Part of the complete guide: Lottery odds: the complete guide
The maths
A lottery draws balls at random. Every set of numbers is equally likely, whether it is 1-2-3-4-5-6, your anniversary or a random pick. So quick pick has exactly the same odds as any numbers you choose yourself. There is no lucky number, no due number and no pattern that helps.
"But most winners used quick pick"
Often quoted, and true, and meaningless. Most tickets sold are quick picks, commonly 70% to 80% in big games, so most winning tickets will be quick picks. If 75% of tickets are quick picks, you would expect about 75% of winners to be too. The statistic reflects what people buy, not what wins.
The one real difference: sharing
Lottery jackpots are split between all winning tickets. If many people play the same popular numbers, the winner of those numbers shares with more people. People disproportionately choose dates, which means numbers from 1 to 31, and "pretty" patterns on the playslip such as lines, diagonals and clusters. Combinations made only of numbers up to 31 are therefore more likely to be shared. A set of random numbers across the whole range, as quick pick provides, is less likely to be shared. This does not make you more likely to win. It makes you less likely to split.
Our number generator has an option to avoid sets made only of numbers up to 31.
Common beliefs and what is true
| Belief | Reality |
|---|---|
| Quick pick is luckier | No. Same odds. |
| My lucky numbers are due | No. Draws have no memory. |
| Playing the same numbers every time helps | No. Neither helps nor hurts, but missing a draw with your numbers would feel awful, which is why people keep playing. |
| Winners' numbers tend to be certain numbers | Any pattern in past results is chance. |
| Unusual numbers win more | No. They only reduce the chance of sharing a win. |
Which should you use?
- If you want convenience: quick pick.
- If you like your own numbers: use them, but avoid only birthdays if you want to reduce sharing.
- Do not spend more because of any "system". Budget first.
In a pool lottery there is nothing to pick
In a ticket-draw lottery such as CryptoDrawz, every ticket gets a random number, and winners are selected from the list of tickets. There is no choice to make and no sharing of a jackpot between tickets, because each ticket is a separate entry and each prize is paid in full to its holder. The odds are 1 in T for the grand prize with T tickets in the draw.
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A weekly draw you can check yourself.
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Frequently asked questions
Is quick pick better than choosing my own numbers?
No. The odds are identical.
Do more jackpot winners use quick pick?
Yes, because most tickets are quick picks. It reflects what is sold, not what wins.
Should I avoid birthday numbers?
They do not reduce your chance of winning, but they increase your chance of sharing a jackpot.
Does the lottery use the same numbers often?
Any number can come up in any draw. A repeated set is as likely as any other.
What percentage of Powerball winners used quick pick?
A large majority, in line with the share of tickets sold as quick picks. It does not mean quick pick is luckier.
Should I play the same numbers every draw?
It makes no difference to the odds. Some people prefer it for the fear of missing a draw, which is not a good reason to spend more.
Do lottery machines favour certain numbers?
Modern drawing machines are tested for bias, and no sustained pattern has been found. Results in the long run are consistent with chance.