You might be able to boost your chances more than you realise
Winning the lottery is something many of us dream about, yet for most people it feels like a fantasy that will never become reality. Still, for some, it is not just a dream.
Every year, countless players beat the odds and walk away with life-changing prizes. While hitting the jackpot is far from easy, there are a few strategies that can help improve your chances.
With six expert-backed tips, you might find yourself winning more often the next time you play. Just don’t hold us responsible if that seven-figure payout doesn’t land in your hands.
1. Join the group
According to Sam Weren, an author, analyst and ‘lottery guru’ at lottery.co.uk, you should first think about joining a syndicate. He explains that this is where a group of people join together to buy tickets, and if someone wins, you share the prize.
“All members of your syndicate contribute money towards the tickets, and in the event that you win a prize, the winnings are shared among you. It allows you to have a stake in multiple lines, therefore improving your chances of winning, without requiring you to spend more money,” he said.
2. Play this
Having worked in the lottery industry for over 25 years, he suggested that, ‘if you don’t fancy joining a syndicate, playing a system or trying another method to pick your numbers, there are some other considerations you can bear in mind to help you when you play’.
He continued: “You could look out for the games with the shortest odds rather than the biggest jackpots. The ‘shortest’ odds are those with the lowest ‘1 in X’ chance of winning, so 1 in 10 gives you a better chance than 1 in 20. The odds of winning the £500,000 Thunderball jackpot, for example, are far better at 1 in 8,060,598 than the odds of 1 in 139,838,160 for the EuroMillions jackpot.”
3. Common numbers
Another expert to share their advice is Dave James, odds expert at Whataretheodds.co.uk. According to the Express, there are ‘common mistakes’ many make that could hinder their chances of winning without them knowing.
He suggests that because some numbers appear more often than others, looking at this could be the way to go. For example, the number 3 has been drawn roughly 182 times, 2 about 178 times, and 20 around 111 times.
While past performance doesn’t guarantee future results, these frequently drawn numbers or “hot numbers” are a favourite tactic for hopeful lottery players.
4. Birthdays
Another common way to pick numbers is to pick birthdays. James said: “Many people pick numbers between 1 and 31, simply because they stick to birthdays.
“But the EuroMillions lets you go up to 50. By choosing higher numbers, you won’t improve your odds but you’ll reduce the chance of having to split the jackpot or prize money with others picking the same dates.”
5. Syndicate
Just like Sam, starting a syndicate can be a great idea. James added: “If you’re playing with friends, family or co-workers, a lottery syndicate is a smart move. If you all put in a few quid into the pot to buy a few tickets it increases your number coverage and boosts your overall odds, though you’ll share any winnings equally.”
6. Mix it up
Avoid patterns like all odd, all even, or consecutive numbers. Historically, a mix of three odd and two even numbers or vice versa is more common among winning tickets, increasing your chances of success.
If you or someone you know is struggling to stay in control of gambling online, gambling blocking software or self-exclusion might help. There are many ways you can block or limit your gambling to help yourself feel more in control.
If you or someone you know is struggling to stay in control of gambling online, gambling blocking software or self-exclusion might help. There are many ways you can block or limit your gambling to help yourself feel more in control. For support and advice, including help in your local area, please visit GambleAware.
