RULES FOR GOOD LOTTERY SETS These are just rules of thumb but they have worked very well for me. I) The 1/2 rule (TRUE about 97% of the time) 1) The first number (lowest number) should not be in the highest half of the possible numbers. Example: If your drawing has 49 balls, then your lowest number should not be 25 or higher. 2) The last number (highest number) should not be in the lowest half of the possible numbers. Example: If your drawing has 49 balls, then your highest number should not be 24 or lower. 3) The sum of the numbers should not be 50% (1/2) above or 50% below the average sum for your game. Example: If your game has an average sum of 150 then you should never use a set with a sum below 75 or above 225. II) The 1/3 rule The spread between the 1st number and the last number should never be less than 1/3 of the total numbers. Example: If your game has 49 balls then the spread between the 1st and last number should never be less than 49 / 3 or less than 17.