With jackpots regularly reaching the millions of dollars, Mark Six has become one of Hong Kong’s most popular lotteries. But it’s not without its naysayers, who warn that the game can be a gateway to gambling addiction and financial ruin. “I think overemphasizing the prize money will encourage people who are not gamblers to believe that they can get rich very easily,” says Reverend Wu Chi-wai, convener of the Anti-Gambling Coalition. “It also gives them false hope, which may lead to pathological gambling in the future.”
To play Mark Six, simply pick six numbers from 1 to 49. You can do this by picking up a playslip at any racecourse or off-course betting branch, online, or over the phone. You can also choose to play multiple or banker entries to increase the number of combinations you’re playing. Check out the How to Play page for more information about these options.
You can also see how your odds change with multiple and banker entries by visiting the Odds page. This will give you a clear picture of the odds of winning different prizes in any division, including the first prize jackpot! You can even compare your odds against those of the other Hong Kong lotteries to see how much better your chances are of winning!
While a few lucky players can win the huge jackpot, most players will share it with dozens of other winners. This is why it’s important to play a variety of numbers. Many players like to play calendar numbers, such as their birth dates and anniversaries, while others like to pick their children’s ages. These are all fine numbers to play, but you should include a couple of high numbers so that you’re more likely to hit a big prize.
If you don’t win a prize in a draw, the remaining prize money will be added to the jackpot for the next drawing. This process continues until there is a winner, or the maximum prize amount of HK$100 million is reached. Then the prize money will be divided into the other prize tiers as normal.
The HKJC has been boosting the Snowball pool in order to meet public demand for larger prizes. This means the number of Snowball draws will rise from seven to at least 12 each year. The first-dividend prize for some draws will also be boosted to over HK$100 million.
While the HKJC has been making changes to its lottery games, some players are still skeptical about their safety. This is especially true for those who are concerned about the shady practices of the HKJC. The HKJC has been working to address these concerns by improving its transparency and auditing processes. In addition, it has been donating its profits to community projects since 2009. This includes supporting social welfare, elderly services, and youth development. In the 2009-2010 financial year, it donated a total of HK$1.52 billion to over 107 charities and community projects.