One of the biggest dreams for any punter is to win the lottery, become an instant millionaire and enjoy a life-changing event and while the chances may be tiny, there are people who win day in and day out across the world.

The lucky numbers craze not only creates millionaires, but has spawned a host of spin-off business ventures, related online platforms, theoretical algorithm breakers and prediction experts.

There are a host of lottery-systems on the market, all claiming to help the player beat the numbers game, including the much touted Delta system. This system claims to help beat the odds and while it is obviously not a sure guarantee there are countless punters who swear by this system.

There have been a many multiple-jackpot winners across the world, with one punter, Richard Lustig hitting the bonanza a staggering seven times. The chances of one person hitting the millions once in their lifetime runs into the tens of millions to one, but Lustig has managed that feat seven times. He says he uses a technique like the Delta System and believes that consistency in selecting numbers is the key. Obviously, the Delta system means putting a bit of work into buying a lotto ticket, instead of a random quick pick but if past winning records are analysed it seems there is something to the art of predicting balls.

The Delta system works on mathematical theoretical premises, said to be backed by statistical studies, and the first step is to select numbers that are near to each other … for example selecting numbers 1 through 5.

According to the system analysts and platforms offering the use of the programme, a punter must start by selecting a low number. According to the Delta theory the number 1 is the most preferable pick, as using this procedure will show over 60% of times the number one is a winning Delta number.

Let’s say the standard lucky number-list is between 1-49, and six correct picks wins the jackpot … according to the Delta system a player should pick two numbers between 1 and 8. Some of the example combos include 3 and 4, or 1 and 7, 1 and 2 etc.

The Delta system goes further, with punters now choosing three number combos, all on the lower end of the scale – for instance 4, 5 and 7.

The fourth number selection must be made as close to the 8 as possible, for example 7 or 9. In this case, we can go with 9, leaving us with 4, 5, 7 and 9. The system then explains the next two numbers, both must be from 8 to 18, and the advisors suggest a combo of random or favourite numbers. The system goes a bit deeper, with the analysts stating that your combined first four numbers should not exceed the highest ball, in this case 49.

The math gets slightly more complicated, with the experts in this system stating that the sum of the first two numbers must be equal to the third number. So, 4, 5 and then 9. This is another way to collate numbers, with sum totals being the definitive. The fourth number can be the sum of numbers 5 and nine, meaning 18 is the pick. To get the next number add 18 to nine and the next number will be 27. Then according to the system add 1 to total, meaning fifth number is 28. To get the final number add 13, and that gives 41. Then the lotto numbers will be 4, 5, 7, 9, 18 and 41.

Repeat the process again, using variants based on this system and according to experts the odds of a lottery win is effectively increased.

The Delta system is not the only one advertised or analysed on the internet, but it is worth a shot. If only because the calculations and variants of it are plastered all over the web.

The reason behind the math is that lucky numbers can be deduced from 1-49, to 1-18, which narrows the odds. The math is still tricky, and I don’t know how so many people use the programme and boast of its success. The same could be true about using 31-49 with subtractions instead of additions.

According to researchers who have studied lottery numbers for many years, the smaller numbers are more likely to come up with 1, 4, 5 and seven being the “winningest” numbers as per followers of the American lotteries, which are in essence the same as the rest of the world. Based on what I have read, I may take a punt on this system.

More discerning analysts say this is hogwash, and while the general theory of basic math shows this to be true, punters will try anything to get the edge.