UK Lotto Draws Serial Sequences Twice

UK Lotto Players appear to like playing sequential number series, despite the fact that payoffs are typically lower because many people (and automated systems perhaps) prefer organization rather than randomness. Look at the:

• September 3 2008 results: 03 05 07 09 24 35 bonus 11, and
• August 13 2008 results: 05 09 10 11 23 26 bonus 12

The advertised jackpots in both drawings were £2.5 million, but the actual jackpots were: £1.795 million and £1.700 million. Because the actual jackpot payouts were much lower than stated, one would expect that there were many more the lower tier winners. Comparing the Match 3 winners for these and other drawings, we find that there were indeed more winners!

Why? Because many people secretly like to play sequential sequence numbers, thinking that no one else would play the same numbers.


Consider those who played the 8 multiple sequential sequences of:

• 02 03 04 05 06 07
• 03 04 05 06 07 08
• 04 05 06 07 08 09
• 05 06 07 08 09 10
• 06 07 08 09 10 11
• 07 08 09 10 11 12
• 08 09 10 11 12 13
• 09 10 11 12 13 14

would have had:

• (6) Match 3 winners on Sep 3rd
  
• (5) Match 3 winners on Aug 13th

Since all Match 3 winners receive a fixed £10 payout, the players would have grossed £110 on a £16 investment. This represents a net profit of £94, or a 5.875:1 payout.


Even though we can explain that the sequential number phenomenon is responsible for a larger than expected number of Match 3 winners, we are left with the daunting question:

• Why were there (4) Match 6 winners on September 3,
  
• and (6) Match 6 winners on Aug 13?

Both drawings were held on Wednesdays and used Ball set 4.

Is this a Coincidence? We don't think so. While we have our opinions, we will not publish them at this time.

What do you think?

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