The Stuttgart-based professor of statistics explained some common mistakes people make when it comes to the lottery, as well as what you can do to maximise your chances
A German maths genius has revealed his fool-proof method to maximising lottery wins, which involves pooling certain numbers in order to have the best chance of scooping prize pots.
Speaking to German news site Bild, Professor Christian Hesse explained that while many people rely on sentimental methods for selecting lottery numbers, such as lucky numbers, birthdays or famous dates, you’re better of using cold, hard statistics in order to have the best chance of winning.
Hesse’s strategy starts with four numbers above 31, as these are often used by players pick sentimentally. If those win, the jackpot often has to be shared.
The four chosen numbers are repeated on every lottery row you play.
In the German lottery, players select 6 numbers from 49. Hesse’s system works like this:
- Pick 4 fixed numbers
- Add 2 different numbers to each ticket
- Spread the remaining numbers across all tickets so each appears once
By doing this, you cover almost the entire number pool.
If the four system numbers are drawn, then as one of your lines must contain the additional winners, you are guaranteed at least a strong partial match.
While this obviously doesn’t guarantee you the win, it does act as a sort of safety net, converting near misses into hits.
The principle also works in the UK National Lottery Lotto, which asks players to choose 6 numbers from 59.
The structure would simply need adjusting.
A UK version could look like this:
- Choose 3 or 4 fixed numbers above 31.
- Use them in every ticket
- Rotate the remaining numbers across multiple lines
Just like in the German system, the idea is to spread the remaining numbers as widely as possible, ensuring that if the core numbers hit, your tickets capture many combinations around them.
Hesse’s system does not increase your chance of a jackpot, but does make small to medium wins more likely, and maximises the amount you win if your numbers do come up.
It also requires a decent spend, as in order to be effective players must purchase higher numbers of tickets, or play as part of a pool system.
It’s worth noting that lottery games are a form of entertainment and no system can guarantee winnings. If gambling becomes difficult to control, free and confidential help is available from GamCare (0808 8020 133) and BeGambleAware. Support and advice are also available through the National Gambling Support Network.
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