Category : A Collection of Games for DOS and Windows
Archive   : LC34.ZIP
Filename : LC.DOC

L O T T O C H A L L E N G E R
by John D. Lake


_______
____|__ | (tm)
--| | |-------------------
| ____|__ | Association of
| | |_| Shareware
|__| o | Professionals
-----| | |---------------------
|___|___| MEMBER




Copyright (C) 1989
All Rights Reserved

Data Solutions
1529 Thistledown Drive
Brandon, Florida 33510
(813) 684-0864


Version 3.4
Revised: February 11, 1990



Legal Rights and Issues:


Data Solutions retains all rights of ownership of the
product called Lotto Challenger under United States and
International laws of commerce. Lotto Challenger is a copyright
of Data Solutions. However Data Solutions hereby expressly
authorizes the willful distribution of the enclosed software to
other individuals as long as no fee is charged for the program.
A duplication charge not to exceed $6.00 may be collected.

Data Solutions does NOT authorize, nor waive, any other
rights provided under the protection of copyright laws, and
reserves the right to withdraw distribution rights at any
future time. At such time, notice will be given.

Lotto Challenger is a Shareware product. It is NOT a public
domain or FreeWare program. Shareware means that you are given a
specific period of time in which to use the product before you
are required to register your copy. Thus, if you decide to
continue using Lotto Challenger, we expect you to REGISTER your
copy with Data Solutions.

Payment of the $29.50 registration fee entitles you to the
most recent version of Lotto Challenger, program support, a
current state data file of your choice, and our regularly
distributed newsletter. To print a registration form, press F9
at the Lotto Challenger main menu, and then press F10 at the
closing screen.

This program is produced by a member of the Association of
Shareware Professionals (ASP). ASP wants to make sure that the
shareware principle works for you. If you are unable to resolve a
shareware related problem with an ASP member by contacting the
member directly, ASP may be able to help. The ASP Ombudsman can
help you resolve a dispute or problem with an ASP member, but
does not provide technical support for members' products. Please
write to the ASP Ombudsman at P.O. Box 5786, Bellevue, WA 98006
or send a Compuserve message via easyplex to ASP Ombudsman
70007,3536"

Lotto Challenger is provided "as-is" without warranty of any
kind, either expressed or implied, including, but not limited to
any implied warranty of fitness or suitability for a particular
purpose. Data Solutions shall not be liable or responsible to
any person or entity for damage or loss caused or alleged to be
caused directly, indirectly or consequently by the use of this
program, it's documentation or it's output, specifically
including but not limited to damage or loss resulting from games

of chance.


Hardware Requirements:

Lotto Challenger requires an IBM-PC or compatible computer
with a minimum of 256K of memory and either MS-DOS or PC-DOS 2.0
or higher. A color monitor, hard disk and printer is recommended
but not required. Graphics capability is not required.



TABLE OF CONTENTS


Chapter 1 - Introduction To Lotto Challenger
Overview 1-1
Lotto Challenger System Files 1-4
Before Getting Started 1-4
Loading Lotto Challenger 1-5
Selecting A Menu Option 1-5

Chapter 2 - Update Lottery Data
Overview 2-1
Add New Drawing 2-1
Modify Previous Drawing 2-2
Delete Previous Drawing 2-2

Chapter 3 - Drawing Statistics
Overview 3-1
Drawing History 3-1
Number Frequency 3-1
Hot Numbers 3-2
Cold Numbers 3-2
Overdue Numbers 3-3
Drawing Summary 3-4

Chapter 4 - Quick Picks
Overview 4-1
Total Numbers 4-1
1 To 12 Range 4-1
13 To 31 Range 4-1
32 To (Highest Number) Range 4-2
Remaining Picks 4-2
Cold Numbers 4-2
Overdue Numbers 4-3
Last Week's Draws 4-3
Hot Numbers 4-4
Favorite Numbers 4-4
Random Numbers 4-5

Chapter 5 - Number Systems
Overview 5-1
Play A Number System 5-2
Edit A Number System 5-3

Chapter 6 - Winner's Circle
Overview 6-1
Operation 6-1

Chapter 7 - History Mode
Overview 7-1
Operation 7-1





TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued)


Chapter 8 - Configure New System
Overview 8-1
Operation 8-1

Chapter 9 - Select Another Lottery
Overview 9-1
Operation 9-1



CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION TO LOTTO CHALLENGER


Overview:


Lotto Challenger is a lottery number selection program that
can be used with all Pick-5, Pick-6 and Pick-7 lotteries. Lotto
Challenger is distributed with two Florida lottery data files;
FLORIDA.DAT and FANTASY5.DAT. Even if you don't play the Florida
lotteries, you can use these files to evaluate and learn how to
use Lotto Challenger. Of course you can type in the previously
drawn numbers from your own lottery if you wish.

The program can easily be configured for any other state
lottery. The number of different state data files is limited
only by the size of your hard disk or the number of floppies you
have available. A current state data file of your choice is
mailed to you at no charge when you register.

From the beginning, Lotto Challenger was designed with you,
the user in mind. All program functions are menu driven and easy
to use. Menu options are selected by using either the keyboard
or a mouse. Screens that require data entry prompt the user
every step of the way and will not allow incorrect information to
be entered. A pop-up help window is always available which shows
the various editing commands when entering data. Function key
commands are consistent throughout the program and are always
displayed at the bottom of the screen.

