From the Mega Millions website

Reply #9

justxploring — Tue, 17 Oct 2006 08:03:34 GMT

Not every time. Recently a low number hit in FL and the person cleaned up! Only takes 1 number out of the 6 to make it different from all the rest who get the lower prize for 5 numbers. However, Fantasy 5 jackpots are often split a lot - once 15 winners won about $300K. But then just 1 person will win like tonight.

Reply #8

Coin Toss — Tue, 17 Oct 2006 06:33:45 GMT

The 'lottery gurus' (like Gail Howard) all say that if 1 2 3 4 5 6 ever hit it would be split an incredible number of ways because so many people play it.

Also, any drawing that got hit where all the numbers were 31 and under would be split a lot of ways because of so many people playing birthdays and anniversaries.

Reply #7

justxploring — Tue, 17 Oct 2006 05:19:52 GMT

Many people tell me I'm crazy for playing my personal numbers for so long. Maybe I am. (don't vote on this, please!) However, to me it's pure luck and one set of 6 numbers is just as good as another. Maybe pick-3 is different, but I don't see how a jackpot game like PB, MM (PMS, M-O-U-S-E) or even a State game like the 6/53 Florida Lotto can't be anything but luck of the draw, especially since almost everyone who wins here buys a quick pick.

On the other hand, I've always wondered about thi... [ More ]

Reply #6

four4me — Tue, 17 Oct 2006 04:48:18 GMT

Thank you! thank you! thank you!

finally someone gets it

Reply #5

JimmySand9 — Tue, 17 Oct 2006 04:36:07 GMT

In layman's terms:

You can analyse number histories, but any correct prediction using that method is pure coincidence.

Reply #4

Coin Toss — Tue, 17 Oct 2006 04:25:16 GMT

Bambini

then the lottery would be fixed, a scam

There's a lot of people here that would not find that surprising at all, especially some specific state lotteries

RJOH

I'm sure the Random Picker generates even more ticket sales....

Reply #3

RJOh — Tue, 17 Oct 2006 00:44:53 GMT

If someone connected with megamillions was going to run a scam, you can be sure it would not benefit John Q. Public, they or one of the friend or family member would be picking up the winner check.

Reply #2

bambini — Tue, 17 Oct 2006 00:23:54 GMT

Your implication is they mega millions lottery inc., would give out a winning number before the drawing, through the random picker feature, then the lottery would be fixed, a scam. Besides, If you got a winning combination from the random picker, you could not prove that it was intentional if you wanted to.

Reply #1

RJOh — Tue, 17 Oct 2006 00:18:36 GMT

Coin Toss:

Now, my question is, would they intentionally give out the winning pick?

Why not? Once the numbers are drawn everyone who bought a ticket want to know.

Now if they thought someone could analyze those random patterns to improve their odds of picking the winning numbers before the drawings they might get a little concerned, but no one has shown they can do that and if they could they would not bring it to their attention.

From the Mega Millions website

Coin Toss — Mon, 16 Oct 2006 23:58:47 GMT

This speaks volumes:

Lottery games such as Mega Millions are random and it is impossible for anyone or any lottery analysis software to predict exactly what will be the next drawn balls.

Then:

However, patterns can still be observed from the balls that are randomly drawn for different periods of time.

http://www.megamillions.com/winningpicks/download_numbers.asp

There is also a Random Picker (gives out five picks) -

Now... [ More ]