Lotto Dictionary
A
Additional Number - Powerball is a good example of a lottery game that features an additional number. This additional number allows lottery players to win additional prizes if they choose this option. The additional number feature usually costs an extra fee.
Alerts - These days lotto players can have instant emails or messages sent to their computer or cell phone when their chosen lottery results are posted or other lottery related happenings.
Annuity - Some lotteries with large jackpots payout the jackpot winners over the course of twenty to thirty years. This type of payout is called an annuity payout as opposed to a lump sum payment.
Any Order - Any order is a betting style that is the same thing as a box bet This bet style allows players to match the winning lotto numbers in any order
Agent - A retail outlet for lottery tickets.
Annuity - It is like a mortgage. Lotteries sometimes use annuities to create higher jackpots than they have the cash for. An annuity backed jackpot winner collects the money in installments over several years, typically over 20 or 30 years.
B
Ball Set - The lottery ‘ball set’ simply means the physical set of balls that are used for a particular lottery.
Baited Hook – Are extended play scratch games where instead of the player scratching the card to see if it's a loser, the player has to spend time matching up the numbers or symbols revealed. The ticket is designed with near misses that may be two in a row instead of three, this makes a player spend time searching for their win.
Bias
A bias is something that has gone on too long or has gone too far out of line from what is normal in lotto. To show a bias, you must know what is the norm (the expected or the average) for a drawing in your lotto game, to have a point of comparison. Something is out of line if it is much higher or lower than the expected average. It's also important to note the number of drawings in a row that a bias has occurred.
Best Number Method – Is the studying of past drawings to reveal the numbers that have won most often, which are usually called Hot numbers. These are the only numbers that a player will use for their number pool when using this method.
Bet - A bet is the transaction that takes place when a lottery player chooses numbers or a quick pick in exchange for the chance to win the lottery.
Betting Slip - A betting slip is the paper form that a lottery player fills out in order to receive their printed ticket.
Bonus Ball or Bonus Number - A bonus ball or bonus number is the same thing as an additional number. Immediately follow the regular drawing an additional number or ball will be chosen to allowing those lotto players who paid the extra fee the opportunity to win more prizes.
Book - Is a certain amount of scratch tickets sold in bulk to players. The higher the price of the ticket the lower the number of ticket that will be in the book, pack, or roll.
Box Bet or Boxed - A way of betting a three or four-digit number that will pay off if those three or four numbers are drawn in any order. For example, 245, 452, 425 would win if the selected number is 542.
Boxing - A system used to play more digits than you could normally play in a three or four-digit numbers game.
Box - A box is a reference to a wager on a particular group or combination of numbers.
Box Bet - Some lotteries have the option of placing a box bet, which allows the lotto player to win by matching the winning numbers in any order while the alternative is having to match the numbers in the exact order in which they were drawn.
Boxing - Boxing is an option offered by some lottery games where you can play more numbers than the amount of numbers drawn and have them matched as such that if the winning numbers are among your numbers you are guaranteed to have matched them.
Break Open - A break open is the same as a pull tab. There are some lotteries that offer break opens, which are like scratch tickets except you lift a tab to uncover your winning numbers instead of scratching away a latex film. Break opens are instant win lotto games.
C
Cash Option - A large jackpot that the winner elects to receive as a lump sum cash payment rather than an 'Annuity' over several years.
Cash Payoff - A lottery prize that will be paid out all at one time, rather than over several years.
Cold Numbers - Overdue numbers that appear less often than would be normally expected over the last 10 or more draws.
Combo-A way of betting a three-digit number that covers all possible combinations of sequences.
Commission - The fee paid to retail outlets for selling lottery tickets. Commissions in North America typically range between 5 percent and 6 percent of the price of the ticket.
Cut-off - Close of play by which entries must be submitted. If a player misses the deadline for a draw the entries are placed automatically in the next drawing.
D
Daily Game - This can refer to any game where winners are determined once a day, but usually refers to a numbers game such as the 'Daily 3' or 'Daily 4' games played in many states.
