If you’ve ever played the jackpot lottery, you know that it’s very possible to win a life-changing sum of money. The good news is that winning isn’t entirely dependent on luck; there are proven strategies to improve your chances of success.

A growing jackpot attracts more players and generates more publicity, so lottery companies want to make it as difficult as possible for a winner to be found. They do this by making jackpots grow to appetizingly eye-popping levels that aren’t sustainable. It is also important to note that even if you win, your odds are still very low. In fact, you are much more likely to be struck by lightning or to die in a car accident than to win the jackpot lottery.

Lottery retailers collect commissions on tickets sales and cash in when they sell a winning ticket. While you can play more frequently or increase your bet size, the probability of winning a jackpot remains the same. You can do some things to help improve your odds, such as choosing uncommon numbers and avoiding significant personal numbers like birthdays. These strategies don’t improve your odds dramatically, but they can help you reduce the likelihood of having to share a prize with others.

Once you’ve won a jackpot, you can choose to receive the funds in a lump sum or an annuity that spreads payments over 20 or 30 years. Either way, you’ll face many big decisions and must carefully plan your finances to avoid pitfalls.