Premium Bonds

I won 3 x £25 this month and 2 of the bond numbers were not too different. I find it really frustrating that the odds of winning are so low, but I can get 3 wins for a small amount. I have to say, I think that ERNIE needs a more thorough audit. If you look into how the bonds are selected, noise frequency!, and, you look at the differing bond numbers which incorporate letters and numbers and differing digit length, how any bonds are randomly selected is beyond me! Okay, okay, Yes, I would like a Million lol x

I am fortunate that I have the full amount allowed, and most months win at least 2 x £25, for which I am very grateful, but a little more would be nice occasionally. Come on ERNIE, i’m A very loyal fan!

Hadn't won more than £25 in months, then bought some more and have won 4x£25 this month. Maybe new bonds DO kickstart the wins!

I read somewhere that the prize money is calculated in line with the bank rate so the number of prizes/amount paid out each month varies.

I sometimes win £25 but I have arranged to have that reinvested in new bonds each time. That way I don't spend the winnings and I (hopefully) increase my chances of winning in the future. If you go to the NS&I website you can arrange to have your winnings reinvested.

I won 2x£25 this month but last month won £500 and £25 too. I do seem to win things - raffles, competitions, and premium bonds almost every month.

What's that saying "Better to be born lucky than rich". I think that's been true for me!

It’s my favourite day of the month - premium bonds results day. Have won at least one £25 prize every month so far this year, so feeling disappointed that no prize this month. Still hoping it will be the big prize one of these days.

I don't believe it's random. Every time I cash some in I promptly have a win. When I paid in one cheque the girl said, "We've had a lot of these this month".
I win 3 or 4 times each year, always £25 except once last year when I won £100. I put it towards a tumble drier.
My very first win was £25 in 1971 when my first baby was a year old and that bought a reconditioned twin tub washing machine. Until then I'd washed everything by hand.

Hi, Katey - The winning numbers are 'generated' by Ernie completely at random. So more £25 winners are generated than £50 winners, then less £100 winners and so on down to only 2 x million pound winners. As I understand it new Premium Bond numbers have no more chance of winning than those bought years ago. I have £25 wins quite often and seeing that Premium Bond envelope on the door mat is very exciting!

But.....how come if its so hard to win, when we do win....its only ever £25, how come its not £thousands or the big win. So, its not hard to win, but your winning numbers are not the high prize winning numbers, but why not, oh crikey, Ive tied myself up in a big know!! I know what I mean !!!

I have had a number of £25 wins and, like NfkDumpling, have worked out my winnings at 1.5%.

I've had bonds most of my adult life and did once win £1000. Usually though these days it's £25. Winnings over the last couple of years equate to 1.5%. I think it's all carefully worked out.

I bought the maximum 9 months ago after selling my house and I've had winnings of £500 so far. I wonder how long my luck will last ?

We don't have very much in, never add or take away and have never won. I can't believe you have all been so lucky! Going to buy a few more to see if this kick start theory works!

I had a letter from Ernie the other month and got really excited as I've never had one before. That must be a big win! It turned out to be £25 from about 5 PBs that weren't included in the email notification system because I had been bought them when I was a child and we'd missed adding them on. Humph from me too!!

He never does, goes his own sweet way and it is never remotely in our direction.

This month was my turn for a million but ERNIE didn't listen.

Jalima I will definitely be getting at least £25 next month and I have had premium bonds for so long I must be close to top of the queue for a million.

Pshaw, humf, and other disgruntled exclamations. Nothing for me this month.

I got your £25 this month Charleygirl!

I have a friend who has the full amount and she has won at least one x £5,000 and always wins something every month.

A friend of mine has the bought the full £50000 and it is rare for her not to win something and it is usually at least £25x3. She is on holiday at present so I do not know what today's winnings are for her.

This is the second month in a row I have not won at least £25.

I've just checked and I've won 2 x £25!! I don't normally check but after reading this thread I was tempted

Devongirl
I won a large amount and I take mine out every January and then buy new ones.

Well Money Saving expert has a premium bonds probability calculator. But it is all about the odds so stating the obvious the more you have the more likelihood there is of winning the big prize, although having a quick scan of the article on the website even this is not quite true. They rate they pay out is 1.15% but apparently with average luck you wont get this. I won £25 this month BTW!

I wonder if Ernie is a member of Gransnet? After all my complaining above, I have just checked August's winners and we have won £100 ! Practically unheard of here. Thanks Ernie