How to Choose Lottery Numbers

Though there's no perfect method for choosing winning lottery numbers, you can experiment with a few different ways to make the process fun. Here are four different ways to fill in your lucky lottery ticket!

Method One: Frequency Picks

1 Look up the frequency chart for previous lottery draws. Most lotteries will offer charts showing how often each number has been drawn during a given timeframe. (For example, you can see a Powerball frequency chart via the Iowa State Lottery here).

2. Choose your numbers based on the frequency chart. After you've looked over the odds, you have two options:
   • Select numbers that are drawn frequently. If you notice that a few numbers stand out for being drawn significantly more often than the others, consider including them in your pick. Be aware, though, that several other people will be trying this tactic; if you win with frequently-picked numbers, you might be at a greater risk of having to share the prize with other winners.
   • Select numbers that are drawn less frequently. Including numbers that aren't picked very often might seem like a counterintuitive strategy, but consider this: if everyone else is busy picking frequently drawn numbers and you win with your long-shot picks, you might not have to share the prize with as many other winners.
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   Be aware that each number still has an equal chance of being drawn. Looking at frequency charts might show you which numbers tend to be drawn, but keep in mind that when the actual lottery drawing comes around, each number still has an absolutely equal chance of being picked.

Method Two: The Delta System

For this example we will use numbers 1 through 50. Make sure your upper limit is the same as the lottery you're playing.

1. 1
   Choose a very low number. If you feel good about the number 1, choose 1. Winning numbers sometimes have two consecutive numbers, but sometimes they don't. There is no way to predict a winning number.
   
   
   
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   Pick two numbers between 1 and 8. For example, 3 and 5.
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   Pick a number very close to 8. For example, 9.
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   Pick two numbers between 8 and 15. For example, 11 and 13.
5. 5
   Write down your delta numbers. Our numbers are 1-3-5-9-11-13.
6. 6
   Mix up the delta numbers. For example, 5-3-11-9-1-13.
7. 7
   Write down the first delta number. This is our first lottery number.
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   Add the first lottery number and the second delta number together. This is the second lottery number. Repeat this for the rest of the delta numbers.
   • For this example, your lottery numbers will be 5-8-19-28-29-42.
   • This method only works for drawings with 6 winning numbers.
   • Make sure you add you delta numbers up to make sure the total is lower that the highest number in the drawing. (example, 1+3+5+9+11+13=42).

Method Three: Lucky Numbers

1. 1
   Choose numbers that are significant to you. If you believe in lucky numbers, they're probably digits that center around important dates or events in your life. For example, you might use:
   
   
   
   
   
   • Birthdays: Yours, your children's, your spouse's, and so on.
   • Anniversaries: This could be a wedding anniversary date, or the date of another significant event.
   • Ages: Using your age or the ages of your loved ones is also a common practice.
   • Addresses: The address of your childhood or current home is another tactic you can try.
   • Phone numbers: Try breaking down your phone number into a sequence of single- or double-digit lotto numbers.
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   Choose numbers you consider lucky. Some folks have a lucky number they use for everything, that isn't connected to anything like a birthday. If this is the case for you, add your lucky number to the mix!
   • If you're playing a lottery like Powerball, consider making your lucky number the powerball pick.
   • Be aware that most people consider numbers like 7 and 11 lucky, and know that they're extremely common lottery picks. If you win with these numbers on your ticket, you might end up sharing the prize with a lot of people.

Method Four: Random Numbers

1. 1
   Find a random number generator. Random.org has one specifically designed for lottery picks.
   
   
   
   • Enter your variables.
   • Write down your numbers on your lottery ticket.
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   Or, allow the lottery to choose randomly for you. You can request random picks when you purchase your lottery ticket. If you're buying several tickets at one time, this is probably the way to go. 

3. Tips

   • Remember, the lottery is completely random and there's no perfect way to pick numbers. If there were, it wouldn't be fun!

   
   

   Soure: wikihow.com