Winning the lottery is almost entirely about luck, but some people have used unusual strategies to pick their numbers – and walked away with millions. Here are four bizarre methods that have led to big wins:
- The Fifth Ticket Method: Buying every fifth ticket in a sequence. While small-scale tests often fail, large-scale efforts like Stefan Mandel’s 1992 Virginia Lottery win ($27M) show that systematic approaches can work – but they require massive resources.
- Numbers from Dreams: Some winners, like a Virginia man who won $250,000 in 2023, claim their numbers came from dreams. This method is deeply personal and purely subjective.
- Pet Behavior Number Picking: A Massachusetts couple used their dog’s instincts to pick numbers, winning $400,000. However, this method is charming but unreliable.
- Star Alignment Number Selection: Astrological strategies, like tracking planetary positions, have helped people like a Montreal astrologer win $7M. While structured, astrology doesn’t change the randomness of lottery odds.
Quick Comparison
| Strategy | Example Win | Key Feature | Reliability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fifth Ticket Method | $27M (Stefan Mandel) | Systematic, resource-intensive | Low without scale |
| Numbers from Dreams | $250K (Virginia 2023) | Personal and subjective | Unpredictable |
| Pet Behavior Number Picking | $400K (Massachusetts) | Relies on pet instincts | Very low |
| Star Alignment Number Selection | $7M (Montreal) | Uses astrology and timing strategies | Unproven |
No strategy can truly beat the odds, as lotteries are inherently random. Playing responsibly and sticking to a budget is always the best approach.
14-Times Lottery Winner Finally Reveals His Secret
1. The Fifth Ticket Method
The Fifth Ticket Method involves purchasing every fifth scratch-off ticket in a sequence, aiming to take advantage of potential patterns in ticket distribution.
In June 2023, YouTuber Fixin To Scratch tested this method by buying three sets of tickets: five $5 tickets (winning $10), five $10 tickets (winning $60), and five $20 tickets (resulting in no wins).
"The five-ticket method is when a player buys five of the same scratch-off tickets in a row, rather than just one ticket from one game, to boost winning odds."
The experiment ended with a $105 loss, with the $10 tickets performing the best. However, this small-scale test is a far cry from more organized and large-scale strategies.
One such large-scale example is Stefan Mandel’s famous lottery strategy. In 1992, Mandel and his group used a highly systematic approach, buying nearly every number combination in the Virginia Lottery. They purchased 5 to 6 million tickets, securing a $27 million jackpot and an additional $1 million in minor prizes. After accounting for a $60,000 shipping cost, investors saw a return of roughly $1,400 for every $4,000 invested.
| Mandel’s Virginia Lottery Success (1992) | |
|---|---|
| Jackpot Amount | $27 million |
| Tickets Purchased | 5–6 million |
| Additional Minor Prizes | $1 million |
| Investment Return | $1,400 per $4,000 invested |
| Logistics Cost | $60,000 (shipping) |
"When the $27 million ticket came up, everybody was six feet off the ground."
The main difference between the Fifth Ticket Method and Mandel’s strategy is the scale and precision. While the Fifth Ticket Method adds structure to ticket purchases, it barely affects the odds. Mandel’s system, on the other hand, has been successful 14 times but requires significant resources, making it out of reach for most players.
For context, in a standard 6/49 lottery, buying two tickets improves your odds from 1 in 13,983,816 to 1 in 6,991,908 . While it’s technically better, the improvement is still minimal.
2. Numbers from Dreams
Using dreams to pick lottery numbers has led to some incredible wins, offering a stark contrast to more structured approaches.
Take the story of a 77-year-old woman from Montgomery County. She trusted a recurring dream featuring the numbers 7-11-33-35-39. That trust earned her three $50,000 prizes: first in 2008, then again in 2019, and most recently in July 2023.
"My faith is strong. Finances were tight back then, so I prayed about it and then had a dream about those numbers."
In another case, Alonzo Coleman from Henrico, Virginia, won $250,000 in the Virginia Lottery’s Bank a Million game in June 2023. His winning numbers – 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18 – came to him in a dream. By splitting his $2 wager four ways, one combination hit the jackpot .
| Dream-Based Lottery Wins | Details |
|---|---|
| Montgomery County Winner | Three $50,000 wins (2008-2023) |
| Alonzo Coleman | $250,000 win (June 2023) |
| Cost of Winning Ticket | $2 (Coleman’s wager) |
For context, the odds of winning major lotteries like Mega Millions and Powerball hover around 1 in 300 million . Despite these staggering odds, dreams seem to provide numbers through two key methods:
- Direct Number Visualization: Some individuals see exact lottery numbers in their dreams, as seen in the examples above.
- Symbol Interpretation: Others interpret dream symbols using numerology or personal associations to generate numbers.
"Dreams are not only reflections of our subconscious; they can also contain clues and symbols that we can use in the lottery." – Karla Alvarez, Information Sciences graduate
While dream-based number selection is deeply personal and impossible to replicate, many players find comfort and meaning in the process, adding a psychological dimension to their lottery pursuits.
sbb-itb-29f0076
3. Pet Behavior Number Picking
Some lottery players turn to their pets’ instincts to pick numbers, hoping for a stroke of luck. While this approach is far from scientific, it has led to some surprising outcomes.
Take Eric and Velma Dacron from Cherry Valley, Massachusetts, for example. Their seven-year-old Shih-Tzu, Mei-Li, helped them win $400,000 in a Megabucks drawing. Mei-Li had already shown unusual behavior, like predicting phone calls by running to the phone before it rang.
