Wondering how to increase your odds of winning the lottery? Dr. Charles Clotfelter, a professor at Duke University, talked with WRAL News about the probability of hitting a big winner and how to increase your odds.
What are the odds that somebody can win?
You're more likely to get struck by lightning – hundreds of times – than win the lottery.
"This is a number that is impossible to comprehend in the average human mind," Clotfelter said.
Clotfelter explained that picking the right numbers correctly is mind-boggling to the human brain.
"This is a game that is played by people that can't understand the odds because it's just not within our capability to do it," he said. "Nobody can really be expected to understand that. So you're just out on a limb saying, 'let's go for it.'"
How to increase your odds of winning a lottery jackpot
Aside from purchasing multiple lottery tickets with different number combinations, there is no way to increase your chance of winning the lottery with one ticket, Clotfelter said.
However, it can help to let the computer pick your numbers instead of choosing them yourself.
Video: What should you do if you win the lottery?
Clotfelter explained that people who choose their own numbers often choose birthdays or other personal numbers, like home addresses and social security numbers.
Why is this a bad idea? These number have patterns that are more likely to be replicated.
"If you pick birthdays, you're not going to go over 31," he said. "If you pick months, you're not going to go over 12."
