🚀 go-pugleaf

X-Anon-To: sci.math.stat


Hello,

I am curious to know some "strategies" for increasing one's expected
winnings in a state lottery.

Just for conversation sake let me explain the New York State Lotto 54.
One chooses any 6 numbers from 1 through 54 (inclusive).  The State
randomly selects there 6 (plus a supplemental number, but we need not
discuss this) by placing ping pong balls, numbered 1 - 54, in a hopper,
then the balls are "spit" out one at a time...etc...  The prizes are 
determined by how many numbers a player matches.  All 6 win 1'st, any 5
of 6 win 2nd, 4 of 6 for 3rd, and 3 of 6 plus the supplemental win 4th.

Anyhow, basic probability theory suggest to me that any one of the
C(54,6), i.e. 25827165, different combinations is equally likely to
win 1st prize.  However, I have read/heard of people who have some
kind of system that yields a greater pay-off than just random selection.
In fact, I recall reading about a math professor, from Florida I believe,
who as a demonstration to his class won many times (perhaps not the 1st 
prize, but 2nd or 3rd repeatedly)!!!  Does anyone know about this??
Who is this person??  What is his strategy??   Or any strategy, supported
by probability/statistics theory, that yields better than average payoffs??

I would like to present such a mathematical treatment to my class.
Thus far, I only discuss the combinatorics of the system, and keep
telling my classes that all selections are equally likely...but feel
I am not telling them the whole story!!

Many thanks in advance!!!

Abe Mantell

mantell@ams.sunysb.edu


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