A covering design C(v,k,t,m,=b) is a pair (V,B), where V is a set of v elements (called points) and B is a collection of b k-subsets of V (called blocks), such that every m-subset of V intersects in at least one member of B in at least t points.
When applied to lottery, in form of an abbreviated wheel:
  • v: total numbers in the design; amount of numbers you choose to play the wheel
  • k: size of a block or bet
  • t: minimum guarantee
  • m: amount of numbers that must be guessed correctly in the draw
  • b: number of blocks or bets or tickets
Wheel C(9,6,3,5,=2) describes the wheel with 9 chosen numbers designed for a Pick 6 lottery. The wheel guarantees at least one prize of 3 matches if 5 officially drawn numbers are within the group of 9 chosen numbers. Finally, the number of bets generated is 2, reduced from a total of 84.00 possible combinations of 9 taken 6 at a time. The coefficient of reduction is 42.00.

Wheel Summary
Abbreviated Wheel • Pick 6
9 Numbers
2 Tickets
3 if 5 Guarantee
NumbersOccurrences
01  02  03
2
04  05  06  07  08
09
1

Select the Numbers Guessed: Total combinations: 126
Possible Matches

543210
Hits
Probability
00110060.04762
002000270.21429
010100180.14286
011000540.42857
02000090.07143
10010060.04762
10100060.04762
1
Page sizePage1of1

Block NumberIndexes
Block 1
  • 01
  • 02
  • 03
  • 04
  • 05
  • 06
Block 2
  • 01
  • 02
  • 03
  • 07
  • 08
  • 09