I've been playing lotteries forever and I've never been able to adequately define hot, cold, and due!!! As an alternative, I use "due" because any number is due to come up in the next drawing.
To aid my selection of numbers, I maintain a 'due' list of all numbers combined in one sequence. I also maintain 'due' lists for each number series 'by position' As an aid, I use 'A' to represent all numbers between 1 and 9, B for 10-19, C for 20-29 and D for 30-37.
I have a number of charts that assist in number selection from the 'due' lists. For example, if I decide, using other data, that the next winning combination, after being put in numerical order, will be ABCCD. I then refer to due list for As in position 1, Bs in position 2, etc. Using this method and selecting the number at the top of each list, I would come up with 7.13.25.28.30. I then check the winning number and pretest lists to make sure I'm not playing a combination that has already come up. I would use the same method in constructing a second alphabetical sequence and select numbers from the same due lists.
However, I have found over a period of time that the numbers sitting on the top of each list don't necessarily come up in the next drawing. In fact, a number somewhere in the middle of the list is the better choice!
I use the combined 'due' list when I decide to get my numbers via a wheel. I usually pick 14 numbers, which is the limit with the wheel system I use.
Again, the numbers at the top of the list aren't a sure thing.
In the Texas 5/37 lottery, the current combined number due list shows 37 as being what some would call 'hot' or 'stone cold.' In fact, 37 has not come up in the last 11 drawings. Previously, 15 was on top for 3 drawings. Before that, 6 was on top for 8 drawings. This data is from the first of the year when new sets of balls were put into play.
There was a time when I would wheel the top 14 numbers! I learned that that was a poor choice! By keeping track of results day-by-day, I seem to have more luck by breaking the list in 5 parts. The last winning combination is part 5. So, I usually pick a repeat number and 3 or 4 numbers from each of the other 4 parts.
If my data indicates that a triple is due, AAA, etc, I go heavy on those numbers. But, I always wheel at least 2 numbers from each number group.
Unfortunately, I haven't found the secret in picking 5 winning numbers. But, I have had many 2/5 and 3/5 wins, and 2 4/5 wins. In fact, I'm very good at picking 2/5, which pays $2!!!!.
Bottom line, having a variety of choices is better than relying on a single set of numbers.