Ever wondered what would happen if you bought two lottery tickets with the exact same numbers? Well, you’re not alone. This question has tickled the curiosity of many lottery players – so let’s get some answers.
Understanding the Basics
First off, it’s essential to understand how a lottery works. When you purchase a lottery ticket, you’re essentially buying a chance to win a prize. The numbers you choose are your golden ticket to potential riches. But what if you double down and buy two tickets with the same numbers? Does it double your chances of winning?
The Short Answer
In a nutshell, no. Buying two lottery tickets with the same numbers doesn’t increase your odds of winning at all. Because you’ve only covered one set of numers. So, whether you buy one ticket or a hundred with the same numbers, your odds of winning remain the exact same.
The Double Ticket Scenario
So, what happens if your numbers do come up and you have two tickets with those winning numbers? Well, in that case, you’ve just hit the jackpot… twice! Most big lottery games will award you a share of the full prize amount for each winning ticket you hold. So, if you have two winning tickets, you’ll receive two ‘shares’ of the pot. Which means you win twice as much.
But only if there are no other winners. If you are the only winner you win the whole prize anyway, so each ticket would win half the prize – so you’re no better off there.
[Note: This is not the same thing as winning twice on the same ticket – see Can You Win Twice On The Same Lottery Ticket? ]
Is It Worth It?
While the prospect of doubling your winnings might sound enticing, it’s important to remember that the odds of winning the lottery are incredibly slim. Buying two tickets with the same numbers essentially means you’re putting more money on the line for the same chance of winning.
Or to think of it the other way round. If you bought two different combinations you’d have a better chance of winning. So that’s the trade-off.
Conclusion
In conclusion, buying two lottery tickets with the same numbers won’t increase your odds of winning, but it will potentially double your prize money if those numbers are drawn.
By Miles December 19, 2023 - 9:17 pm
I was wondering if you could split the grand prize between the two tickets? Half lump sum and half annuity. So you’d get a bunch in the pocket up front for the parents/family if they are alive and part of the other 1/2 coming every year at a 5% increase as security.
By Dean December 19, 2023 - 10:12 pm
Yes. If you have 2 different tickets then you can choose how you receive the prize for each one.
But even if you win with one ticket you can achieve the same thing. You can take the lump sum, keep half and buy your own annuity with the other half. 🙂
By Miles December 22, 2023 - 5:27 pm
but you other half is actually a quarter, after the penalty of taking the lump sum.