1) History of Mega Millions – the Big Game

It was August 31, 1996 when the Big Game, (Mega Millions) was launched in North America. Six states of America that first participated in its earliest and first drawings are Michigan, Virginia, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland and Massachusetts. Year after year, the Big Game has grown its popularity when they eventually gave larger jackpot prices and there are real-time jackpot winners from the different states. In May 1999, New Jersey joined the Big Game and became the seventh member state.

It was in the year 2002 when the Big Game has changed its name to Mega Millions. The highest annuity jackpot price, $390 million, was of March 6, 2007 draw. Two jackpot price winners were from Georgia and New Jersey, splitting the total amount in $233 million each.

2) How to play the Mega Millions

Playing the Mega Millions is easy. All you need to do is to follow simple instructions. Below are the guidelines.

• Each player is charged $1 per game. You must select 5 numbers from 1 to 56 white balls; and 1 number from 1 to 46 mega balls as your lottery numbers.
• If you don’t want to be the one selecting the numbers, you may use the Easy Pick or QP. A play slip that will be processed in the computer will be provided to you. You may choose to mark the Easy Pick options on your ticket or just let the clerk do that for you.
• If you want to multiply any prize that you might win, you may ask the store clerk to give you the Megaplier option. This will give you a chance to multiply the winning prize up to four times. Take note that the jackpot prize is excluded in the Megaplier option.

If your numbers matches all six winning numbers, then you will be entitled as the winner of the game.

3) How and where to check the winner of the draw

There are a number of ways to see if you are the jackpot price winner. Below are the guidelines how to access the winning numbers and to find if you are the jackpot winner of the Mega Millions.

• Pay attention to radio and television newscast if there is any news about the winner for the latest draw.
• Read the national and local newspaper the day after the draw.
• Go to the retailer where you purchased the lottery ticket and see if your ticket hit the jackpot.
• Visit the retailer’s website and go to the “Winning Numbers” page; or you may create an account to their site and provide them with your email account to receive notifications via email.
• Call the retailer’s hotline number.

4) How winners receive the jackpot price

Winners are given two options on how they want to receive the jackpot price – either you choose to receive the money as an annuity jackpot or as cash jackpot.

• If you choose to receive the money as an annuity jackpot, Mega Millions will pay you through an installment basis. For example, if you win the lottery price of $12 million, you will receive $38,500 annually.
• If you choose to receive the money as a cash jackpot, you will be given the chance to receive it in full amount. To receive the lump sum as a cash jackpot, you will have to apply for a payday loan to get the money in full.

5) Mega Millions encourages players to play responsibly

Most lottery retailers who offer Mega Millions do not encourage players to get addicted on playing the lottery. However, there is always a tendency to become addicted to it especially if they are playing for millions of dollars. This is the reason why these retailers tied-up with organizations that help people who have problems on gambling. Every retailer of the mega millions have a warning page on their websites, “Play Responsibly”, wherein they give a message to players that they must not go beyond their quota and how they can help themselves by asking for an immediate help from the organizations that are linked with the lottery. Like any other addictions, gambling is considered to be a treatable disease. Simply by adhering to the programs provided by the National Council on Problem Gambling, one’s disease can get cured immediately.

Being responsible to the players is one of the leading reasons why retailers of the mega millions are still growing their popularity all over the country. Some of them such as the Kansas Lottery continually donate $80,000 annually to support the programs of the organizations that are linked to them. Playing the lottery can be very addicting which may raise financial drawbacks and problems in your family such as managing money, etc. Be very certain that while you play the lottery, you are simultaneously gauging yourself with regards to addiction.

Too much work, too little pay. If only she had money, she will leave this drab office and her grouch of a boss and take off to an island and have the time of her life. Or perhaps she can go to Bangkok, or Bali and see some sights. If only she would win the lottery, then these dreams have a chance of coming true. She sighs deeply as she prepares to tackle the vouchers on her desk, it’s going to be another long day, she says to herself.

Just Luck?