Using statistical analysis, Lotto Challenger analyzes the
numbers drawn in previous drawings. Numbers are broken down into
several categories; Hot, Cold, Overdue and Last Drawing.
Averages and percentages are calculated from all previous
drawings for all the categories.

For example, numbers picked in the Hot numbers category
might average 3.0 for all the previous drawings. In a Pick-6
game, this means that for every six numbers drawn, three (50%) of
the numbers will be Hot numbers. On a week to week basis, you
will find that the number of numbers drawn in each category is
very close to the average calculated.

Lotto Challenger also divides the numbers into three other
categories; 1 to 12, 13 to 31, and 32 and up. Averages and
percentages are calculated from all the previous drawings for
these categories also. For example, in a Pick-6 lotto game,
numbers picked in the 13 to 31 range might be drawn 33% of the
time (2 out of 6 numbers).





1-1


Statistics have proven that if you use a high percentage of
the numbers in the range 32 and up, you will win much larger
prizes than if you play using a high percentage of the lower
numbers. This is because most of the people playing the lottery
use birth dates, anniversary dates, etc. to pick their numbers.
This of course limits their numbers to the range 31 and below.
If you win using the higher numbers, you have fewer people to
split the prize with, and thus will win a larger prize.

If you wish, Lotto Challenger will pick your numbers based
on the percentages calculated for all the categories. This
guarantees that the numbers you play are consistent with the
percentages from previous drawings. You only have to tell the
program how many numbers you want to play; Lotto Challenger does
the rest.

If you tell "Quick Picks" that you want 10 numbers, the
program determines how many numbers to pick from each of the
three ranges (1-12, 13-31, 32&up). It then picks your numbers
from the four categories (Hot, Cold, Overdue, and Last) based on
the percentages calculated. These numbers can be saved and used
with one of the 60 Lotto number systems included with this
package.

To understand Lotto number systems, compare the concept with
a hunter who is about to hunt a partridge. As the hunter
approaches, the entire flock of birds will fly up. What will he
do? Obviously, he will not use a rifle capable of shooting only
one single bullet that he hopes will get a single bird. He will
use a shotgun capable of shooting twenty or fifty pellets. This
way he will be able to hit as many as six partridges with a
single shot.

Playing the lottery is a very similar concept. If you want
to play successfully, you must use number systems to enhance
your chances of winning. If you think about the fact that you
are playing six or seven numbers on one ticket, you should under-
stand that it would take an absolute miracle to guess the
winning numbers correctly. Such luck happens very seldom.
Therefore, it is very important to use a number system, because,
the more numbers you use in the system, the greater your chances
of winning.

Lotto Challenger has 60 number systems that can be used with
all Pick-5, Pick-6 and Pick-7 Lotto games (20 systems for each
game). These systems range from 9 numbers to 28 numbers. If you
don't want to use these systems, Lotto Challenger allows you to
enter up to 60 number systems of your own.








1-2


We suggest that for the first few weeks you play several
systems without buying any tickets. Keep a record of the number
of winning tickets for each system. This will tell you which
system(s) work best for your lottery. You can also use the
"History Mode" menu option to set time back a certain number of
drawings. This allows you to test numbers systems using
statistical data from a month, two months or a year ago.

Playing several systems each week is fast and easy with
Lotto Challenger. The program automatically picks your numbers,
enters them into the system of your choice, and then checks the
resulting tickets for winners each week. A typical weekly
routine is as follows:

A. Use the "Drawing Statistics" menu option if you wish to
display or print the drawing statistics. Select the "Drawing
Summary" option if you want Quick Picks to determine how many
numbers to pick from each category.

B. Use the "Quick Picks" menu option to generate the numbers you
will play this week, based on previous drawing statistics.

C. Use the "Number Systems" menu option to select the number
system you will play. The program substitutes the numbers saved
in "Quick Picks" with the numbers in the number system. You save
and print the resulting tickets.

D. Use the "Update Lottery Data" menu option to enter the
numbers that are drawn in the next drawing.

E. Use the "Winner's Circle" menu option to compare the numbers
on your tickets to the numbers drawn.

Refer to Chapters 1 to 6 for more information on the above
functions.



















1-3


Lotto Challenger System Files:


FANTASY5.DAT * Florida Fantasy 5 data file (Pick-5 game)
FLORIDA.DAT * Florida lottery data file
LC.CFG ** Lotto Challenger configuration file
LC.DOC This documentation file
LC.EXE *** Lotto Challenger program and overlay file
README.1ST Be sure to read this file first
WHEEL5.SYS **** 20 number systems for Pick-5 lottery games
WHEEL6.SYS **** 20 number systems for Pick-6 lottery games
WHEEL7.SYS **** 20 number systems for Pick-7 lottery games

NOTE:

* At least one state data file (a file with a extension of
"DAT") must be present in order to use Lotto Challenger. If
there are no data files in the logged drive, you are asked to
enter the configuration information for your state lottery. The
program then creates a data file for your state.

** If you wish to change the number of drawings that Lotto
Challenger uses to determine if a number is Hot, Cold or Overdue,
delete this file prior to loading Lotto Challenger. At the title
screen you will then be prompted to enter the number of drawings.
The default number of drawings is 10. For example, if you enter
the number 5, then Hot numbers are any numbers which have been
drawn at least once in the past 5 drawings, and Cold numbers are
numbers which have not been drawn in the last 5 drawings.

*** If you are using Lotto Challenger from a diskette, it is
very important that the diskette containing the file LC.EXE
remain in the logged drive. This file contains program overlays
for the various menu selections.

