Don't Take Hot & Cold Numbers Too Seriously

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Note: *The following article is purely for fun. It is based on individual opinions and does not constitute advice. The drawing of lottery numbers is entirely random. Please always gamble responsibly. Find out more on our How Our Site Works page.

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There are so many different ways to gamble online. Sometimes it can be fun to bet on the different colours on a roulette table, the roll of a dice, or numbers games like the 49's or Irish Lotto.

Playing online numbers games like 49's lotto is simply a game of chance. As long as you're enjoying it, that's the most important thing. Of course it’s great when you do manage to win some cash...

All of these online games have various methods for selecting the number or colour you would like to bet on - a special date, your lucky number or your favourite colour. A popular way to select numbers for lotto players is 'Hot' and 'Cold' balls - these are balls that have either been drawn the most frequently (hot) or the least frequently (cold).

Don't Fall Foul of the Gambler's Fallacy

Have you ever heard of the gambler's fallacy? How about the Monte Carlo fallacy? The fallacy of the maturity of chances (okay, that might be a bit of a stretch). Essentially, they all mean the same thing; if an event happens frequently, it doesn't mean it's less or more likely to happen again in the future.

For instance, if you flip a coin and you get heads three times in a row, it doesn't necessarily mean that the next one is more likely to be tails. It's because each new toss of the coin will have two 50/50 outcomes. Likewise, in a game featuring the roll of a dice, just because six hasn't come up in a while, it doesn't mean that the next one is more likely to be a six; it will still be a one in six chance.

If your numbers do come up, it's all down to chance; there is no method to it. But once you've got past that, you'll be able to pick up your fun techniques to get past the gamblers fallacy and just enjoy lotto as it should be enjoyed - keep it fun.

The Gamblers Fallacy In Action

Unlike a slot that you can just spin and win and enjoy all the various combinations and bonus features, other games can easily fall under the gambler's fallacy belief. Games like baccarat will see players' thinking about whether the Banker or Player has won more recently, and this will sway their next bet. Even the 49’s lotto, which sees you choose numbers just like in a normal lottery, can give off the impression that if a number hasn't appeared for a while, then it's due its turn.

You could also be betting on red or black at the roulette table, and after three reds, perhaps it's time for a black number to show up. Nope, that's not always the case. And if it is, it's not because of the fallacy. These are some of the most popular games that fall under the fallacy – those that rely a lot on chance. If you're going to play them, then make sure you enjoy yourself and do it the right way.

Tips To Keep In Mind When Selecting Your Numbers

1. There is an equal probability of any number being drawn - so use whichever technique you enjoy to pick
2. When betting on the 49’s your returns are fixed - you don’t win more or less if other people have the same numbers as you (unlike the National Lottery jackpot)
3. Never bet more than you can afford to lose. Use the Bet Budget Calculator by CompareTheLotto.com to work out what this would be for you
4. Keep it fun. See our Responsible Gambling section for more information