But, are the best lottery odds in Powerball the best in the lottery field? Mega Millions, in comparison, offers one in 302.6 million odds of winning the jackpot, not much of a difference. The odds of winning the EuroMillions jackpot are 1 in 139.8 million while the odds of winning EuroJackpot 's top prize are slightly better - 1 in 95 million. Similar to EuroMillions HotPicks, Lotto HotPicks is an extension of the regular National Lottery/UK Lotto game. Just like EuroMillions HotPicks, you first determine how many numbers you would like to pick (between pick 1 and pick 5), then choose your numbers. The UK has various lottery games, from Hot Picks to Thunderball. All with different odds, all with different prize divisions and amounts. Some with very different methods of play. So it’s certainly confusing! All lottery games balance the odds against size of the jackpot, i.e. Bigger jackpot = harder to win.

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• The UK Lottery Plus Game The national lottery of the United Kingdom, the UK National Lottery game, was founded in 1994 and is - to this day - one of the most popular lotteries there are. Luckily, registered LottoStar users can now also partake in this famous lottery by betting on the results of the game.
• The least worst odds are probably those you can get by placing a bet on the health lottery with Coral - The payouts are fixed amounts the same as the health lottery but no sharing so 5 from 5 is a guaranteed £100,000 and additionally there is the slim chance of winning a million by matching all 5 and correctly picking the bonus ball.

It is possible to play UK lottery games from overseas, but if you've ever thought of buying lottery tickets in another country there are a few things you should be aware of. This page will tell you all you need to know about playing National Lottery games abroad.

Can I Play the UK Lottery Online Abroad?

It is possible to enter UK lotteries online from other countries. However, you will be unable to purchase tickets directly from the National Lottery as you can only access your account from locations within the United Kingdom.

That leaves you with a couple of options: you can either play in advance or you can purchase your entries while you're away through lottery messenger services and betting sites.

Of all the National Lottery's games, EuroMillions is the only one that is played outside the UK, so if you visit one of the other eight participating countries you'll be able to buy tickets from retailers there. You may also be able to play EuroMillions online from Spain or any of the other participating countries through the relevant national lottery website.

Some of the other games featured on National-Lottery.com are available online from locations around the world, so you can play whether you're in the UK or not.

How to play National Lottery games in advance

You can purchase tickets for National Lottery draws up to four weeks in advance, so if you're going on holiday for a short period, the easiest way to play while you're away is to buy your tickets before you go – you can do so online or in-store. If you play online you can also set up a Direct Debit to play on a continuous basis, which is a better option if you're going to be out of the country for more than a month.

Be aware, though, that if you play online through the National Lottery you will be unable to access your account while you're outside the country. That means if you get a notification telling you that you've won, you won't be able to see how much unless you made a note of your numbers and can check the results another way.

When it comes to claiming prizes, you have 180 days from the date of a winning draw to claim, so it can wait until you're back in the country unless you plan on being away for more than six months.

How do lottery messenger services work?

Lottery messenger services, which are also referred to as lottery concierges, purchase tickets on your behalf. You confirm all the usual options online, such as which game to play, which numbers to pick, how many draws to enter, and then an agent of the messenger service purchases a ticket from a retailer, based on your choices.

The ticket details will then be uploaded to your account for you to view at any time. After the draw, you'll be notified if you win a prize and the money will then be paid into your online account. If you're lucky enough to win a big prize, you may be required to travel to collect the prize in person. An agent of the seller will contact you to arrange all this when the time comes.

What are lottery betting sites?

When you play through a lottery betting site, you don't buy a ticket to the draw, like you do through lottery messenger services. Instead, you place a wager on what you think the winning numbers will be. You can still win all the big jackpots that UK lottery games offer. The only difference is that the National Lottery won't be the one paying you out; it will be the betting provider itself that pays you.

Lottery betting sites have insurance policies in place to ensure that all the payouts are guaranteed, even if you hit a big jackpot. The largest amount of money ever won through a betting site went to a player from Berlin, who hit a £79 million jackpot after betting on the multinational Eurojackpot lottery in 2018.

