Everyone dreams of winning the lottery, but it’s a long shot. But that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy playing the game – and maybe even make some real money. In this article, we’ll walk you through some basic strategies you can try to improve your chances of hitting that jackpot one day. From ways to pick numbers to different games you can play, we’ve got you covered!

If you win the lottery, you’ll want to keep your winnings secret from anyone who might vulture your windfall. And you’ll need to hire a crack team of lawyers and financial helpers. But the most important thing, according to Richard Lustig, is personal finance 101: pay off all your debts, diversify your investments and set up savings for college and emergencies.

Lottery winners can choose between a lump sum payout or an annuity that spreads payments out over 30 years. With the lump sum option, you receive a check for your prize immediately; with the annuity, you would receive 29 annual payments that increase by about 5 percent each year. If you die before all the payments are made, the remaining balance will go to your heirs.

Some states require public disclosure of lottery winners, but you can still protect your privacy by choosing a pseudonym or using a trust. However, be aware that if you opt for the annuity option, federal taxes will be withheld from each of your payments. You can also choose to have your annual payments withdrawn from your bank account each month, which can be helpful for tax planning purposes.