Some Numbers Not So Lucky for Some!

Media Release

8 October 2010

Some Numbers Not So Lucky for Some!

With Lotto Powerball at $24 million this week, its highest level in two years, NZ Lotteries has been doing the numbers to find out New Zealand’s luckiest, and unluckiest, number combinations.

In the event that Lotto numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 do roll out of the barrel on Saturday there would be around 2100 winners.

This is based on a search NZ Lotteries did on how many ticket entries had used all six of these numbers for last week’s Lotto draw.

Chief Executive Todd McLeay says NZ Lotteries was surprised at the number of people that had chosen this number combination.

“We know this number pattern has as much chance of coming out of our draw machine as any other combination, which is about one in 3.8 million, but it is amazing how many people have chosen it.

“In the event that you were lucky enough to win this Saturday with this combo, you would be sharing your prize with 2099 other people – which is not so lucky! If you all split Lotto First Division that would be only around $476 each,” he said.

For those adding Powerball to their Lotto numbers for a chance at the $24 million, NZ Lotteries has done the numbers to find out that the luckiest Powerball drawn so far for winners has been number 3.

Lucky number 3 has been drawn 15 times for winners, followed by number 8 (12 times) and number 2 (11 times).

Powerball number 9 has been the least drawn (2 times), however this number was only added to the game in October 2007.

If you are looking for a lucky shop to buy your Powerball ticket, only two stores in New Zealand have sold three Powerball First Division prizes – these stores are both in Auckland - Countdown Lynfield and Manukau City Lotto.

Two more current Lotto stores have been lucky enough to sell two Powerball First Divisions – Dawson Superette in Manukau and Kuripuni Lotto & Post Shop in Masterton (also the seller of the largest Big Wednesday prize).

For the South Island, Hokitika New World has sold the largest Powerball prize, with an $11 million prize sold in November 2002.

“We know that around a third of our tickets are purchased with people using their own numbers. Many chosen numbers are based on birth dates, so if you want to increase your chances of not sharing your prize if you do win, you could choose higher numbers between 32 and 40.

“And it is possible win Lotto more than once, based on our historic knowledge we know at least six players have managed to beat the odds and win big twice.

“Four of these players are from the South Island, so perhaps they are particularly lucky down south!” Todd McLeay said.

ends

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