How to increase your chances of winning the El Gordo de Navidad

December 22 sees the El Gordo de Navidad draw take place. It’s a lottery that is full of tradition and like no other you’ll play at Lottery24. With a prize fund of  €2.408 billion then buying a ticket is a great idea.

Christmas just wouldn’t be Christmas in Spain without this draw taking place. It’s not just for Spaniards though, everyone can take part.

How you  play the El Gordo de Navidad needs a little explaining. There are 180 series and each of them contains 100,000 numbers. Those wanting to play buy tenths and hope to win the jackpot of €400,000 which is 10% of the €4 million top prize.

Traditions galore

There’s so much tradition surrounding the El Gordo de Navidad lottery. It was first held back in 1812 and the winning numbers are sung by children. Not quite your average Powerball or EuroMillions draw.

On the day of the draw, people turn up in fancy dress but the traditions and rites of the El Gordo de Navidad begin long before the draw on December 22.

Some players ensure they enter the lottery store on their right foot. They then ask the person selling the ticket to hold the coupon in their right hand. Not doing so is considered bad luck for some reason.

Lucky horseshoe?

In Galicia, it’s believed that hanging your El Gordo de Navidad ticket from a horseshoe will increase your chances of winning. Other areas of Spain are of the opinion that placing your ticket near a holy figure, a sprig of parsley, a yellow candle or a flowerpot will bring you good luck. 

Burning your previous El Gordo de Navidad tickets can also help apparently but only if an orange candle is used.

On the day of the El Gordo de Navidad draw, there are other rituals in place. Ticket purchasers carry a gold coin or a pin on their jacket. Putting an iron key in your pocket could improve your chances of getting a big win. What will you do on December 22?

Get your El Gordo de Navidad tickets at Lottery24.