**** At least one of these SYS files must be present in order
to use the "Number Systems" menu option. If you are only playing
a Pick-6 state lotto game, there is no need for the files
WHEEL5.SYS or WHEEL7.SYS.


Before Getting Started:


We suggest that you make a backup copy of all the files in
this package before using the program. Store the backup copy in
a safe place.







1-4


Loading Lotto Challenger:


If you load Lotto Challenger from a diskette, be sure that
the DOS prompt shows the correct drive (usually "A>" or "B>")
before attempting the load the program. If you load Lotto
Challenger from a Hard drive, be sure to change the default
directory to the subdirectory where the Lotto Challenger files
are located.

To load Lotto Challenger, type "LC" at the DOS prompt and
press the ENTER key. After the title screen appears, press any
key to continue. What happens next depends on how many state
data files you have. If you have more than one data file, a
window appears on the screen with the names of all the files.
Select the name you want to play by using the arrow keys to
highlight the name and press the ENTER key. The Lotto Challenger
main menu is then displayed.

If you only have one data file, the Lotto Challenger main
menu is displayed after pressing any key at the title screen.

If there are no data files present after pressing any key at
the title screen, the Configuration screen is displayed. You
must complete the Configuration screen with information about
your state lottery before you can continue. Refer to Chapter 8,
"Configure New System," for more information. After pressing
"End" to update the configuration screen, the Lotto Challenger
main menu is displayed.


Selecting A Menu Option:


There are three ways you can select a menu option from the
Lotto Challenger main menu:

1. Press the appropriate function key.

2. Highlight the option you want using the up or down arrow
keys and press the Enter key.

3. Highlight the option you want using a mouse and press
the left mouse button. In order to use a mouse, you
must load your mouse driver before loading Lotto
Challenger.

To exit Lotto Challenger, select the "Quit" option from the
main menu. NOTE: It is important to always use the "Quit"
option before turning off your computer. Failure to do so could
result in lost or corrupted data.




1-5


CHAPTER 2 - UPDATE LOTTERY DATA


Overview:


The "Update Lottery Data" option is activated by pressing
the F1 key from the Lotto Challenger main menu. The options
available from the Update menu are "Add New Drawing", "Modify
Previous Drawing", "Delete Previous Drawing" and "Quit".

Select the "Add New Drawing" option to initially enter all
the numbers from previous drawings for your state, or to enter
the winning numbers each week as they are drawn. Users who
register receive a current state data file of their choice,
making it unnecessary to key in numbers from previous drawings.
You should update your state data file each week with the week's
winning numbers before using the function "Winner's Circle" (F5
from the main menu) to check for winning tickets.

The "Modify Previous Drawing" option is used to modify
previous drawing information in the event that you enter
incorrect data. Use the "Delete Previous Drawing" option to
delete a drawing in the event that you enter duplicate drawings
or wish to delete some of the older drawings. Select the "Quit"
option to return to the Lotto Challenger main menu.


Add New Drawing:


The "Add New Drawing" function is activated by selecting
option 1 from the Update menu. The "Add New Drawing" window
appears with the cursor positioned in the "Drawing Date" field.
Valid command keys are displayed at the bottom of the screen.
Enter the drawing date you wish to add in the format
"month/day/year" (09/19/89). A message at the bottom of the
window tells you what to enter as you move from field to field.
After entering the drawing date, enter the numbers drawn for that
date.

If you try to enter anything other than a number in any of
the fields in this window, the program will not accept your
input. Pressing the F1 key will display a help window with all
the editing keys which are available while you are entering data.
Press any key to clear the help window.

When you have entered all the information and are satisfied
that it is correct, press the END key (usually located on the "1"
key on your numeric keypad) to save the information. A window at
the bottom of the screen informs you that the drawing has been
added and to press any key to continue. After you press any key,
the "Add New Drawing" window clears so that you can enter another
drawing. If there are no more drawings to enter, press the ESC
key to return to the Update menu.


2-1


Modify Previous Drawing:


The "Modify Previous Drawing" function is activated by
selecting option 2 from the Update menu. The "Modify Drawing"
window appears at the top of screen. Below this window another
window asks you to enter the drawing date you wish to modify.
Valid command keys are displayed at the bottom of the screen.

Enter the date in the format "month/day/year" and press the
ENTER key. If the date does not exist in the data file, a window
appears informing you the drawing date was not found and to press
any key. If the date entered exists in the data file, the date
and the numbers previously entered for that date are displayed in
the "Modify Drawing" window.

Use the TAB key or the arrow keys to position the cursor on
the number(s) you wish to change and type the correct number(s).
Pressing the F1 key displays a help window with the editing keys
that can be used. Press any key to clear the help window. When
all the modifications have been made, press the END key to save
the information. A window at the bottom of the screen informs
you that the drawing has been modified and to press any key to
continue.

After pressing any key, the "Modify Drawing" window clears
and you are prompted to enter another drawing date to modify. If
there are no other drawings to modify, press the ESC key to
return to the Update menu.


Delete Previous Drawing:


The "Delete Previous Drawing" function is activated by
selecting option 3 from the Update menu. The "Delete Drawing"
window appears at the top of screen. Below this window another
window asks you to enter the drawing date you wish to delete.
Valid command keys are displayed at the bottom of the screen.

Enter the date in the format "month/day/year" and press the
ENTER key. If the date does not exist in the data file, a window
appears informing you the drawing date was not found and to press
any key.

