Lotto Max Mania Sweeping through Canada

With this Friday's June 11th Lotto Max jackpot offering of $50 million and $45 Maxmillions, millionaire fever is spreading through Canada like an uncontrollable epidemic. And it should!

Even though Lotto Max tickets cost C$5 for 3 combinations,

Should you buy one or more Tickets?

Absolutely Yes!

Considering an estimated population of approximately 25 million who are 20 years and older, there is a good likelihood that 1 in every 500,000 to 1,000,000 people will become overnight millionaires.

Based on last weeks results, we project that at least 30 million tickets will be sold generating approx 90 million combinations, exceeding the mathematical 85.9 million possible combinations.

Of these, we expect to see at least 10% duplicate numbers. This means that there is a 10% possibility that the primary $50 million jackpot will not be won.

In either case, 45 more Max Millions numbers will be drawn, but only 5-10 will not produce a winner. The other 35-40 will have one or more matching tickets!

So if you've ever dreamed of being a Millionaire,

Go for it Now.

With jackpot levels this high, this is the time to give your Luck a try.

What are Prime Numbers? (Lottery Trivia Question 2010-10)

This week's Lottery Trivia Question is about Lottery Numbers in General.

Our Trivia Question #2010-10 is: 

One strategy for winning the lottery is to limit your playing numbers to a smaller subset. One such subset is "Prime Numbers".  Our questions this week are:

• What are Prime Numbers?
• How can they be used for playing the lottery?

Enter your answer by leaving a Comment to this post below. Leave your name, and if you have a website or blog, provide it's URL and name.

We will provide the correct answer next Monday, June 21st, and will post your name and a URL link back to your site.

JL.........

A Dollar and a Dream

One of the best lottery slogans was coined by the New York State Lottery:

"All you need is a dollar and a dream"

With  tomorrow night's Powerball jackpot prize of $260 million, I, for one, just can't stop dreaming. Already, I've spent $5 on tickets, and have dreaming about:

• Waking up and finding I'm the winner.
• Taking a trip to lottery headquarters and collecting my huge oversize check.
• Buying that lake-side summer house I've always wanted.
• Not having to work anymore.
• Playing cards, eating out, planning and taking vacations.
• Surprising my family with a share of the winnings.
• Exercising all the time so I don't get too fat.
• Paying all my bills.
• Laughing all the way to the bank.

And what about you? If you have a dream, share it with us. After all, it only costs a buck to play, but you get an infinite number of dreams for free.

UK Thunderball Lottery Format Change

During the past week, we noticed an increased amount of traffic in our Thunderball pages. When we entered the results last Sunday, we learned why:

Thunderball Changed.

Beginning with the May 12, 2010 drawing:

• The Jackpot prize was doubled from £250,000 to £500,000.
• The number of white balls increased from 34 to 39.
• The number of Thunderballs remained the same at 14.
• And, a new £3 prize was added for those matching the Thunderball only.

With these modifications, the overall chances of winning any prize decreased from 1 in 18 to 1 in 12. But, the total number of combinations more than doubled, from 3,895,584 to 8,060,598.

We are busily updating our pages and expect to have all revisions completed by the end of next week. Afterwards, we will provide an updated blog report summarizing whether these changes are better or worse for the Thunderball players.

Lottery Players Bear Parimutuel Risk (Lottery Trivia Answer 2010-09)

Last Week's Trivia Question #2010-09 was: 

The winning prize amounts of many State lotteries, such as Pick 3 and 4, are paid based on parimutuel system while other States have fixed payout prizes. To help players better understand what this means, we asked:

• What is a parimutuel Lottery Payout?
• How does it differ than fixed payouts?
• Are parimutuel payouts higher or lower than fixed payouts?

Based on our research and experience, we have found that:

• A parimutuel payout is one in which a fixed percentage of the amount received is paid back to the players. It was invented by Joseph Oller in 1867 and is typically used in race track betting.
• This differs from a fixed winning payout in that the amount of a winning ticket fluxuates depending upon the number of winning tickets. For example, States such as North Carolina and Texas pay a flat $250 for a straight combination $0.50 winning ticket. However, New Jersey, California, and others pay the Pick 3 winners based on a parimutuel share of the winnings.
• Parimutuel payouts might be much higher or lower than the corresponding fixed payout. A Pick 3 parimutuel ticket may pay as little as $75 or as high as $425 on the same $0.50 ticket.

In our opinion, the primary difference is: Which Party bears the payout risk?

• In the fixed payout system, the State bears the risk of having to payout more than it received. To counterbalance this, the State get to retain the implied profit when few payouts are required.
• In a parimutuel environment, the player bears the risk because: the payout odds differ from number to number; and, the odds are not shown to the player.

