Numbers is a simple game to play, but there are a few more steps than many other lotteries. You are required to pick numbers from 0 to 9 and choose between a few other options. Use the step-by-step guide to learn more about how to play.
You can play Numbers in several different ways – Straight, Box, Straight/Box, Combination, Front Pair or Back Pair. Find out more information further down the page.
Specify whether you will be wagering $0.50 or $1 per play. The prize you can win is directly proportional to the amount you stake.
You can select your own numbers on a playslip or get a Quick Pick. Most wager types require you to pick three numbers from 0 to 9, but if you are playing a Front pair or Back Pair you only need to choose two.
Decide whether to play the Midday draw or the Evening draw, and how many consecutive drawings you want to play. You can enter the same numbers into a maximum of seven draws in a row.
Drawings take place at 2:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. every day. You must make sure you purchase tickets by 2:15 p.m. for the Midday draw, or by 10:20 p.m. for the Evening draw.
If you have a ticket from a previous draw, you can play it again by just handing the old entry to a retailer. A new ticket will be printed for the next drawing, featuring identical selections. The old ticket must be from within the last 30 days for you to be able to play it again.
The wager type you choose is crucial in deciding how much you can win. Each one also has different odds. The table below outlines how each wager type works, and shows you examples of winning combinations.
| Play Type | Description | Example - Numbers Selected | Numbers that must be drawn to win the example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Straight | To win, you need to match the numbers drawn in exact order | 111 | 111 |
| Box - 3-Way | You win a Box wager if you match the numbers in any order, A 3-Way Box has two repeated numbers and one that is unique | 445 | 445, 454 or 544 |
| Box - 6-Way | A 6-Way Box wager has three different numbers. You are predicting that all three digits will appear, but the order does not matter | 678 | 678, 687, 768, 786, 867 or 876 |
| Straight/Box - 3-Way | This is a $1 wager, divided into two so that $0.50 goes on a Straight and $0.50 on a Box. You can win both parts of the wager or just the Box portion. Again, two of the three numbers are the same | 990 | 990 for a Straight and Box win, 909 or 099 for just a Box win |
| Straight/Box - 6-Way | All three of your numbers are unique. You must match all the numbers exactly in order to win the full prize, or in any order to get the Box win | 123 | 123 for a Straight and Box win, 132, 213, 231, 312 or 321 for just a Box win |
| Combination - 3-Way | All three of your selected numbers - two of which are identical - are entered as separate Straights | 455 | 455, 545 or 554 |
| Combination - 6-Way | A 6-Way Combination, with three unique numbers, costs 6x your wager amount | 135 | 135, 153, 315, 351, 513 or 531 |
| Front Pair | Pick just two numbers, leaving the final column blank. You need to match the first two winning digits exactly to win the associated prize | 77X | 77X |
| Back Pair | This is a prediction on the second and third winning digits, so you only pick two numbers and leave the first one blank | X23 | X23 |
Each wager type has its own fixed prize, with a top payout of $500 if you play a $1 Straight and match all the numbers exactly. Go to the Odds and Prizes page to find out exactly how much you can win.
