In 2018 the first Powerball win was a lucky punter from Christchurch that won a whopping $20.2 million Lotto Powerball prize. The winning ticket was sold at Hornby Mall Lotto in Christchurch.
The total prize was made up of $20 million from the Powerball First Division and $200,000 from the Lotto First Division. Four other lucky Lotto players from Mangawhai, Auckland, and Nelson will also be celebrating after scooping $200,000 with Lotto First Division.
Table of Contents
The winning Lotto tickets were sold at Molesworth Four Square in Mangawhai, Botany Junction Four Square in Auckland, Richmond Night and Day in Nelson, and on MyLotto to a player from Auckland.
Similarly in March 2018, a $12 million Lotto Powerball ticket was sold in the Wairarapa, and a local couple claimed the prize. They had bought their ticket at Masterton’s Kuripuni Lotto and Post Shop.
On April 25th, 2018 Suzzy another player who also wants to be a lucky winner looked at the New Zealand Powerball Lotto when the draw number 1745 was drawn.
On Match 6 plus Powerball lotto, the prize to be won was NZ$9,000,000 but she was no winner of this jackpot prize. The winning numbers drawn were 3. 7. and 15. 23. 27. 36, bonus ball 11 with power ball number 3. For Suzzy, it seems there was no way to hit the big Jackpot.
Powerball Lotto is an add-on to the New Zealand Lotto game and is drawn in coordination with the main Lotto draw every Wednesday and Saturday. Whether it is a $2 million Lotto prize or a $10 million jackpot your odds never change.
It is true that players rush for the Powerball tickets when the prize pool is bigger, but there’s more money to go around, so your odds of winning Lotto first division and Powerball are still 1 in 38 million.
According to University of Auckland biostatistics professor Thomas Lumley statistically, there was nothing people could do to improve their chances to win but there are things you can do to slightly increase how much money you expect to win.
Lumley believes that often people choose popular numbers to increase the probability of winning, however, if you want to increase your chances of getting more money, you need to branch out.
If you know what numbers are popular in New Zealand, then choosing numbers that aren’t on that list would be good, but you can’t do much better than a random pick. This means random numbers are your best bet at winning more money as picking different numbers, makes it less likely you’ll share the prize money with someone.
More people bought Lotto tickets when the jackpot was higher, however, that did not mean you had a lesser chance of winning. It won’t decrease the chance of winning, it will decrease the amount you might win. It means if you win, you might not get all $ 10 million yourself, you might have to split it.
So what should Suzzy do to make herself a Millionaire next time she plays Powerball Lotto NZ?
Well, she can follow the six ways that might increase her chance of winning and become a millionaire though there is no surety to win the lottery in any way.
Know the Game Odds Before Playing
Lotto is a 6/40 game. Out of 40 possible numbers, six are drawn which a ticket holder has to match in order to win the first division.
The odds of winning the Lotto first division are 1 in 3.8 million. Throw in a Powerball and the odds increase to 1 in 38 million. Therefore you cannot change the odds of the game. It is better to study the odds of every Lotto NZ before you think of playing it.
Know the Previous Winning Numbers
Looking at the past winning numbers you will find that number one, which was drawn 296 times and number 13 was the second most-drawn number, randomly pulled 287 times, with number 19 the third most drawn followed by 12 and 15.
The number 9 ball has been drawn as a Powerball just 36 times, compared with the 117 times the number 2 ball has been drawn. The number 13 ball has come out 148 times.
The least frequent number, which has been drawn was number 6. Now you can pick the numbers that often pop up in the drawn lot and make you a winner.
Hop to the Luckiest Stores To Play Lotto NZ
If those odds aren’t enough to put you off, then you might be interested to know about the ‘luckiest’ numbers and stores over the 30 years Lotto has been around.
Numbers 1, 7, 13, 18, 21, and 26 are the most drawn numbers, while 2 is the most popular Powerball number. Lotto NZ points out that the balls are washed and weighed regularly so – sadly for those looking for an edge – the popularity of some balls over others is almost certainly due to random chance.
The ‘luckiest’ store is Unichem Stortford Lodge in Hastings, with 45 winning first-division tickets sold.
Before you rush off to Hawke’s Bay to buy your ticket, you should know the list of ‘luckiest’ stores doesn’t tell us how many tickets these stores sold or how long they have been around. A store that sells lots of tickets over a long period of time is probably going to have many more first-division winners than one that sells very few.
Do Some Calculations When Buying a Ticket
Despite these overwhelming odds, there are times when few calculations can hit a jackpot. This happens when Powerball jackpots get so large, the value of the prize pool is greater than the amount spent on tickets. In these scenarios, the ‘expected value’ of your ticket is positive, although your chances of actually winning Powerball are the same.
Another trick to increase your chances of a bigger prize is to pick numbers that other people are less likely to select – although given many players get randomly generated numbers this might be a little tough to do. However, if you can, then you are less likely to have to share the prize if you strike it lucky.
