Best Odds Lottery Games To Become A Millionaire
Understanding lottery odds will help you choose the right game for you and increase the chances of winning.
It's like filling an ice cream cone: sometimes you GET MORE, sometimes you get less!
But best odds do not necessarily mean best prizes!
We break down the chances of hitting the main jackpot, winning multiple secondary prizes or getting a prize of any kind.
Discover the best choice of state-based lotteries across the USA.
Which lottery game is the easiest to win?
The easiest lottery game to win is 2by2. This can be played in Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota and Wyoming.
This is followed by Texas Cash Five.
In third place is Fantasy 5, which can be played in Florida.
These are the three easiest lotteries to win in the USA.
Which lottery has the best odds?
The top three lotteries with the best odds of winning a jackpot are in 2by2 in Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota and Wyoming, followed by Texas Cash Five and Fantasy 5 in Florida. These are the best odds in the USA.
- 2by2 - 1 in 105,625
- Texas Cash Five - 1 in 324,632
- Fantasy 5 - 1 in 376,992
The best odds of winning a prize of any kind are also in 2by2 at just 1 in 3.59, with All or Nothing in Texas also having amazing odds at 1 in 4.5, with Tri-State Megabucks coming next at 1 in 5.9.
Remember that best odds do not necessarily mean best prizes! In Mega Millions, for example, the odds are staggeringly difficult at 1 in 302.5 million, but the jackpot is incredible too. By comparison, in 2by2, the jackpot-winning odds are just 1 in 105,625, so the payout is low as a result.
What are the best odds of winning a prize in the USA?
| Lottery | States Available | Odds of Winning the Jackpot |
Odds of Winning a Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2by2 | Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota and Wyoming. | 1 in 105,625 | 1 in 3.59 |
| Texas Cash Five | Texas | 1 in 324,632 | 1 in 8 |
| Fantasy 5 | Florida | 1 in 376,992 | 1 in 7.58 |
| CA Lottery Fantasy 5 | California | 1 in 575,575 | 1 in 8.8 |
| Gimme 5 | Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire | 1 in 575,757 | 1 in 8.8 |
| Tri-State Megabucks | Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire | 1 in 4,496,388 | 1 in 5.9 |
| Cash4Life | New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Indiana, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, Maryland and Missouri. | 1 in 21,846,048 | 1 in 8 |
| Lotto America | Delaware, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Montana, Minnesota, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee and West Virginia. | 1 in 25,989,600 | 1 in 9.63 |
| Lucky for Life | Available in 22 US states. | 1 in 30,821,472 | 1 in 8 |
Logically, the more states involved, the harder and harder the odds of winning the jackpot, whereas in contrast, the odds of winning a prize of any kind remain very similar across all states.
Obviously, the odds of winning the jackpot in Mega Millions and Powerball are difficult in comparison to other lotteries, but the odds of winning a secondary prize are relatively favorable .
With respective odds of 1 in 24 and 1 in 25, you've got a decent chance of winning a minor prize for the price of your ticket. This is one of the reasons that Powerball and Mega Millions are so popular.
Interesting statistic:
You are just as likely to win with your favorite numbers as your least favorite numbers.
Direct Comparison between Powerball and Mega Millions
Let's face it, the odds of winning the Powerball or Mega MIllions jackpot are totally worth it but really tough! Winning a prize of any kind is much easier.
Interestingly, the odds of winning something are very similar between the two.
Comparison between Powerball and Mega Millions.
| Game | Odds of Winning the Jackpot |
Odds of Winning a Prize |
|---|---|---|
| Mega Millions | 1 in 302,575,350 | 1 in 24 |
| Powerball | 1 in 292,201,338 | 1 in 25 |
The odds are the same for all states across the United States, with no variety.
Which one you choose is a question of preference, or current jackpot amount.
What are the odds of winning a prize in specific US states?
The best US state to win a prize of any kind is Texas, in All or Nothing at 1 in 4.5
Next comes Cash 5 in Colorado and Pennsylvania at a very generous 1 in 5.22.
Northstar Cash in Minnesota has very good odds of 1 in 6.
