Stefan Mandel’s Winning Formula That Anyone Can Understand

Winning the lottery is a fantasy that crosses everyone’s mind at some point. Whether you’re stuck in traffic, daydreaming at work, or chatting with friends about what you’d do with millions, the thought of striking it rich is exciting.

Would you donate most of the money to charity? Buy a luxury home? Travel the world? Most of us would be thrilled to win just once. But imagine if you could win the jackpot multiple times—14 times, to be exact.

That’s exactly what Stefan Mandel, a Romanian mathematician, managed to do. He didn’t rely on luck, superstition, or picking his mum’s birthday numbers. Instead, he used mathematics to crack the system and legally beat the lottery.

Mandel used maths to bag the winnings. (**CBS**)

How Did Stefan Mandel Win 14 Lotteries?

Mandel didn’t leave his fate to chance like most players do. Instead, he developed a formula based on basic mathematics that allowed him to predict winning numbers with greater accuracy. His strategy was so effective that it helped him win major lottery prizes 14 times, along with smaller winnings along the way.

Rather than keeping the winnings all to himself, he created a group of investors, forming a syndicate called the International Lotto Fund. Together, they applied his formula to different lotteries worldwide, strategically targeting games where they had the best odds of success.

Mandel’s Mathematical Approach: The ‘Combinatorial Condensation’ Theory

In a rare interview on YouTube, Mandel explained his approach, which he called “combinatorial condensation.”

“Theoretically, anybody can buy all the possible combinations,” Mandel said. “Any high school boy or girl can calculate those combinations. But nobody has ever developed a logistical system to lodge such a large amount of play slips. We were the only winners, and that was it.”

So what does this mean?

Mandel realized that in certain lotteries, the total number of possible number combinations was finite and manageable, meaning that if you purchased all the combinations, you were guaranteed to win.

While this sounds impossible for an individual, Mandel’s syndicate had the financial backing to purchase tickets in bulk, securing all possible outcomes in some lotteries.

How He Did It: Cracking the Virginia Lottery

One of the best examples of Mandel’s genius was his strategy for the Virginia Lottery in the United States.

In this lottery, players had to pick six numbers from a pool of 44. Using mathematics, Mandel calculated that there were only 7,059,052 possible combinations—a large number, but still small enough to make buying all tickets theoretically possible.

This lottery also had a critical loophole: players were allowed to print their own play slips at home. This meant Mandel’s team could generate millions of lottery tickets without raising suspicion or alerting authorities.

He figured it all out. (**Getty Stock**)

In February 1992, Mandel and his group executed their plan. The results?

They won the $27 million jackpot
They also won an additional $900,000 from smaller prizes (for second, third, fourth-place tickets, etc.)

This drew massive attention from the authorities.

The Government’s Investigation Into Mandel’s Lottery Wins

Winning the lottery once is lucky. Winning it 14 times? That raises eyebrows.

After Mandel and his syndicate won the Virginia Lottery, officials were suspicious. Authorities in Australia (where Mandel was operating at the time) contacted Virginia lottery officials and urged them not to pay out the winnings.

They accused Mandel of running a money laundering operation. However, after an extensive investigation, they found no wrongdoing. Mandel had simply used math and loopholes to his advantage—completely legally.

Why Doesn’t This Strategy Work Today?

After Mandel’s incredible success, lottery organizations changed their rules to prevent anyone from repeating his strategy. Some of the key changes include:

Increased number pools: Many lotteries now use more numbers, increasing the number of possible combinations to an unmanageable level.
Ticket purchasing limits: Many lotteries now restrict bulk purchases or require buyers to purchase tickets from physical locations rather than printing them at home.
Tighter regulations: Laws were changed to make it illegal to buy up every combination in many major lotteries.

Mandel’s system worked in the past, but today, the same approach wouldn’t be as successful.

Mandel’s Life After Winning Millions

After securing his place in lottery history, Mandel retired from the game. Today, he reportedly lives in Vanuatu, a tropical island nation in the Pacific Ocean.

In a 2012 interview with Romanian newspaper Bursa, he reflected on his lottery success, saying:

“I’m a man who takes risks, but in a calculated way. Trimming my beard is a lottery: there is always the possibility that I’ll cut myself, get an infection in my blood, and die—but I do it anyway. The chances are in my favor.”

Despite his fame, Mandel has remained relatively private in his later years, enjoying a quiet life after outsmarting the lottery and securing his fortune.

💬 Social Media Buzz: What People Are Saying About Mandel’s Lottery Wins

Mandel’s incredible lottery success has sparked huge discussions online. People have mixed opinions—some admire his genius, while others question whether his method was fair.

🔥 Twitter Reactions:

📢 @LotteryGuru: “This guy won the lottery 14 TIMES?! And here I am struggling to win even a free ticket. 🤯 #StefanMandel”

💡 @MathGeek101: “Mandel’s lottery system wasn’t luck—it was pure mathematical genius. If loopholes exist, why not use them? 🔢 #MathWins”

😡 @FairPlayFan: “I can’t believe someone exploited the lottery system like this. It should have never been allowed! 😠 #LotteryScam”

🎥 Viral YouTube Video:

📺 “How Stefan Mandel Won the Lottery 14 Times (Explained!)”

📖 Reddit Debate:

Many users on Reddit are fascinated by Mandel’s strategy, discussing whether something like this could ever work again.

Can You Still Use Mandel’s Strategy Today?

While Mandel’s exact method may not work anymore, some key takeaways can still improve your odds in modern lotteries:

1. Join a Syndicate

Instead of playing alone, team up with others to buy more tickets. Many office pools or lottery clubs do this to increase their chances of winning.

2. Target Smaller Jackpots

Huge lotteries like Powerball and Mega Millions have astronomically low odds. However, smaller local lotteries often have better odds and fewer players.

3. Use Statistical Analysis

While there’s no guaranteed way to predict lottery numbers, some people use frequency analysis to see which numbers are drawn most often.

Final Thoughts: The Legacy of the Man Who Beat the Lottery

Stefan Mandel’s incredible story proves that strategy can sometimes beat luck. His ability to analyze numbers, find loopholes, and execute his plan flawlessly made him one of the most famous lottery winners in history.

Even though lotteries have changed their rules, his success remains a fascinating example of how mathematics can be applied in unexpected ways. His approach wasn’t just about gambling—it was about smart problem-solving, pattern recognition, and financial strategy. He turned what most people see as a game of pure chance into an investment opportunity, showcasing the power of logical thinking and innovation.

His story also serves as a reminder that systems are never perfect. Whether it’s in finance, technology, or even lottery games, there are often loopholes waiting to be discovered. Mandel simply had the courage, intelligence, and resources to exploit them legally.

While it’s nearly impossible to replicate his method today, his legacy continues to inspire mathematicians, data analysts, and even everyday lottery players who still dream of finding a way to beat the odds. Who knows? Maybe the next big lottery breakthrough is just waiting to be discovered.

🎯 What would YOU do if you won the lottery? Let us know in the comments!

Featured Image Credit: CBS