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Lottery has long been a popular way to raise money, combining the excitement of gambling with the appeal of giving back to the community. The first European lotteries arose in the 1500s, when towns sought to fortify their defenses and give aid to poor people. Francis I of France permitted them, and they became widely used.

Lotteries are a staple of modern society, with Americans spending billions on tickets each year. But many of these dollars could be better spent on retirement, college tuition, or even a nice dinner out. And for low-income families, which make up a disproportionate share of lottery players, the purchases can amount to a hidden tax.

If you want to maximize your chances of winning the lottery, avoid picking numbers that are close together or end with a similar digit. These types of numbers are more likely to be picked by other players, so you would have to split the prize with them if you won. Instead, Harvard statistics professor Mark Glickman suggests selecting random numbers or buying Quick Picks.

Another tip is to chart the “random” outside numbers that appear on the ticket, counting how many times they repeat. Then, look for groups of “singletons,” or digits that appear only once on the ticket. These are the digits that signal a winning card. Statistically, these are the numbers that appear 60-90% of the time. It might not be a scientific method, but it can help you avoid picking those predictable birthday numbers and other personal sequences.