Home | Recreation And Leisure | Gambling

Are Lotteries a Random Game of Chance?

By: Professor Dolph Click author's name for more of his/her articles

Everyones heard the phrase, The lottery is a random game of chance. But, are you aware of what it really means? Does it mean that everyone has the same chance of winning the lottery? Or, does it mean that there is no point in wasting your time or money on the lottery? Let's examine the phrase more closely to see if we can reduce any ambiguity.
First, the words 'game of chance' refers to the fact that probabilities are involved. World wide, people play games of chance every day. In fact, professional gamblers make a living at it. Professional gamblers are successful because they understand the game they're playing and are experts at applying the laws of probability.
There are some who believe that the phrase 'game of chance' is simply code for 'you're going to lose'. But, professional gamblers know the truth. Game of chance really means opportunity. This is true for all such games, from Blackjack to Craps to horse racing and including the lottery. Yes, you can improve your odds of winning the lottery. But, if that is true, how could the lottery be random? Hmmm?
Do You Understand the Word Random?
After doing this for over 20 years, I'm getting frustrated. But, I understand that it is my own fault. Trying to educate people about the true meaning of the word 'Random' has been a daunting task. The problem is complicated because on the one hand, we have people throwing around the word 'Random' as if they actually understood what it meant. And, on the other hand, we have people listening to the word as if they understood what it meant. Neither group has it right. Words can be such a pain;)
As a result, my true feelings about the word are best summed up by a quote from Shakespeare's cousin Vinny when he said, 'that which we call Random, by any other name would still smell.' Right on, Vinny.
So, here I go for the umpteenth time, I'm going to try to bring some clarity to the debate. Here is the definition of the word; 'a process of selection in which each item of a set has an equal probability of being chosen.' Here is a great definition of something that can never be realized in the real world! There's a good reason for that. Random is a theoretical concept bandied about in the mathematical ivory towers of academia that is being passed off as if it actually existed in reality. When, in fact, it is a charlatan. The word 'Random' is an ideal masquerading as reality.
The Lottery and Reality
If this definition could actually be implemented in the real world then:
* If you play Blackjack, it would be impossible for you to improve your odds of winning by card counting.
* If you play Poker, it would be impossible for you to decide how much to bet.
* If you play the Stock Market, it would be impossible for you to make any money.
It is pretty obvious that these conjectures are false.
You see, the word 'Random' doesn't fit very well in the real world because it is strictly a theoretical mathematical tool. It is very uncomfortable like an awkward teenager in a social setting. It is neither realized nor achieved in any game, on Earth, in our Solar System, in our Galaxy nor in the Universe because it is only comfortable in the theoretical world where it was born.
This should be obvious. How can anyone claim to be able to randomly select numbers from a finite list? They can't because, inevitably, shortly after the process begins, lottery patterns and trends begin to emerge. I agree that after millions of drawings, the occurrences of all lottery numbers will approach the same number of hits. But, in the short run, better known as our lifetime, lottery patterns and trends abound. They are there for everyone to see. Just look at your lottery. So, why not be smart and take advantage of this fact the next time you play the lottery?

Article Source: ABC Article Directory

About The Author: The Professor is the famous Lottery expert, lecturer and columnist who authored LONA, your LOtto Number Advisor. Visit Best Lottery Advice for a different look at Lottery software.