If the date entered exists in the data file, the drawing
information is displayed in the "Delete Drawing" window and you
are asked if you wish to continue with the deletion. Type "y"
and press the ENTER key to delete the drawing or type "n" and
press ENTER to cancel the deletion. If you type "y", you are
informed that the drawing has been deleted and to press any key
to continue.

After pressing any key, the "Delete Drawing" window clears
and you are prompted to enter another drawing date to delete. If
there are no other drawings to delete, press the ESC key to
return to the Update menu.


2-2


CHAPTER 3 - DRAWING STATISTICS



Overview:


The "Drawing Statistics" option is activated by pressing the
F2 key from the Lotto Challenger main menu. The options
available from the Statistics menu are "Drawing History", "Number
Frequency", "Hot Numbers", "Cold Numbers", Overdue Numbers",
"Drawing Summary" and "Quit". A window at the bottom of the
screen displays the number of drawings in the data file, the date
of the last drawing and whether History mode is on or off. Refer
to Chapter 7 for more information on History mode.

After selecting any of the Statistics menu options, you can
press the ESC key to return to the Statistics menu. If an option
contains more than one screen full of information, press any key
to continue to the next screen. Press the F10 key to print the
information for that option. If an option contains more than one
screen of information, it is not necessary to scan through all
the screens before pressing F10. Valid command keys are always
displayed in a window at the bottom of the screen. Select the
"Quit" option from the Statistics menu to return to the Lotto
Challenger main menu.


Drawing History:


Select the "Drawing History" option to display and/or print
all the drawings previously entered for your state lottery. The
drawings are displayed in ascending order from the oldest drawing
to the most recent drawing. If History mode is on, the last
drawing date displayed is the most recent drawing date minus the
number of drawings entered to go back in history . Refer to
Chapter 7 for more information on History mode.

This option is useful for checking the numbers previously
entered into the data file for accuracy. If a mistake is found,
use the "Modify Drawing" or "Delete Drawing" option on the Update
menu (Chapter 2) to correct it.


Number Frequency:


Select the "Number Frequency" option to display and/or print
how many times each number has been drawn, and the last date each
number was drawn.







3-1


Number Frequency (Continued):


The numbers are displayed starting with the number which has
been drawn the most down to the number which has been drawn the
least. If History mode is on, the frequency displayed for each
number is for all drawings up to that date in history. If an
asterisk precedes a number, it indicates the number was drawn in
the last drawing.

This option is useful for determining what numbers are the
most active, as well as what numbers are sleepers. For example,
the Number Frequency chart for the Florida Lottery currently
shows that the number 27 has been drawn the most (17 times),
while the number 32 has been drawn the least (4 times) in the
past 86 drawings.


Hot Numbers:


Select the "Hot Numbers" option to display and/or print the
numbers which are currently Hot. Hot numbers are displayed
starting with the Hot numbers which have been drawn the most,
down to the Hot numbers which have been drawn the least.

Lotto Challenger considers a number to be Hot if it has been
drawn at least once in the past 10 drawings (default). If you
wish to change this default, delete the file LC.CFG. Refer to
Chapter 1 for more information. If History mode is on, then
Hot numbers are numbers which were drawn at least once in the 10
drawings prior to the date history is set to.

This option is useful for determining which numbers are
currently the most active. If a number is Hot, there is a very
good chance that the number will be drawn again soon. If you
analyze the drawing statistics, you will find that Hot numbers
usually account for the majority of the numbers drawn in any
particular drawing.


Cold Numbers:


Select the "Cold Numbers" option to display and/or print the
numbers which are currently Cold. Cold numbers are displayed
starting with Cold numbers which have not been drawn for the
longest period of time.





3-2


Cold Numbers (Continued):


Lotto Challenger considers a number to be Cold if it has not
been drawn in the last 10 drawings (default) and if the number
is not Overdue.

A number is considered to be Overdue if it has not been
drawn in the last 10 drawings (default) and if the number is in
the upper 25% of the number frequency list. For example, in the
Florida Lottery the number 27 has currently been drawn the most
(17 times). Overdue numbers are then any numbers which have not
been drawn in the past 10 drawings and have been drawn 13 or more
times (75% of 17).

If History mode is on, then Cold numbers are numbers which
have not been drawn in the 10 drawings prior to the date history
is set to (if the numbers are not Overdue as of that date).

This option is useful for determining which numbers are
currently the least active. While Cold numbers aren't usually
drawn as often as Hot numbers, there are almost always one or two
Cold numbers in every drawing. It is important to be aware of
these numbers and to include some of them in each game you play.


Overdue Numbers:


Select the "Overdue Numbers" option to display and/or print
the numbers which are currently Overdue. Overdue numbers are
displayed starting with Overdue numbers which have not been drawn
for the longest period of time.

Lotto Challenger considers a number to be Overdue if it has
not been drawn in the last 10 drawings (default), and if the
number is in the upper 25% of the number frequency list. For
example, in the Florida Lottery the number 27 has currently been
drawn the most (17 times). Overdue numbers are then any numbers
which have not been drawn in the last 10 drawings and have been
drawn 13 or more times (75% of 17).

If History mode is on, then Overdue numbers are numbers
which have not been drawn in the 10 drawings prior to the date
history is set to, and are in the upper 25% of the number
frequency list.

This option is useful for determining which numbers are
currently inactive, but in the past showed above average
activity. It is important to be aware of Overdue numbers and to
include a few of them in each game you play.





