Q&A for How to Increase Your Chances of Winning a Lottery

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Is it possible to create a crowdfunded lottery pool? For example, can I host a lottery that has a $1 million lottery prize and in which the cost to participate is $10? Once I've reached the jackpot amount, I would make sure that no one else can enter in order to keep the odds the way they were when everyone was doing pitching in.

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Expert Answer

While that's certainly a creative idea, only the government can legally run a lottery. Individuals and companies are not able to operate these types of events. Alternatively, you can host a raffle and give out prizes. Check out Chance2Win.org for the raffle laws in your area. The main difference between a raffle and a lottery is that a raffle must always have a winner.

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What is a "Luck Zone"?

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A "Lucky Zone" is a really fun and interesting opportunity in which the Texas Lottery allows players to enter non-winning scratch tickets in order to win prizes other than money, like a luxury hotel experience or a dream getaway.

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So, I went to the convenience store and bought a scratch card for the chance to win $2 million. When I scratched off my card, I earned nothing! Why did this happen?

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We're sorry to hear that the odds weren't in your favor that time! While some types of scratch-off tickets have a wide pool of prizes to offer, it's also important to keep in mind that about 10% of games have zero prizes left because convenience stores can continue selling scratch-off tickets even when all winning tickets have already been sold. You can go to a state lottery website and see which games have zero prizes remaining, then opt out of participating in those. Everyone here is hoping you score big if you decide to give scratch-off cards another go!

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Question

If I buy several tickets, should I use the same numbers on all tickets?

Community Answer

No, as you would then only have one chance at winning. Choosing several different groups of numbers would increase your chances.

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Question

If I elect the 29-payment Power Ball option (not the immediate payout) and I pass away, will the remaining payments go to my heir?

Community Answer

Yes. The first thing before claiming is to retain a lawyer, one specialized in financial law cases and setting up trusts, blind trust, wills, and family estates. Before claiming your ticket you'll also want to find a trustworthy and highly-rated certified financial adviser (CFA) and come up with a plan on how to live on a budget and not go broke like many people who come into big money tend to. Be sure the budget allows enough to be invested in low-risk, interest-bearing options, and be sure to diversify!

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Question

Can I play Mega Million or Powerball online?

Community Answer

That depends on what state you live in and who you buy the tickets from. You can get them online or through a third party in New York, California, and Georgia.

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Question

Does it matter what store I buy my tickets from?

Community Answer

No, it does not matter, as long as they sell the same tickets and let you do quick picks. It can be helpful to find one with friendlier workers, who can tell you which lottery tickets had more wins, however.

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Question

Can I use my non-winning tickets for a tax-write off if I win a large lottery pay off?

Community Answer

Yes, you may deduct all losses (losing tickets are considered proof of purchase) from income in a tax year.

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Question

How can I win a "Pick 3" lottery?

Community Answer

There is no way to improve your Pick 3 odds better than a completely random guess. However, if the lottery has a "Sum Up" bonus feature, pick any combination of numbers that adds up to 13 or 14. This gives you a 1 in 13 chance of winning the Sum Up bonus.

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Question

Is it best to play an old quick pick number back again?

Community Answer

The old quick pick number has no effect on the next winning numbers. It is completely random.

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Question

I played Powerball but didn't buy the Power Play - can I still win if the Quick Pick matches the red ball?

Community Answer

Power Play increases the amount of payout if you win an amount. For example, if you match the Powerball number itself without Power Play you may win $2 and with Power Play you may win $4.

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Question

Does purchasing tickets from multiple sources increase your odds?

Community Answer

No. Where a ticket comes from has no effect on its chances.

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Question

Does playing the most frequent numbers increase my chances?

Community Answer

No, it's still a fresh random draw every time. All numbers have the same odds.

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Question

Is there any tip to know what number is gonna come out?

Community Answer

No, it is a game of luck. You choose a number and a number is picked at random.

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Question

Can I get quick picks from a machine instead of a clerk?

Community Answer

Yes, there are some stores that have lottery machines that allow you to purchase your tickets for the draw games. Usually you'll find these in drugstores or grocery stores.

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Question

Do the numbers on my ticket have to be in the same order that the announcer calls them?

Community Answer

No. Your numbers just have to be chosen. Since they pull them out randomly, they most likely will not be in numerical order when they announce them.

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Question

How much do I have to win in order to be required to report my winnings?

Community Answer

Winnings of $600 or more are taxed and have to be reported. Winnings that are below $600 are not generally taxed, but I think this varies by state.

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Question

Does it matter where I purchase the tickets?

Community Answer

No. Only the numbers you pick matter.

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Question

Are quick picks the best choice?

Community Answer

I personally think quick picks are the best, but they don't make you any more likely to win, so it's really up to you.

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Question

Does it matter if the quick pick numbers are on separate tickets or all on the same ticket?

Community Answer

No.

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Question

Is it best to purchase tickets on the day of the big draw?

Community Answer

It doesn't make a difference when the tickets are bought. If you don't like lines, you may want to go during an off-peak time depending on the location and size of the prize.

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Question

How does a lottery generate quick pick numbers?

Community Answer

It just picks multiple numbers that haven't been used on a ticket yet and puts them together in a random order.

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Question

What happens to the money if nobody wins the lottery?

Community Answer

Depends on state and game. Some carry over, and some gets completely absorbed by the state.

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Question

If I bought tickets in different states, does that increase my chances of winning?

Community Answer

Statistically, it does not matter.

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Does online purchasing or in store purchasing produce more winners?

Community Answer

Online purchasing has an higher chance of you winning, but if you prefer the old fashioned way than that use in store purchases.

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Question

Do I win anything in Powerball by matching two white numbers?

Community Answer

No.

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Question

Does it make any difference to winning if the same set of numbers are always used or choosing a new set of numbers each time?

Brett Gilbert

Top Answerer

No, all that matters is if your numbers get picked. Theoretically, with an unlimited number of draws, every number combination will come up. So if you play the same numbers every time, you eventually win. Unfortunately, there are so many number combinations that this isn't guaranteed. If you pick new numbers each time, you're hoping the lottery randomly picks those numbers, which is just as improbable.

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Question

Is it better buying multiple tickets individually or in bulk at one time?

Community Answer

It makes no difference to your odds.

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Question

In Texas, 90% of all top prizes, whether from scratch off or number drawn lotteries, are awarded in Houston, San Antonio, or the surrounding areas. If it is all random, why is this?

Community Answer

They are more densely populated areas than the rest of Texas, so it makes sense that they have more winners.

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How many Mega Millions tickets do I need to purchase?

Community Answer

You can buy however many tickets you want. The more you buy, the higher your chance of winning is.

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