New York Lottery Winner

I'm always thrilled when anyone notifies me of his or her jackpot win, having won it with my systems. But it's a double delight when it is an old customer and friend with whom I have a special attachment.

Lou Valentino of New Jersey called me ten minutes after he saw that he had won New York's Take-5 jackpot—just after he told his family. On May 13, 1999, he won $40,405.00. When I asked Lou what he planned to do with the winnings, he replied, "Pay Bills and PARTY!!"

I met Lou several years ago at lottery seminars I gave in New York City. And being a very serious student of my lotto number selection methods, he has been a beta site tester for each new release of my Advantage Plus software.

Lou's name is not unfamiliar to readers of this column. There was a period of time when Lou was faxing me copies of his winning tickets after almost every drawing. I wrote about his wins several times.

I asked Lou to write me a letter about his jackpot win and include copies of his winning ticket and check from the lottery, as well as a color photo of himself, so that I would have the necessary documentation to add him to my official list of jackpot winners.

Lou wrote: "Dear Gail, It was only a matter of time before I would win a Jackpot. I followed your sage advice consistently. On Thursday, May 13, 1999, I hit the New York Take Five Jackpot for $40,405.00. In addition, I won a three number prize and four free plays. Copies of the tickets are enclosed.

"As you know, I have been a Beta Tester for you and a longtime student of your teachings. I used Wheel number 53210, 10 numbers with a 3 out of 5 win guarantee in two combinations. I created six two-game wheels which covered 20 numbers (just over half of the field of 39).

"I call this my QUAD-TRAP 20. I created four five-number quadrants with two non-calendar numbers in each quadrant. I picked the remaining numbers which were hot. I included number 25 out the most for its average, and came up with my best 20. I wheeled quadrant #1 with #2, #3 and #4. I wheeled #2 with #3 and #4, and finally #2 with #3. This combination allowed me to trap the winning numbers for a total cost of $12.

"You deserve a lot of credit for teaching us how to select the best numbers to play. But the most important factor was to optimize the combinations for a balance between odd-even, high-low, and the most probable sum.

"For the skeptics out there, I challenge you to come up with a better method of selecting numbers than with the Gail Howard's Advantage Plus program. Gail, remind your readers that Smart Luck is better than Dumb Luck. I know because I'm now part of your elite group of Jackpot Winners which you helped to see their fantasy dreams come true. Sincerely, Louis F. Valentino"