3-3



Drawing Summary:


Select the "Drawing Summary" option to display and/or print
a breakdown of all the categories for all previous drawings.
Each drawing date is listed with the number of times numbers
occurred in the Hot, Last, Cold and Overdue categories. Each
drawing date also has a breakdown of how many numbers were drawn
in the ranges 1 to 12, 13 to 31, and 32 and up. The drawings are
displayed from the oldest drawing to the most current drawing.
If History mode is on, the summary includes only drawings up to
and including the date that history is set to.

An average and a percentage is shown for each of the
categories at the end of the summary. For example, the average
for all drawings for the category "Hot numbers" might be 3.4 and
the percentage might be 56.4. This means that in a Pick-6 game,
3.4 of every 6 numbers drawn have been Hot numbers. If you play
a number system which uses 18 numbers, 56.4% of the numbers you
play should be numbers which are currently Hot. If numbers in
the 1 to 12 range average 1.3 draws per game or 22.1%, and 18
numbers are used, 22.1% of the numbers you play should be in the
1 to 12 range.

The "Drawing Summary" option is a valuable tool when it
comes to picking the numbers you are going to play. By using the
the drawing summary, you are assured that the numbers you pick
are consistent with previous drawing statistics. When you pick
your numbers in this manner, and then use one of the number
systems, you dramatically increase your chances of winning.

Use the "Quick Picks" option, described in the next chapter,
to pick the numbers you will play. If you select the "Drawing
Summary" option prior to selecting "Quick Picks" option, the
program automatically picks your numbers based upon the summary
statistics. You only have to tell "Quick Picks" how many numbers
you wish to play.
















3-4


CHAPTER 4 - QUICK PICKS


Overview:


The "Quick Picks" option is activated by pressing the F3 key
from the Lotto Challenger main menu. A window at the bottom of
the screen displays valid command keys, the date of the last
drawing and whether History mode is on or off. A message window
at the bottom of the "Quick Picks" window displays information on
what to enter as you move from field to field.

If you select the "Drawing Summary" option from the "Drawing
Statistics" menu prior to selecting the "Quick Picks" option,
Quick Picks will automatically calculate how many numbers to
select from each category. You only have to tell Quick Picks how
many numbers you want to play. See Chapter 3 for more
information on the "Drawing Summary" option and an explanation of
the different categories.


Total Numbers:


Enter how many numbers you want to pick and press the ENTER
key. The number of numbers you pick is usually dependent upon
the number system you plan to use. If you plan to use a number
system that contains 18 numbers, then you should enter 18 in this
field.


1 to 12 Range:


If you selected the "Drawing Summary" option prior to
selecting Quick Picks, this field automatically displays the
number of numbers to select in the 1 to 12 range. Press the
ENTER key to accept the number displayed. If you didn't select
the "Drawing Summary" option, or if you wish to change what is
currently displayed, enter the number of numbers in the 1 to 12
range you wish to pick and press the ENTER key.


13 to 31 Range:


If you selected the "Drawing Summary" option prior to
selecting Quick Picks, this field automatically displays the
number of numbers to select in the 13 to 31 range. Press the
ENTER key to accept the number displayed. If you didn't select
the "Drawing Summary" option, or if you wish to change what is
currently displayed, enter the number of numbers in the 13 to 31
range you wish to pick and press the ENTER key.



4-1


32 to and Up Range:


It is not necessary to enter the number for this range
because the program automatically calculates it by subtracting
the numbers entered for the 1 to 12 range and the 13 to 31 range
from the total numbers entered.


Remaining Picks:


The Remaining Picks field displays the number of numbers yet
to be picked. Initially this field contains the number entered
in the "Total Numbers" field. Each time a number is picked from
the categories below, this field is decreased by one.

When Remaining Picks is zero, you are asked if you want to
save the numbers you have picked (y/n). If you answer "n", you
are returned to the Lotto Challenger main menu. If you answer
"y", you are asked to enter a name for your pick file. Enter a
name up to eight characters long and press the ENTER key. The
program automatically adds the extension ".PIK" to the name you
enter. For example, if you type the name FLORIDA, the full
filename will be FLORIDA.PIK.


Cold Numbers:


If you selected the "Drawing Summary" option prior to
selecting Quick Picks, this field automatically displays the
number of Cold numbers to select. Press the ENTER key to accept
the number displayed. If you didn't select the "Drawing Summary"
option, or if you wish to change what is currently displayed,
enter the number of Cold numbers you wish to pick and press the
ENTER key.

The program randomly picks from the numbers that are
currently "Cold" until it picks the number of Cold numbers
entered. The numbers picked are displayed to the right of the
"Cold Numbers" field, as well as to the right of the three range
fields above. For example, if the number 15 is picked, it is
displayed to the right of the "Cold Numbers" field, and also to
the right of the "13 to 31 Range" field.

If the number entered in the "Cold Numbers" field is
greater than the number of numbers that are currently Cold, the
program changes the number entered to the number of Cold numbers
that are actually available. You must make up the difference
using one of the other categories. The Cold numbers that are
picked cannot exceed any of the numbers entered for the three
different ranges. For example, if you enter "3" for the "1 to 12
Range", there cannot be more than 3 Cold numbers picked in this
range.


