Chaos and (Minimizing) Confusion

As if a rotten year couldn’t get any rottener. The news of Chadwick Boseman’s recent passing was like a sucker punch. At 43 years of age, it feels too soon. In his short time on the mortal plane, he became known for playing Jackie Robinson, Thurgood Marshall, and T’Challa/Black Panther, the most famous role of all. Regardless of whether they were historical or a comic book/movie character, these figures inspired millions to achieve their dreams, and also work towards a better world for all.

It is with Mr. Boseman’s passing that we mustn’t forget the passing of Anthony Huber (26) and Joseph Rosenbaum (36). They were protesting the shooting of Jacob Blake, a(nother) black father who was shot by police and is now paralyzed from the waist down. Mr. Huber and Mr. Rosenbaum were murdered by Kyle Rittenhouse, a seventeen-year-old man who claimed to have shot them in self-defense. They were in fact, trying to protect the other protesters from Rittenhouse.

If you want to see a better world, it isn’t enough to be a keyboard warrior. Write to your leaders (if they will listen). Protest peacefully if you are able to protest. And most importantly, vote. This is an election you cannot sit out. If voting didn’t matter, they wouldn’t make it so difficult.

May these three Rest in Power, and let’s continue working on that better world. As another inspirational figure said, “Be the change you want to see in the world.”

As school resumes and yet another pumpkin spice latte season is about to descend upon us, the sleepy days of summer are numbered. Traditionally, Labor Day weekend is considered the last weekend of summer. What with all that’s gone on this year, it’s hard to believe that Labor Day is next weekend.

Amidst the madness plaguing the human world, Mega Millions retained its status as “top” lottery. The August 28, 2020 drawing saw encores for both the Pattern and the General Order. Playing it safe paid off for the players as well, at least those who like big prizes. With no one able to pick the six winning numbers, the jackpot climbed to $78 million.

General Lottery Analysis

The {2-2-1-1} Pattern returned with winning numbers 3, 9, 50, 53, 64 and MB 1. This Pattern has now played 164 times.

Another round of the {2-2-1-1] Pattern! Source: lotterytrend-megamillions.com.

There have now been 597 drawings, and this Pattern has played in 27.5% of them.

The [2-2-1-1] General Order, now with 54 appearances, has played in 32.9% of the 164 drawings where {2-2-1-1} was the winning Pattern. Once all 597 drawings have been taken into consideration, this General Order has played 9.05% of the time.

Both the {2-2-1-1} Pattern and the [2-2-1-1] General Order played August 25, 2020.

Now with two appearances, the 2 0 0 2 1 1 Specific Order has played in 3.70% of the 54 drawings where the General Order was [2-2-1-1]. This Specific Order has also played in 1.22% of the 164 drawings where {2-2-1-1} was the winning Pattern, and in 0.34% of all 597 drawings. The 2 0 0 2 1 1 Specific Order made its first appearance in the February 25, 2020 drawing.

Three-Number Combinations

The tag team encore of the {2-2-1-1} Pattern and [2-2-1-1] General Order were accompanied by two repeating Three-Number Combinations:

Resting on the same row! Source: lotterytrend-megamillions.com.

As August gives way to September, will the {2-2-1-1} Pattern and [2-2-1-1] General Order come back for a joint three-peat?

Concerning Patterns and Groups

As I went through my email last night, I came upon this message:

What does the 2 2 1 1, 2 1 2 1 and 4-2 patterns mean? Like what does the number mean? Do you have a blog about that?

Those are good questions and there is a blog post now!

The numbers in Patterns like {4-2} represent how many numbers come from a Group. The {4-2} Pattern is exclusive to Lotto Texas, so let’s start there. Lotto Texas has three Groups:

  • Group 1 is 1 – 18
  • Group 2 is 19 – 36
  • Group 3 is 37 – 54

The {4-2} Pattern is made up of numbers from two Groups. For example, we can have four numbers from Group 1, and two from Group 3. A more in-depth explanation of Lotto Texas Groups and Patterns can be found here and here.

