Accepting a lie is easier for some people than searching for the truth. We see examples of this every day. But, when it comes to my favorite topic, the lottery, I've had enough. Exasperated with all of the lotto lies perpetrated by clueless lottery critics, I've decided to attack the more flagrant examples, one by one, in a series of articles.

Lotto Lie #1 - There is nothing you can do to improve your odds of winning the lottery.

On ocasion, I've made the mistake of trying to reason with such lottery critics. I've plied them with irrefutable logic, and example after example about the lottery that proves that their position is untenable. All to no avail. I should have realized that only a reasonable person, someone with an open mind and willing to engage in an intellectual discussion, can ever be persuaded of anything. So, if you're reading this, I'm probably preaching to the choir. Therefore, if you will all turn to one of my favorite pages in the Hymnal, 'You can improve your odds of winning the lottery jackpot.'

The first Lotto Myth is naive and easy to refute. First, the lottery is a game of chance. In all games of chance, the player has certain odds of winning. Up to this point, even the critics agree. But, here's where I lose them.

Blackjack

In all games of chance, including the lottery, there are different levels of play. Some people are very good, some people are very poor, and the rest of us fall somewhere in between. For example, it was only a short time ago, that the commonly held belief was that success at Blackjack was pure luck. After all, it was a Random Game of chance, just like the lottery. And yet, professional gamblers seemed to do quite well.

This idea that it was a random game of chance, was fostered by the casinos because it helped their bottom line. At the same time, professional gamblers quietly went about their business. However, some MIT students stumbled upon the keys to the castle and raked in lots of money at the casinos. You've probably heard the story or saw the movie 21.

Just like the lottery, if you play Blackjack intelligently, you can improve your odds of winning. In Blackjack, if you study the past history by counting cards and apply a basic understanding of probability, the advantage swings from the house to the player. Once people learned about this, almost overnight, courses were being offered and books were being sold. People had discovered that there was a lot they could do to improve their odds of winning; just like the lottery.

Texas Holdem

Another example is Texas Holdem, which has become a worldwide phenomenon. After Doyle Brunson published his Super/System book, the truth was out. If you play the game intelligently, study the past performance of each opponent and apply a basic understanding of probability you will improve your odds of winning.

Now, there are many more books, courses, tapes, CDs and even training camps. Once people realized that success was determined by how they played the game, people all over the world were flopping, turning and rolling down the river.

State Lotteries

Just like the casinos did with Black Jack, the state lotteries have fostered and perpetuated this Lotto Fable; that there is nothing you can do to improve your odds of winning the lottery. But, the lottery is a game of chance, just like any other. Therefore, the same logic applies.

Play intelligently

Study the lottery's history

Apply a basic understanding of probability

Use a computer with the best lottery software

Computers have been used to unravel the secrets of many Random Games of Chance; like Black Jack, Poker and Stock investing, just to name a few. But, lotteries are the most difficult games of chance ever devised. So, trying to improve your lottery play without a computer is probably a waste of time and money.

So, if you are interested in being a Serious Lottery Player, you are going to need a computer armed with the Best Lottery Software available. Lottery software that can provide what you need when you ask for it. Like having your very own genie. Well, today's genie isn't in a bottle; she's on your computer.

Good luck and I hope you Win the Big One!