You can do a great job picking numbers,and end up not collecting any money. I have rules I follow,which i learned from experience,which help me out. following them means making money, not following means learning painful and expensive lessons.
    I alway play a number box,and then straight on top of it. if you play just straight,then you take your lumps.almost always is the rule.if i am specifically looking for a hit of a out longest straight list, then i look for the $250 hit and won't worry about losing 40 dollars. if you have not hit in a while,then look for a hit, any hit. what makes a great lottery player is one that regularly hit numbers. watch your hit rate,that is how many tickets you buy before you get another winner.
    with the actual bets, i can plays ways that i cannot play on the simulation.i play pairs and collect money. recently hit 82 front pair win 4 on monday for new york.
    i have been playing since 2001, and experience has taught me a lot. fitting 3 or 4 different criteria together can make a big difference. after a while, it gets easier. but,it still takes some work to put together good plays.
    another rule i use is 3 plays or 3 days. you will miss a lot of numbers if you do not do this.
                                                                           good luck, fluffy 9999