4-2


Overdue Numbers:


If you selected the "Drawing Summary" option prior to
selecting Quick Picks, this field automatically displays the
number of Overdue numbers to select. Press the ENTER key to
accept the number displayed. If you didn't select the "Drawing
Summary" option, or if you wish to change what is currently

displayed, enter the number of Overdue numbers you wish to pick
and press the ENTER key.

The program randomly picks from the numbers that are
currently "Overdue" until it picks the number of Overdue numbers
entered. The numbers picked are displayed to the right of the
"Overdue Numbers" field, as well as to the right of the three
range fields above. For example, if the number 20 is picked, it
is displayed to the right of the "Overdue Numbers" field and also
to the right of the "13 to 31 Range" field.

If the number entered in the "Overdue Numbers" field is
greater than the number of numbers that are currently Overdue,
the program changes the number entered to the number of Overdue
numbers that are actually available. You must make up the
difference in one of the other categories. The Overdue numbers
that are picked cannot exceed any of the numbers entered for the
three different ranges. For example, if you enter "5" in the "13
to 31 Range" field, there cannot be more than 5 Overdue numbers
picked in this range.


Last Weeks Draws:


If you selected the "Drawing Summary" option prior to
selecting Quick Picks, this field automatically displays the
number of Last Week's numbers to select. Press the ENTER key to
accept the number displayed. If you didn't select the "Drawing
Summary" option, or if you wish to change what is currently
displayed, enter the number of Last Week's numbers you wish to
pick and press the ENTER key.

The program randomly picks from Last Week's numbers until it
picks the number of numbers entered. The numbers picked are
displayed to the right of the "Last Week's Draws" field, as well
as to the right of the three range fields. For example, if the
number 3 is picked, it is displayed to the right of the "Last
Week's Draws" field and also to the right of the "1 to 12 Range"
field.

You cannot enter a number in the "Last Week's Draws" field
that is larger than the number of numbers drawn in your lottery.
The numbers that are picked cannot exceed any of the numbers
entered for the three different ranges.




4-3


Hot Numbers:


If you selected the "Drawing Summary" option prior to
selecting Quick Picks, this field automatically displays the
number of Hot numbers to select. Press the ENTER key to accept
the number displayed. If you didn't select the "Drawing Summary"
option, or if you wish to change what is currently displayed,
enter the number of Hot numbers you wish to pick and press the
ENTER key.

The program randomly picks from the numbers that are
currently "Hot" until it picks the number of Hot numbers
entered. The numbers picked are displayed to the right of the
"Hot Numbers" field, as well as to the right of the three range
fields. For example, if the number 25 is picked, it is displayed
to the right of the "Hot Numbers" field and also to the right of
the "13 to 31 Range" field.

If the number you enter in the "Hot Numbers" field is
greater than the number of numbers that are currently Hot, the
program changes the number entered to the number of Hot numbers
that are actually available. You must make up the difference in
one of the other categories. The Hot numbers that are picked
cannot exceed any of the numbers entered for the three different
ranges. For example, if you enter "10" in the "1 to 12 Range"
field, there cannot be more than 10 Hot numbers picked in this
range.


Favorite Numbers:


Enter how many Favorite numbers you wish to include with
your other picks and press the ENTER key. You are then asked to
enter your Favorite numbers. Type in each number and press the
ENTER key. The numbers are displayed to the right of the
"Favorite Numbers" field, as well as to the right of the three
range fields. For example, if you enter the number 30, it is
displayed to the right of the "Favorite Numbers" field and also
to the right of the "13 to 31 Range" field.

The Favorite numbers that you enter cannot exceed any of the
numbers entered for the three different ranges. For example, if
you enter "3" in the "1 to 12 Range" field and three numbers have
already been picked in this range, you are not allowed to enter a
Favorite number in this range. You also are not allowed to enter
a number which has already been picked in one of the other
categories.








4-4


Random Numbers:


Enter how many Random numbers you wish to include with your
other picks and press the ENTER key. Numbers are then picked at
random from any of the above categories. The numbers are
displayed to the right of the "Random Numbers" field, as well as
to the right of the three range fields. For example, if the
number 10 is picked, it is displayed to the right of the "Random
Numbers" field and also to the right of the "1 to 12 Range"
field.

The Random numbers that are picked cannot exceed any of the
numbers entered for the three different ranges. For example, if
you enter "5" in the "13 to 31 Range" field and five numbers have
already been picked in this range, none of the Random numbers
picked can be in this range. Numbers that have already been
picked in one of the other categories cannot be picked again.







































4-5


CHAPTER 5 - NUMBER SYSTEMS


Overview:


The "Number Systems" option is activated by pressing the F4
key from the Lotto Challenger main menu. The options available
from the Number Systems menu are "Play A Number System", "Edit A
Number System" and "Quit". Select "Quit" to return to the Lotto
Challenger main menu.

Select the "Play A Number System" option to play one of the
20 number systems provided for Pick-5, Pick-6 and Pick-7 games.
Prior to selecting this option, you must first use the Quick
Picks option from the Lotto Challenger main menu to create at
least one ".PIk" file with the numbers you are going to play.
See Chapter 4 for more information on the Quick Picks option.

Select the "Edit A Number System" option to edit any of the
20 existing number systems, or to create your own systems. There
are many books available with a variety of number systems you may
want to try. One book we highly recommend is "The Only Way To
Win At Lotto", written by Robert Serotic and published by Lottery
Systems International Publishing.

