How to Make the Odds of Winning the Lottery Jackpot Go Your Way

While winning the lottery might seem like a dream come true, there are plenty of ways to make the odds work against you. And even if you don’t have the money to buy a ticket, there are other small actions you can take that tip the odds (slightly) in your favor.

For instance, don’t choose numbers confined within groups or those ending in similar digits. Instead, try mixing in a few numbers from different categories. Similarly, don’t pick consecutive numbers; rather, opt for a total sum that falls between 104 and 176. Studies have shown that 70% of jackpots have sums that fall in this range.

Moreover, consider purchasing lottery tickets as part of an investment account. This allows you to invest in small amounts over time and could add up to a substantial amount of wealth, Kovach says. If you want to make a bigger impact, you can also purchase annuities or structured settlement payments, which will be paid out over the course of several decades and will form part of your estate.

As for the actual odds of winning, there have been three big changes in recent years that have made eye-popping jackpots less rare. One of the biggest was a decision by Powerball and Mega Millions to allow winners to choose to be paid in an annuity over three decades, which boosts jackpot totals. A second factor is a spike in interest rates, which has allowed the jackpot totals to grow faster. And finally, the popularity of games like Powerball and Mega Millions has prompted more people to play.