NY Lotto is one of New York's longest-running draw games, with a history stretching back to 1967. Players choose 6 numbers from 1 to 59 — the largest number pool of any game we cover at LottoIQ — along with a bonus ball drawn from the same pool. New York generates more lottery revenue than any other US state, with annual sales exceeding $10 billion, making NY Lotto one of the most widely played state games in the country.
Our database contains 2,577 NY Lotto draws. With a pool of 59 numbers, each number has a theoretical average of roughly 262 appearances over that sample (2,577 draws × 6 balls ÷ 59 in pool). Here is what the data actually shows — and what the numbers mean for how you play.
These ten main-draw numbers have appeared most frequently in our 2,577-draw dataset. Each has noticeably outperformed the statistical average of 262 appearances:
Number 31 leads with 305 appearances — about 17% above average. What is striking about NY Lotto's hot numbers is the diversity of range: you have low numbers (8, 15), mid-range numbers (27, 30, 31), and high numbers (50, 52, 53, 55, 57) all in the top ten. This is different from some state games where hot numbers cluster. The presence of several numbers above 50 in the hot list is notable and runs counter to the usual pattern where high numbers underperform.
These numbers have the fewest appearances across our 2,577-draw sample, all falling meaningfully below the average of 262:
NY Lotto's cold list is unusually scattered — you find low numbers (6, 14), mid-range numbers (26, 33, 39), and high numbers (47, 48, 56, 58, 59) all underperforming. This is less common than the usual pattern where cold numbers bunch at the high end of the pool. Number 33 is the coldest with just 225 appearances — 37 below the average of 262, an 14% deficit. Given NY Lotto's large 59-number pool, this level of variance across 2,577 draws is within expected range.
In NY Lotto, a bonus ball is drawn from the same 1–59 pool after the six main numbers are drawn. Matching the bonus ball boosts your prize on certain tiers. The five most frequently drawn bonus balls in our dataset:
Interestingly, number 26 appears in the cold list for main draws but is one of the more frequently drawn bonus balls. Number 14 also appears cold in the main draw but shows up frequently as the bonus ball. This split behavior — cold as a main draw number but active as a bonus ball — is a curiosity of the separate counting, not a strategic signal.
These number combinations have appeared together most often in the main six-ball draw across our dataset:
31 + 53 · 8 + 27 · 15 + 57 · 30 + 50 · 52 + 55
Many New York players divide their lottery budget between NY Lotto and the national games. Here is how they compare:
Because NY Lotto uses pari-mutuel prizes, number selection carries slightly more strategic weight than in games with fixed prize tiers. A few things worth considering:
NY Lotto has been operating since 1967, making it one of the oldest continuously running state lottery games in the United States. The New York Lottery is one of the largest lottery organizations in the world by revenue, with proceeds benefiting public education across the state. The game currently uses a 6/59 format — players pick 6 numbers from 1 to 59. After the main draw, a bonus ball is drawn from the remaining numbers in the same pool, used to determine secondary prize tiers. Draws take place every Wednesday and Saturday.
NY Lotto draws take place every Wednesday and Saturday at 11:21 PM ET. LottoIQ updates all frequency data, trends, and recommended picks automatically after each draw so you always have the most current analysis available before purchasing your next ticket.
Real-time hot numbers, bonus ball frequency, trend analysis and weighted picks — updated after every Wednesday and Saturday draw.
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