Prizes you win through lottery betting sites will be paid into your online account. If you win a jackpot, the money will be paid directly into your bank account after all the necessary validation and security checks have been completed.

Playing the Lottery Abroad: Your Questions Answered

There's no reason to stop playing your favourite lotteries while you're outside the UK, but if you need any further information about how it all works, check out the answers to these frequently asked questions.

Are all National Lottery games available abroad?

You cannot access the National Lottery website while you're outside the country, so if you have not already bought your tickets you will need to play through lottery messenger services and betting sites. The services and lotteries available will vary depending on the location, but you should be able to play most National Lottery games or close equivalents from many countries around the world.

Can I play from Jersey?

UK National Lottery games are not available in Jersey, which is instead part of the Channel Islands Lottery. To play the National Lottery in Jersey you would need to use lottery messenger services and betting sites, just as you would if you were anywhere else outside the United Kingdom.

Can I play other countries' lotteries while overseas?

A small minority of countries may require you to be a permanent resident in order to play the lottery there, but you should be able to play the lottery in most countries simply by purchasing a ticket from a retailer. Remember, though, that you will need to claim any prizes you win while you're still in the country. Some lottery providers may allow you to claim by post, but it's best to check this first.

I won a lottery prize with a ticket bought on holiday – how do I claim it?

Instructions on how to claim lottery prizes should be listed on the reverse of your ticket. If you're still in the country in which you bought the ticket, just follow the instructions to claim your prize. If the instructions are in a language that you can't read, look for a web address or telephone number that you can use to contact the lottery provider directly.

If you've returned home with a winning ticket, you will need to find out if you can claim by post. Go to the lottery provider's website or contact its customer support to try and find out if that's possible.

What tax do I pay on lottery prizes won abroad?

You are not liable to pay any tax on lottery prizes won in the UK – that means if you live and purchase your entries in the UK.

That may not be the case, however, if you live abroad and play National Lottery games. For example, if you reside overseas and purchase National Lottery tickets while visiting the UK, you will not pay the UK Government any tax on winnings, but you may be liable to pay tax in your country of residence, depending on the tax laws in force there.

The same can be said if you live in the UK but purchase a lottery ticket in another country. The tax laws of the country in which the ticket is purchased will apply, so you may be liable to pay taxes on your winnings.

Do I still get an entry to the UK Millionaire Maker Raffle if I play abroad?

When you play through a lottery betting site you will not get entry to any additional raffles or supplementary draws like the UK Millionaire Maker raffle, as you don't buy a ticket for the draw.

If you buy a ticket through a lottery messenger service you may also get entry to additional raffles, but this depends on the seller's terms and conditions, as well as where the ticket is bought. You should check with the seller before you purchase your tickets.

The beauty of math is that you can literally predict the outcome of random events and then later you can prove that you are right. Because undeniably so, the numbers don’t lie.

So having said that, let’s dive deep into the theoretical computations and explain from a mathematical point of view – why lottery results behave in a particular trend. Then we will compare the theoretical computations with actual lottery game results to prove our conclusion.

The Basics of Probability

The traditional school of thought tells us that each lottery combination has the same chances of getting picked in a draw. For example, in a 6/45 lottery format, they say that each 6 number combination has 1 in 8 million chances of getting picked.

This concept is quite flimsy, as it does not explain why 1,2,3,4,5,6 or 40,41,42,43,44,45 has yet to appear in the history of lottery draws.

So if that sort of thinking is questionable, then what is the probability of winning the lottery?

To understand the mathematical concept involved in playing the lottery, let me start this journey with a simple discussion of marbles.

You see from the image above, the white marbles outnumber the five black marbles. If you were to place a wager for $100, what color would you put your money on? Anyone with a sense of simple arithmetic can tell that when you blindly pick a marble from the bunch illustrated above, the likelihood of getting a white marble is extremely high.

In mathematics, there are 2 methods of measuring probability. One deals with independent events and the other one deals with dependent events. We will not discuss these 2 methods comprehensively.

For now, all you need to know is that if we replace the marble in the bag each time we pick, then the probability doesn’t change and each event is independent.