Sounds awfully familiar, doesn’t it? A great many of us spend most of our time at office desks, behind counters, at the beck and call of bosses, superiors, and customers struggling to put food on the table, put the kids to respectable schools, pay the rent, settle bills, and the list goes on. Sometimes we can’t help but feel that the only chance we have at getting the life we have always wanted is to win the lottery. If only there was a way of getting the golden ticket or getting the lucky combination! It would only be pure luck, we say; and rightly so. After all, lottery comes from the Dutch word “loterij” meaning “fate” and dates back as far as the biblical times.

Steps to Improve Your Chances of Winning

But the good news is, winning the lottery is not just luck. Yes, there is a way of improving your odds of winning the lottery! Check out these tried and tested tips:

ü  Play games with a lower number of balls. Instead of playing 7 ball games, try 5 ball games or six ball games. Your odds of winning increases as the number of balls decrease.

ü  Play the lottery games with the lowest number of numbers in the game. Between two games having, say, 42 or 55 numbers, go for the game with 42 numbers as your chances of winning are greater with this game.

ü  Avoid lottery games that use computer-generated numbers. Games using ping pong balls are better as there is less chances of cheating.

ü  Use your own numbers when playing the lottery and stop using the lottery shop’s quick pick numbers. Your chances of winning will increase since the least effective number combinations will be eliminated.

ü  Focus on one lottery game but buy as many tickets as you can. The more tickets you buy, the more your chances of winning.

ü  Use proven lottery system or lottery software. There are various lottery systems being offered in the market for a minimal fee promising a very high chance of winning.

More Winning Strategies for Online Lotteries

A cost effective strategy of winning the lottery is to join a proven online syndication like e-lottery syndicates which also use mathematical systems for better chances of winning. A syndicate with 28 players that plays 6 to 49 lotto enjoys a 700% advantage over the other players. Translated, this means that the syndicate members have a 1 in 1.7 million chance of winning against the others’ 1 in 14 million chance of winning. Many syndicates want a higher chance of winning by wheeling as many numbers ay they can hence, this strategy is the easiest and cheapest way increase your odds of winning in the lottery. “Wheeling” is the act of picking more numbers for the lotto than normal and then combining them on different tickets to cover all possible combinations. The amount of numbers you pick is determined by the amount of money you are willing to spend on lottery tickets.

People all over the world – mathematicians, statisticians, professional gamblers, including pschics, have been searching for ways, combinations, and formulas to win the lottery. However, there is no way one can learn how to win the lottery jackpot but since the lottery is a game of mathematical percentages relying on the laws of probability, mathematical systems can be used to help increase your odds of picking winning numbers thereby increasing your chances of winning . Playing the lotto is about playing the game of probability, not chance and probabilities can be used to your advantage. The best lottery software systems are those that use mathematical formulas to help choose winning numbers.

After carefully choosing which lottery software is best for you, you have to put things in motion and start using your software. Keep in mind the following:

• To win the lottery is your goal, prepare yourself.
• Invest time to learn about wheeling systems and lottery beaters.
• Put your system to good use.

As you can see, winning the lottery 99% hard work and 1% stroke of luck. Like any job, it requires careful and investment of critical thinking, hard work, and determination. You should be able to play with numbers and probability.

For millions of us, ordinary citizens, winning the lottery is a pipe dream. We can dream on but let’s not forget, we should never leave our financial future to luck.

]]> http://www.pickwinningnumbers.org/how-to-win-the-lottery-2/feed 0 http://www.pickwinningnumbers.org/the-powerball-americas-jackpot-game http://www.pickwinningnumbers.org/the-powerball-americas-jackpot-game#comments Wed, 28 Dec 2011 12:19:41 +0000 Jenny http://www.pickwinningnumbers.org/?p=278 Powerball is a lottery game in the United States coordinated by the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL). It replaced Lotto America in 1992. It is played in 44 jurisdictions as a combined jackpot game and cash game whose jackpot starts at $20 million and can roll into hundreds of millions over drawings. The jackpot prize can be claimed as an annuitized prize paid over a period of 29 years (30 payments) with an annual percentage increase set by the Powerball game rules or it can also be a lump sum payment as the player may prefer.