A similar logic applies to Mega Millions and Powerball. Both are made up of six Groups, though it’s broken down a little differently. Mega Millions is like this:

  • Group 1 is 1 – 14
  • Group 2 is 15 – 28
  • Group 3 is 29 – 42
  • Group 4 is 43 – 56
  • Group 5 is 57 – 70
  • Group 6 is MB (Mega Ball) 1- 25

Powerball’s Grouping is like Mega Millions’ until we get to Group 5. In Powerball, Group 5 goes from 57 to 69 and Group 6 is PB (Powerball) 1 to PB 26.

Let’s look at the {2-2-1-1} Pattern. We can, for example, have two numbers from Group 1, two from Group 4, one from Group 5, and one from Group 6 (Mega Ball or Powerball, depending on lottery). Note that with Mega Millions and Powerball, the last group is always Group 6. The main Mega Millions and Powerball sites break it down visually on their Groups and Patterns pages.

Aristocratic Mega Millions

Mega Millions considers itself an elite of sorts. After all, it has flirted with billion-dollar jackpots, and currently has the largest prize (Powerball and Lotto Texas are in second and third place, respectively). And, that prize grew once again. With no one selecting the six winning numbers, the jackpot ascended to $67 million.

General Lottery Analysis

Rather than opt for a {2-1-1-1-1} Pattern encore, August 25, 2020 featured the 163rd appearance of the {2-2-1-1} Pattern, with winning numbers 8, 10, 15, 17, 57, and MB 12.

No room for encores. Source: lotterytrend-megamillions.com.

This Pattern has played in 27.3% of the 596 Mega Millions drawings and was last seen August 7, 2020.

The [2-2-1-1] General Order, now with 53 appearances, has played in 32.5% of the 163 drawings where {2-2-1-1} was the winning Pattern. Once all 596 drawings have been taken into consideration, this General Order has played 8.89% of the time. Prior to Tuesday night, the [2-2-1-1] General Order played May 29, 2020.

Now with six appearances, the 2 2 0 0 1 1 Specific Order has played in 11.3% of the 53 drawings where the General Order was [2-2-1-1]. This Specific Order has also played in 3.68% of the 163 drawings where {2-2-1-1} was the winning Pattern and in 1.01% of all 596 drawings. The 2 2 0 0 1 1 Specific Order was last seen in the August 7, 2018 drawing.

Similar Spread

Mega Millions sipped on a mint julep while offering up a similar spread. The spread for Tuesday night’s numbers was 02:05:02:40. October 18, 2019 saw something similar with its numbers. That night, the winning numbers were 18, 58, 60, 65, 67 and MB 20, with a spread of 40:02:05:02. Note that the differences between numbers was the same, yet they were in a different order.

Three-Number Combinations

There were also a couple of accompanying repeating Three-Number Combinations:

Repeating Three-Number Combinations to bolster Mega Millions’ position. Source: lotterytrend-megamillions.com.

Will Mega Millions continue to dominate lottery high society Friday night?

Price Tag: $57 Million

Nothing like a weekend road trip to get away for a bit! Oh sure, there’s that whole pandemic thing going around, but this is also a camping trip, and there’s just no way you’ll run into anyone else, right? And you left on a Friday, but you left just before the traffic picked up. One great thing about road trips is that you can stop over at greasy spoons or snap pictures of landmarks. Try doing that from an airplane! Oh, and it’s cheaper than flying, too.

Mega Millions managed to escape the crowd, but it wasn’t easy. Teasing players with the idea of a playback (Spoiler: there wasn’t one, though it was close) and throwing in a repeating Three-Number Combination kept players at bay. All that to the tune of a jackpot hike to $57 million.

General Lottery Analysis

The {2-1-1-1-1} Pattern had the honor of showing up in the August 21, 2020 Mega Millions drawing. With winning numbers 11, 15, 31, 42, 63 and MB 14, this Pattern has now played 261 times.

The {2-1-1-1-1} boosted the prize once more! Source: lotterytrend-megamillions.com.

There have now been 595 drawings, and this Pattern has played 43.9% of the time. We last saw the {2-1-1-1-1} Pattern August 14, 2020.

The [1-1-2-1-1] General Order, now with 79 appearances, has played in 30.3% of the 261 drawings where {2-1-1-1-1} was the winning Pattern. Once all 595 drawings have been taken into consideration, this General Order has played 13.3% of the time.

