Last week we talked about Starting Prize Odds.
Well, did you know that those odds can change over the life of a game?
Yup. Once a game has been on sale for a while, odds can change.
That’s where Current Odds come in.
Current odds estimate your chances of winning a specific prize right now.
They’re based on two things:
- how many prizes are still unclaimed
- how many tickets are likely still out there
As tickets sell and prizes hit (or don’t), those numbers move.
And when they move, odds can improve… or get worse.
This happens most often with larger prizes.
They don’t hit as frequently.
So as time passes without a claim, the math shifts.
One important note.
Not every state gives enough information to calculate current odds.
When the data isn’t there, starting odds remain your best guide.
But when it is there, current odds give you a more up-to-date picture than starting odds alone.
Think of it this way.
Starting odds show how the game was designed.
Current odds show how the game is actually playing out.
You can find these odds within a scratch-offs game page on LottoEdge.
Here’s an example of current odds compared to the starting odds.
Next week, we’ll take it one step further and talk about odds changes & odds trends and what it means when odds improve or move the wrong way.
Play smart.
Have fun.
And never risk more than you can afford.
– Jared
