If you are one of the tens of millions of people that play the lottery every week, you’ve probably given some thought to the numbers that you choose. Of all of the lottery players in the world, you can generally split them into two opposing camps.
One of these is the “lucky numbers” camp, which plays the same numbers every week no matter what. These numbers might hold some personal significance to the players, or they might be numbers commonly thought of as good luck omens, such as 7 or 8.
On the other hand, you have the quick pickers. These are players who will randomly select different numbers every single week, often using a randomizer feature such as the UK Lottery’s Lucky Dip. So, which is better? Let’s take a closer look and find out.
The case for quick picks
The biggest argument for quick picks is that the lottery is a total game of chance, so your numbers should be too. There is no such thing as a “lucky” number. Furthermore, the numbers that come up in one week will have no relevance to the numbers that come up the next week. By choosing quick picks, you can play the lottery in a style that mirrors the total randomness of the game itself. Also, a ticket with random numbers winning the jackpot means that you’re less likely to have to share the prize than if you select the numbers yourself.
Many of the largest lottery winners ever have been lucky dip ticket holders, suggesting there might be something to this.
The case against quick picks
The main disadvantage of quick picks is, of course, that you do not have any control over the numbers that you do choose. If you are running multiple lines, there is every chance that the numbers you are given contain duplicates across different lines, which reduces your chances of scoring more winning numbers at the draw. Meanwhile, for those who are superstitious and do believe in lucky numbers, quick picks do not offer the chance to make use of these.
The case for lucky numbers
In a scientific sense, there is no such thing as a lucky number. As the history of lottery wins proves, there is no number considered “lucky” that has appeared in the lottery results more often than other numbers. However, that doesn’t mean there are no merits to this approach. On a practical level, choosing your own numbers allows you to pick unique numbers across lines and tickets, avoiding duplicates. Meanwhile, opting for lucky numbers is, for many, a much more fun way to play. This is, after all, what the lottery is all about.
The case against lucky numbers
We have already covered how lucky numbers are something of a myth. It’s also worth noting that, if you do pick your own numbers, you’re more likely to split the jackpot with others. There is a small range of numbers that are the most common choices for lottery players, often because they are associated with luck. This makes them the most common ticket entries, meaning that if these numbers do come up, your jackpot will be watered down considerably. By opting for a quick pick, you have a better chance of choosing numbers that no one else has.
So, which one is better? Some people think that quick picks are the way to go. However, how you play depends on what suits you.
