Statistically, some numbers are drawn more frequently in Powerball. So does your chance of winning increase with rare numbers?
Statistically, looking back at all the Powerball numbers selected for winning tickets, there are some digits chosen less often than others. Some digits are popular picks and others, for whatever reason, rarely become Powerball reasons. And while there is no explanation for this random anomaly, it has some Powerball players seeking for new number-picking strategies. More specifically, some people are working a rare number strategy where they only play numbers that rarely, if ever, show up in the winning roster. So, does it really increase your chances of winning when you pick rare numbers that don’t usually get picked to win? Or do those strategies lead Powerball players astray?
Richard Lusting Says There’s Some Truth to It
Richard Lusting may not be a name you know off the top of your head. But in the world of Powerball and lottery games, in general, he’s infamous. Over a two-year period, Lusting won seven different times across a host of popular number drawing games, including one jackpot that infused his bank account with an additional $842,151.92. He shared some of his strategies during post-win interviews, including those that he believes one can leverage to increase the odds of winning. And rare numbers might play a role.
The Birthday & Anniversary Date Phenomenon
Since plenty of Powerball players like to rely on familiar or sentimental numbers, like birthdays and anniversaries, it makes a significant point in the rare number conversation. Those date-based numbers limit the range from one to 31, making them more commonly chosen digits for a Powerball game at the player level. And while it may not necessarily increase your chance of winning, it does increase your chance of having to split a win with someone else. So if you want to decrease your odds of having to split a prize payout, maybe stick with numbers above 31.
Avoiding Consecutive Numbers & Same Digit Endings
There are some Powerball playing enthusiasts who swear by strategies to avoid certain numbers, including common or consecutive selections. And there is some data that points to past winning jackpot combinations falling between a range of 104 and 176, as a total sum of all numbers played. And many suggest never choosing a number within the same group of tens or ending in the same digit. Choosing numbers using these methodologies won’t guarantee a win, however, no matter how passionate you might be about their validity. Remember, game drawings are entirely random and not at all based on past winning combinations or averages.
So, What About the Rare Numbers Strategy?
If the law of averages rings true, then every number will eventually be drawn at some point, right? Unfortunately, despite the historical data, even the rarest of chosen numbers can’t predict a Powerball win. Whether you choose the same numbers everyone else picks, like seven or four, or some of the least common numbers, like 13 or 26, your odds are the same. In fact, the only real way to increase your odds of winning is by buying more tickets per game or playing in a group where funds are pooled to play more games per drawing.
Part of the allure of playing Powerball is its innate nature of offering an even playing field for every game, regardless of the numbers chosen. There are no significant advantages to playing certain numbers or superstitions that increase your odds of winning. While the rear number strategies and others gain momentum with some players, it’s important to know that your odds of winning won’t shift based on past drawings. Every Powerball game offers a fresh chance to pick and an even fresher chance to win.