Now with 16 appearances, the 1 1 2 0 1 1 Specific Order has played in 20.3% of the 79 drawings where the General Order was [1-1-2-1-1]. This Specific Order has also played in 6.13% of the 261 drawings where {2-1-1-1-1} was the winning Pattern and in 2.69% of all 595 drawings.

Both the [1-1-2-1-1] General Order and the 1 1 2 0 1 1 Specific Order played August 4, 2020.

Three-Number Combinations

The lone repeating Three-Number Combination has played twice before:

  • 11, 31, MB 14 (Debuted September 11, 2015 and previously played August 26, 2016)
Triple offender! Source: lotterytrend-megamillions.com

Will the {2-1-1-1-1} Pattern come back for an encore Tuesday night?

Holding on to Summer

Time flies when you’re in quarantine. That is the saying these days, isn’t it? As we’ve largely holed ourselves up in our homes, that time of year has come again. The end of summer is right around the corner. Whether virtual or physical, the funneling into classrooms continues. As the S’mores get exchanged for science books, there’s one place summer continues to reign: Mega Millions! And why shouldn’t it? Great riches, and all the wild summer holidays one could hope for, await whoever wins the big prize!

Alas, those dreams blew away like the sand on the beach. No one could claim the glory of winning Mega Millions August 18, 2020. Naturally, the prize climbed, stopping at $49 million.

General Lottery Analysis

Instead of a {2-1-1-1-1} Pattern three-peat, we were treated to the {3-1-1-1} Pattern. With winning numbers 4, 18, 26, 27, 58 and MB 23, this Pattern made its 111th appearance.

A three-peat wasn’t in the cards. Source: lotterytrend-megamillions.com.

There have now been 594 Mega Millions drawings, and this Pattern has played 18.7% of the time. Prior to Tuesday night, the {3-1-1-1} Pattern played July 7, 2020.

The [1-3-1-1] General Order, now with 36 appearances, has played in 32.4% of the 111 drawings where {3-1-1-1} was the winning Pattern. Once all 594 drawings have been taken into consideration, this General Order has played 6.06% of the time. The [1-3-1-1] General Order was last seen in the June 2, 2020 drawing.

Now with four appearances, the 1 3 0 0 1 1 Specific Order has played in 11.1% of the 36 drawings where the General Order was [1-3-1-1]. This Specific Order has also played in 3.60% of the 111 drawings where {3-1-1-1} was the winning Pattern and in 0.67% of all 594 drawings. We last saw the 1 3 0 0 1 1 Specific Order October 3, 2017.

Three-Number Combinations

Repeating Three-Number Combinations were absent Tuesday night.

Will the {3-1-1-1} Pattern be bold enough to make an encore Friday night?

The Mid-August Encore Bump

There aren’t any U.S. holidays associated with August, at least none that are federally recognized. Many staples of “normal” life are either still closed or operating at minimal capacity, and the start of school? Well, let’s not think about that. In fact, let’s escape the madness for a while. Can’t really go anywhere, so streaming and Mega Millions will have to do.

Thing is, Mega Millions was unkind. That multimillion-dollar jackpot would have been a much-welcome escape from the rat race, and there wouldn’t be much (if any) worry about the kids’ education. On the other hand, more money was added to the pot, so it wasn’t all bad. The boost to $40 million was thanks to the workings of a {2-1-1-1-1} Pattern encore.

General Lottery Analysis

The {2-1-1-1-1} Pattern encore of August 14, 2020 was thanks to 3, 24, 29, 42, 47 and MB 13. This Pattern has now played 260 times.

An encore can be a helpful boost to the jackpot. Source: lotterytrend-megamillions.com.

There have now been 593 Mega Millions drawings, and this Pattern has played 43.8% of the time. Recall that the {2-1-1-1-1} Pattern played in the August 11, 2020 drawing.

The [1-1-2-1-1] General Order, now with 78 drawings, has played in 30% of the 260 drawings where {2-1-1-1-1} was the winning Pattern. Once all 593 drawings have been taken into consideration, this General Order has played 13.2% of the time. Prior to Friday night, the [1-1-2-1-1] General Order played August 4, 2020.