Drawings are held at 10:59 PM (Eastern Time) every Wednesdays and Saturdays at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida starting January 2009. Draws were previously held at ITC Studios in West Des Moines, Iowa since the game started. Anybody 18 years old and above can purchase a ticket which costs $1. The official cut off time for ticket sales is one hour before the drawing although some jurisdictions have an earlier cut-off time. Drawing results become official only after they are audited by Powerball’s auditing firm, LWBJ, LLP.

The Game Play

To select winning numbers, the game uses a 5/59 and 1/39 matrix. Five (5) white balls are drawn out of a drum with 59 balls and one (1) red ball is drawn out of a drum with 39 balls. The object of the game is for players to pick six (6) numbers between 1 and 59 and one “Powerball” number between 1 and 39. The Powerball number can be the same as one of the five “white ball” numbers. If the numbers drawn match the all numbers you picked, you win the jackpot. You can also win second prize if the first five “white ball numbers” match your first 5 number picks in any order.

A special feature of the Powerball game is PowerPlay which allows a  winner of $3 to $10,000 to increase the original prize amount for as much as 5 times, or even 10 times during promotional periods. The PowerPlay multiplier is randomly selected by computerized drawing before the regular draw of winning numbers. For an extra $1, a player can choose the Power Play option when buying his or her Powerball ticket. The ticket must then match one of the 9 Ways to Win before the multiplier takes effect. If PowerPlay is in effect for a second prize winning ticket ($200,000), the prize will be multiplied 5 times regardless of the PowerPlay number drawn giving the player $1 million dollars in prizes.

Nine Ways to Win

There are nine ways to win Powerball. A ticket may win  by matching just one number. Check out the following matches including your odds for winning:

The overall odds of winning is 1 in 35. In case more than one person wins the jackpot, the prize will be equally divided among the winners. However, prizes from $3 to $200,000 are fixed so each winner is paid the prize amount in full. Prizes can be claimed from 90 days to one year. Like in any other lottery game, the corresponding Federal, State and local taxes shall be withheld from the winnings.

Game Expansion in 2010

New Jersey, a Mega Millions member sought permission to join Powerball in March 2009. Discussions ensued shortly after about allowing each US Lottery to sell both games. The MUSL and Mega Millions consortium, in October 2009, agreed in principle to cross sell both games in US lottery jurisdictions. A month later, MUSL signed an agreement for the online drawing of Powerball. The game’s expansion to 43 jurisdictions started with the addition of 10 Mega Million members in January 2010. Cross selling picked up leaving only 10 jurisdictions with just Powerball.

New Jersey became the first former Mega Millions-only member in March 2010 to produce a jackpot winning Powerball ticket worth $211 million annuity. Conversely, in May 2010, North Carolina became the first former Powerball-only member to produce a jackpot winning Mega Millions ticket worth $12 million annuity.

Playing the Lottery over the Internet

The MUSL and state lotteries have declared playing the lottery over the internet to be absolutely illegal. Their reason is not crystal clear though but there have been past cases where people purchased a lottery ticket from an internet website and won. The lottery attempted to block them from receiving their prize and the case was taken to court and winners won and got their prizes. To avoid legalities, it is always best to play safe and literally avoid playing lottery over the internet as the bigger threat of getting ripped off is always there. Who knows, you might even be aiding scammers in the process.

Upcoming Changes

Some changes in the Powerball game shall be implemented starting January of 2012. There will be an increase in ticket price from $1 to $2; and $3 with PowerPlay.  Instead of 39, 35 red “Powerballs” shall be used. Players will be guaranteed a minimum jackpot prize of $40 million and $1 million prize awaits any non-jackpot play with 5 white ball matches.

Whatever changes may occur to Powerball in the future, the players only wish that their chances of winning be higher so their dreams may come true.