So therefore, getting a white marble on the second pick is likely to occur because the probability leans towards the white marble getting picked more often.

On the third pick, you are still more likely to draw a white marble for the same reason.

In mathematics, probability is the likelihood of one or more events happening divided by the number of possible outcomes.

Therefore:

In the case of the black and white marbles above, the chances of drawing a white marble are 45 in 50 whereas the chances of getting a black marble are 5 in 50.

Expressed in percentage, we get:

P(white) = ( 45 / 50 ) x 100 = 90% chances of getting drawn

P(black) = (5 / 50) x 100 = 10% chances of getting drawn

In layman’s term, we can say that the white marbles will get picked 90x every 100 draws, and the black marbles will only get picked 10x every 100 draws.

If we were to hold 10 draws, then the probability will be:

P(white) = 9x every 10 draws

P(black) = once every 10 draws

Now, you might ask, what do these marbles have to do with the lottery? Absolutely nothing. But the probabilities have everything to do with it. It’s how you can use math to win the lottery.

Let’s move on and see how this probability theory can be used to analyze the lottery.

The Best Mix of Odd and Even Lotto Combinations

Which of these combinations do you think have better chances of winning the lottery?

(a) 1-12-20-31-39-42

(b) 3-12-22-35-36-38

(c) 4-15-27-36-39-43

(d) 2-14-24-36-38-42

(e) 5-13-25-37-41-45

For now, you can simply pick an answer and later, we will find out if you are correct. Let’s do it just for fun.

It’s extremely important that you pick the combination that strongly matches how you would pick a combination in real life. Why? Simple, the combination you pick will answer the question “what are the chances of winning the lottery?”

If you picked your numbers already, then let’s proceed with the probability analysis the same way we analyze the marbles above.

For the sake of illustration, I will use the 6/45 lottery format in this section.

First of all, we need to know how many different combinations of 6 numbers can be generated from 45 numbers.

We use binomial coefficient formula below:

For everyone’s sake, I will not explain the formula in detail. As much as possible, I will try to explain everything more simply and to make my point much quicker, I will simply provide the answer.

n = 45 numbers
r = 6 combinations

₄₅C₆ = 8,145,060

So in a 6/45 lottery game, there are a total of 8,145,060 possible combinations to play.

Computing for possible combinations of 3 odds and 3 evens, we’ll get:

= 2,727,340

We can therefore analyze the probability of this pattern as follows:

P(3 odd & 3 even) = 0.33484590659

If we follow the same formula with the rest of the patterns, we will be able to arrive at the completed table below:

Verdict: The 3 Even & 3 Odd number pattern has the best chance of getting drawn in a 6/45 lottery.

Going back to the question above, which of these combinations do you think have better chances of getting drawn?

(a) 1-12-20-31-39-42 – (the correct answer)
(b) 3-12-22-35-36-38
(c) 4-15-27-36-39-43
(d) 2-14-24-36-38-42
(e) 5-13-25-37-41-45

If you answered (a), then congratulations are in order because you have 33% more chances of becoming a millionaire in the future – you know how to pick winning lottery numbers.

At this point, you should understand now that what we are talking about here are “patterns”.

(a) is the correct answer because it is the combination that belongs to the group of patterns that have 33% more chances of winning the lottery.

Now what are the chances of winning the lottery if you picked a combination that isn’t (a)?

From a theoretical point of view, the (3 Odd & 3 Even) combinations will theoretically appear more often in a draw as per the same case as the marble concept.

The 3 Even and 3 Odd pattern has 33% more chances of getting picked in a draw, while the All Even number pattern has 0.91 or less than 1% chances in a draw.

In layman’s term:

P(3 odd numbers and 3 even numbers)
= occurs approximately 33 times every 100 draws

P(All even numbers)
= occurs approximately once every 100 draws

It is now evident that the number of combinations controls a combination’s probability of being drawn.

How to pick winning lottery numbers? The answer is to simply avoid number combinations belonging to a pattern with lower probability, as you would with the black marbles.