Play New Lotto Games
Earlier in 2017, Lotto rolled out changes to the game. Division 7 was introduced, allowing players to match three numbers on a single line to win. Lotto corporate communications general manager Emilia Mazur said Division 7 had increased its chances of winning a prize to one in 30.
Previously, the best chance of getting a prize across the whole game was one in 200. Since the introduction of new games in 2017 like Instant Play, there have been an average of 300,000 extra winners per week or more than one million extra per month.
In April 2017, Lotto also created the ability to play Strike on its own, Powerball prizes were increased and the jackpot increased to a $50 million “must be won”.
Lotto’s last major change was in 2015 when playing Powerball Lotto NZ mid-week began, essentially doubling the opportunities for people to have a go at winning.
Other big changes have included Strike’s introduction in April 1993 and Powerball in February 2001.
Also using different methods of play can increase your chance to win. 73 percent of big winners surveyed won with a Lucky Dip, Power Dip, or Triple Dip ticket.
Avoid Your Own Lucky Numbers
Many players use their own lucky numbers and overestimate the likelihood of winning a low-probability event like a lottery, with magical thinking, like believing in fate, lucky numbers, or lucky areas where many winning tickets have been bought.
But there is less chance that you increase your chances of winning by using them because the chances of your seven numbers coming up remains at one in 38.8 million whichever numbers you pick.
Experts believe that there is no such thing as a lucky selection of numbers and there’s nothing you can do to increase the probability that any particular set of numbers will win.
You can buy more tickets, which increases your chances from very slim to just slightly less very slim, or form a Lotto syndicate, spending less to get more chances of winning, though if you won, you’d have to share the jackpot.
According to Peter Donelan, head of the School of Mathematics and Statistics at Victoria University, if you want to maximize your expected outcome, then you would want to pick numbers that are less likely to be picked by other people so you are less likely to have to share the jackpot.
That could include picking some higher numbers as many people use significant dates like birthdays or picking numbers others think are unlucky.
Finally speaking the million jackpot prize is lucrative players often see how much money they will win by playing which lotto in NZ. The biggest-ever Powerball jackpot was $44 million.
It was won by a young couple from the Hibiscus Coast in November 2016. Just four months prior, Lotto New Zealand’s three players from Dunedin, Te Awamutu, and Hamilton split a $40 million jackpot.
Remember that there is no way you can make sure you’re becoming a millionaire but certainly, you can increase your chance of becoming a millionaire and hitting the Powerball Lotto NZ Jackpot.
Conclusion:
Winning the Powerball Lotto NZ jackpot is a game of chance, and there’s no guaranteed strategy. While knowing the odds and considering factors like previous winning numbers can be interesting, the key is luck.
Whether you play your own lucky numbers or try different approaches, the thrill of the game is in the unpredictability. Remember, the joy is not just in winning but in the excitement of participating.
So, play responsibly, enjoy the game, and dream big – after all, someone has to be the lucky winner, and it could just be you one day!
FAQs:
When are the draws held?
Powerball Lotto draws take place every Wednesday and Saturday. The draw time is 8.20 pm on Wednesdays and 8 pm on Saturdays.
What are the odds of winning the Powerball Lotto?
The odds of winning Powerball Lotto’s first division are 1 in 38 million. Adding a Powerball increases the odds to 1 in 38 million.
How do I claim my prize if I win?
For prizes up to $1,000, they are automatically credited to your MyLotto account. Prizes over $1,000 require completing an online prize claim form. You’ll receive a message with a link to the form in your online account.
Can I play Powerball Lotto online?
Yes, you can play Powerball Lotto online through the official Lotto NZ website or app. Create a MyLotto account, deposit funds, and choose your numbers.
Are there strategies to increase my chances of winning?
Powerball Lotto is a game of chance, and there is no guaranteed strategy. You can consider factors like less popular numbers, historical data, or playing new games, but ultimately, winning relies on luck.
What happens if multiple people win the jackpot?
If multiple tickets match the winning numbers, the jackpot is divided equally among the winners. Sharing the prize is a possibility, especially when the jackpot is large.
How often are changes made to Powerball Lotto?
Lotto NZ may introduce changes to the game over time. For instance, new divisions or games can be added, and adjustments might be made to enhance the player experience.
Is there a limit to the Powerball jackpot amount?
The Powerball jackpot can continue to grow until it is won. There is no specific limit, and the jackpot increases with each draw where it is not won.
Remember to play responsibly and check official sources for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
Related Read:
- How To Top Up Your Lottery Ticket Online In NZ?
- How To Play Powerball And Strike Lotto NZ And Instantly Find The Results?
- 3 Best Ways To Play Powerball Lottery In New Zealand
- My Lotto App NZ
- How To Play BullsEye Lottery With Your Mobile In NZ?
- How To Check The NZ Lotto Results On Your Mobile?
- How To Play Instant Lotto Games With Your Mobile At Lotto NZ And Win?
