why do lotteries require computer to generate some set of numbers, instead of letting players pick all numbers?
Some lotteries, like Lotto 6/49 in Canada, let you pick your own numbers. But in Lottomax and Lottario, the computer always generates at least one set of numbers.
I called the lottery to ask why, and the lady said - for complex mathematical reasons that benefit players. But she admitted, she doesn't know the math to explain why computer-generated numbers make players better off. anyone know here?
I hate these computer generated numbers. I prefer to pick all my numbers "to avoid popular entries. E.g. use the higher numbers which are less likely to be someone's birthday or other lucky number. Avoid simple patterns on the entry form."
1 answer
I can only guess that it's to avoid multiple entries with the same "popular" numbers. The chance of any one combination winning is the same. However, the payout you get when winning a popular number may be less because it may be shared with others who also played that number.
By adding a few randomly generated digits, the chances of two entries based on the same popular number ending up the same are decreased. For example, if two people play the same popular number but the system automatically adds 3 random digits to each, then there is only a 1 in 1000 chance the two entries will be the same, wherease there would be a 1 in 1 chance they would be the same otherwise. The odds of winning are the same in either case, but the expected value is only slightly decreased by the other player when random numbers are added, whereas it is halved without the extra random numbers.
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