Lotteries, Odds better with 1 or 2 tickets?

[Blaketime1]

Posted: 8/28/18 at 9:28am

I was wondering if the odds are better to enter a lottery for 1 or 2 tickets? Are there a certain number of pairs or single tickets lotteries select, or do you have the same chance either way?

Updated On: 8/28/18 at 09:28 AM

[Danielle49]

Posted: 8/28/18 at 9:34am

I’ve always been curious about this too. I enter as a single every time, and whenever I’ve won I’ve been seated amongst other singles. I wonder if some shows allocate sections just for singles and some for pairs, or if the system just randomly picks until the number of available seats are claimed a la in-person lottery.

Updated On: 8/28/18 at 09:34 AM

[Fosse76]

Posted: 8/28/18 at 10:42am

This is why I hate the online lotteries. There is no transparency to the process. Even seat locations aren't disclosed for most of them. And since anyone can enter and win, people who have no intention or means of getting to the show can enter and win, and Harry Potter seems to be the only show that is somewhat confirmed to offer those unclaimed seats to other lottery entrants (whereas Hamilton is confirmed to sell to the standby line at full price). 

[haterobics]

Posted: 8/28/18 at 11:27am

The odds of being picked remain the same. The only issue is when there are people who win and only need one seat, or if there are an odd number of seats to begin with, where at a certain point,it will get down to one seat, at which point, the system will keep picking single entrants and discarding people who need two seats. So, by that logic, sure, a person who wants a single ticket will always claim their ticket, but if there is one ticket, and you win wanting two tickets, you will never know you were that close.

Of course, if you need two tickets, then your +1 should also be entering the lottery, which would seemingly stack the deck in your favor over the single entrant.

[OnBroadway4]

Posted: 8/28/18 at 3:11pm

Well, it's a lottery so things are always up to chance. There is no real telling whether a 1 ticket submission will be more lucky than a 2 ticket submission. The only advantage that a 1 ticket submission has, is when another 1-ticket submission wins. The amount of tickets available at most events are usually an even number. For example, Hamilton offers 40 lottery tickets. If a 1-ticket submission wins, that would automatically ensure that another 1-ticket submission would have to win to create an even number of winners. Hence, everytime a single ticket wins, it ensures another single must win. 

[RemlapLBC]

Posted: 8/28/18 at 4:01pm

I believe your best odds is two pairs of two, all four of you entering, and a "gentleman's agreement" that if either of the pairs both win, they will take the other paid.   With online lotteries, that is harder to do than just asking around before entering the drawing.  For tourists, it would seem impossible, but for locals, not that difficult to partner up.