How random are QUICK PICK tickets?

Reply #11

Rook — Mon, 22 Jan 2018 19:10:14 GMT

I don't think it is truly random, just pseudo-random. Basically that a computer program is designed to generate number sets that are as diverse as possible, and that therefore seem random to users. This also helps to ensure things such as that a player purchasing 5 number sets on one ticket, doesn't get duplicate number sets, as well as that a player won't get a number set that is an exact replica of the last drawing, nor a number set that is generally very undesirable, such as 01 02 03 04 05 or... [ More ]

Reply #10

KY Floyd — Thu, 18 Jan 2018 21:42:15 GMT

If the odds are 1:575,757 and 575,757 quick pick tickets are sold

How many tickets do you suppose they actually sold?

A quick glance at a couple of results suggest that 70 to 75k 2 of 5 winners is typical. For odds of 1 in 9.62 that suggests selling about 700k tickets. In turn that suggests an average of 1.2ish winners per drawing. I saw several with 0, 1 or 2 winners, and a few with 3 or even 4. I'll leave it to you to have a look and see how close they've come to an average of 1.2 winne... [ More ]

Reply #9

TheMeatman2005 — Thu, 18 Jan 2018 09:49:42 GMT

100%

I guess I don't buy my tickets at the right time or place to snag one of those jackpot tickets.

One day hopefully

Reply #8

Coin Toss — Thu, 18 Jan 2018 02:52:55 GMT

TheMeatman2005,

Exactly,

The sale of 575,757 tickets in a game with odd od 1:575,757 doesn't mean that all combination have been played...maybe, maybe not.

Why do tickets that are not quick picks show the same numbers? Birthdays, for one thing, among others.

Regardless of the means used to pick numbers, anyone's 5 or 6 numbers being the ones drawn are luck, plain and simple.

Reply #7

msmillionaire — Wed, 17 Jan 2018 22:32:31 GMT

I always win on quick pick tickets

Reply #6

Soledad — Wed, 17 Jan 2018 19:09:45 GMT

People buy Quick Picks for a number of reasons, one is that it is less likely they will be sharing a prize because the numbers are printed randomly (not based on birthdays or other things that are similar with other people). However, it is worth adding that Quick Picks are not necessarily unique and it is possible for the same batch of numbers to be chosen for different players. The August 7th 2013 Powerball drawing had 3 jackpot winners. 2 of the winners opted for Quick Picks. Did you see that

Reply #5

EdG1955 — Wed, 17 Jan 2018 18:28:43 GMT

Random doesn't mean unique. It means that over the course of X number of drawings, each set of numbers are likely to be drawn at least once. Just like flipping a coin can result in multiple heads in a row, runs of random number generators can result in duplicate sets.

Reply #4

TheMeatman2005 — Wed, 17 Jan 2018 17:46:52 GMT

Yes Coin, that it is, but.....

If the odds are 1:575,757 and 575,757 quick pick tickets are sold (not counting tickets where people pick their own numbers), that doesn't guarantee that one of those tickets will be a first prize winner.

If a quick pick ticket (for any game) is supposed to be random, why does it generate multiple tickets with the same numbers on them

Reply #3

Coin Toss — Wed, 17 Jan 2018 17:37:40 GMT

The number of quick pick winners is a reflection of the number of quick pick tickets sold, that's all.

Reply #2

TheMeatman2005 — Wed, 17 Jan 2018 16:57:27 GMT

I understand that, but with the odds of hitting first prize being a lot higher, one would figure that there would be less winners.

My question is not questioning the odds of winning, but rather wondering if the quick pick tickets are really random.

Why are there be so many tickets that end up with the same numbers?

PRIZE LEVEL NUMBERS MATCHED PRIZE AMOUNT NO.OF WINNERS

First 5 of 5 $32,346.50 2

Winning Counties: QUEENS (FP), QUEENS (FP),

Retailer Locations:

LONG ISL... [ More ]

Reply #1

rcbbuckeye — Wed, 17 Jan 2018 16:31:58 GMT

The odds of getting 2 of 5 are 1 in 9.62. So there will be a lot of tix with 2 numbers correct as opposed to getting 3 or 4 or 5 correct.

How random are QUICK PICK tickets?

TheMeatman2005 — Wed, 17 Jan 2018 16:25:52 GMT

I live in N.Y. and often buy quick pick tickets for Pick 10, Take 5, Mega, Power Ball and NY Lotto.

When I check the NY Lottery website, it tells you if there were any first prize winners and the location where the ticket was purchased. If the ticket was purchased as a quick-pick it has (QP) next to the location where the ticket was purchased.

In the Take 5 game, if you get 2 numbers, you win a free play ticket which gets you a free quick pick ticket for the next game after you cash in th... [ More ]