Pick 4 – The Main Rules of the Game
Playing the Pick 4 lottery really is as simple as it sounds. All you have to do is choose four numbers from a guess range of 0 to 9 and you could win one of the fabulous prizes. You can also mark the Quick Pick on your ticket and your four numbers will be chosen at random.
There are two draws for this daily game, so you get two chances to win every single day! With the Pick 4 lottery, your chances of winning are virtually unlimited! So, get your numbers ready for the upcoming draw! We will tell you all about how to play and the amazing prizes you can win every day!
When Are the Pick 4 Draws?
The Pick 4 lottery has two draws a day, every day, which means that you can play anytime you want. The daily draws are held at 1:30 P.M. EST (the Midday Draw) and at 7:57 P.M. EST (the Evening Draw).
When you put in your ticket, you can opt to play the upcoming draw or both of them. The Multi-Draw tickets ensure that you enter all the draws you want so that you never miss a chance to be a lottery winner! If you want to play in advance, all you have to do is mark the boxes on the left-hand side of the ticket.
You can choose the draws you want to play (Midday, Evening, or Both), the specific days of the week you want to play, and the number of draws you want to take part in. It’s so easy to play Pick 4! Put in your ticket and maybe you will scoop one of the fantastic prizes. We will tell you all about them in the following sections.
The 4 Steps of Playing Pick 4
Playing the Pick 4 lottery is extremely simple, but you must know your options so that you can personalize your game. In this section, we will tell you the basic steps of putting in your ticket so that you can get the most out of the game.
Step 1 – Pick Your 4 Numbers
This is the basic step for playing the Pick 4 lottery. Choose your 4 numbers from 0 to 9 for each line you want to play. You can choose different numbers for each line, or you can play the same ones if you want to.
If you want to leave it all up to chance, you can opt for the Quick Pick option and your numbers will be chosen at random for you. This is the absolute easiest way to play Pick 4.
Step 2 – Choose Your Play Option
The Play 4 lottery provides you with several ways to play the game. The play options offer different odds of winning, as well as different prizes. We will tell you everything you need to know about each of them so that you know the full amount of your options. Take a look:
1. Straight – When you play Pick 4 Straight, your aim is to guess the four winning numbers in the specific order they are drawn in. Since this is the most difficult play option, the prizes for this one are the largest.
2. Box – The Box option gives you much more mobility in the game. Your aim is to guess the four winning numbers regardless of the order they are drawn in. Since this is much easier than the Straight option, the prize ranges are smaller, but very tempting nonetheless.
- 4-WAY Box– You have to choose a 4-digit number featuring three identical digits and 1 unique one (2224). There are four possible combinations (2224, 2242, 2422, 4222).
- 6-WAY Box – You have to choose a 4-digit number featuring two pairs of identical digits (2244). There are 6 possible combinations (2244, 4422, 2424, 2442, 4242, 4224).
- 12-WAY Box – You have to choose a 4-digit number featuring two identical digits and two unique ones (1123). There are 12 possible combinations (1123, 1132, 1231, 1321, 2113, 2131, 2311, 3112, 3121, 3211, 1213, 1312).
- 24-WAY Box – You have to choose a 4-digit number featuring 4 unique digits (1234). There are 24 possible combinations. (1234, 1243, 1324, 1342, 4321, 4312, 4231, 4213, 4123, 4132, 3421, 3412, 3241, 3214, 3142, 3124, 2413, 2431, 2341, 2314, 2143, 2134, 1432, 1423).
3. Straight/ Box – This Pick 4 play option gives you the chance to win a prize whether you guess the winning numbers in the exact order they were drawn in or not. As you may expect, the prizes for this category are also smaller than those for the Straight option, but they are still well worth your time.
