Webster
defines odds as a difference in terms of advantage or disadvantage. We
could look at it as how many chances you have as compared to how many
possibilities there are. For instance, in a 5 out of 39 game there
are 575,757 possible number combinations that could be drawn. Assuming
you are going to play only one, the odds of winning are 1 in 575,757.
These are the odds as given on your play slips. However, if you played half of the
total number combinations possible, your odds of winning would be 1 out of
2.
The
odds, then, are relative. The odds are played out in the ball machine as
the drawing takes place. Think about this: these odds, as given on your
play slip, only apply before the first ball is drawn and the odds change
with every ball drawn. These odds given are general odds based solely on
the total combinations possible.
To
emphasize this, let's assume you played one 5-number combination. Your
odds of winning before the first ball is drawn is 1
in 575,757. If you do not have the first ball drawn, you have no
chance of being a grand prize winner. It's over! If you do have the first
ball drawn, the odds have changed! There is now one less ball in the ball
machine and one less ball needed to be drawn. The same applies for every ball
drawn.
Do
you have the first ball drawn? If you do, you are still in the game and
the odds of winning are down to 1 in 73,815 because
that's how many 4-number combinations are possible in the ball machine
to go with the one number you already have. What were the odds before the
first ball was drawn? BIG DIFFERENCE!
Do
you have the second ball drawn? If so, the odds of winning are down to
1 in 7,770 because that's how many 3-number
combinations are possible to go with the two numbers you already have.
Do
you have the third ball drawn? If so, your odds of winning are down to
1 in 630 because that's how many 2-number
combinations are possible in the ball machine to go with the three
numbers you already have.
Do
you have the fourth ball drawn? If so, the odds of winning are down to
1 in 35 because that's how many 1-number combinations are possible to go
with the four numbers you already have.
POINTS TO PONDER
POINT #1 Notice
how much of a difference in odds one less or one more ball in the ball
machine makes! Notice, also, that the odds are always determined by "how many"
combinations are possible. The comparison is the number combination(s) you played as
compared to the total possible.
POINT #2 When
you played your number combination(s) you broke
down all possible number combinations into two groups
; the one(s) you played and the ones left. Which group was more
likely to have the number combination drawn? The larger group, of course.
The odds were in favor of it and don't the odds usually prevail?
POINT #3 The
odds are played out in the ball machine as the drawing takes place.
POINT #4 The
odds given on your play slip when you play the game, are the odds before
any balls are drawn. They are general odds, based solely on the total number
combinations possible. The odds change with every ball drawn.
Lotteries
do not break down number combinations into groups (thus breaking down
the odds) to show you that certain types of number combinations have a
greater chance of being drawn on any given night than others. There's not enough room on a
play slip for that. Indeed, that is the subject of these articles!
You
are invited, now, to read Odd and Even Numbers.
There, you will find that just because something is possible,
does not necessarily mean it is probable.
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