do we think we have more control over the world than we do? [↩]
- Laws of Large Number [↩]
- Combinatorics [↩]
- Probability Theory [↩]
- Why do we think a random event is more or less likely to occur if it happened several times in the past? [↩]
- The national lottery numbers: what have we learned after 20 years? [↩]
- The Law of Truly Large Numbers [↩]
Thank you for a very pragmatic and lets be real approach to demystifying the lottery as a mathematical system.
This has been the most worthwhile article I have read in all my time as a lottery hobbyist.
I can’t quite remember the last time I read such a long article online. But this right here worth the read. I thoroughly enjoyed the straightforward explanation and power of maths. Thank you.
This article is the most detailed and comprehensive guide to playing the lotto. The advice given here is extremely intelligent and practical. I have been intuitively following most of the tips given here and have had many a successful “small” win. I apply the word “heuristic” for my way of choosing. I have even used Markov Analysis to try to zero-in on timing. However, I think the best advice on timing comes from the mathematical principle of “Cover” and the wheeling system, as described in this article. I have also studied the mathematics of the Brazilian LotoRainbow and I understand it very well. It remains possible that we can always adopt additional strategies to augment the many tips given in this article. We can therefore always arrive at a very small statistical cluster of numbers that provide an almost safe and confident set of affordable numbers that can be frequently and consistently played with a decent measure of small wins.
When the Lotto first started in this state, I took all my savings, available cash & bought about $4,000.00 to $6,000.00 dollars of lotto tickets in Carmel. I checked each ticket manually, thinking needing all numbers to win. Several month later I realized that I had four or five tickets with five numbers correct on each. When I went back to Ron’s liquer store in Carmel to cash them in, I was told that it is too late now. I could have won about $1,000,000.00. Consequently, lost a job, not much money left & going to school & sleeping in my car, resulted from this dilemma. Only played lottos sparingly since then.
The problem is the odds are always against you. Therefore, buying $4,000 worth is never a good option. Even though you won $1m. Probability dictates that all other people who try your strategy will end up with less money than they put in.
The first scratch card I ever brought won £250. They cost £1. Haven’t brought one since because although I didn’t win £1m, the second place prize of £250 had unfathomable odds. In that respect, I won the scratchcard lottery and beat it by not playing again.
I do play the UK national lottery and win small prizes. My lottery games were initially funded by the £250 scratchcard win. 6 years later, and I’m still hovering between break even and small losses.
This is a good position to be in as it means you are winning some of the time vs people who have rubbish numbers and never win.
The key is understanding the odds are against you and your bank balance will always go down over time until you win big and stop playing. If this was any different lotteries would not exist as they wouldn’t be profitable business models.
Your goal should be, how can I reduce the speed my bank balance reduces over a period of time. You do this by increasing the probability of picking good numbers. The fun part of the game is comparing your games to your friends. Seeing who wins the most and looses the least amount of money.
1-good lesson, 2-winning strategy, 3-just for fun, 4-don’t take seriously, play within your limits, and lots of thanks for your favourable advise and useful recommendation on this regard, GOD BLESS and MORE POWER.
I learned something
I haven’t read something so empowering like your articles for a long long time. I have already designed my mathametical and probablistic approach to playing lotto. In the last 5 years I have been playing soccer bets but I decided to change course and that is how I came across your articles.🙏💪
In a game where they draw 20 numbers out of 70, a ticket cost is $5. You need to matched at least 12 numbers and up from those 20 numbers drawn to win big prizes but there is also a trick to win at least 500$ ,if your 20 numbers are not drawn in that game, meaning you did not get any of those winning numbers. Question how to calculate or solve a possibility that my 20 combination of numbers out of 70 are not the winning numbers? Is it possible if you can share me different groups of 20 combination of possible non winning numbers out of 70 ?
Sorry, we don’t discuss keno games here.
Thank you for your valuable information. While reading your thoughts I understood you completely in that you opened my brain box to realise that I am not going to win Powerball although I try every week. I only play for fun and as you suggested I make it a little interest every Thursday. I never play the Pokies .
My game is two power hits. If I win (if) maybe the following week , I will have 4 games.
I like your idea of combining groups of wining numbers. Thank you again, I enjoyed your article and I think I might keep trying. Haha. Margaret.
This article is better than all the Lottery books sold in Amazon. Thank you for sharing
Hi,
you are writing “Of course, buying all the tickets is not achievable.”.
Why is that? Isn’t there a way to buy for example all 229 million power bal combinations? According to my calculations with a Jackpot like now (1.7 billion) I would still win about 750 million if 3 people (including me) would win the jackpot.
So I need 1. a system to put all bets and 2. A strong investor 😀 to pay about 584 million in the bets (plus all the logistics behind)
Would like have you thoughts on that. If interested I can share my excel sheet.
BR
Robert
As someone who invests in the stock market, I’d rather use the 584 million to buy stocks that I believe in, instead of risking it in a lottery. Lottery games are not investments; they’re forms of gambling. Just play the lottery for fun.
Hello, thank you for your generosity in sharing such detailed and comprehensive information on having the best shot at winning the lottery. As a struggling single parent I really appreciate it your knowledge and research. Thank you! 🙂
Wow this was an amazing and insightful post. Very well detailed and allows me to walk away confident about what the Lottery offers. Feels like I can see behind the wall of a “big win” and decide for myself how I would actually like to approach the lottery in accordance to my actual budget and lifestyle. Very useful information. Thank you!
Hi, I am playing since last 15 months lottery draw , but I couldn’t match my one numbers also , Now I read your article ,It’s really very tuff to get my goal , But I learn from here lots , and I will try my best agian to start from 0 .Thank you so much . Can you send me more details of 1/39 Of matching numbers details please. Thank you once again.
Very detailed. Thanks Edvin for enlightening me with all the details