Follow The '70 Percent Rule' To Improve Your Odds Of Winning The Lottery
Lottery expert Gail Howard introduced a concept known as the "70 Percent Rule" for lottery players. This rule states that 70% of winning lottery numbers typically add up to a total that falls within a specific range, commonly between 115 and 185. This "Most Probable Range of Sums" is based on extensive analysis of thousands of past lottery draws.
Howard, a former Wall Street trader, turned her skill for spotting patterns into a game-changing lottery strategy. She launched her unique approach in 1983, and she transformed how people play the lottery. According to her Amazon author bio, her insights, drawn from the trading floor where she noticed predictable patterns in stocks, have guided 103 players to major jackpot wins, totaling more than $101 million.
Howard's 70 Percent Rule isn't just for one type of lottery game; it works across various formats. For example, 5/55 and 6/49 games. The 5/55 lottery game is where players select five numbers from a pool of 55 numbers while in the 6/49 lottery game, players select six numbers from a pool of 49 numbers. For the former, "Jackpot" happens when a player matches all five numbers drawn in a predictable range, and when a player's ticket matches all six numbers drawn from the pool of 49 numbers for the latter.
Using the 70 Percent Rule
When you use Gail Howard's strategy to improve your lottery odds, remember these tips: avoid extremely low or high numbers like 15 or 265. Focus on numbers that fall within a probable winning range, like 104 to 176, to increase your chances of winning. Choose a balanced mix of numbers. In a 6/49 game, for instance, spread your choices evenly from one to 49.
Vary your selection by choosing low, middle, and high numbers instead of one range. Combinations that lean too low or too high are usually less successful. If the numbers don't excite you, that's okay. We recommend you use an online lottery calculation software or a calculator to do the heavy lifting for you. You can use either approach to find number combinations that fall within the most likely winning ranges. Although the 70 Percent Rule is extremely helpful, it isn't foolproof. So mix it up with other strategies to increase your chances of winning the lottery; keep your options open. be sure you're not wasting your improved odds in a state where gambling is illegal.
Applying the 70 Percent Rule
To make the most of the 70 Percent Rule, aim for the most common sum range between 104 and 176. You will select the number combinations within this range to boost your odds, since most winners fall within these totals per Gail Howard's research. You will calculate the specific sum range for your lottery game you are playing. Then, you will choose numbers that align with this range and avoid extremes. Remember that each game might need a slightly different approach.
When you play a 5/55 lottery game, you will apply the 70 Percent Rule by finding the minimum sum of five numbers. Do this by adding the smallest numbers together; 1+2+3+4+5, which equals 15. The maximum sum uses the largest numbers; 51, 52, 53, 54, and 55, totaling 265. According to Howard's formula, the most likely winning sum falls between 104 and 176.
When you play the 6/49 lottery game, the formula changes. The sum of the six lowest numbers — 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 — is 21, while the sum of the six highest numbers — 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, and 49 — is 273. Howard's analysis suggests that the most favorable sum for winning numbers for a 6/49 lottery game will range from 115 to 185, which can turn your lottery selection into a winning one. Then, you're next decision is to decide if it's better to take the prize as a lump sum or as an annuity.