Think you have the winning numbers on the next Lotto MAX draw? Consider the 8 number – $40 combination play to multiply your wins. This is also known as wheeling. The cost is high, but group playing will reduce your costs.

Normally you pick 7 out of 49 numbers, but with an 8-number combination you are effectively playing 8 lines on the one ticket (8 times $5 = $40). You also get 2 bonus sets of 8 numbers. Your ticket will show 8 numbers on each of the 3 lines.  

For example, if you select 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 as your eight-number selection, the eight combinations would be:

1-2-3-4-5-6-7
1-2-3-4-5-6-8
1-2-3-4-5-7-8
1-2-3-4-6-7-8
1-2-3-5-6-7-8
1-2-4-5-6-7-8
1-3-4-5-6-7-8
2-3-4-5-6-7-8

Based on the last Lotto Max payout for February 5, 2010, having 6 out 7 numbers would have paid $7,287.80.

If you had played an 8 number combination play you would have netted more than double the single ticket payout if you had 6 out 7 numbers.

2 x $7,287.80 =$14,575.60
6 x $     128.40 = $     770.40
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Total      $15,346.00

Based on the last Lotto Max payout, 6 out of 7 plus the bonus number would have paid$298,798.80 for a single play.

If you had played an 8 number combination play, you would have netted $8,058.20 more than the single payout.

1 x $298,798.80 =$298,798.80
1 x $       7,287.80 =$    7,287.80
6 x $            128.40= $       770.40
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Total      $306,857.00

Playing an 8 number combination play costs $40 compared to a single play costing $5.  The idea of multiple prizes is a plus, but wheeling 8 numbers gives you better odds. That 8th number you pick may just help you claim the jackpot. Even if you win nothing on the numbers you picked, the 2 bonus lines are 8 number selections as well.  Playing combination plays on Lotto 649 does not offer bonus lines.

Winning this week’s jackpot would be real life changing, but $15,000 or $300,000 would be a nice bank deposit. Wins like this a few times a year would be a great way to supplement your income. There is a 9 number combination play costing $180 giving 36 different selections, which are created from the original nine numbers selected.