It is amazing how easily some people will overlook a lie but must be dragged, kicking and screaming, to see the truth. I listen to examples of this every day. After years of listening to such drivel, I've just reach the point where my frustration has gotten the better of me. You know what I mean? So, I've decided to tackle these Lottery Fables one by one in this series of articles.
Lottery Lie #1 - There is nothing you can do to increase your chances of winning the lottery.
Occasionally, I've made the mistake of trying to reason with such lottery critics. I've plied them with irrefutable logic, and example after example that proves that their position is untenable. All to no avail. Only a reasonable person, someone with an open mind and willing to engage in an intellectual discussion, can ever be persuaded of anything. So, if you're reading this, I'm probably preaching to the choir. Therefore, if you will all turn to one of my favorite pages in the Hymnal, 'You can increase your chances of winning the lottery jackpot.'
The first Lottery Myth is naive and easy to refute. First, the lottery is a game of chance. In all games of chance, the player has certain chances of winning. Up to this point, even the critics agree. But, here's where I lose them.
Blackjack
In all games of chance, including lotto, there are various levels of play. Some people are very good, some people are very poor, and the rest of us fall somewhere in between. For example, it was only a few years ago, that people believed that success at Blackjack was pure luck. After all, it was a Random Game of chance. And yet, professional gamblers seemed to do quite well.
This idea that it was a random game of chance, was fostered by the casinos because it helped their bottom line. At the same time, professional gamblers quietly went about their business. However, some MIT students stumbled upon the keys to the castle and raked in lots of money at the casinos. You've probably heard the story or saw the movie 21.
If you play Blackjack intelligently, you can increase your chances of winning. In Blackjack, if you study the past history by counting cards and apply a basic understanding of probability, the advantage swings from the house to the player. Once people learned about this, almost overnight, courses were being offered and books were being sold. People had discovered that there was a lot they could do to increase their chances of winning; just like the lottery.
Another example is Texas Holdem, which has become a worldwide phenomenon. After Doyle Brunson published his Super/System book, the truth was out. If you play the game intelligently, study the past performance of each opponent and apply a basic understanding of probability you will increase your chances of winning.
Now, there are many more books, courses, tapes, CDs and even training camps. Once people realized that success was determined by how they played the game, people all over the world were flopping, turning and rolling down the river.
Just like the casinos did with Black Jack, the state lotteries have fostered and perpetuated this Lottery Lie; that there is nothing you can do to increase your chances of winning the lottery. But, the lottery is a game of chance, just like any other. Therefore, the same logic applies.
Play intelligently
Study the lottery's history
Apply a basic understanding of probability
Use a computer with the best lottery software
Computers have been used to unravel the mysteries of many so called Random Games of Chance; like Black Jack, Poker and Stock investing, just to name a few. But, lotteries are the most difficult games of chance ever devised. So, trying to improve your lottery play without a computer is probably an exercise in futility.
So, if you are going to be a Serious Lottery Player, you are going to need a computer armed with the Best Lottery Software available. Lotto software that can provide what you need when you ask for it; like having your very own genie. Well, today's genie isn't in a bottle; she's on your computer.
Good luck and I hope you Win the Big One!