JL.....

What Does Parimutuel Mean? (Lottery Trivia Question 2010-09)

This week's Lottery Trivia Question is about Lottery Prize Winning Payouts in General.

Our Trivia Question #2010-09 is: 

Many Pick 3, Pick 4, and other lottery prizes are paid out on a parimutuel basis while some are stated as a fixed amount.

• What is a parimutuel Lottery Payout?
• How does it differ than fixed payouts?
• Are parimutuel payouts higher or lower than fixed payouts?

Enter your answer by leaving a Comment to this post below. Leave your name, and if you have a website or blog, provide it's URL and name.

We will provide the correct answer next Monday, May 17th, and will post your name and a URL link back to your site.

JL.........

Pick 3 Release Announcement

After months of development, we completed the programming of our newest offerings:

Pick 3 Recommendations

for the 

North Carolina, New Jersey, and Texas Lotteries.

The methodology is based on a modified Delta System, which consolidates numbers into groups of 8. The strategy requires a player to select a Delta, and then continually purchase all 8 numbers associated with it until you win. You can access our index to these pages at the post:

Pick 3 Numbers Now Available at Lottery Power Picks

For you use, our pages are split into 5 sections. At the upper right are the most recent drawing results and payouts. On the upper left are our recommended numbers for the next drawing.

In the center, we provide detailed summaries of each Delta showing lapsed time between winning intervals.

At the bottom, we present a suggested purchasing schedule that will help ensure players receive a positive cash flow. And lastly, we outline a guideline of steps to follow.

We hope these newly created pages bring you luck and help to generate a profit for your enjoyment.

JL............

Lottery Expansion Helps Powerball Most (Lottery Trivia Answer 2010-08)

Last Week's Trivia Question #2010-08 was: 

Powerball and Mega Millions began selling each others games at the end of January 2010, but they did not change the format of the games. Since then, we questioned:

• How has the increased playing population affected the jackpot winning frequencies?
• Have the average jackpots gotten smaller?
• What is the average growth of the jackpot prizes?
• Which game appears to be more popular?

To answer these questions, we examined and summarized the results of these games since 2001.

• Prior to the change, there were an average of 11.4 Powerball and 12.1 Mega Millions Jackpot yearly winners. In 2010, there have been 4 Powerball and 3 Mega Millions winners. Neither of these indicate an increased frequency of winners.
• The average winning jackpot sizes of Powerball has increased from $92.2 to $95.5 million. Conversely, the average winning Mega Millions jackpots dropped from $95.6 to $76.5 million since the expansion.
• Similarily, the average growth of each Powerball jackpot rose nearly $10 million since the expansion (rom $11.6 to $21.5 million).  Mega Million jackpot has grown as well, but only by $2.75 million (from $11.3 to $14M), a much smaller pace.

Based on the growth rates of the Jackpot sizes, it appears that Powerball has been the more popular game, and has profited most from the expansion.  Although the chances of winning Powerball is much higher than Mega Millions, I think this is attributed to:

1. It's name (Powerball seems more attractive?)
2. The overall chances of winning a Powerball prize are lower.
3. The tickets are easier to read and fill out.
4. The Powerplay Option guarantees 2nd place winners $1 million (it's not a gamble).

Anyway, those are my thoughts. Let's see if things change in the future.

JL.....

Has the Lottery Expansion Changed the Jackpot Sizes? (Lottery Trivia Question 2010-08)

This week's Lottery Trivia Question is about Mega Millions and Powerball.

Our Trivia Question #2010-08 is: 

At the end of January 2010, both Powerball and Mega Millions began selling their games in each other's states, but did not change the format of the games. Since it is now nearly three months later, we wondered:

• How has the increased playing population affected the jackpot winning frequencies?
• Have the average jackpots gotten smaller?
• What is the average growth of the jackpot prizes?
• Which game appears to be more popular?

Enter your answer by leaving a Comment to this post below. Leave your name, and if you have a website or blog, provide it's URL and name.

We will provide the correct answer next Monday, April 26th, and will post your name and a URL link back to your site.

JL.........

Expect to See Repeated Pick 3 Numbers after 37 Drawings (Lottery Trivia Answer 2010-07)

Last Week's Trivia Question #2010-07 was: 

To win the Pick 3 State lottery games, a player must correctly predict the winning number in the range of 000 to 999. If this number correctly matches the one drawn, the player wins approximately $250 on a $0.50 bet. So, if you like to play this game, you have probably wondered:

• How often would you expect to see numbers repeat?
• Or, in other words, how big would given a subset of daily results need to be in order to see duplicate numbers?

