In a world where inequality is rising, lottery promoters are dangling a promise of instant wealth. They’re playing on a basic human desire to gamble, and they know the odds are long for winning big, but they also rely on the idea that the game is fun and the experience of buying a ticket is satisfying.

Lottery tickets are sold in a variety of forms, from instant-win scratch-off games to multi-state drawings for large jackpot prizes. But the main form is a state-run lottery, in which players hope to win a prize by picking six numbers during a drawing. The winnings are largely paid out in lump sums. But federal and state taxes can cut a chunk out of any winnings.

It’s true that some numbers come up more often than others, but there’s a good chance it has nothing to do with lottery statistics. Instead, it might be related to how people choose their numbers. Many people play their favorite numbers, or the ones that are significant to them, such as their birthday. And while there are a number of quote-unquote “systems” out there that say you can boost your chances by choosing certain numbers or shopping at specific stores, the truth is that random chance produces the same results for every player.

The simplest way to find out how much your annuity is worth is to check the official lottery website. Look for a breakdown of all the different games and their current prizes. Ideally, you should purchase your tickets shortly after the lottery updates its records so you have a better chance of winning a larger prize.