Double or Doubles - A 3 or 4-digit number that contains two numbers of the same digit. Example; 366. The attraction of doubles is that their payoff in 'Box Bet' and 'Combo' bets is doubled. A four-digit number made up of two doubles. Example; 7337.
Draw - The lottery results.
E
Exact Order - (Also, Straight) Numbers drawn in the same order as played.
Exotic Numbers - Unusual or uncommon set of numbers.
F
Fixed Payouts - Fixed lottery prizes for each dollar played.
Four-digit or 4-Digit Game - A numbers game played with four digits between 0 and 9. Numbers may be repeated.
Formula – A set of words, symbols, or rules for use in a ceremony or procedure.
G
Game - A lottery game similar to a raffle where a player buys a ticket with preprinted numbers. The lottery later randomly draws numbers that are compared to the players' tickets to determine the winners. 2. An activity that provide entertainment or amusement.
Gamble – To bet on an uncertain outcome; such as a lottery.
H
Handle - The sum of all money wagered at a video lottery terminal. See also 'Net Machine Income' below.
Hopper - A rotating container where the lottery balls are placed in where the balls are continually mixed until drawn.
Hot Lotto - Hot Lotto is Minnesota's hottest new jackpot game. Jackpots start at $1 million and continue to grow until someone wins. To play Hot Lotto, you simply pick five numbers from 1 to 39. Then you select one more number from 1 to 19, which is the HOT ball.
Hot Numbers - Numbers that over a period of time is drawn more often than any other number.
I
Instant Game - A lottery ticket that requires the player to remove a latex coating to determine if the ticket is a winner. Also called 'Scratch-off Game' or 'Scratcher'.
J
Jackpot - The top prize for a lotto or lottery game. Jackpots are usually
K
Keno-A lotto game in which several numbers (typically 20) are drawn from a large field of numbers (typically 80). Players select a set of numbers from the main field (usually a minimum of 3 numbers up to a maximum of 10 numbers) and are awarded prizes based on how many of their numbers match those in the drawn set.
L
Lotto, Lottery - A game where players select a small group of numbers (usually six) from a large set (usually 49) and are awarded prizes based on how many match the randomly drawn result. In a typical lotto game, a player might be asked to select six numbers from a set of 49. At a predetermined time, six numbers are randomly drawn by the lottery people.
The player wins a major prize if all six of their numbers match those chosen in the random drawing. The player wins smaller prizes for matching three, four, or five of the drawn numbers. Variants of lotto games include 'Powerball' or 'Power Ball' and 'The Big Game' and 'Lottery Extra' (UK).
Lottery Agent, Lotto Retailer - Is a place where lottery tickets are purchase.
Lottery Pool – A group of lottery players who pool their money to buy more tickets.
Lottery Algorithm -
Lotto - a game where winners are determined by matching the player's numbers with the numbers that are drawn. If the winning numbers are not held by a player the prize rolls over and grows.
Lucky Dip - A random selection of numbers made by computer. (Also called Quick Pick)
M
Mega Millions - Players choose 5 numbers from 1 to 75 and a MEGA number from 1 to 15. There are 9 ways to win. In fact, you can win even if you just match the MEGA number. To win the Jackpot, you must match all five numbers plus the MEGA ball. The odds for Mega Millions are 1 in 258,890,850.
N
Natural Selection - A selection of numbers made by the player as opposed to a 'Quick Pick' or 'Lucky Dip' selection.
Nigerian Scam - Are con artists pretending to be officials, business people, or the surviving spouses of former government official in Nigeria or other countries whose money is somehow tied up for a limited time. They offer to transfer lots of money into your bank account if you will pay a fee or "taxes" to help them access their money.
If you respond to the initial offer, you may receive documents that look "official." Then they ask you to send money to cover transaction and transfer costs and attorney's fees, as well as your bank account numbers, or other personal information.
They may even encourage you to travel to Nigeria or a border country to complete the transaction. Some fraudsters have even produced trunks of dyed or stamped money to verify their claims.
Numbers Game - This term can be used for any lottery game where winners are determined by a random draw of numbers.
However, it is often used more specifically for a game where a player selects three or four digits (0 to 9) and matches them with a similar set drawn at random by the lottery people.