Best odds lottery games in Texas
The lottery with the best odds of winning a prize in Texas is All or Nothing, with odds of 1 in 4.5. Cash 5 and Lotto Texas come in second and third, at 1 in 7.2 and 1 in 7.9, respectively.
| Game | Odds of winning a prize of any kind |
|---|---|
| All or Nothing | 1 in 4.5 |
| Cash 5 | 1 in 7.2 |
| Lotto Texas | 1 in 7.9 |
| Texas Two Step | 1 in 32.4 |
Best odds lottery games in New York
The lottery with the best odds of winning a prize in New York is Cash4Life, with odds of 1 in 8, with Take 5 coming a close second at 1 in 8.77. The odds of winning a prize in the specific New York Lotto are not that great at only 1 in 92.25.
| Game | Odds of winning a prize of any kind |
|---|---|
| Cash4Life | 1 in 8 |
| Take 5 | 1 in 8.77 |
| Pick 10 | 1 in 17 |
| New York Lotto | 1 in 92.05 |
Best odds lottery games in Ohio
The lottery with the best odds of winning a prize in Ohio is Lucky for Life, with odds of 1 in 8. A close second is Rolling Cash 5 at odds of 1 in 9.
| Game | Odds of winning a prize of any kind |
|---|---|
| Lucky for Life | 1 in 8 |
| Rolling Cash 5 | 1 in 9 |
| Classic Lotto | 1 in 54 |
Best odds lottery games in Florida
The lottery with the best odds of winning a prize in Florida is Fantasy 5, with odds of 1 in 7.58. Florida LOTTO has nearly exactly the same odds at 1 in 7.61.
| Game | Odds of winning a prize of any kind |
|---|---|
| Florida Fantasy 5 | 1 in 7.58 |
| Florida LOTTO | 1 in 7.61 |
| Cash4Life | 1 in 8 |
| Jackpot Triple Play | 1 in 15.24 |
Best odds lottery games in California
The lottery with the best odds of winning a really good prize in California is CA Lottery Fantasy 5, with odds of 1 in 8.8. There are other interesting lotteries available with similar odds but with lesser prizes, such as the Hot Spot wagers.
| Game | Odds of winning a prize of any kind |
|---|---|
| CA Lottery Fantasy 5 | 1 in 8.8 |
| Hot Spot | 1 in 8.0 (for the Bulls-Eye wager) 1 in 9.1 (for the 10 Spot wager) |
| Daily Derby | 1 in 13.2 |
| SuperLotto Plus | 1 in 23 |
Best odds lottery games in Pennsylvania
There are three lotteries with the very good odds of winning a prize in Pennsylvania: Cash 5 at 1 in 5.22, Treasure Hunt at 1 in 5.45 and Match 6 at 1 in 5.90.
| Game | Odds of winning a prize of any kind |
|---|---|
| Cash 5 | 1 in 5.22 |
| Treasure Hunt | 1 in 5.45 |
| Match 6 | 1 in 5.90 |
| Cash4Life | 1 in 8 |
Best odds lottery games in Georgia
Options for really good odds in Georgia are limited in comparison to other states. The best odds are in Fantasy 5 at 1 in 7.58. As with most other states in the US, you can play Mega Millions and Powerball.
| Game | Odds of winning a prize of any kind |
|---|---|
| Fantasy 5 | 1 in 7.58 |
| Cash4Life | 1 in 8 |
| Mega Millions | 1 in 24 |
| Powerball | 1 in 25 |
Best odds lottery games in Maryland
The best odds of winning a prize in Maryland are in Cash4Life at 1 in 8, which can be played in multiple states in the US. The best Maryland-specific odds are in Multi-Match at 1 in 8.5. Mega Millions and Powerball are also available.
| Game | Odds of winning a prize of any kind |
|---|---|
| Cash4Life | 1 in 8 |
| Multi-Match | 1 in 8.5 |
| Mega Millions | 1 in 24 |
| Powerball | 1 in 25 |
Best odds lottery games in Massachusetts
The best odds of winning a prize in Massachusetts are in Lucky for life at 1 in 8, playable in multiple states across the US. Massachusetts-specific lotteries, Megabucks Doubler and Mass Cash do not have particularly good odds.
| Game | Odds of winning a prize of any kind |
|---|---|
| Lucky for Life | 1 in 8 |
| Megabucks Doubler | 1 in 54 |
| Mass Cash | 1 in 72 |
Best odds lottery games in Michigan
The best odds of winning a prize in Michigan are in Fantasy 5 and Lucky for Life at 1 in 7.58 and 1 in 8, respectively. Unsurprisingly, the Lotto 47 odds are 1 in 47!
| Game | Odds of winning a prize of any kind |
|---|---|
| Fantasy 5 | 1 in 7.58 |
| Lucky for Life | 1 in 8 |
| Lotto 47 | 1 in 47. |
Best odds lottery games in New Jersey
The lottery with the best odds of winning a prize in New Jersey is Pick-6 with XTRA, with odds of 1 in 7.
| Game | Odds of winning a prize of any kind |
|---|---|
| Pick-6 with XTRA | 1 in 7 |
| Cash4Life | 1 in 8 |
| Jersey Cash 5 with XTRA | 1 in 11 |
| Pick-6 | 1 in 54 |
| Jersey Cash 5 | 1 in 153 |
Note that playing a lottery with XTRA definitely improves the odds in New Jersey!