Now with 19 appearances, the 1 1 2 1 0 1 Specific Order has played in 24.4% of the 78 drawings where the General Order was [1-1-2-1-1]. This Specific Order has also played in 7.31% of the 260 drawings where {2-1-1-1-1} was the winning Pattern and in 3.20% of all 593 drawings. The 1 1 2 1 0 1 Specific Order was last seen June 30, 2020.

Three-Number Combinations

Upon closer inspection, it turned out there were four repeating Three-Number Combinations hiding inside!

  • 24, 29, 47 (Debuted April 24, 2015)
  • 24, 42, MB 13 (Debuted February 8, 2019)
  • 42, 47, MB 13 (Debuted May 12, 2017)
  • 3, 42, 47 (Debuted April 11, 2014)
To make things more interesting! Source: lotterytrend-megamillions.com.

Is a {2-1-1-1-1} Pattern three-peat, and a larger jackpot, in store for Tuesday night?

Mega Millions on the Rebound

When Mega Millions is down, it’s never down for long! This may be due to its quick recovery rate. After a recent reset, it added $2 million to the pot, and this continued a few more times. The addition on August 11, 2020 jumped from a $2 million increase to a $7 million increase. With another night of no jackpot winners, the jackpot jumped from $24 million to $31 million.

General Lottery Analysis

Mega Millions returned to the arms of the {2-1-1-1-1} Pattern, with winning numbers 8, 22, 29, 43, 56 and MB 9. This Pattern has now played 259 times.

Return of the {2-1-1-1-1} Pattern. Source: lotterytrend-megamillions.com.

There have now been 592 drawings, and this Pattern has played 43.75% of the time. The {2-1-1-1-1} Pattern was last seen August 4, 2020.

The [1-1-1-2-1] General Order, now with 58 appearances, has played in 22.4% of the 259 drawings where {2-1-1-1-1} was the winning Pattern. Once all 592 drawings have been taken into consideration, this General Order has played 9.80% of the time. Prior to Tuesday night, the [1-1-1-2-1] General Order played April 24, 2020.

Now with 15 appearances, the 1 1 1 2 0 1 Specific Order has played in 25.9% of the 58 drawings where the General Order was [1-1-1-2-1]. This Specific Order has also played in 5.79% of the 259 drawings where {2-1-1-1-1} was the winning Pattern and in 2.53% of all 592 drawings. We last saw the 1 1 1 2 0 1 Specific Order in the March 13, 2020 drawing.

Three-Number Combinations

Another sign of a rebound was the appearance of three repeating Three-Number Combinations, one of which played twice before!

Some Combinations repeated more than others. Source: lotterytrend-megamillions.com.

With Mega Millions making a break for the {2-1-1-1-1} Pattern, does that mean an encore is in the works for Friday night?

Variety is the Spice of Mega Millions

Variety, regardless of how we feel about it, makes life more interesting. For better or worse, we humans don’t mind the occasional shake-up to our routines. It just so happened that Mega Millions is also one that enjoys partaking in variety as well! Instead of a {2-1-1-1-1} Pattern three-peat, another approach was taken to raise the jackpot. With no one picking the six winning numbers, it climbed to $24 million.

General Lottery Analysis

The {2-2-1-1} Pattern made its 162nd appearance in the August 7, 2020 drawing. The winning numbers were 4, 44, 53, 64, 70 and MB 3.

Changing things up! Source: lotterytrend-megamillions.com.

There have now been 591 Mega Millions drawings, and this Pattern has played 27.4% of the time.

The [1-2-2-1] General Order, now with 59 appearances, has played in 36.4% of the 162 drawings where {2-2-1-1} was the winning Pattern. Once all 591 drawings have been taken into consideration, this General Order has played 9.98% of the time.

Both the {2-2-1-1} Pattern and the [1-2-2-1] General Order were last seen July 10, 2020.

Now with eight appearances, the 1 0 0 2 2 1 Specific Order has played in 13.6% of the 59 drawings where the General Order was [1-2-2-1]. This Specific Order has also played in 4.94% of the 162 drawings where {2-2-1-1} was the winning Pattern and in 1.35% of all 591 drawings. The 1 0 0 2 2 1 Specific Order was last seen January 18, 2019.