The following system is one of the number systems that is
provided for Pick-6 games. It uses 10 numbers which are played
in 15 tickets. The system guarantees that if the 6 numbers drawn
are in the 10 numbers you play, you will win at least second
prize (5 out of 6). This is how the system looks after it has
been entered using the "Edit A Number System" option from the
Number Systems menu:

01. 01 02 03 04 05 06
02. 01 02 03 07 08 09
03. 01 02 04 06 09 10
04. 01 02 06 07 08 10
05. 01 03 04 05 07 10
06. 01 03 04 08 09 10
07. 01 05 06 07 08 09
08. 01 05 06 08 09 10
09. 02 03 04 05 07 08
10. 02 03 05 06 08 10
11. 02 03 05 07 09 10
12. 02 04 05 07 08 09
13. 02 04 05 07 08 10
14. 03 04 06 07 08 09
15. 03 04 06 07 09 10

You then select the "Play A Number System" option from the
Number Systems menu, and choose to play the above system. You
are then asked to select a ".PIK" file which you previously saved
using the "Quick Picks" option.



5-1


Overview (Continued):


Let's say that the ".PIK" file you select contains the
following ten numbers: 12, 15, 20, 23, 28, 30, 34, 39, 43 and 49.
The program takes the numbers from the ".PIK" file and
substitutes them into the above system based on their order. The
number 1 is replaced with the number 12, the number 2 is replaced
with the number 15, etc. When all your numbers have been
substituted into the system, it looks like this:

01. 12 15 20 23 28 30
02. 12 15 20 34 39 43
03. 12 15 23 30 43 49
04. 12 15 30 34 39 49
05. 12 20 23 28 34 49
06. 12 20 23 39 43 49
07. 12 28 30 34 39 43
08. 12 28 30 39 43 49
09. 15 20 23 28 34 39
10. 15 20 28 30 39 49
11. 15 20 28 34 43 49
12. 15 23 28 34 39 43
13. 15 23 28 34 39 49
14. 20 23 30 34 39 43
15. 20 23 30 34 43 49

These 15 sets of numbers are what you use when you buy your
tickets. You can print them and/or save them to a ticket file (a
file with the extension ".TIK"). This file is used by the
"Winner's Circle" option when it compares the numbers drawn to
your tickets. See Chapter 6 for more information on the
"Winner's Circle" option.


Play A Number System:


Select the "Play A Number System" option to play one of the
20 number systems provided. Prior to selecting this option you
must save at least one ".PIK" file with the "Quick Picks" option.
Select a system by either using the arrow keys to highlight the
system name and press ENTER, or type the letter preceding the
system name. Select "Quit" to return to the Number Systems menu.

After you select a number system, a window is displayed
with the names of all the ".PIK" files you have saved. Highlight
the name of the file you wish to play using the arrow keys and
press the ENTER key. Press the ESC key to cancel and return to
the Number Systems menu. If you attempt to select a ".PIK" file
with fewer numbers than the system you have chosen, you are not
allowed to continue. The file must contain at least as many
numbers as the number of numbers in the system.



5-2


Play A Number System (Continued):

After you have selected a ".PIK" file, the program
substitutes the numbers in the system with the numbers in your
file. The resulting tickets are displayed on the screen. Valid
command keys are displayed in a window at the bottom of the
screen. If there is more than one screen of tickets, press any
key other than a command key to display the next screen. It is
not necessary to display all the screens prior to saving or
printing the tickets. Press the ESC key to cancel and return to
the Number Systems menu.

Press the F8 key to save and print the tickets displayed.
Make sure your printer is ready before selecting this option.
You are asked to enter a ticket filename. The default filename
is the filename used for the ".PIK" file you selected. You can
use this name or type in a different name. The extension ".TIK"
is automatically added to the name. This file is used by the
"Winner's Circle" option to compare your tickets to the numbers
drawn that week. Press the F9 key to save the tickets without
printing. Press the F10 key to print the tickets without saving.


Edit A Number System:


Select the "Edit A Number System" option to edit one of the
20 number systems provided, or to enter your own system(s).
Select a system to edit by either using the arrow keys to
highlight the system name and press the ENTER key, or type the
letter preceding the system name. Select "Quit" to return to the
Number Systems menu.

After you select a number system to edit, you are asked to
enter the number of tickets for the system. Enter a number
between 1 and 120 for Pick-5 and Pick-6 games, or a number
between 1 and 100 for Pick-7 games. Next enter how many numbers
you wish to use (wheel) in this system. Enter a number between 1
and 49.

You are then asked to enter the number system description on
the next three lines. A system description might be "First prize
- Jackpot (6 out of 6) is guaranteed if 6 winning numbers are
guessed correctly." After you have entered the description,
press the END key to update the information, or press the ESC key
to cancel and return to the Number Systems menu.

After you press the END key, the screen clears and you are
asked to enter the numbers for each of the tickets (See the
example in the Overview). Type in the numbers and press the
ENTER key to go to the next ticket. Press the ESC key to cancel
and return to the Number Systems menu.





5-3


Edit A Number System (Continued):


When you have completed all the tickets, press the END key
to save the number system. The number of numbers and tickets in
the system determines the name the system is given. For example,
a system with 10 numbers and 15 tickets is given the name
"10 NUMBERS, 015 TICKETS".

















































5-4


CHAPTER 6 - WINNER'S CIRCLE


Overview:


The "Winner's Circle" option is activated by pressing the F5
key from the Lotto Challenger main menu. Winner's Circle is used
to compare the tickets saved using the "Play A Number System"
option against the winning numbers drawn for the week. See
Chapter 5 for more information on Number Systems.