The player can select several different types of wagers with payoffs varying accordingly. For example, players making a 'Straight' bet could win $500 on a $1 bet if their three digits match the three digits selected by the lottery people, in the same order.
O
Off-line Game - A game that does not require the use of a computer terminal for purchase. Instant and passive games are examples of off-line games.
Online Game - A game where tickets are purchased through a network of computer terminals located at retail outlets. The terminals are linked to a central computer that records the wagers. Examples of online games include lotto, keno and numbers games.
Online Ticket Agent - Online Ticket Agent are companies that buy lottery tickets on your behalf from licensed lottery retailers.
Overall Odds - Overall odds are the odds that reflect your chances of winning any Lottery prize in that game. knowing the overall odds of winning allows you to focus on playing games that give you the best chance of of buying a winning ticket.
Overdrawn-Numbers that are drawn more often than other numbers.
Overdue-A number that has not been drawn in a long time. These numbers are favored because some players think these numbers are due to come out.
P
Pack -
Play boards – Usually five sections on a play slip for a player to make their number selections.
Play slip – IS A document used by the lottery for player to select Their numbers.
Parimutuels – A system of betting where the winners divide the total amount betted after the lottery deduct expenses.
Pairs - A three-digit number bet whose any one pair of the first two digits, last two digits, and in some cases the first and last digit appear on the drawn number.
Parimutuel or Pari-mutuel - A common method of payoffs that splits the total available money between all winners of a particular prize level.
Powerball – A lottery game which gives you nine ways to win. In the popular Powerball Lottery five white balls are chosen at random from a drum containing 69 white balls and a Powerball number from 26 red balls. The odds winning the jackpot are approximately 1 in -295 million.
Power Play - An option in the Powerball Lottery game. Players have a chance to multiply their prizes (except the jackpot) by up to 5 times with the Power Play option. For an extra $1 per play, you are eligible for Power Play.
Q
Quad - A four-digit number consisting of the same numbers. Example; 2222.
Quick Pick - A random selection of numbers made by computer. (Also call Lucky Dip)
R
Repeat Numbers - Are numbers that hits more often than the other numbers.
Roll -
Rollover - An event that occurs when the lottery jackpot or a jackpot game is not won. The jackpot thus 'rolls over' to the next drawing, resulting in a bigger jackpot for that drawing.
S
Scratch-off Game - See 'Instant Game' above.
Self-pick numbers – Numbers that the player choose themselves instead of using a number generator or system.
Smart Picks – A strategy where the top hot/cold/overdue numbers are used to create number combinations.
Smart Pick Generator – A number generator specially design to use the top hot/cold/overdue numbers and automatically produce usually from 1-10 combinations at a time.
Straight or Straight Bet - A bet of 3 or 4 numbers that must be drawn in the exact order. The player attempts to match both the numbers drawn and the order in which they are selected. For example, if the numbers 1, 2, 3 are selected in a three-digit game, a ticket bearing 1, 2, 3 will win but a ticket bearing 2, 1, 3 will not.
Strategy – A plan of action.
Super Lotto Plus (SuperLotto Plus) - Super Lotto Plus is your chance to win millions of dollars! The jackpot ranges from $7 million to $50 million or more. The jackpot rolls over and grows whenever there is no winner. All you have to do is pick five numbers from 1 to 47 and one MEGA number from 1 to 27 and match them to the numbers drawn by the Lottery every Wednesday and Saturday (California Lottery).
T
Terminal - A computerized device located at a lottery retailer that is used to sell lottery tickets and online games and to validate winning tickets of lottery, online and instant games. Terminals are connected to a lottery's central computers by phone line.
Three-digit or 3-Digit Game - A numbers game in which three digits between 0 and 9 are selected. Numbers may be repeated.
Tree System - A way of organizing numbers to play for a straight win so that potential combinations are not missed. Similar to a 'Wheeling System'.
Triple or Triples - A three digit number consisting of the same number. Example; 111.
U
Under drawn or Under Drawn - A digit that over a period of time is drawn less often than the norm. These numbers are favored because they can only reach normality by being drawn.
