Revealed: How to Win

Reply #11

RJOh — Fri, 03 Nov 2006 15:40:30 GMT

By covering all the numbers twice, at least they knew if they didn't match one twelve times they would have a match two or better. Covering all the numbers isn't a bad strategy and it's affordable.

Reply #10

KY Floyd — Sat, 28 Oct 2006 05:35:21 GMT

Sure it was random. They just used a different set of rules than you expected. First they randomly picked 6 numbers from 49, then they randomly picked 6 numbers from 43, then 6 from 37, and so on. Each individual draw randomly selected the pool that the next 6 numbers would be drawn from. They eliminated a lot of combination from those they could have picked, but the ones they picked were still chosen randomly.

As far as their perseverance, they wouldn't have won if they'd stopped playing af... [ More ]

Reply #9

lchoro — Thu, 26 Oct 2006 20:21:28 GMT

The quotes in the article could've been interpreted as either using the same set of tickets for four years or using the same system to select a different set of lines each week for four years. When one refers to working a system repeatedly, it's usually in reference to a process and not a fixed set of numbers.

[quote]

We just had to stick with the numbers and we knew we would win eventually.

The system was used for four years

[/quote

Reply #8

Fibonacci — Thu, 26 Oct 2006 19:52:05 GMT

Since they have training in probability I assume they wopuld know how to simulate a random selection.

The whole project as described in the article was not random. They wanted everyone to have different sets of numbers. They did not want duplicate sets. To be random you cannot determine this before hand.

It was not random.

To be random they would have had to:

1. Have 17 bags with 49 pieces of paper having the 49 numbers or

Each person would choose their 6 numbers from the bag... [ More ]

Reply #7

Raven62 — Thu, 26 Oct 2006 19:39:32 GMT

Were the Numbers selected randomly from the box

Reply #6

Fibonacci — Thu, 26 Oct 2006 17:47:31 GMT

Let's take a closer look at what they did. This is my understanding based on the UK article. In case any one wants to try it!

The Lottery is a 6/49 number lottery. The syndicate has 17 persons. They need 17 tickets. Here is how they generated the 17 tickets

PHASE I

1. They put the 49 numbers on slips of paper.

2. Each person dipped and selected 6 pieces of paper-six numbers.

Note: 6*8=48...so only eight persons can select from this pool...and each subsequent pewrson who dips... [ More ]

Reply #5

lchoro — Thu, 26 Oct 2006 16:32:35 GMT

They didn't bet the same lines each week. They drew the numbers from the box each week.

It wasn't purely random because the numbers weren't returned into the box after each completed line.

It demonstrates the advantages of using a regular pool because of the low out-of-pocket costs and leveraging of the odds. Each member bet about 200 pounds over the course of the experiment.

Reply #4

Todd — Thu, 26 Oct 2006 15:42:38 GMT

Good analysis Fibonacci.

Reply #3

Fibonacci — Thu, 26 Oct 2006 15:35:42 GMT

Not really. Read the entire article.

It was not random. They determined the number sets.

At the same time, It was not a system that won. That same system gave 4 years of failure.

It was a choose-a number (set of numbers)-and-stick with it method.

Reply #2

Fibonacci — Thu, 26 Oct 2006 15:29:56 GMT

Good article but I am sure they misrepresented the views of the scholars. No one trained in math or stats would say the odds were reduced drastically given the method used. the only way the odds can be reduced drastically is toplay large numbers of different combinations. they did not. They played a small number of sets of numbers but played them consistently and religiously.

As much as some of them would deny it they operated more like a religious person praying year in year out for some... [ More ]

Reply #1

Raven62 — Thu, 26 Oct 2006 15:18:00 GMT

"All of the 49 lottery numbers were written on separate pieces of paper and placed in a box."

They Won with a RNG!

RNG=Random Number Generator

Revealed: How to Win

lchoro — Thu, 26 Oct 2006 15:09:19 GMT

A group of university professors and maths experts has revealed the secret of their ?5.2m lottery win. The 17-member syndicate had tried - and failed - for years to land a large sum. Like many people, each member chose their own line of numbers and then waited with crossed their fingers.

But they decided to use their brains and came up with a winning scheme.

The rest of the article is contained in the link.

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/25102006/140/revealed-win-lottery.html