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(8,6,4,5,=3) describes the wheel with 8 chosen numbers designed for a Pick 6 lottery. The wheel guarantees at least one prize of 4 matches if 5 officially drawn numbers are within the group of 8 chosen numbers. Finally, the number of bets generated is 3, reduced from a total of 28.00 possible combinations of 8 taken 6 at a time. The coefficient of reduction is 09.33.

Wheel Summary
Abbreviated Wheel • Pick 6
8 Numbers
3 Tickets
4 if 5 Guarantee
Odds of guessing 5 Numbers
1 in 1,073.52
NumbersOccurrences
01  02
3
03  04  05  06  07
08
2

Select the Numbers Guessed: Total combinations: 56
Odds of guessing 5 Numbers: 1 in 1,073.52
Possible Matches

543210
Hits
Odds
0120006 1 in 10,019.51
02100024 1 in 2,504.88
0300008 1 in 7,514.63
1020006 1 in 10,019.51
11100012 1 in 5,009.75
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Block NumberIndexes
Block 1
  • 01
  • 02
  • 03
  • 04
  • 05
  • 06
Block 2
  • 01
  • 02
  • 03
  • 04
  • 07
  • 08
Block 3
  • 01
  • 02
  • 05
  • 06
  • 07
  • 08