The lottery draws in billions of dollars annually. For many, the prize money is their only shot at a better life. But what is it about the lottery that entices people to spend so much money, even when the odds of winning are astronomically low?

The answer is a mix of insanity, hopelessness, and irrational gambling behavior. In addition, the lottery dangles the promise of instant riches in an era when inequality and limited social mobility are the norms. Lottery commissions know this, which is why they push billboards featuring mega-sized jackpots that can sway even those who don’t usually play the game.

Some experts say you can increase your odds of winning by playing more frequently or betting larger amounts. But that is a fallacy, according to the rules of probability. Each ticket has its own independent probability that does not change based on how often you play or how many other tickets are sold for the same drawing.

If you’re looking to improve your chances, choose random numbers instead of numbers that have significance to you (like birthdays or ages). Then, avoid sequences that are played by hundreds of other players, like 1-2-3-4-5-7. It’s also a good idea to buy Quick Picks, which are numbers picked by a computer rather than by other lottery participants. That way, if you win, you can keep the whole prize to yourself, whereas if you win the big jackpot and someone else has the same numbers, you’ll have to split the money with them.