A transition matrix is a tool for detecting patterns in the sequence of numbers drawn from a lottery machine. It is a variation on a frequency analysis that considers the ball drawn immediately before the current ball. One key lottery assumption is that any drawing is independent of the previous drawing. However, even major lottery commissions seem suspicious of this assumption. For example, the Texas state lottery commission conducts “pre-test” drawings immediately before official drawings. The stated purpose of these tests is to perform a version of frequency analysis, but it is notable that this “pre-test” prevents players from applying a transition analysis approach.