A group of students discovered a method to beat the lottery system, winning over $6 million and gaining widespread attention.
A group of former students from Princeton University made headlines after winning more than $6 million in the lottery.
Their success has sparked interest and questions about how they achieved such impressive results.
Many believe they discovered a method to improve their chances of winning.
Group of students win over $6 million by uncovering method to beat lottery system
The group, consisting of four individuals named Manuel Montori IV, Matthew Gibbons, Hannah Davinroy, and Zoë Buonaiuto, purchased a staggering number of lottery tickets.
They bought 66 winning tickets across four states: Indiana, Missouri, Washington, and Columbia.
Their biggest win came from a single ticket found in Missouri, which brought them $5 million.
While many people might think their success was purely due to luck, it seems there was more to their strategy.
Students use data-driven strategies to win the lottery
The students reportedly sourced tickets from various stores and gas stations, often buying them in large quantities.
Some store managers mentioned that the group would “clean out” their supplies, spending thousands of dollars each time they visited.
Philip Stark, a professor of statistics at the University of California, commented on their achievements.
He said, “They’re either the luckiest people in the world or they found a way to beat the system.”
This statement captures the curiosity surrounding their method.
The group is associated with a company called Black Swan Capital LLC, founded by Montori.
Experts suggest that they likely used publicly available data from lottery results to increase their chances of selecting winning tickets.
This data-driven approach could have given them an advantage in their ticket purchasing strategy.
During their ticket-buying spree, the group would visit stores multiple times.
For instance, at Smoke ‘n’ Lotto in Bloomington, Indiana, Hannah and Zoë reportedly bought hundreds of tickets over several visits.
A store manager named Darian noted that they often asked to be informed when new tickets arrived, and they would return to buy all available tickets.
In total, the manager estimated that the group spent around $48,000 on lottery tickets during their visits.
Meanwhile, in Missouri, two other women were also seen spending large amounts, with reports of them buying $8,000 worth of tickets at a time.
Their strategy involved purchasing tickets for games that were nearing the end, with large prizes still available.
This tactic raised questions about whether it is possible to be strategic when playing the lottery.
Managers at various stores reported similar behaviors, with some even expressing disbelief at the amount of money spent by the students.
Expert caution on lottery risks despite students
Despite their success, experts warn that buying many lottery tickets does not guarantee a win.
There is still a significant risk of losing money, as the odds of winning a lottery can be incredibly low.
However, the group’s experience has highlighted an interesting aspect of lottery play: the potential to use data and statistics to inform decisions.
While the students have not spoken extensively to the media about their winnings, Zoë Buonaiuto did express her excitement, saying, “Call me back in a year.”
“I’m happy to talk to you in a year… It’s exciting.”