V
Video Lottery Terminal (VLT) - Electronic games of chance played on a video screen. They often simulate popular casino games such as blackjack, poker, or spinning-reel slot machines. Unlike slot machines, video lottery terminals do not dispense money. Rather, a winning player is provided a ticket that is redeemed by the retailer for prizes.
W
Wheeling System - A way of playing a pool of numbers to improve your chances of winning multiple prizes.
Withholding - The tax amount deducted from prize payments.
Baited Hook – Are extended play scratch games where instead of the player scratching the card to see if it's a loser, the player has to spend time matching up the numbers or symbols revealed. The ticket is designed with near misses that may be two in a row instead of three, this makes a player spend time searching for their win.
Bias
A bias is something that has gone on too long or has gone too far out of line from what is normal in lotto. To show a bias, you must know what is the norm (the expected or the average) for a drawing in your lotto game, to have a point of comparison. Something is out of line if it is much higher or lower than the expected average. It's also important to note the number of drawings in a row that a bias has occurred.
Best Number Method – Is the studying of past drawings to reveal the numbers that have won most often, which are usually called Hot numbers. These are the only numbers that a player will use for their number pool when using this method.
Bet - A bet is the transaction that takes place when a lottery player chooses numbers or a quick pick in exchange for the chance to win the lottery.
Betting Slip - A betting slip is the paper form that a lottery player fills out in order to receive their printed ticket.
Bonus Ball or Bonus Number - A bonus ball or bonus number is the same thing as an additional number. Immediately follow the regular drawing an additional number or ball will be chosen to allowing those lotto players who paid the extra fee the opportunity to win more prizes.
Book - Is a certain amount of scratch tickets sold in bulk to players. The higher the price of the ticket the lower the number of ticket that will be in the book, pack, or roll.
Box Bet or Boxed - A way of betting a three or four-digit number that will pay off if those three or four numbers are drawn in any order. For example, 245, 452, 425 would win if the selected number is 542.
Boxing - A system used to play more digits than you could normally play in a three or four-digit numbers game.
Box - A box is a reference to a wager on a particular group or combination of numbers.
Box Bet - Some lotteries have the option of placing a box bet, which allows the lotto player to win by matching the winning numbers in any order while the alternative is having to match the numbers in the exact order in which they were drawn.
Boxing - Boxing is an option offered by some lottery games where you can play more numbers than the amount of numbers drawn and have them matched as such that if the winning numbers are among your numbers you are guaranteed to have matched them.
Break Open - A break open is the same as a pull tab. There are some lotteries that offer break opens, which are like scratch tickets except you lift a tab to uncover your winning numbers instead of scratching away a latex film. Break opens are instant win lotto games.
C
Cash Option - A large jackpot that the winner elects to receive as a lump sum cash payment rather than an 'Annuity' over several years.
Cash Payoff - A lottery prize that will be paid out all at one time, rather than over several years.
Cold Numbers - Overdue numbers that appear less often than would be normally expected over the last 10 or more draws.
Combo-A way of betting a three-digit number that covers all possible combinations of sequences.
Commission - The fee paid to retail outlets for selling lottery tickets. Commissions in North America typically range between 5 percent and 6 percent of the price of the ticket.
Cut-off - Close of play by which entries must be submitted. If a player misses the deadline for a draw the entries are placed automatically in the next drawing.
D
Daily Game - This can refer to any game where winners are determined once a day, but usually refers to a numbers game such as the 'Daily 3' or 'Daily 4' games played in many states.
Double or Doubles - A 3 or 4-digit number that contains two numbers of the same digit. Example; 366. The attraction of doubles is that their payoff in 'Box Bet' and 'Combo' bets is doubled. A four-digit number made up of two doubles. Example; 7337.
Draw - The lottery results.
E
Exact Order - (Also, Straight) Numbers drawn in the same order as played.
Exotic Numbers - Unusual or uncommon set of numbers.
F
Fixed Payouts - Fixed lottery prizes for each dollar played.
Four-digit or 4-Digit Game - A numbers game played with four digits between 0 and 9. Numbers may be repeated.
Formula – A set of words, symbols, or rules for use in a ceremony or procedure.
