When it comes to picking your lottery numbers, you have two ways to play. You can choose the exact numbers you want or you can take advantage of Quick Pick and get a random number selection. In the Quick Pick vs. your own numbers debate, which option brings the most lottery luck?
No matter how you choose your numbers, the odds of winning remain the same. Still, even with equal odds, there are some pros and cons to the experience for both approaches. Let’s dive in.
Choosing Your Own Numbers
Is it better to pick your own lottery numbers? A lot of players have fun picking their own numbers, using birthdays, anniversaries or other digits that have significance to them.
Some play the same numbers week after week. There are even theories as to which lottery numbers are “hot” and “cold” based on a game’s drawing history.
The bottom line? Choosing your own numbers can be fun and strategic.
Lottery Quick Picks
It’s fast. It’s easy. And it makes sure you’re utilizing the full pool of selectable numbers at your disposal. Mega Millions, for example, draws numbers from 1 to 70.
But because Quick Picks are random—not unique—this leaves the possibility of repeat numbers appearing across your ticket order.
The Best of Both Worlds
Quick Pick Options
Our Quick Pick is similar to what in-person lottery retailers offer, but with a huge advantage: You get to see the numbers before you commit to the order.
If you don’t like what you see, you can clear them and Quick Pick again. The app will generate a set of new random numbers for you. Confirm your order and you’re all set.
(Related: These Are the “Luckiest” Powerball Numbers in 2024)
What are computer-generated numbers?
Just as it sounds, these are numbers randomly generated by a computer. The computer system uses cryptographic libraries and programs for higher degrees of randomization than humans can. We often think we are being random when it comes to choosing numbers to play. Still, we end up biased towards some numbers over others. Computers don’t have such a bias, and as a result, they may pick consecutive numbers, whereas humans may avoid them. Yet, consecutive numbers can show up in a lottery drawing.
Pros and cons
Is it better to pick your own lottery numbers, or is Quick Pick better? Let’s look at the pros and cons of each.
The Pros:
- Choosing your own lottery numbers gives you complete control over your picks and lets you play numbers that are meaningful to you, whether that’s from birthdays, anniversaries or lucky numbers based on your horoscope. With enough research, people can also avoid the most commonly played numbers, if they want to.
- Quick Picks are fast, easy and convenient, especially if you’re on the go. You really don’t have to think about what numbers to play!
The Cons:
- Playing your own numbers can be time consuming, especially when ordering multiple tickets or if you take the time to scrutinize past winning numbers before trying your luck. And because we humans tend to gravitate towards the same numbers (lucky number “7,” for example, or numbers between 1 and 31 that correspond to special dates on the calendar, there’s a possibility of having to share the jackpot with other like-minded number-pickers.
- If you use Quick Pick, your numbers will be random but not necessarily unique across the tickets in your order.
This article originally appeared on Jackpocket.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.
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9 Tips For Winning Scratch-Off Games
Need a better way to improve your odds at scratch-offs? If you want to learn how to win scratch-offs, you should know that it all comes down to random chance — which is part of the excitement!
Whether you’re new to the game or a regular player, scratch-offs are a fun chance of winning prizes. Use these scratcher strategies to help you understand your chances of winning.
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There are so many types of scratch-off cards, and it can be confusing to determine which might actually provide the best payout if you win. Plus, not every scratch-off prize at each prize level may still be available. So, one of the best ways to win scratch-offs would be to better understand your scratch ticket and the potential payout by visiting your local state lottery page.
Google “your state” + “ lottery website” to see what scratch-off games are available in your state and what prizes remain for each scratch-off ticket. Who knows? Maybe you’ll be in the next round of scratch-off wins!
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Those $1 and $2 tickets can seem tempting since they are at a lower price point, but they also have lower prize levels. More expensive tickets may have lower odds of winning, but the prizes will be larger.
Learn More: Luckiest States for Winning Powerball
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Set a specific dollar amount you will spend daily, weekly or monthly, and try to stick with it! Having a specific lottery budget helps ensure you don’t spend more than you planned. Setting a budget can help you keep more money in your pocket.
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Which scratch-offs win the most? Well, that depends. The good news is that you can find the odds of winning on the back of the card! Odds are calculated by the total number of tickets in a scratch ticket game divided by the total number of prizes in that game. Study the odds of winning and the prize structure for the games you want to play. The prize structures can get complicated, so make sure you understand them before making your ticket purchase.
Not only does each game have different odds of winning, but they also have different requirements to win. Some are simple: match three symbols to win. Others require different combinations in order to get the prize. Read the instructions carefully to know what you are looking for as you play.
In determining how to win scratch-offs, you may want to avoid tickets where the majority of top prizes have already been won. Why? You can’t win those prizes if they are no longer available. Your state lottery website often has this information (and tells you what prizes are still available) so you can decide what game to play.
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Some people believe another scratch-off ticket strategy is to play a new game when it comes out. In reality, prizes are scattered randomly throughout the entire run of tickets.
Want to check if a top prize is still up for grabs? This information will be listed on your state lottery website. Be sure to read the fine print on the ticket to see the prize structure and odds of winning, or check your state’s lottery website for further details.
Learn More: These Are the “Luckiest” Powerball Numbers in 2024
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One of the most common mistakes when it comes to scratch-off cards is not saving your ticket. If the instructions weren’t clear, or you’re unsure if you won any prize, you could potentially be throwing out a winning ticket. When in doubt, have your ticket checked by the clerk at the store where you purchased it. This is one of the biggest strategies for how to win scratch-offs. They’ll scan your ticket, and the machine could catch something you missed!
In fact, you want to hold onto those losing tickets because you could…
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Many states will run “second-chance lotteries,” which means you have another shot to win a prize with the same ticket. State lottery commissions will occasionally hold these drawings for a second chance to win fun prizes, from money to concerts, once the top prizes have been given out. When it comes to knowing how to win scratch-offs, saving your ticket is a way to be eligible to potentially win a second-chance prize.
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Another scratch-off ticket strategy is to track your wins and losses on a specific game. As with all lottery games, your losses will most likely significantly outnumber your wins. Understanding this fact before you play will help keep the lottery fun.
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You’ve heard the saying, “It’s not whether you win or lose, it’s how you play the game.” That can apply to knowing how to win scratch-off tickets, too. If you win, enjoy what you’ve won. Know when enough is enough or if it’s time to take a break. Play responsibly, and everyone wins!
This article originally appeared on JackPocket.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.
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