'I'm a maths whizz - the winning formula to bag whole £119m EuroMillions prize'
With a staggering £119 million up for grabs in tonight's EuroMillions draw, turning your fantasy into reality might be closer than you think. While luck is the biggest factor, one probability expert says there are several smart ways to boost your odds— and possibly walk away with the whole jackpot.
Millions of people buy EuroMillions tickets every week, and with jackpots recently reaching record-breaking highs (like last month's £208 million win by a lucky Irish player), competition is fierce.
To play, you select five numbers between 1 and 50 and two Lucky Stars between 1 and 12. You can also opt for a Lucky Dip, which randomly generates your numbers.
Win tonight, and you'd instantly be wealthier than celebrities such as Dua Lipa or Harry Kane.
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According to mathematician Dr. David Hodge, while no number is more 'lucky' than another, how you pick your numbers can make a big difference - especially when it comes to avoiding a shared jackpot.
'Any prize can be shared, so you want to be the only one who wins if you do win,' he told The Sun.
He suggests that you avoid common number patterns and choose 'boring' numbers.
Popular numbers like 21, 23, 42, 29, and 17 are drawn frequently - but that's exactly why you should steer clear. People tend to choose these thinking they're lucky, increasing the chances of splitting the prize.
Instead, aim for numbers with average draw rates, such as 13, 24, 32, and 37, which have each appeared around 90–91 times.
It's tempting to pick numbers that haven't come up in a while, assuming they're 'due.' But Dr. Hodge says this is a myth.
'Past draws don't affect future outcomes,' he warned.
So skip the least-drawn numbers — like 1, 4, 18, 40, and 43 — and focus on randomness, not superstition.
You might think quirky combinations like 1-2-3-4-5 or evenly spaced numbers like 5-10-15-20-25 make you unique. But in reality, lots of people think the same way.
'Our brains love patterns,' said Hodge. 'If you think a sequence is unusual, chances are others do too.'
Humans are notoriously bad at picking truly random numbers, which is why Dr. Hodge recommends using a Lucky Dip.
This not only generates a random selection but also prevents you from becoming emotionally attached to a specific set of numbers.
'The key is to avoid bias,' he explained. 'Let the computer do the work.'
While it's exciting to dream big, always gamble responsibly. Set a spending limit and only use money you can afford to lose. For support, visit gamcare.org.uk or gambleaware.org.
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