G
Game - A lottery game similar to a raffle where a player buys a ticket with preprinted numbers. The lottery later randomly draws numbers that are compared to the players' tickets to determine the winners. 2. An activity that provide entertainment or amusement.
Gamble – To bet on an uncertain outcome; such as a lottery.
H
Handle - The sum of all money wagered at a video lottery terminal. See also 'Net Machine Income' below.
Hopper - A rotating container where the lottery balls are placed in where the balls are continually mixed until drawn.
Hot Lotto - Hot Lotto is Minnesota's hottest new jackpot game. Jackpots start at $1 million and continue to grow until someone wins. To play Hot Lotto, you simply pick five numbers from 1 to 39. Then you select one more number from 1 to 19, which is the HOT ball.
Hot Numbers - Numbers that over a period of time is drawn more often than any other number.
I
Instant Game - A lottery ticket that requires the player to remove a latex coating to determine if the ticket is a winner. Also called 'Scratch-off Game' or 'Scratcher'.
J
Jackpot - The top prize for a lotto or lottery game. Jackpots are usually
K
Keno-A lotto game in which several numbers (typically 20) are drawn from a large field of numbers (typically 80). Players select a set of numbers from the main field (usually a minimum of 3 numbers up to a maximum of 10 numbers) and are awarded prizes based on how many of their numbers match those in the drawn set.
L
Lotto, Lottery - A game where players select a small group of numbers (usually six) from a large set (usually 49) and are awarded prizes based on how many match the randomly drawn result. In a typical lotto game, a player might be asked to select six numbers from a set of 49. At a predetermined time, six numbers are randomly drawn by the lottery people.
The player wins a major prize if all six of their numbers match those chosen in the random drawing. The player wins smaller prizes for matching three, four, or five of the drawn numbers. Variants of lotto games include 'Powerball' or 'Power Ball' and 'The Big Game' and 'Lottery Extra' (UK).
Lottery Agent, Lotto Retailer - Is a place where lottery tickets are purchase.
Lottery Pool – A group of lottery players who pool their money to buy more tickets.
Lottery Algorithm -
Lotto - a game where winners are determined by matching the player's numbers with the numbers that are drawn. If the winning numbers are not held by a player the prize rolls over and grows.
Lucky Dip - A random selection of numbers made by computer. (Also called Quick Pick)
Lump Sum Payoff -
(Also, Cash Option) A large jackpot that the winner elects to receive
as a lump sum cash payment rather than an 'Annuity' over several years.
Mega Millions - Players choose 5 numbers from 1 to 75 and a MEGA number from 1 to 15. There are 9 ways to win. In fact, you can win even if you just match the MEGA number. To win the Jackpot, you must match all five numbers plus the MEGA ball. The odds for Mega Millions are 1 in 258,890,850.
N
Natural Selection - A selection of numbers made by the player as opposed to a 'Quick Pick' or 'Lucky Dip' selection.
Nigerian Scam - Are con artists pretending to be officials, business people, or the surviving spouses of former government official in Nigeria or other countries whose money is somehow tied up for a limited time. They offer to transfer lots of money into your bank account if you will pay a fee or "taxes" to help them access their money.
If you respond to the initial offer, you may receive documents that look "official." Then they ask you to send money to cover transaction and transfer costs and attorney's fees, as well as your bank account numbers, or other personal information.
They may even encourage you to travel to Nigeria or a border country to complete the transaction. Some fraudsters have even produced trunks of dyed or stamped money to verify their claims.
Numbers Game - This term can be used for any lottery game where winners are determined by a random draw of numbers.
However, it is often used more specifically for a game where a player selects three or four digits (0 to 9) and matches them with a similar set drawn at random by the lottery people.
The player can select several different types of wagers with payoffs varying accordingly. For example, players making a 'Straight' bet could win $500 on a $1 bet if their three digits match the three digits selected by the lottery people, in the same order.
O
Off-line Game - A game that does not require the use of a computer terminal for purchase. Instant and passive games are examples of off-line games.
Online Game - A game where tickets are purchased through a network of computer terminals located at retail outlets. The terminals are linked to a central computer that records the wagers. Examples of online games include lotto, keno and numbers games.