Three-Number Combinations

The lone repeating Three-Number Combination of the evening was 44, 64 and MB 3.

With a side of repeating Three-Number Combination! Source: lotterytrend-megamillions.com.

This Combination debuted December 6, 2013.

Will next week be the week of the {2-2-1-1} Pattern, or will Mega Millions shake it up a bit?

On the {2-1-1-1-1} Foot

August arrived in Mega Millions and like the heat, there was no letting go of the {2-1-1-1-1} Pattern. After the grand prize had been grabbed so quickly after resetting, it seemed right to stick with the tried and true. With a jackpot that bumped up to $22 million, this strategy paid off.

General Lottery Analysis

The {2-1-1-1-1} Pattern encore of August 4, 2020 was made possible by 2, 22, 30, 42, 62 and MB 20. This Pattern has now played 258 times.

Starting a new month with a familiar Pattern! Source: lotterytrend-megamillions.com.

There have now been 590 Mega Millions drawings, and this Pattern has played 43.7% of the time.

The [1-1-2-1-1] General Order also hopped aboard the encore train! With that said, this General Order’s 77th appearance means it has played in 29.8% of the 258 drawings where {2-1-1-1-1} was the winning Pattern. Once all 590 drawings have been taken into consideration, this General Order has played 13.1% of the time.

Recall that both the {2-1-1-1-1} Pattern and the [1-1-2-1-1] General Order were last seen July 31, 2020.

Now with 15 appearances, the 1 1 2 0 1 1 Specific Order has played in 19.5% of the 77 drawings where the General Order was [1-1-2-1-1]. This Specific Order has also played in 5.81% of the 258 drawings where {2-1-1-1-1} was the winning Pattern and in 2.54% of all 590 drawings. Prior to Tuesday night, the 1 1 2 0 1 1 Specific Order played November 15, 2019.

Three-Number Combinations

Repeating Three-Number Combination 22, 30 and 42 debuted March 13, 2015.

Back from a five-year absence. Source: lotterytrend-megamillions.com.

Will the {2-1-1-1-1} Pattern and the [1-1-2-1-1] General Order come back Friday night?

The Golden Nuggets of Mega Millions

What comes to mind when you hear or see the word “California”? Whether you’re thinking of Silicon Valley or thrown into fits of irrational rage, there’s no denying that The Golden State is an economic powerhouse. Being the most populous state in the U.S. is nothing to sneeze at, either. And it was one, just one of those residents who could claim the $22 million prize offered in the July 31, 2020 drawing.

The jackpot was swooped up faster than anyone could say, “Gnarly!” Naturally, the jackpot reset itself to $20 million.

General Lottery Analysis

The lone winner got an assist from the {2-1-1-1-1} Pattern, with winning numbers 12, 35, 46, 48, 69 and MB 23. This Pattern has now played 257 times.

Ending the month with the most commonly seen Pattern. Source: lotterytrend-megamillions.com.

This Pattern has now played in 43.6% of the 589 Mega Millions drawings and was last seen July 24, 2020.

The [1-1-2-1-1] General Order, now with 76 appearances, has played in 29.6% of the 257 drawings where {2-1-1-1-1} was the winning Pattern. Once all 589 drawings have been taken into consideration, this General Order has played 12.9% of the time. Prior to Friday night, the [1-1-2-1-1] General Order played July 14, 2020.

Now with 17 appearances, the 1 0 1 2 1 1 Specific Order has played in 22.4% of the 76 drawings where the General Order was [1-1-2-1-1]. This Specific Order has also played in 6.61% of the 257 drawings where {2-1-1-1-1} was the winning Pattern and in 2.89% of all 589 drawings. The 1 0 1 2 1 1 Specific Order played October 4, 2019.

Three-Number Combinations

There were two repeating Three-Number Combinations, one of which debuted exactly two years ago!

  • 12, 35, 46 (Debuted March 25, 2016)
  • 12, 35, 69 (Debuted July 31, 2018)
The read floats (close) to the top. Source: lotterytrend-megamillions.com.

Will a {2-1-1-1-1} Pattern encore be how Mega Millions kicks off August?