Fraud or coincidence?

[Randomizer]

Originally Posted by Jimbuna

Those are certainly long odds.

Actually not, the probability of drawing 5,6,7,8,9 and bonus 10 are EXACTLY the same as drawing any other specific six numbers. Probability and chance is like that.

We're pattern-seeking machines and see patterns where often there are none; angels or demons in the shapes of clouds, a Jebus face on a piece of toast or some specific lottery draw. We identify a pattern and then rationalize that it the cause is either malice or miracle when all the time nothing special is involved.

The odds of the 5,6,7,8,9 and 10 draw are exactly the same as drawing 4, 5,7, 9, 18 and 29 but the latter numbers form no discernible pattern and so drawing them only excites the winners. The odds are identical in this particular lottery, 42,375,200 to one against.

Nothing to see here.

-C