In the case of a real lottery game, you should avoid a pattern like All Even or All Odd numbers altogether.

But then again, this is just a theoretical analysis right?

As I have mentioned earlier, the beauty of math is that you can prove it.

So let’s prove it and let’s use the actual results from actual lottery draws.

The Proof – Theoretical Versus Empirical

In the following tables, I will be comparing Expected frequencies with Observed frequencies. The Expected frequency is the theoretical frequency of each pattern drawn from calculating probabilities multiplied by total number of draws, while the Observed frequency is the actual frequency drawn from actual lottery results a.k.a. “experimental” or “empirical probability“.

Therefore:

Expected Frequency = (Probability) X (Number of draws)

Observed Frequency = The number of occurrences in the actual lottery draws

To prove that our calculation is correct:

Expected Frequency should closely match the Observed Frequency given a sufficiently large sample of draws

Proof From Actual Irish Lottery

922 Draws of Irish Lottery from Nov. 4, 2006 – Sept. 2, 2015

Results taken from Irishlotto.net

Proof From Actual Australian Lottery

2,158 Draws of Australian Lottery from June 2, 1990 to May 28, 2016

Results taken from Osalottos.com

The two aforementioned 6/45 lotteries make it evident that the Law of Large Numbers is at work. The proximity of the expected frequency and the observed frequency proves this.

Accordingly, the results coincide with my previous theoretical computations – proof that applying probability in the lottery can predict how it behaves or how it will behave in the future.

Now that you’ve breathed all of that in, let me ask you again, what is the probability of winning the lottery? More specifically, what is your probability of winning the lottery?

The answer, if you digested all of that information correctly, will depend on which lottery pattern you will use to play with. If you play with a pattern that has more chances of getting drawn, just like the 3 odd and 3 even pattern, then your probability of winning the lottery is high.

Previously, I mentioned the Law of Large Numbers. But what is it anyway and what does it have to do with the lottery?

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The Law Of Large Numbers At Work

The Law of Large Numbers states that when an event is repeated a large number of times, the outcome is always close to the expected value and will tend to become closer as more events are performed to infinity. The events here are the actual lottery draws, and the expected value is the expected frequency after we multiply the probability with the actual number of draws.

The previous tables above states clearly how the Law of Large Numbers intersects with the lottery. As you can see, the patterns we “expected” to appear more frequently, by probability experimentation and testing, were drawn, in reality, more than other patterns. With this, we can say that the lottery can be represented by Probability Theory and the Law of Large Numbers.

There’s More To The Lottery Than Meets The Eye

Now, we’re only scratching the surface.

Now you know that Probability is very useful especially for lottery players, let’s get more granular than just odd and even patterns.

Let’s discover those lottery patterns that have the highest probability of winning.

Understanding Lottery Patterns

According to a report published in The Guardian, about 10,000 people play 1,2,3,4,5,6 every week. If ever this combination does get drawn in a lottery, they would be bringing home approximately £400 each since most jackpots are around the £4M mark. These people won’t be coming to the bank laughing for sure.

Of course, there’s one surefire way to win the lottery. Buy all the possible number combinations. Right?

Wrong.

In 2014, Renato Gianella, a Brazilian mathematician explained that not all combinations have equal chances of being drawn.

Therefore, in this article I will use his study, The Geometry Of Chance, to lucidly explain why 1,2,3,4,5,6 will never get drawn in any of the world’s lotteries. Eventually, this will also explain why not all number combinations have equal chances of getting picked in a draw.

In Gianella’s study, numbers are grouped together into different probability patterns or template as Gianella calls it.

When you extract all the patterns for a 6/45 lottery game, we will be able to come up with 210 different combination templates.

We will not be able to cover all the patterns here. Fortunately, you can view the complete list when you sign up as Lottometrix member. It’s free to become member.

Now, here’s the most important thing to remember; each pattern has a different probability of getting drawn, depending on the number of possible combinations.

As with the marble example, when a pattern is outnumbered by other patterns, it would be hard for that pattern to be picked in a draw.

Let’s take some pattern samples from a game with a 6/45 format and show their corresponding theoretical probabilities and estimated occurrences.

