Are Odd Numbers Luckier Than Even Numbers?

I recently heard someone say that you couldn't buy two dollars worth of lottery tickets, but had to buy three or five dollars worth because odd numbers are luckier than even numbers, which made me think. Is there any truth to this? After all, seven, 11, and 21 are all "lucky" numbers in gambling.

Number Theory

With a little research, I found that there actually are people, most likely mathematicians, who study the truth behind lucky numbers. What is the method to the madness? Well, it is related to the number theory.

According to Stanislaw Ulam, the originator of the "lucky" numbers, odd numbers are lucky and he discovered it through the following process. Basically, you start with a list of integers starting with one, or in layman's terms, a list of numbers one through twenty-five. Then, you cross out every second number. This will cause every even number to be crossed out (how unlucky for them) and all odd integers to be left. Next, you will remove every third number; and lastly, you will eliminate every seventh number. This will then provide you with Ulam's set of lucky numbers.

Step-by-Step

Step 1: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25

Step 2: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25

Step 3: 1, 3, 7, 9, 13, 15, 19, 21, 25

Step 4: 1, 3, 7, 9, 13, 15, 21, 2

Cultures and Religions

It seems even different cultures, such as the Chinese, and religions (think Seven Deadly Sins) are drawn to odd numbers. Is it the role of numerology or is it more? Truthfully, it is hard to say.

Chinese folklore goes back to Yin and Yang. Yin, which represents even numbers, is said to be the humans while Yang, the odd numbers, stands for the gods. While odd numbers hold more luck (as do the gods), there should be a balance of even numbers.

Food for Thought

If we take in to consideration the balance of odds and evens, we could think about milestone years, specifically in America. Your first birthday, year number one, is by far the most celebrated year, considering almost all customs allow for a first birthday party. Then, when you turn five, you go to school. At age thirteen you become a teenager; and of course, at age twenty-one you are able to legally drink. Then at age twenty-five, as a mature adult, you are eligible for cheaper rental car rates, as well as insurance rates.

What do the even years get you? At age ten, you hit double digits, although that is hardly celebrated. By age sixteen you are able to drive a car, which could be considered lucky for anyone with access to a car! Then, at age eighteen, you are considered an adult and you are able to vote and smoke. When you turn 40, you are over the hill, but again, that does not seem lucky.

I'm no expert, but I have to say the odds are definitely in control of the luck factor. Looks like the next time I play the lottery, I'll let the odds control the majority of numbers, with a few evens to keep things in balance. Then we will see just how lucky those numbers really are.