To answer these questions, we must remember that there are 1000 different numbers.

• Based entirely on an even distribution, the probability of any number being drawn is 1 in 1000.
• This means that any one given number should repeat once every 1000 drawings on the average.
• But, we all know that numbers repeat at various intervals.
• Thus, we refer back to the "Birthday Question" to determine how large of a sample is required to observe duplicate numbers.
• After solving this problem, we find that: in a set of approximately 37 drawings, we can be 50% confident that one of the numbers in that group will be a duplicate.
• And, if we examine a results set of 118 drawings, we can be 99.9% confident that one of those numbers will be repeated!

JL.....

After How Many Pick 3 Drawings Do You Expect To See Repeats? (Lottery Trivia Question 2010-07)

This week's Lottery Trivia Question is about Pick 3 numbers.

Our Trivia Question #2010-07 is: 

In the Pick 3 games, players are required to select a number between 000 and 999. If their number correctly matches the one drawn, the player wins.

• How often would you expect to see numbers repeat?
• Or, in other words, how big would given a subset of daily results need to be in order to see duplicate numbers?

Enter your answer by leaving a Comment to this post below. Leave your name, and if you have a website or blog, provide it's URL and name.

We will provide the correct answer next Monday, April 19th, and will post your name and a URL link back to your site.

JL.........

As Expected, Powerball Draws All Even White Balls

In an earlier post written on Monday, March 8th, 2010, titled All Even White Powerball Numbers Are Overdue, we indicated that the likihood of all Even White Powerball numbers being drawn was overdue. This prediction was based on the mathematical probability that this type of combination should occur approximately 1.23 times every six months.

In slightly more than 4 weeks after we wrote this, the winning Powerball numbers on Wednesday April 07th were:  04 36 40 44 52 Powerball 33 and Powerplay 2x.

Yes indeed, all even white numbers were drawn. Slightly more remarkable, each of the numbers are also divisible by 4.

While we could not have known exactly when this event would occur, we were confident that the Powerball Lottery drawings truly do follow the laws of probability.

Had players followed this advice and limited their combinations, they would have increased their probability of winning a $150 million jackpot prize after only 9 subsequent drawings.


JL............

Why Lottery Winners Should NOT Take Cash Option? (Lottery Trivia Answer 2010-06)

Last Week's Trivia Question #2010-06 was: 

When the lottery jackpots grow, many more players are tempted to try their luck in hopes of winning the huge jackpots. And typically, they ask the retail clerk who sells the lottery tickets for the "Cash" payout option which is much lower than the advertised jackpot. As we stand in line waiting to purchase our tickets, we often wonder:

• Why do most players take the Cash Option?, And,
• Why do the States want you to take the Cash?

While there is no "wrong" choice, we believe players are encouraged to accept the lower amounts, because:

• Most players do not understand what an Annuity means. Simply stated, an annuity is a continuous stream of annual cash payments. For Mega Millions, a player would get 26 equal payments. In Powerball, the player receives 30 payments which gradually grow in size.
• Today, the Powerball Annuity Jackpot is $125 million. A player who wins the jackpot would receive the first payment of about $2.23 million, and the last payment of $6.95 million.
• Whereas, the Cash Option payout is only $60 million, which is 48% of the Annuity jackpot.
• But players are afraid that if they die, they will lose the money.
• That's not true. The money will continue to be paid to their heirs until all is paid out.
• Next, players always think they can invest the cash option money in the stock market and make much more. But, the State lotteries are guaranteeing a return of $4.80% for the next 30 years. With interest rates so low, this is a great rate of return.
• Again, recent history has shown that fortunes were lost when the Stock Market tanked. If you're lucky enough to win the lottery, do you really want to lose it all?
• And lastly, we read story after story about Lottery winners who spent or invested all their money, and ended up with nothing.
• So to us, we think that all players should take the Annuity Option.
• The member states, however, do not want you to take the Annuity for two reasons: First, they will have to manage that money and make sure that you get your payments; and, Second, the are offering you almost $1 million less in Cash than you deserve. That means that they keep the money and help booster their revenues. 
• We think that this is a lot of money to lose. We'd rather have that money in our pockets rather than the State.
• So next time you buy a lottery ticket, tell them you: "Want the Annuity", and you won't be sorry. 

JL.....

Why Do States Want Lottery Winners to Take Cash? (Lottery Trivia Question 2010-06)

This week's Lottery Trivia Question is about Investing Lottery Winnings.

Our Trivia Question #2010-06 is: 

The lure of huge jackpots draws folks to play the lottery. But, most players opt to collect the Cash Prize rather than the Annuity. So we ask:

• Why do most players take the Cash Option?
• Why do the States want you to take the Cash?

