STRATEGIES FOR SMALL LOTTERY POOLS A small pool is any pool with less than 20 tickets purchased. Some options are: 1) Pick the top 6 numbers by frequency. 2) Pick the top 3 numbers by frequency plus the 3 most overdue numbers. 3) Wheel a small group of numbers for a 4/4 win, or possible 5 or grand prize. 4) Key off of one or 2 key numbers (known as "Power" numbers.