If you’re a lottery player, chances are you’ve heard the myth that certain numbers are “hot” or “cold.” According to this theory, numbers that have appeared more frequently in past drawings are more likely to appear again. While this doesn’t necessarily mean that a particular number will win, many players use this strategy to increase their odds of winning.
Another common method involves selecting a few lucky numbers that have sentimental value to you. This could be your birthday or the name of a deceased relative. While this may feel like a smart way to choose your numbers, it doesn’t make much sense from a mathematical perspective. Humans have been shown to be surprisingly bad at picking numbers that would appear randomly in a sequence, and even the humble pigeon has better luck at this task than most people.
If you’re not comfortable choosing your own numbers, you can always allow the lottery system to select them for you. Just tell the attendant when purchasing your ticket that you want the computer to choose for you. This option is not available in every state, but it is a good choice if you’re purchasing multiple tickets at the same time.