"She has always been a very smart dog", Velma shared. "She knows the names of all her toys and understands a lot of commands. Also, she knows when Eric is coming home – even when he’s calling!"
The Dacrons developed a step-by-step system to tap into Mei-Li’s instincts:
| Step | Method | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Setup | Placed 42 pairs of numbers with treats | Created a treat-based selection system |
| Training Phase | Used treats to guide choices | Mei-Li learned the process |
| Final Method | Removed treats gradually | Established consistent number selection |
| Result | Played Mei-Li’s picks weekly | Won $400,000 |
This carefully planned method stands in contrast to more spur-of-the-moment experiments. For instance, a viral TikTok video featured a dog named Freckles howling at numbers, but it didn’t lead to any wins.
Despite the charm of using pet behavior for lottery picks, the approach isn’t reliable. And while it makes for a great story, its success rate is low. Even among lottery winners, approximately 70 percent face financial struggles later on. So, it’s essential to keep expectations realistic – no matter how clever your pet might seem.
"We always knew she was special", Eric Dacron said. "We just didn’t know how much."
4. Star Alignment Number Selection
The star alignment method takes a more structured approach compared to dream-based or pet-inspired number selection. It relies on astrological timing strategies, which, while unproven, have occasionally led to high-profile wins.
One such case is Robert Gareau, a Montreal astrologer who won Loto-Québec‘s Grande Vie draw by basing his number choices on planetary positions . Gareau, who writes horoscopes professionally, credited his win to astrology.
"The planets were aligned", Gareau said, specifically mentioning the positions of Jupiter and Uranus .
His win secured him a $7 million lump sum payout.
Astrological strategies for lotteries often focus on key elements, as shown below:
| Astrological Factor | Importance | How It’s Used |
|---|---|---|
| Second House | Linked to wealth | Track planetary movements related to finances |
| Fifth House | Associated with speculation | Monitor during ticket purchase times |
| Eighth House | Tied to unexpected gains | Observe planetary alignments for potential windfalls |
| Eleventh House | Represents wish fulfillment | Identify favorable time periods |
These foundational elements guide many astrological lottery strategies. In Vedic astrology, practitioners also consider nakshatras (lunar mansions) and specific planetary combinations, known as yogas, to determine optimal times for playing .
"Astrology is able to predict a lot of things in advance, including times of both ‘good fortune’ (in the ‘life is good’ sense) and ‘good fortune’ (in the ‘more likely to win the lottery’ sense)." – Matthew Currie
While some astrologers claim their insights could improve odds significantly, the reality is that even a tenfold increase still leaves players with slim chances, given the typical one-in-fourteen-million odds . These methods are generally more effective for timing than for picking specific numbers.
Astrologers suggest following these three practices:
- Use birth charts to identify favorable periods.
- Stick to a strict budget.
- Treat astrological guidance as a tool, not a guarantee.
Though the star alignment method provides a structured approach, it cannot change the inherent randomness of lottery outcomes.
Strategy Comparison
When comparing these strategies, it’s clear that none of them actually increases your chances of winning. The Fifth Ticket Method requires a lot of time and relies entirely on probability. Dream-based choices may feel personal but are purely subjective. Pet behavior is too random to predict, and astrology involves a level of expertise that most people don’t have.
The math behind lotteries further highlights how difficult it is to win. The odds stay stubbornly close to 1 in 300 million, no matter what method you use. Americans collectively spend around $125 billion on lottery tickets each year – about $2,500 per household on average – but only 60% of that money is paid out as prizes. The rest? It goes to operational costs and state programs, making it even harder to beat the odds.
"Cash WinFall isn’t being played as a game of chance. Some smart people have figured out how to get rich while everyone else funds their winnings."
"Every time, you start afresh."
Given these challenges, experts recommend sticking to practical strategies instead of chasing unproven methods. Here are some tips:
- Pick lottery games that offer better odds
- Set a strict budget and stick to it
- Join lottery pools to increase your chances without overspending
- Avoid common number patterns to reduce the risk of splitting jackpots
Ultimately, no strategy can change the random nature of lottery drawings. These comparisons underscore one key takeaway: playing responsibly is what matters most.
Final Analysis
Unconventional lottery strategies rarely change your odds of winning. Jerry Selbee’s systematic approach to the Cash WinFall remains one of the few well-documented exceptions.
The odds of winning major lotteries like Mega Millions are incredibly slim – you’re 300 times more likely to be struck by lightning than to win the jackpot. Despite this, Americans spend over $70 billion on lottery tickets every year.
"Luck is really just the convergence of preparation and opportunity." – Dr. Stephen Lea, University of Exeter
For those who still enjoy playing, there are a few practical tips to keep in mind:
- Play Smaller Games: Games with smaller jackpots often have better odds of winning.
- Avoid Popular Patterns: Steering clear of common number sequences can reduce the chance of splitting winnings.
- Go Random: Randomly selected numbers may improve your chances of being the sole winner if you hit the jackpot.
"There is no magic method to win the lottery. The key is to be consistent and disciplined in your approach." – Richard Lustig, Seven-Time Lottery Winner
Websites like Top Lottery Online (https://toplotteryonline.com) offer detailed guides and updates on lotteries such as Powerball and Mega Millions. However, even with extensive knowledge, winning remains mostly about luck. As the Massachusetts inspector general pointed out, the Cash WinFall became a favorable bet only when the jackpot hit the roll-down threshold, benefiting not just high-volume players. In the end, a disciplined approach is just as important as any strategy.