4. Wheel – The Combo option covers all the straight combinations of a four-digit number of your choice. You can opt to play $2.00 and up to $24.00 for this option and get better odds of scooping a prize. You can choose to play one of the following ways:
- 4-WAY Wheel– You have to choose a 4-digit number featuring three identical digits and 1 unique one (2224). This gets you four possible combinations (2224, 2242, 2422, 4222).
- 6-WAY Wheel – You have to choose a 4-digit number featuring two pairs of identical digits (2244). This gets you 6 possible combinations (2244, 4422, 2424, 2442, 4242, 4224).
- 12-WAY Wheel – You have to choose a 4-digit number featuring two identical digits and two unique ones (1123). This gets you 12 possible combinations (1123, 1132, 1231, 1321, 2113, 2131, 2311, 3112, 3121, 3211, 1213, 1312).
- 24-WAY Wheel – You have to choose a 4-digit number featuring 4 unique digits (1234). This gets you 24 possible combinations. (1234, 1243, 1324, 1342, 4321, 4312, 4231, 4213, 4123, 4132, 3421, 3412, 3241, 3214, 3142, 3124, 2413, 2431, 2341, 2314, 2143, 2134, 1432, 1423).
5. Pairs – Your aim for the Pairs play option is to guess two of the winning numbers in the exact order they were drawn in. Whether you guess the first two numbers, the last two, or the ones in the middle, you are eligible for the prize.
- Front Pair – you have to match the first two Pick 4 numbers drawn.
- Back Pair – you have to match the last two Pick 4 numbers drawn.
Step 3 – Select the Amount You Want to Play
Each simple line in the Pick 4 lottery goes for $0.50, but you can opt to play $1.00 or more. The amount you play determines the prizes you are eligible for. We will explain that in the following section. Each Straight/ Box and 1-Off lines cost $1.00, and the prices for Combo Pick 4 lines start at $2.00 and can get as high as $24.00.
Step 4 – Select the Draw(s) You Want to Play
When you play Pick 4, you can select the specific draw you want to play. Check the Midday or the Evening boxes on your ticket to indicate when you want to enter the game. If you want to participate in both draws, all you have to do is tick the Both box. If you do not tick any of the boxes, you will be automatically entered in the upcoming draw.
Optional Play Features
New Jersey Pick 4 has some optional features that can help you give your game a boost. Here is how you can up your game and increase the excitement:
- Multi-Draw
If you are a Pick 4 regular, then you can opt for a Multi-Draw package. This way you can play NJ Pick 4 in advance. You can play for up to 7 draws in advance, spanned over up to 7 days. You will play with the same numbers each time, but you will never miss another draw again.
2. Fireball
When you play NJ Pick 4 Fireball, you immediately boost your odds of scooping a prize. Fireball will double the price of your ticket, but it will give you the chance to win some amazing prizes. (See the NJ Pick 4 Fireball prizes and odds list below).
3. Instant Match
This is the most exciting optional feature in the New Jersey Pick 4 lottery. For only $1.00 more on your ticket, you get the chance to win up to $500 on the spot. Here’s how the Instant Match feature works:
- You choose your Pick 4 numbers and when you submit your ticket, you tick the Instant Match box.
- This will give you a separate set of Instant Match numbers, which are randomly chosen by a computer. This means that you will have you Pick 4 numbers on your ticket, as well as the Instant Match numbers.
- If one of your Pick 4 numbers matches one of the Instant Match numbers, then you win the prize assigned to that Instant Match number.
- Each number you match gets your the Instant Match prize. You can win up to 4 Instant Match prizes on the spot for every Pick 4 play.
| Instant Match Prize | Odds |
| $500 | 1 in 75,000 |
| $100 | 1 in 25,000 |
| $50 | 1 in 2,000 |
| $20 | 1 in 200 |
| $10 | 1 in 65 |
| $5 | 1 in 37 |
| $2 | 1 in 10 |
This concludes the Pick 4 play process. After going through these 4 easy steps, you can put in your tickets and hopefully win the fantastic prizes in the game. With the excellent odds of winning in the game, your next big Pick 4 win may be just around the corner!