The lottery is an important source of revenue for New York. It provides about the same level of resources as the state’s corporate tax on utilities and telephone companies or roughly about $2 Billion in the mid 1990s. Its absence would mean significant budget cuts or tax increases. Initially, proceeds from the lottery were intended for non-educational needs. The New York City Hall was built in part from lottery money and so were roads, canals, bridges, and churches among others. Lottery money was also used to help the State’s manufacturing industries.

With the approval of the Constitutional Amendment in 1966, New Yorkers approved the state-run lottery where proceeds were to be used solely in aid of education. In its launch in 1967, the lottery sported the slogan “Your Chance of a Lifetime to Help Education” to advertise their intentions. Since then, the lottery has generated billions of dollars funding educational projects and endeavors. It is also tapped as a source in closing budget gaps.

Prior to the Play

A lottery player should be of legal age, which is 18 years of age to be eligible to play; for the game Quick Draw, at least 21.  The Lottery winnings are still subjected to State level and Federal level taxes. Despite ranking the highest in US lottery in terms of sales, the Lottery of New York has received much criticism for its low pay out percentages, failing to give players a better return. This may be one of the reasons for the 22% drop in the State’s Lotto sales in the previous year. Another reason may be the fact that winners of annuity prizes for instant games are not given the choice for lump sum payment instead of regular, periodic payments.

Let the Games Begin

The following are the games available at the New York Lottery:

 Games Played Daily

• Numbers – this game is drawn twice a day at 12:26 PM and 7:51 PM with three balls, each 0 through 9.
• Win 4 – similar to Numbers but this game uses 4 balls. Drawn twice daily at the same time as Numbers.
• Take 5 – this game is drawn nightly, 5 numbers from 1 through 39 matching 5 of 5 numbers. During promotional periods, a bonus ball is drawn.
• Pick 10 – players choose 10 numbers from 1 through 80 out of 20 numbers drawn. 10 numbers matching the 20 wins $500,000. Drawn daily at $1 per game.
• Quick Draw – is a keno-style game similar to Pick 10, drawn every 4 minutes from 4:04AM to 3:24 AM. A computer draws 20 numbers from 1 through 80. Matching 10 numbers with the 20 wins.

Games Played Twice a Week

• Powerball – a seven-member game which stated in 1992 and expanded into New York Power Ball. Drawn Wednesdays and Saturdays, players are to choose five numbers from 1 through 59 and a red “Powerball” from 1 through 39 for $1 a bet.
• Mega Millions – played similarly as the Powerball, this game is played Tuesdays and Fridays. The player chooses five number from 1 to 56 and the “Mega Ball”, a number from 1 to 46.
•  Lotto – played by choosing six numbers from 1 through 59 and a bonus ball will be drawn from the remaining 53 balls. Initial jackpot is $3 million, increasing by increments of P500, 000 per roll over.
• Sweet Million – this game draws six numbers from 1 through 40 at a cost of $1 per game with million dollars top prize.

Also available for playing is the video lottery and various scratch card games.

Winning the Lottery

Some people play the lottery without any idea how to claim the prize if they win. Here is a list of some helpful information to lottery winners:

How does one claim a lottery prize? The first thing to do once you find out you have the winning ticket is to sign the ticket so you can claim your prize. Lottery prizes up to $600 can be claimed at any authorized New York lottery retailer. Retailers can pay prizes of winning tickets up to 45 days after draw date. For prizes $601 and up, claims should be made at any of the State’s 15 Regional Customer Service Centers. Prizes of winning tickets expire one year after drawing.

What if my winning ticket is lost? If you failed to sign your winning ticket and lost it, anybody can use the ticket and claim the prize. Get in touch with a Regional Customer Service Center immediately if you lose your ticket.

How much money will be withheld from my prize? For prizes over $5,000, Federal, State and local taxes are withheld. For winners of $600 who fail to provide a social security number or a tax account number when claiming the prize, same taxes apply. The State may also offset past due child support, if applicable.

