Lottery fever around the country is peaking at the news of growing jackpots. I’ve always said people who play the lottery are just really bad at math.  However, with the jack-pot over a billion dollars, seems everyone wants to get in on the action.  Yes, even I plan on getting a couple of tickets (if I can remember – I forgot last week and am so glad they held over the prize to this week and added more for me to win.)  Just for fun, we did a little research to see if there was a ‘way’ to increase the chances of winning a lottery – among all the articles, the following seemed to the most reasonable given it comes from a seven-time lottery winner.  Not that it will help us win the lottery…but it is interesting what he has to say.

Believe it or not, the chances of getting struck by lightning, dating a supermodel or becoming president (among other feats) are all more likely than winning a lottery jackpot.

Those are all more likely unless you are Richard Lustig, of course, who has won seven lottery grand prizes and written a book in which he shares his “secrets” to winning.

Forbes spoke to Lustig and procured some of his unconventional tips on how he has won so many jackpots.

(Note: Business Insider reported that many experts are highly skeptical of Lustig’s tips. Read the tips below to reach your own conclusion.)

1. Avoid “quick-pick”

The “quick-pick” method works in number sets, which means every number doesn’t have the same amount of luck one would perceive. “Every time you buy a quick pick, you get a different set of numbers; therefore, your odds are always going to be at their worst in that particular game,” Lustig said to Forbes about the Powerball.

2. Use the entire board

Many people use birth dates and anniversaries when filling out their cards. While your loved ones bring you priceless joy, using their special days to bring home the jackpot will likely mean you end up splitting the prize with 20-40 people. Instead of just playing numbers 1-31, use all the numbers available. “If you spread the numbers out across the whole track, you’ll either be the only winner or will split it with only one or two people,” Lustig says.

3. Stick with your instincts

Lustig has a specific way to finding the numbers you feel most comfortable with in his book, but ultimately, once you pick the group that you think will work, stick with it. “Remember, a set of numbers wins the grand prize, not individual numbers,” Lustig says. If playing multiple cards, have some variety in the grouping of numbers chosen to maximize your odds.

4. Be consistent

Simply put: If you want to win a particular game, follow past and future drawings to get the hang of it.

5. Don’t get carried away

While winning $900 million would ultimately grant you and your loved ones financial security, it’s important not to spend money you can’t afford to lose (i.e.: groceries, rent, etc.) on lottery tickets. If you can only buy one ticket or even 10 but not 100, that’s OK. “Set a budget of what you’re going to spend. Do not get caught up in what’s called ‘lottery fever,’ Lustig says. Spend what you can comfortably afford to on lottery tickets and no more.