Lottery America players will know by now that for any given breakdown, whether it be the Formats, the odd/even sets, or the Extended Formats, the larger groups will tend to be drawn the most. Yet, all groups, whether it be the largest group or the smallest group will tend to be drawn consistent with it's odds of being drawn. To rationalize this we can say that the larger groups have the best chance of being drawn on any given night, and they will be drawn the most, but they are not going to be drawn every night.

Let's point out that every winning number combination drawn will be one of the particular Formats, one of the particular odd/even sets and one of the particular Extended Formats. Your job is to pick the right one on the right night. For this, you need help. The information on this web site and the excellent information provided in the Lottery America software helps you narrow your odds in an effort to help you play the type of number combination drawn. The purpose of this page is to provide some detail on how to use the information provided in the software.

Keep in mind that you narrow your odds with each number combination you select, or, heaven forbid, that quick pick selects for you. The idea here is to narrow your odds by making reasonable, rational and intelligent decisions.

For each Format, odd/even set within a Format and for each Extended Format, you are shown how many combinations are possible, how much each is ahead or behind calculations and how much each is overdue since the last time it was drawn. Let's look at the importance of each.

Combinations Possible:
Combinations possible indicates precise odds. You are also aware that if that particular group or type is drawn, and you played it, what your odds are of winning. It also is an indicator, when comparing a particular type such as Formats or Extended Formats of the odds of that group being drawn on any given night. We think it has it's most importance when applied to the Extended Formats.

Calculated and Actual Results:
By comparing the calculated results to the actual results you know how much ahead or behind calculations a particular type is. For the odds to prevail, a type which is behind calculations will have to eventually play catch up. Likewise, a type which is ahead of calculations will have to slow down. Over a period of time, the odds will prevail.

Overdue:
This is probably the most significant column. We are looking for the most overdue, but in a group, hopefully, with less number combinations possible. While format group 9 or 10, for instance, may not be the best choice on any given night, it certainly would be a good choice when it becomes well overdue! It might be an especially good choice if it were also behind calculations. If it were ahead of calculations we might want to let it "ride" a little longer.

With nothing else to go on, you would be better off playing a type which has the greater odds of being drawn on any given night. This would be the larger groups. Not preferable because there are so many combinations possible. Playing the groups which have the least chance of being drawn on any given night (the smallest groups) is not preferable because they are drawn so infrequently. Watch for opportunity. A group which is somewhere in-between and significantly overdue, especially if it is behind calculations, would become a good bet. For more information on overdue click overdue.htm

We feel so strongly about working to play the smaller groups when the opportunity presents itself that we are not going to leave it implied that we feel you should be playing the game available to you with the best odds. Our philosophy is that if you can overcome the greed, and it's not easy, play the game with the least combinations possible. This would be your 5 number game. The philosophy is to play the game which will give you the best chance of winning. If you can win the smaller game and you are now playing with OPM (other people's money) then you can, if you wish, go for the big one. Lottery America players know that some formats in the larger games have more number combinations possible than the whole smaller game.

Where do you start? Anywhere you want. You could narrow your odds by starting with the Formats. Once you decide on a format, find the best odd/even set within that format and finally select an extended format within the odd/even set. You could even start by looking for the highest overdue and/or greatest behind calculations in the odd/even sets. Let that decide the format. Or, you could simply go to the extended formats and find the highest overdue and behind calculations.

Lottery America players should not overlook the final way of narrowing your odds: the numbers in the game. The Lottery America software allows you to lock in favorite numbers and lock out unwanted numbers from the combinations you generate for each extended format. You can decide which numbers to lock in or lock out by looking at how much each number is ahead or behind calculations and looking at how much overdue a number is since the last time it was drawn.... just like the formats, odd/even sets and extended formats. Not only that, Lottery America shows you the combinations possible when using various lock ins and lock outs.

We have recently done some programming which searches all games for the highest overdue in a Format, in an Odd/Even Set, and in an Extended Format, for each game. We have posted this page on the web site so that Lottery America players will know what to look for in their game. Click Best Bets to see that page.

For the record: The absolute best way to actually increase your chances of winning, even on the smaller games, without spending more of your own money is to join a lottery pool. Again, you must overcome greed. The idea is for you to win to the point that you are not playing with your own money! Once you are ahead of the game, go for the large jackpot or play by yourself, but get ahead of the game first.

As always, if you have any questions about this page or anything else on our web site, feel free to send them to us. We are here to help.

Lastly, let us wish you all the very best of luck!