Learn
Consecutive Lottery Numbers: How Often Are They Drawn?
Two numbers in a row, such as 23 and 24, show up in many draws. Below are the exact chance for Lotto Max and Lotto 6/49 and how it is counted.
Loading the simulator
Chance of at least one pair
Lotto Max
60.0%Chance that the seven main numbers of one draw include at least two numbers in a row.
Lotto 6/49
49.5%Chance that the six main numbers of one Classic Draw include at least two numbers in a row.
Bonus number not counted
Both figures use the main numbers only. Lotto Max draws more main numbers, so its chance is higher.
What counts as a pair
| Example draw | Numbers in a row | Counts as a pair? |
|---|---|---|
| 5 6 18 27 33 41 | 5 and 6 | Yes |
| 2 11 12 13 30 44 | 11, 12 and 13 | Yes – one run |
| 4 9 16 25 36 49 | None | No |
| 1 8 17 22 35 49 | 1 and 49 are not neighbours | No |
Example draws in the style of Lotto 6/49. A run of three or more numbers counts as at least one pair.
How it is counted
Chance of a pair = one − C(n − k + one, k) ÷ C(n, k)
Example: For Lotto Max, n is the top number of the range and k is the seven main numbers. The result is 60.0%.
Where the formula comes from
- Count all drawsC(n, k) counts every possible set of k main numbers from a range that ends at n.
- Count draws with no pairWith no neighbours, each number except the last needs a gap after it. Removing those gaps leaves C(n − k + one, k) sets.
- Find the no-pair shareDivide the no-pair count by the total. This is the chance that a draw has no two numbers in a row.
- Subtract from oneWhat is left is the chance of at least one pair: 60.0% for Lotto Max and 49.5% for Lotto 6/49.
What it means for a ticket
What people often think
- Numbers in a row look too ordered to come up.
- A pair on a ticket makes it less likely to win.
- Recent draws with pairs make the next pair less likely.
What the math says
- Most Lotto Max draws contain at least one pair.
- Every combination has exactly the same chance, with or without a pair.
- Each draw is independent. Past draws do not change the next one.
Sources
- OLG – Lotto 6/49 Game Conditions · checked Oct 29, 2026
- OLG – Lotto Max Game Conditions · checked Oct 29, 2026
- WCLC – Lotto Max Game Conditions, in effect 2026-04-10 · checked Oct 29, 2026
- OLG – Conditions de jeu du Lotto Max · checked Oct 29, 2026
- Loto-Québec – Conditions de jeu du Lotto Max, en vigueur le 2026-04-10 · checked Oct 29, 2026
- OLG – Conditions de jeu du Lotto 6/49 · checked Oct 29, 2026
- WCLC – Lotto 6/49 Game Conditions, revision 2022-02-23 · checked Oct 29, 2026
Questions
How often are consecutive numbers drawn in Lotto Max and Lotto 6/49?
By exact count, at least one pair of numbers in a row appears in 60.0% of Lotto Max draws and 49.5% of Lotto 6/49 draws, using main numbers only.
Should I avoid consecutive numbers on my ticket?
Avoiding them does not change your chance. Every combination of main numbers has the same odds, whether or not it has numbers in a row. Quick pick and your own numbers have the same odds too.
Are consecutive numbers less likely to be drawn?
No. A specific combination with a pair is exactly as likely as any other specific combination. As a group, draws with at least one pair are common.
Does the bonus number count for consecutive pairs?
The figures on this page count the main numbers only. The bonus number is left out for both Lotto Max and Lotto 6/49.