Are you poor?

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On the part about winning the lottery...I can't help but mention that most people don't understand the odds. Not all sequences of numbers are equally likely to occur. You can significantly increase your chances by making your numbers fit into certain kinds of patterns (like having primes, numbers from each "10" set, odds and evens, etc.)

I've never actually played, but I find the odds behind it interesting. Obviously the wealthy (and the organized teams that do it) have an advantage due to the ability to purchase many numbers without as much concern for cost.

People usually seem to calculate the odds based on a notion that every sequence is equally likely. I'm not suggesting the odds are favorable even with wise selections, but they are superior compared to random guessing. I would not advise someone who is financially desperate to place hope and resources into it, but if one wants to play responsibly there are more intelligent ways than others.

As to how the wealthy play...a decent amount of winning tickets were held by wealthy individuals. If I can afford 1,000 tickets without it being a serious financial detriment, I would clearly possess an overwhelming advantage against the average player.

with odds of 350 million to one, wouldn't a fella first have to be struck by lightning at least a few times first?

Your odds of drawing 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 are nearly impossible compared to drawing 3, 14, 25, 29, 32 (if we're playing a 5 number game with an upper numerical limit in the mid 30's for instance)


There are all sorts of tendencies one will notice in winning numbers that can be described mathematically. Some sequences are just pure garbage like the 1-5 thing.


If you want a simple example, go to any site displaying winning numbers and calculate the percentage of those sequences that are composed of purely odd numbers. Then calculate the percentage composed of purely even numbers. You'll find that you significantly increase your chances if you mix odds and evens, because the majority of winning tickets will be composed that way.

If some sequences are more likely than others...that fundamentally changes the game from the perception that the average person has that all sequences are equal.

You can get a lot more complex with these relationships than just "odds and evens."

EDIT: To make sure I'm expressing myself clearly...if some sequences are more probable than others, then it means that your odds are NOT 350 million to 1. Your odds are dependent on how competitive your numbers are (considering the patterns which can be observed that increase probability of victory) compared to the competitiveness of other viable numbers. You're not competing against people with suboptimal or s**t numbers because they are so incredibly unlikely to hit their chosen sequences, but we tend to calculate the odds as though they are just as likely to win as individuals with well chosen numbers.

ok then, if you leave out all the amateur inumerate gamblers and just are competing against other experts, what does that do to the odds in terms of a ratio? not 350 million to one, but what? 10 million to one?

^^^i want some of your good luck.

I'm pretty sure the best numbers to play for the lottery are:

4, 8, 15, 16, 23, 42

I'm also highly skeptical of the statement that the winning numbers are not random sequences, and that there are organized teams that play the "better" numbers. Never heard of an already rich person winning or even playing the lottery.

how to explain the lucky folks who repeatedly win some amount of lotto? or the ones who win big twice within a decade?

Isn't it all just luck? Though I guess people have been searching for the holy grail casino,lottery etc etc prediction for centuries.


I do the Euro millions. I stick to the same numbers. I've won several very small amounts.I accept the chances are miniscule of winning. But someone eventually has to win the jackpot, even if it takes several draws.

...Yes. Although I feel a certain " people are starving in... " guilt for ANYTHING I get .

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