The Best Odds Lottery Games To Become A Millionaire
Richard Alex Jenkins
Understanding lottery odds will help you choose the right game and increase your chances of winning
Like ice cream cones: sometimes you GET MORE and sometimes you GET LESS!
Remember that best odds do not necessarily mean best prizes!
This article breaks 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 comes 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 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. Tri-State Megabucks comes 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. 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 the odds of winning the jackpot. In contrast, the odds of winning a prize of any kind remain 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 a 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
The odds of winning the Powerball or Mega MIllions jackpot are totally worth it but are also really tough! Winning a secondary prize of any kind is much easier.
Interestingly, the odds of winning a prize are very similar between the two lotteries.
Comparison between Powerball and Mega Millions
Game | Odds of Winning the Jackpot | Odds of Winning a Prize |
1 in 302,575,350 | 1 in 24 | |
1 in 292,201,338 | 1 in 25 |
The odds are the same for all states across the United States, with no variety.
Which lottery you choose is a question of preference for the current jackpot amount.
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