Is it better to pick your own lottery numbers?
Question: Do people who play the lottery win by playing their own numbers?
Answer: There is no significant difference in your odds of winning by picking your own numbers versus getting a randomly drawn number. However, there is a higher chance of winning with a combination of both methods.
Pros and Cons of Quick Pick vs. Self Pick
| Pros Quick Pick | Cons Quick Pick | Pros Self Pick | Cons Self Pick |
|---|---|---|---|
| Easy to use, Convenience, No need to research numbers, Computer generated numbers, Easy to store numbers, Can be made to ensure none of the quick pick numbers are repeated | Limited control over numbers, No personal preference, No strategy involved, Numbers may not be meaningful to the player, No guarantee of winning, No historical data to inform choices | Personal preference, Control over numbers, Strategy involved, Numbers can be meaningful to the player, Historical data can inform choices, Potential for better odds with research | More time-consuming, Requires research, Numbers may not be randomly generated, No guarantee of winning, No convenience, No easy storage of numbers |
Seven-time Powerball winner’s strategy
Richard Lustig has won 7 Powerball grand prizes.
Picking own numbers is his strategy.
He won’t share his strategy in book or media.
The best way to increase chances of winning is his claim.
| Question | Answer | Statistic |
|---|---|---|
| Do people who play the lottery win by playing their own numbers? | No significant difference in odds of winning | Higher chance of winning with self pick |
- Quick and convenient
- Wider selection
- Less likely to split winnings with other winners
- Completely randomized
- No control over lottery numbers
- Numbers may be forgotten after draw
- Absolute control over lottery selection
- Easier to know if you are a winner
- Avoids common numbers
- More flexible for playing multiple draws
- No guarantee of winning
- May not be as convenient as Quick Pick
Pros and Cons of Quick Pick vs Self Pick
Quick Pick Pros:
Quick Pick Cons:
Self Pick Pros:
Self Pick Cons:
Odds of Winning with Quick Pick or Self Pick
| Seven-time Powerball Winner’s Advice | Comparison of Quick Pick and Self Pick | Pros and Cons of Quick Pick vs Self Pick | Potential Downside of Quick Pick | Why Choose Self Pick |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richard Lustig, a seven-time Powerball grand prize winner, recommends picking your own numbers as the best way to increase your chances of winning. He claims to have a method but won’t share it publicly. | There is no significant difference in the odds of winning between picking your own numbers and using a randomly generated Quick Pick. Quick Pick may have a slightly higher chance of winning due to the ability to store and generate numbers. | Pros of Quick Pick: easy to use, no need to research numbers. Cons of Quick Pick: no control over numbers, no refunds or changes after selection. | Once Quick Pick numbers are selected, they cannot be changed, and there are no refunds. This means you may end up with a potentially losing ticket. | Self Pick allows for total control over the numbers, enabling you to choose based on perceived patterns, important dates, or statistics from previous drawings. |