Best odds lottery games in Minnesota
The lottery with the best odds of winning a prize in Minnesota is Northstar Cash, with odds of 1 in 6. Lotto America and Gopher 5 also have good odds.
| Game | Odds of winning a prize of any kind |
|---|---|
| Northstar Cash | 1 in 6 |
| Lotto America | 1 in 9.63 |
| Gopher 5 | 1 in 12 |
Best odds lottery games in Colorado
The lottery with the best odds of winning a prize in Colorado is Cash 5, with odds of 1 in 5.22.
| Game | Odds of winning a prize of any kind |
|---|---|
| Cash 5 | 1 in 5.22 |
| Lucky for Life | 1 in 8 |
| Colorado Lotto+ | 1 in 30 |
How are lottery odds calculated?
In simplistic terms, the more balls or numbers available, the lower the chances of winning a prize.
It's like eating Pistachio out of a bowl; the more you eat, the less you find.
Odds are calculated through multiplication, division and various factorials that come into play, but arriving at these odds is a bit COMPLEX and rather boring to work out.
If you wish to know the specifics, we found an excellent wikihow article for you.
How can I increase the odds of winning the lottery?
There are no ways to forcibly increase the odds in your favor. Varying opinions are mostly superstition or shots in the dark.
Think of dice! The odds of throwing a six will always be one in six regardless of how many sixes have been thrown before.
When choosing lottery numbers, you are just as likely to win the jackpot by choosing 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, as choosing a more varied selection. This is why lucky picks are so popular because the odds are exactly the same, plus you save a lot of time.
And if you win the lottery once, you have just as much chance of winning again as anyone else ! No matter how many times you've won before.
However, you can increase your odds by playing in a syndicate ! If there are 10 people in your syndicate it increases the chances of winning by 10 times also. But, to counteract this, your winnings will also be divided by 10.
A lot of people play in syndicates because it improves the odds of winning, and because you don't need billions just for yourself, why not spread the winnings to make everyone happy?
Is there any math to winning the lottery?
Of course not!
Think about it. If all you needed was a straightforward formula, everyone would do the same and everyone would win. The lottery would then cease to exist because there would be no profits for the organizers.
You can't pick a set of guaranteed numbers to improve your chances of winning. But you knew that already, didn't you?
Lotteries are based on numbers being drawn at random, and there is just as much chance that your numbers will be chosen as anyone else's .
Does buying multiple lottery tickets increase your odds?
Of course it does, but let's think about this in more detail.
If you spend $100 dollars instead of $10 per month, your odds of winning increase by 10 times also. But, you spend 10 times more money on lottery tickets.
With that logic in mind, why not spend $1000 per month to increase the winning odds by 100 times? Would you spend your entire salary on lottery tickets?
Instead, go with what makes you feel comfortable, gamble within your personal budget and try not to get too addicted. If you can afford to spend $1000 per month on lottery tickets then go for it, otherwise be sensible, because there is no guarantee of winning.
Are the odds of winning the lottery always the same?
No, they are not. It will depend on the lottery you choose to play and the status of any carry overs.
When you first buy a ticket for Powerball, for example, the odds of winning the jackpot are 292 million to 1. Andno matter how many tickets are sold, these odds will always remain the same.
However, if no-one wins and there is a carry over to the next week, things can get REALLY INTERESTING because of the amount of tickets sold. The payout can grow exponentially while the odds remain the same, which is why so many people buy tickets during extensive rollovers. Remember though, there will be more chance for payout splits between multiple winners.
Other less popular lotteries may depend on the amount of tickets sold and, if there are low amounts of sales, jackpot winnings may be less than previous weeks.
How do you calculate the odds of winning the lottery with multiple tickets?
This is common sense.
If you buy 10 times as many tickets then you multiply the chances of winning by 10 times also. But you will spend 10 times as much in doing so.
Spend the amount of money that you feel comfortable with.
Are lottery odds better with the same numbers?
The answer is a definitive no!
The only thing you gain by choosing the same numbers is less time spent deciding on which ones to go for.
Choose the same numbers every week, or vary them, but the odds are exactly the same.
Does a Quick Pick give you better odds of winning the lottery?
Definitely not !
The only benefit in making a quick pick is spending less time choosing your numbers manually. Quick picks enable you to make a bet and move on with your life. This in itself is an advantage.
Do Lucky Numbers or Birthdays increase the odds of winning?
No! But it feels nice, so why not?
Go with what you feel comfortable with and, most of all, HAVE FUN! But you are just as likely to win with lucky 7 as unlucky 13!