Enter your answer by leaving a Comment to this post below. Leave your name, and if you have a website or blog, provide it's URL and name.

We will provide the correct answer next Monday, April 5th, and will post your name and a URL link back to your site.

Happy Easter!

JL.........

Optimal Lottery Mix of 3 Even and 2 Odd Balls is Best (Lottery Trivia Answer 2010-05)

Last Week's Trivia Question #2010-05 was: 

In Mega Millions and Powerball, particular patterns of numbers tend to occur more frequently during certain periods of time.

• So, after a review the past 3 month results, is it possible to identify particular mix of odd and even numbers that outpaced the expected probabilities?

To this, the Correct Answer is: Absolutely YES! Here's why:

• In Mega Millions, there are an equal amount of 28 odd and even white balls. But, in the last 3 months, 3-even and 2-odd number combinations have been drawn 11 out of 26 times, although only 8 would be expected.
• Similarily in Powerball, the odd balls have a slight 30 to 29 even ball advantage.  But, in the last 3 months, the 3-even and 2-odd number combinations have been drawn 12 out of 26 times, although only 8 would be expected.
• From this, we can conclude that presently, the 3-even and 2-odd white ball combinations have a clear advantage.
• And, from this, we find that, presently, there is a short term bias toward the even numbers!

JL.........

What is the Optimal Mix of Odd & Even Numbers? (Lottery Trivia Question 2010-05)

This week's Lottery Trivia Question is about an Optimal Distribution of Numbers.

Our Trivia Question #2010-05 is: 

Given so many numbers to pick from, particular patterns of numbers tend to occur more frequently during certain periods of time.

• Reviewing the past 3 month, what is the best mix of odd and even numbers that outpaced the expected probabilities?

Enter your answer by leaving a Comment to this post below. Leave your name, and if you have a website or blog, provide it's URL and name.

We will provide the correct answer next Monday, March 29th, and will post your name and a URL link back to your site.

Have Fun,

JL.........

Lottery Numbers Are Not Always Equally Distributed Between Odd and Even (Lottery Trivia Answer 2010-04)

Last Week's Trivia Question #2010-04 was: 

In most lotteries, you would think there is a 50% chance of Odd numbers and 50% chance of Even numbers being drawn.

• So, based on historical data, do actual drawing occurrences obey the expected laws of probability?

The Correct Answer is:

• It depends on the Lottery Game you are looking at.
• During the past year, the occurrences of an Odd Powerball being drawn are about 62.5% (or 5 out of 8), whereas only 51.3% are expected.
• And, if you play Mega Millions, odd Megaballs are also drawn more frequently then even ones.
• So when selecting the bonus balls in these 2 games, the odd numbered balls have the advantage.

JL.........

Are All Lottery Numbers Equally Distributed Between Odd and Even? (Lottery Trivia Question 2010-04)

This week's Lottery Trivia Question is about Lottery Number Distributions.

Our Trivia Question #2010-04 is: 

Many people like to play Even and Odd Lottery numbers. Based on probabilities, one would expect there to be a 50% chance of Odd numbers and 50% chance of Even numbers being drawn?

• So we ask: Based on historical data, do actual drawing occurrences obey the laws of probability?

Enter your answer by leaving a Comment to this post below. Leave your name, and if you have a website or blog, provide it's URL and name.

We will provide the correct answer next Monday, March 15th, and will post your name and a URL link back to your site.

Have Fun,

JL.........

All Even White Powerball Numbers Are Overdue

Reviewing our Poweball Even / Odd Analysis page, we observe that the chance of all Even white numbers being drawn is now overdue. As of this date, five white ball combinations have not been drawn during the past 6 months.  Based on probabilities, we would expect to see 1.23 occurrences during this period.

Thus, we conclude that this patten of numbers is now overdue and is a viable playing strategy offering a realistic chance of winning within the next few drawings.

With Wednesday's drawing at $170 million, we believe that our members should include at least one set of all even numbers in their playing portfolio of tickets.

JL............

Slight Changes to Our Hot & Cold Lottery Pages Coming Soon

Our recently released Hot / Cold Lottery number pages have been extremely successful. Looking at our visitor statistics, we find that these pages have continually grown.

To help visitors visualize how these numbers have performed during the past few drawings, we will be making slight modifications to our pages.

At present, we sequentially list the hot & cold numbers in the upper right panel on the page.

This will be replaced by a Tabbed Panel containing the color coded last 6 results, and tables of: hot numbers only, cold only, and both hot and cold numbers.

We expect to release this modification in the next couple weeks, so stay tuned and visit often!