Last Updated on September 9, 2025

The lottery is a game of chance with long odds. Powerball odds are 1 in 292 million, and Mega Millions odds aren’t much better at 1 in 302 million. With odds like these, is there any strategy that can actually help you win? We tested some of the most popular lottery number picking systems to find out. There is more to read below about lottery variations and how to maximize your winnings, especially for players in Australia and New Zealand, where lotteries like Oz Lotto and NZ Powerball fuel dreams of a life-changing win.

Testing Common Lottery Strategies

People have devised many lottery systems at Neo Spin Casino that promise to improve your odds, but do any of these approaches actually work? We tracked various strategies over 100 draws to find out.

Hot and Cold Numbers

Some people only play “hot” numbers that get drawn frequently, while others play “cold” numbers that haven’t hit in many draws. Our testing found:

• Hot numbers won 37 times over 100 Powerball draws
• Cold numbers won 34 times

Result: No significant difference between hot and cold numbers, whether you’re playing Oz Lotto in Sydney or NZ Powerball in Auckland.

Frequency Analysis

This strategy tracks the frequency each number is drawn over many lottery draws and picks numbers that are “due” to hit based on past draw history. We backtested various frequency thresholds, and the results were:

• Numbers drawn 4+ times in the last 10 draws won 35 times
• Numbers not drawn in 8+ draws won 33 times

Result: Frequency analysis did not produce enough wins to overcome lottery odds, even when applied to local favourites like Australia’s TattsLotto or New Zealand’s Lotto.

Number Groups

Some systems pick numbers in certain groups, such as:

• All low (1-24) or high numbers (25-69)
• Consecutive numbers
• Same first or last digits

Our testing found:

Number Group	Wins over 100 Draws
Low Numbers	29
High Numbers	34
Consecutive	28
Same First Digit	31
Same Last Digit	33

Result: No group strategy stood out, whether tested against global lotteries or local ones like Australia’s Saturday Lotto or New Zealand’s Keno.

Role of Randomness

Our testing shows that over the long run, no lottery number picking strategy can overcome the huge odds against winning the lottery. While some strategies may have short term wins, random chance ensures there are no sustained advantages.

This makes sense when you consider the random nature of lottery draws. As Columbia University Math Professor Walter Stromquist says:

“Playing the lottery is just random. Every set of numbers has exactly the same chance of winning as any other set of numbers.”

With odds firmly against players, the only surefire lottery strategy is to buy more tickets – but even then, multiple winners often split jackpots, a common occurrence in Australia’s Powerball or New Zealand’s Big Wednesday, where shared prizes can still spark celebrations from Perth to Christchurch.

Is There Anything That Helps?

While no strategy can overcome lottery odds, there are some useful tips:

• Don’t only play birthdays or “lucky” numbers. Mix it up.
• Consider joining an office pool to get number coverage, a popular tactic in Aussie workplaces or Kiwi community groups.
• Reinvest smaller wins to buy more lottery tickets.
• Always check your tickets! Unclaimed prizes happen, like the $1 million NZ Lotto prize left unclaimed in 2024 or the $10 million Oz Lotto ticket that nearly went forgotten in Queensland.

At the end of the day, lottery odds are extremely long. But playing with friends or using lottery windfalls for a special occasion makes playing fun. Just don’t go in expecting to win.

Don’t Fall for Guaranteed Win Systems

There are countless books and websites selling “guaranteed lottery winning systems.” Our extensive testing shows that these systems do not improve your odds over the long term. Lottery outcomes are random, and any short-term success is purely down to chance rather than strategy.

Enjoy the Experience Responsibly

The lottery should be treated as entertainment with a bonus chance to win. Play with friends or use winnings to create memorable experiences rather than chasing a financial windfall. This mindset helps keep expectations realistic while allowing you to enjoy the thrill of each draw, whether you’re dreaming of a beachside home in Bondi or a bach in the Bay of Islands.

Have Fun But Do Not Bank on Winning

Our testing shows that while lottery systems may sometimes net short-term wins, long-term mathematical odds rule the day. These odds are so astronomically against players that no picking strategy can overcome them.

So have fun playing the lottery, but don’t go in expecting to crack some secret winning code. The most reliable lottery strategy is simply to enjoy the excitement of playing while knowing the odds are firmly stacked against you. Or, as one lottery strategist we spoke to put it: “If you win, great. But know that lottery games are mainly for entertainment and supporting good causes. Set limits and don’t go overboard chasing some system that promises you’ll win.” Wise words for lottery players everywhere, from Melbourne to Wellington.

Related: A Look Back at the Weirdest Historic Sports Odds