Playing the lottery exciting and fun, winning it would be fabulous no matter which State you are in, no matter what offsets are waiting!

While it is important that you review the different strategies that you can use by using the patterns of the winning numbers that have already been draw, it is equally important that you also know which numbers to avoid and not to bet on. The most vital technique that you should employ in playing the Michigan Lottery, or any other Lottery, is to play the probabilities. By understanding how the game works, you can increase your chances of winning the large cash prize.

There are many tips, tricks, strategies, and techniques that you can use in order to increase your chances of winning the Lottery. Here are some of the most important tips and tricks that you can follow in playing the Michigan or any of the Lottery games.

Tip # 1: Use the 2/4, the 3/3, or the 4/2 Pattern in Choosing your Lottery Numbers

These are the patterns that you should use in choosing the Michigan Lottery numbers that you will bet on. These pertain to the different number groups, including the combination of odd numbers and even numbers and the mix of low numbers with the high numbers. The low number field covers the numbers from 1 to 24, while the high number field includes the numbers from 25 to 47. 81 percent of all the Lottery drawings follow one out of three of these patterns.

• The 2/4 Pattern: In using the 2/4 pattern, you can bet on 2 odd numbers and 4 even numbers or 2 low numbers and 4 high numbers.
• The 3/3 Pattern: The 3/3 pattern is a combination of 3 odd numbers and 3 even numbers or a mix of 3 low numbers and 3 high numbers.
• The 4/2 Pattern: This pattern is a combination of 4 odd numbers and the remaining 2 should be even numbers. If you are playing the low and high number pattern, you should pick 4 low numbers and 2 high numbers.

Tip # 2: Review the List of Hot Lottery Numbers and Cold Lottery Numbers

The “hot” Michigan Lottery numbers refer to those that have not been drawn in a certain number of games. For instance, numbers that have not been included in the past five games account for about fifty percent of all the winning numbers drawn. Losing numbers that have not been included in the past ten games account for about 77% of all the winning Lottery numbers. On the other hand, cold numbers are those that have been out for or more than 70 games.

Tip # 3: Know Which Numbers to Avoid and Patterns Not to Use

In playing the Michigan Lottery, it is important that you know which numbers to bet on and patterns to use to increase your chances of winning the jackpot. However, it is equally important that you also know which numbers to avoid and patterns not to use. By knowing these numbers and patterns, not only are you increasing your chances, you are also saving money since you have an advantage over players who foolishly and thoughtlessly choose their numbers.

Tip # 4: Avoid the “Single Number Group” Pattern

The Michigan Lottery is made up of five number groups. These number groups include the single digits, the teens, the twenties, the thirties, and the forties. In playing the Lottery, avoid choosing all your numbers from only a single number group such as all single digits, all teens, all twenties, and so on. All of the winning Lottery numbers being drawn from just one number group is very unlikely to happen.

Tip # 5: Avoid the “Consecutive Number” Pattern

There has never been an instance wherein six consecutive numbers have been drawn in any of the state lotteries. Even five consecutive numbers being drawn has only occurred rarely, and in most of the Lottery games, has never happened before. If you want to avoid wasting money on your Lottery tickets, it is best that you avoid using this pattern.

Tip # 6: Avoid the “Low Number Group” Pattern

Many Lotto players prefer to choose numbers based on their birthdates, their anniversaries, the ages of their children, or any other number that has significance in their lives. This means that the most commonly played numbers are those from the low number field. If you use this type of pattern in choosing the numbers that you will play, you are most likely to share your winnings with a lot of other people who also use the same pattern. While you should not completely eliminate these numbers important to you, you should still combine them with higher numbers.

Now that you know which numbers to choose, which patterns to utilize, which numbers to avoid, and which patterns not to use, you can now increase your chances of winning the Michigan Lottery. While all of these are very important details that you should never forget every time you spend a dollar on a ticket, it is also vital that you know how to spend your money wisely and cautiously. Make sure that you also understand money management systems to avoid spending too much in playing any of the Lottery games.