Some dos and don’ts for picking SA Powerball numbers

South Africans can be quite superstitious when it comes to selecting travel routes for their June-July holidays, menu options from their local Spur or numbers for the Powerball.

While there are no guarantees for how to predict the correct digits for a draw, there are several different themes for doing so. Rather than opt for the quick pick or random number generator facilities on offer online, gents in Gauteng, women in Welkom and other parts of the country have been known to fashion their own gameplans for Powerball predictions.

One such approach is to, at the very least, use the same numbers over and over again. Take, for instance, the Gauteng resident who used the same digits to snare a double jackpot. His numbers were 03, 07, 13, 21, 34, 49 – and 50. The man opted for the manual rather than automatic selection – and was understandably elated with his choice.

“I was extremely happy to learn that I had won the jackpot with the same numbers. I will use this money to pay off all my debts. I’m currently building a house for my wife and I. A small portion of my winnings will go towards the completion and furnishing of the house,” he said.

His choice of randomised numbers, though, flies in the face of those who suggest consecutive digits make for a greater chance of winning. “My advice is to pick consecutive numbers, like 31, 32, 33. Not many people do, but it is just as likely as any other combination. In fact, if you do win the jackpot with consecutive numbers, you probably won’t have to share it with as many other winners,”

Marcus du Sautoy, who is the author of The Number Mysteries: A Mathematical Odyssey, told the Daily Mail. There are people who like to involve their birthdates or those of family members and friends. While this is sentimental, it’s a limiting approach. Only numbers 1 through 31 are involved, which excludes several other digits that could offer value.

Horoscopes and the numerology associated with this are popular in South Africa and those who follow them sometimes take their number-picking cues from here. But, as can be gleaned from what former statistician-general and head of Statistics South Africa Pali Lehohla once told Business Insider, “There is no way in which you can calculate all the possibilities until you get the right one.” And even then it’s not an exact science.

Mense who enter the Powerball might also want to get quite detailed about their findings. People have been seen sitting at Motherland, Mugg & Bean and other coffee shops around South Africa plotting their picks based on previous numbers drawn. This can be done over a brief patch or prolonged period. For example, denoting how many times 10, 20, 30 and 40 have been pulled out of the rotating bubble in the past four to six months might see one lean towards opting for round figures when filling out a scratch card before handing it in – or making a related selection online.