Prior to selecting this option, you must save at least one
ticket file (extension ".TIK") using the "Play A Number System"
option. You also must enter the week's winning numbers using the
"Add New Drawing" option from the Update menu. Refer to Chapter
2 for information on this option.


Operation:


After you select the "Winner's Circle" option, the names of
all the ticket files (extension ".TIK") are displayed in a
window. Use the arrow keys to highlight the filename you wish to
compare and press the ENTER key.

The screen clears and the tickets for the file that you
select are displayed. To the right of each ticket in parentheses
is the number of numbers in that ticket that match this week's
numbers. Valid command keys are displayed in a window at the
bottom of the screen, as well as the winning numbers for the
week.

Press the ESC key to cancel and return to the Lotto
Challenger main menu. Press the F10 key to print the ticket
information. It is not necessary to scan through all the screens
before printing.

Press any other key to go to the next screen. If there is
more than one screen of tickets, the second screen of tickets is
displayed. If not, the ticket summary screen is displayed. The
summary screen gives you a breakdown of how many tickets had 0
matches, 1 match, 2 matches, 3 matches, etc. Press the ESC key
to return to the Lotto Challenger main menu.












6-1


CHAPTER 7 - HISTORY MODE


Overview:


"History Mode" is activated by pressing the F6 key from the
Lotto Challenger main menu. History mode is used to set time
back time a certain number of drawings. Once History mode has
been set, all the main menu functions except the "Update Lottery
Data" option base their calculations on the drawings up to the
date history is set to.

History mode is very useful for testing number systems on
previous drawings to see how well a system does over a period of
time. For example, if you wanted to test how well a particular
number system would have done ten drawings ago, you first set
History mode to -10 drawings. Next you select the "Drawing
Summary" option in the Drawing Statistics menu to get a summary
of the drawings up to that date.

You then select the "Quick Picks" option to automatically
pick the numbers for your number system based on the summary
statistics. Select the "Play A Number System" option from the
Number Systems menu to substitute the numbers picked in "Quick
Picks" into the system you are testing. Next choose "History
Mode" and set history to -9 drawings. Finally select the
"Winner's Circle" option to compare the tickets from your number
system to the numbers picked in the next drawing.


Operation:


After you select the "History Mode" option, you are asked
to enter the number of drawings to go back. History is initially
set to 0 or off. Enter a number from 1 to the number of drawings
currently on file to turn History on. To turn history off,
select "History Mode" and enter a "0".

As an example, let's say that there are 70 drawings
currently on file and the last drawing date is 09/02/89. You
select "History Mode" and enter a "1" and press ENTER. The
bottom of the screen now shows 69 drawings on file, and the last
drawing date as 08/26/89. An indicator at the bottom of the
screen shows "History On (-1)". To return to the present, select
"History Mode" again and enter a "0" and press ENTER.










7-1


CHAPTER 8 - CONFIGURE NEW SYSTEM


Overview:


The "Configure New System" option is activated by pressing
the F7 key from the Lotto Challenger main menu. Select this
option whenever you wish to create a new state lottery data file.
The number of data files allowed is limited only by the amount of
disk space available. All data files have an extension of ".DAT".
This option is automatically displayed if you attempt to load
Lotto Challenger with no data files present.


Operation:


After you select the "Configure New System" option, the
screen clears and the Lottery Configuration window appears. The
valid command keys are displayed at the bottom of the screen.
Press the ESC key to cancel and return to the Lotto Challenger
main menu.

You must answer four questions concerning your lottery
before you can create a data file. First enter the name of the
lottery you are playing. The name can be up to eight characters
long. The extension ".DAT" is automatically added to whatever
name you enter.

Next enter the highest number that can be drawn in the
lottery you are playing. For example, in the Florida lottery,
the highest number that can be drawn is the number 49.

You are then asked if your lottery has a Bonus number (Y/N).
Answer with a "Y" if your lottery has a Bonus number and you wish
to include it in the statistical analysis.

Finally, enter the total numbers that are drawn each week in
your lottery. In the Florida lottery, there are 6 numbers drawn
each week. If you answered "Y" to the question concerning Bonus
numbers, be sure to include the Bonus number in your total. For
example, the New York lottery has 6 regular numbers and 1 Bonus
number. In this case, you should enter 7 for the total numbers
drawn.

After you answer all four questions, press the END key to
create the data file. If you enter a filename which already
exists, a window appears warning you that if you continue, all
existing data in the data file will be erased. You are asked if
you wish to continue (y/n). If you answer "y", the existing file
is erased and a new file is created.





8-1


CHAPTER 9 - SELECT ANOTHER LOTTERY


Overview:


The "Select Another Lottery" option is activated by pressing
the F8 key from the Lotto Challenger main menu. Select this
option if you play more than one lottery and wish to change
lotteries without exiting the program.


Operation:


After you choose the "Select Another Lottery" option, the
screen clears and a window appears with all the data filenames.
These files all have the extension ".DAT". If there are more
data files than can be displayed in the window, use the PAGE DOWN
or PAGE UP keys to scroll through the files. Press the ESC key
to cancel and return to the Lotto Challenger main menu.

Highlight the name of the data file you wish to use and
press the ENTER key. The Lotto Challenger main menu is then
displayed with the name of the data file you just chose. The
bottom of the screen displays the number of drawings on file,
the date of the last drawing, and whether History is on or off.
History mode is automatically set to off whenever you select
another lottery.




























9-1