The set of winning numbers is a subset of the set of winning formats. Therefore, if you pick the winning numbers, you have also picked the winning format (which is what you are saying with "One day I may guess the winning format and pick the exact winning numbers.")
But since there is no prize for picking the winning format but not the winning numbers -- i.e. {winning formats} minus {winning numbers} -- it means nothing.
In Roulette, you can actually bet on "formats" (which is not what it's called but I get your drift), e.g. a row of three numbers rather than just one, or a column of 12 numbers, even/odd, etc. Not surprisingly, the prizes are less than if you put your chip on just one number. Winning on one spot pays 36, whereas winning on a row of 3 numbers pays 12. Winning even/odd or 1-18 or red/black pays just 2. The wider the net you cast on that table, the lower the prize. However, as these types of bets are not available with the state lottery, trying to win this way is a total waste of time.
Paying $2 to win nothing even though you guessed the parity and the first digit of every winning number, but none of the actual numbers, must be frustrating, depressing... just maddening! The solution is simple -- stop the madness and completely ignore "formats" because they mean NOTHING!
Play something like pick 3 or pick 4, because in that game you can choose what probabilities you want just like in Roulette (worse odds = higher prize, better odds = lower prize).
(nope, I don't know any Mr. Black in CT)