A lottery number is the unique identifier that is assigned to each child in New York City’s high-stakes school admissions process. It is a 32-digit code that shows where your child is slotted into the Byzantine and ever-changing allocation of seats. This year, the Department of Education started releasing it before parents submit their choices, as part of a growing movement for transparency and greater fairness.

Many people choose their lottery numbers based on popular combinations such as birth dates or anniversaries, but lottery connoisseurs recommend that you pick a mix of random and meaningful numbers instead. This will ensure that you are not sharing the prize with a lot of other players, as the numbers usually only go up to 31.

Another way to select your lottery numbers is to use a random number table, which is a list of numbered entries arranged in rows and columns. You can find many of these tables online and they are easy to use.

You can also try picking your numbers by using a lottery generator, which is an online tool that randomly selects them for you. While it may not be as accurate as a random number table, it can help eliminate bias and produce more reliable results. When choosing your lottery numbers, it is important to avoid patterns and sequences, as they are less likely to be drawn than non-patterned numbers. It is also a good idea to select a range of numbers rather than just one or two, as this will increase your chances of winning.