In jackpot lotteries you don't need to break even. You hunt for the bigger prey (the Big Jack) and losses are acceptable and actually, quite common. Even if you frequently win smaller prizes in the process you are not likely to break even. You just reduce your losses until you hit something bigger.

In non-jackpot lotteries it's a different ball game. There are no big wins to be expected, only small prizes at usually preset value. Therefore in such games it does not make sense to play for losses. You have to devise a strategy to play not only for breaking even but for actually making a profit, at least once in a while.

Pick 3 is such a non-jackpot game. Match 3 numbers out of 10 and you are a winner. Looks deceptively easy piece of cake - but the cake is hard to bite, as many found out, including your humble undersigned.

Aquarius