From the table above, theoretically, you can see that patterns 162, 203 and 205 almost never occur in a draw.

In layman’s term, combinations belonging to pattern 205 occur only once in every 100,000 draws. This incurs the notion that playing with this combination is a total waste of time and money.

Unfortunately, many lottery players blindingly choose numbers based on this pattern. You are probably one of them.

And truly, it has never occurred in the history ever since the lottery started.

Again, all these are theoretical analysis. Right?

Let’s see how our theoretical computations fare with actual lottery draws.

Theoretical Probability Analysis Versus Actual Lottery Results

Australian Lottery
From June 2, 1990 to May 21, 2016
2,158 draws

Table conclusion:

To win, play pattern 1.

To lose and waste money for the rest of your life, choose patterns 162, 203, 205.

The problem is that you do not know if your numbers are based on bad patterns unless you are a member of Lottometrix team. Accordingly, patterns 203 and 205 not once occurred in a single draw from the 2,158 draws of the Australian lottery.

The results are yet again, clear about the behavior of the lottery being predicted to an extent. Evidently, all these theoretical probability works we’re doing guide us on how to predict the lottery mathematically.

Due to the extensive list of patterns, it wouldn’t be wise to put all of them here.

However, the complete list of patterns for the world’s most popular lotteries along with their comparison to actual lottery results are freely accessible inside Lottometrix exclusive members area.

Old Irish Lottery
From November 4, 2006 to September 02, 2015
922 draws

Table conclusion:

In the table above, the results and draws used were taken from 922 previous draws of the Irish Lottery from before it changed its matrix to 6/47. This is so we can be consistent with our analysis since we derived our patterns from the old 6/45 Irish Lotto format.

Again, the probability coincides with reality as expected frequencies match close to observed frequencies.

If you want to win, play pattern 1.

Otherwise, play patterns 162, 203 or 205 and waste money forever.

Old 5/59 Powerball
From January 7, 2009 to October 03, 2015
704 draws

Table conclusion:

Patterns 247 and 252 proved their inadequacy of helping you win. No results in both the Expected Frequency and Observed Frequency column, taken from 704 draws of the old 5/59 US Powerball.

In the new U.S. Powerball only 6 patterns are the best. And there are 456 patterns to avoid.

The question is how do you know your numbers are based on the best patterns. Fortunately many people fall into the bad patterns when they choose their numbers.

If you are a member of Lottometrix, you can view these patterns when you log inside the members area.

Fortunately, it’s free to become member Lottometrix.

Euro Millions
From April 16, 2004 to May 27, 2016
893 draws

Table Conclusion:

By now it should be clear to you that in lottery, pattern is king.

If you want to win the Euro Millions, you should choose pattern 1.

But if you want to lose and waste your money for the rest of your life, go ahead and choose patterns 189 or 196.

Euro Jackpot
From March 23, 2012 to May 27, 2016
217 draws

Table conclusion:

To win: Choose pattern 1

To waste money: Choose the rest of the patterns.

How To Pick Winning Lottery Numbers

To win the lottery, simply avoid the bad patterns at all cost and choose to pick numbers based on patterns that will give you the best chance of winning.

Truth is, there are bad combination patterns in the lottery. Believe it or not, there’s actually a lot of them.

Contrary to popular belief, 1,2,3,4,5,6 is not the worst.

The table below shows you the list of popular lotteries and their corresponding patterns to play and to avoid.

If you want to win, you don’t want to pick your numbers based on those bad patterns. Do you?

The best way to choose lottery numbers should be based on the best patterns. Thanks to Probability.

In other words, you can now play with combinations formed around the patterns that will give you the best chances of winning the lottery. The numbers say it all, and the numbers don’t lie.

The analysis results to a detailed selection, which makes the vast differences between the most appearing and the least appearing patterns more evident.

However, the more detailed the pattern selections get, the more complex the computations.

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Good news is you don’t need a math degree to understand the complexities involved.

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Lottometrix has made all these patterns accessible to all for free. It’s free to become member of Lottometrix. Register here