The chances of winning the lottery are slim to none. But that doesn’t mean you can’t try to beat the odds by following some simple tips.

1. GET A GROUP TO HELP YOU MANAGE YOUR NEWFUNDS

If you were to win the jackpot lottery, you’d be faced with a number of important decisions. One of the most fundamental is how to receive your prize funds. Most lotteries allow winners to choose between a lump sum payout and an annuity that distributes payments over a period of 30 years. A lump sum would immediately put your money into your bank account, while an annuity would send you a payment every year (some taxes withheld) for three decades.

2. SEEK OUT PROFESSIONALS

If you won the jackpot lottery, you’d want to consult an attorney, accountant and financial planner before you start spending your money. These professionals can help you weigh your options, including whether to cash out or take an annuity. They can also advise you on how to avoid scammers and long-lost friends who might want to take advantage of your good fortune. Plus, they can help you keep your identity private if you prefer to do so. That’s important, because the biggest danger of winning a large amount of money is losing it all in the years that follow. A responsible winner will dump any cash they don’t plan to spend into safe investments like real estate, index funds, mutual funds and hard assets.