Online Ticket Agent - Online Ticket Agent are companies that buy lottery tickets on your behalf from licensed lottery retailers.
Overall Odds - Overall odds are the odds that reflect your chances of winning any Lottery prize in that game. knowing the overall odds of winning allows you to focus on playing games that give you the best chance of of buying a winning ticket.
Overdrawn-Numbers that are drawn more often than other numbers.
Overdue-A number that has not been drawn in a long time. These numbers are favored because some players think these numbers are due to come out.
P
Pack -
Play boards – Usually five sections on a play slip for a player to make their number selections.
Play slip – IS A document used by the lottery for player to select Their numbers.
Parimutuels – A system of betting where the winners divide the total amount betted after the lottery deduct expenses.
Pairs - A three-digit number bet whose any one pair of the first two digits, last two digits, and in some cases the first and last digit appear on the drawn number.
Parimutuel or Pari-mutuel - A common method of payoffs that splits the total available money between all winners of a particular prize level.
Powerball – A lottery game which gives you nine ways to win. In the popular Powerball Lottery five white balls are chosen at random from a drum containing 69 white balls and a Powerball number from 26 red balls. The odds winning the jackpot are approximately 1 in -295 million.
Power Play - An option in the Powerball Lottery game. Players have a chance to multiply their prizes (except the jackpot) by up to 5 times with the Power Play option. For an extra $1 per play, you are eligible for Power Play.
Q
Quad - A four-digit number consisting of the same numbers. Example; 2222.
Quick Pick - A random selection of numbers made by computer. (Also call Lucky Dip)
R
Repeat Numbers - Are numbers that hits more often than the other numbers.
Roll -
Rollover - An event that occurs when the lottery jackpot or a jackpot game is not won. The jackpot thus 'rolls over' to the next drawing, resulting in a bigger jackpot for that drawing.
S
Scratch-off Game - See 'Instant Game' above.
Self-pick numbers – Numbers that the player choose themselves instead of using a number generator or system.
Smart Picks – A strategy where the top hot/cold/overdue numbers are used to create number combinations.
Smart Pick Generator – A number generator specially design to use the top hot/cold/overdue numbers and automatically produce usually from 1-10 combinations at a time.
Straight or Straight Bet - A bet of 3 or 4 numbers that must be drawn in the exact order. The player attempts to match both the numbers drawn and the order in which they are selected. For example, if the numbers 1, 2, 3 are selected in a three-digit game, a ticket bearing 1, 2, 3 will win but a ticket bearing 2, 1, 3 will not.
Strategy – A plan of action.
Super Lotto Plus (SuperLotto Plus) - Super Lotto Plus is your chance to win millions of dollars! The jackpot ranges from $7 million to $50 million or more. The jackpot rolls over and grows whenever there is no winner. All you have to do is pick five numbers from 1 to 47 and one MEGA number from 1 to 27 and match them to the numbers drawn by the Lottery every Wednesday and Saturday (California Lottery).
T
Terminal - A computerized device located at a lottery retailer that is used to sell lottery tickets and online games and to validate winning tickets of lottery, online and instant games. Terminals are connected to a lottery's central computers by phone line.
Three-digit or 3-Digit Game - A numbers game in which three digits between 0 and 9 are selected. Numbers may be repeated.
Tree System - A way of organizing numbers to play for a straight win so that potential combinations are not missed. Similar to a 'Wheeling System'.
Triple or Triples - A three digit number consisting of the same number. Example; 111.
U
Under drawn or Under Drawn - A digit that over a period of time is drawn less often than the norm. These numbers are favored because they can only reach normality by being drawn.
V
Video Lottery Terminal (VLT) - Electronic games of chance played on a video screen. They often simulate popular casino games such as blackjack, poker, or spinning-reel slot machines. Unlike slot machines, video lottery terminals do not dispense money. Rather, a winning player is provided a ticket that is redeemed by the retailer for prizes.
W
Wheeling System - A way of playing a pool of numbers to improve your chances of winning multiple prizes.
Withholding - The tax amount deducted from prize payments.
