Selecting Lotto numbers

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quickymart

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#240595 15-Sep-2018 22:45

Here's something I've always wondered.

I (like probably a lot of other people reading this) wouldn't mind winning something in Lotto, or even Instant Kiwi. I mean a significant prize - $15 is nice, but I won't be retiring on it :D

I've always wondered with the winning ticket, are most of the winners numbers chosen by the punter, or are they random numbers chosen by the machine (Lucky Dip)? I'd be curious to know the breakdown - is it 50% chosen, 50% random, or...?
I know the odds of winning the big prize are quite low, but it's something I've always wondered about and I can't seem to find a breakdown online anywhere.

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#2091281 15-Sep-2018 23:47

If I buy a ticket $20 lucky dip about one every 6 months

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nathan

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#2091282 16-Sep-2018 01:35

would you change the way you select the numbers based on the answer? :)

Bung

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#2091289 16-Sep-2018 06:58

"The commission does not ask winners what kind of ticket they buy."

It should be in proportion to the numbers sold. Apparently the only thing choice can alter is your chances of sharing the prize with fewer people by not selecting popular numbers.

quickymart

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#2091290 16-Sep-2018 07:10

nathan:

would you change the way you select the numbers based on the answer? :)

:) I've done both (random numbers and chosen my own) but was always curious if one gave a better outcome than the other. I know it's all the luck of the draw, but still...

linw

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#2091297 16-Sep-2018 08:04

Deep down, I think (hope) you already know the answer to that one!

"I know it's all the luck of the draw, but still...". There is no still.

Goosey

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#2091305 16-Sep-2018 08:39

Bung: "The commission does not ask winners what kind of ticket they buy."

It should be in proportion to the numbers sold. Apparently the only thing choice can alter is your chances of sharing the prize with fewer people by not selecting popular numbers.

They (commission), dont need to ask what sort of ticket the lucky punter purchased because they already know that info because they sold it to them!

i.e. they know by the serial number of the ticket was one of their products or someone choosing their own.

Balls drop, they get mixed, the get drawn..... if your numbers match then waah hooo.

There are plenty of tables etc on their website that show how many times each ball has been drawn......perhaps that can be of assistance.

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frankv

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#2091308 16-Sep-2018 08:50

IIRC, a significant proportion of tickets have user-selected numbers, although I don't recall what the percentage is. My guess is that the proportion is dropping, as people accept Lucky Dip as easier.

Numbers above 31 are less popular choices, because many people select numbers based on dates. Probably that would mean that numbers 12 and below would be more popular.

If lots of people know these stats and base their number choices on them, the popularity of 32-40 will increase. You can't win. ;)

Geektastic

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#2091309 16-Sep-2018 08:52

I've always wondered whether they have a computer that both knows all the number orders sold and controls the draw outcome.....😎

tdgeek

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#2091310 16-Sep-2018 08:54

I rarely buy lotto, but back in the day I would choose my numbers, but I had 3 numbers common to each line. Rationale was if one or more came up I have a head start.

tdgeek

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#2091311 16-Sep-2018 08:57

Geektastic: I've always wondered whether they have a computer that both knows all the number orders sold and controls the draw outcome.....😎

Off course not, thats why any form of gambling is not rigged, cough, cough...

quickymart

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#2091312 16-Sep-2018 08:58

linw:

Deep down, I think (hope) you already know the answer to that one!

"I know it's all the luck of the draw, but still...". There is no still.

I know, just frustrating to see someone like my late grandmother who almost religiously bought a Lotto ticket way back when it started to almost up until she died, yet she never won more than a $300. Yet you have some jerk who buys one ticket (and hasn't ever bought one before) and wins everything. How is it fair? Again, I guess it's probably luck of the numbers, but still...

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quickymart

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#2091314 16-Sep-2018 08:59

frankv:

IIRC, a significant proportion of tickets have user-selected numbers, although I don't recall what the percentage is. My guess is that the proportion is dropping, as people accept Lucky Dip as easier.

Numbers above 31 are less popular choices, because many people select numbers based on dates. Probably that would mean that numbers 12 and below would be more popular.

If lots of people know these stats and base their number choices on them, the popularity of 32-40 will increase. You can't win. ;)

I agree, I reckon whoever setup Lotto back in 1987 was very clever about how to do it from day one! :D

sonyxperiageek

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#2091327 16-Sep-2018 10:06

quickymart:
linw:

Deep down, I think (hope) you already know the answer to that one!

"I know it's all the luck of the draw, but still...". There is no still.

I know, just frustrating to see someone like my late grandmother who almost religiously bought a Lotto ticket way back when it started to almost up until she died, yet she never won more than a $300. Yet you have some jerk who buys one ticket (and hasn't ever bought one before) and wins everything. How is it fair? Again, I guess it's probably luck of the numbers, but still...

There you are! That's the formula for winning! :P

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KiwiTim

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#2091329 16-Sep-2018 10:14

If you want to increase your chances of a big win work out how much you are planning to 'invest' in Lotto over the rest of your life, then spend it all in one draw, once only. There you have maximized your probability of winning. Alternatively, work out how much you're planning on spending on Lotto over the rest of your life and invest it in the stock market (after the next looming crash). I'd do the latter as your chances of winning are far greater :).

Geektastic

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#2091377 16-Sep-2018 10:52

KiwiTim:

If you want to increase your chances of a big win work out how much you are planning to 'invest' in Lotto over the rest of your life, then spend it all in one draw, once only. There you have maximized your probability of winning. Alternatively, work out how much you're planning on spending on Lotto over the rest of your life and invest it in the stock market (after the next looming crash). I'd do the latter as your chances of winning are far greater :).

Or put it in your Kiwisaver. Or use it to buy a house.

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