The Main Pick 4 Prizes
Depending on the amount you have chosen to play and the Pick 4 play option you have selected, you stand to win some fabulous prizes in this daily game. Take a look at the table below to get an idea of just how much you could win with this fantastic lottery.
| Play Option | Odds | Drawn Numbers | Pick 3 Prize |
| Straight | 1 in 10,000 | Must be exactly 1234 | $2,500 |
|
Box * 4-Way Box * 6-Way Box * 12-Way Box
* 24-Way Box |
1 : 2,500
1 : 1,667 1 : 833
1 : 417 |
2224, 2242, 2422, or 4222
2244, 4422, 2424, 2442, 4242, or 4224 1123, 1132, 1231, 1321, 2113, 2131, 2311, 3112, 3121, 3211, 1213, or 1312 1234, 1243, 1324, 1342, 4321, 4312, 4231, 4213, 4123, 4132, 3421, 3412, 3241, 3214, 3142, 3124, 2413, 2431, 2341, 2314, 2143, 2134, 1432, 1423 |
$600
$400 $200
$100 |
| Straight/ Box |
Exact order match Any order match |
Straight + Box
Box |
|
|
Wheel * 3-Way Wheel * 6-Way Wheel * 12-Way Wheel
* 24-Way Wheel |
1 : 2,500
1 : 1,667 1 : 833
1 : 417 |
2224, 2242, 2422, and 4222
2244, 4422, 2424, 2442, 4242, and 4224 1123, 1132, 1231, 1321, 2113, 2131, 2311, 3112, 3121, 3211, 1213, and 1312 1234, 1243, 1324, 1342, 4321, 4312, 4231, 4213, 4123, 4132, 3421, 3412, 3241, 3214, 3142, 3124, 2413, 2431, 2341, 2314, 2143, 2134, 1432, and 1423 |
$2,500
$2,500 $2,500
$2,500 |
| Pair * Front Pair
* Back Pair |
1 : 100
1 : 100 |
First 2 numbers
Last 2 numbers |
$25.00
$25.00 |
As we have mentioned above, the highest prizes are those for the Straight option. If you have played $0.50 and succeeded to guess the four winning numbers in the exact order they were drawn in, you will be eligible for the $2,500 payout. If you have chosen to play $1.00 on your Pick 4 Straight ticket, then you will be $5,000 richer.
While the prizes in the Box category are smaller than those for the Straight option, they are still well worth your attention. Guessing all four of the winning numbers with a Box ticket ensures a $599 payout if you have played $0.50 and a $3,099 prize if you have played $1.00. As for the Pairs option, this provides you with a 1 in 100 chance to win one of the $25 prizes for $0.50 tickets or the $50 prizes for $1.00 tickets.
In the table below, you can see the prizes and odds that come with the Fireball optional feature in the New Jersey Pick 4 lottery. Please note that Fireball doubles the cost of the ticket, but it boosts your winning odds significantly. Take a look!
| Play Option with Fireball | Odds | No. of Winning Combinations | Pick 3 Prize with Fireball |
| Straight | 1 : 2,500 | 4 | $687.50 |
|
Box * 4-Way Box * 6-Way Box * 12-Way Box * 24-Way Box |
1 : 625
1 : 417 1 : 208 1 : 104 |
16 24 48 96 |
$171.50
$114.50 $57.00 $28.50 |
| Straight/ Box |
Exact order match Any order match |
Straight + Box
Box |
|
|
Wheel * 3-Way Wheel * 6-Way Wheel * 12-Way Wheel * 24-Way Wheel |
1 : 625
1 : 417 1 : 208 1 : 104 |
16 24 48 96 |
$687.50
$687.50 $687.50 $687.50 |
| Pair * Front Pair
* Back Pair |
1 : 25
1 : 25 |
First 2 numbers Last 2 numbers |
$6.50
$6.50 |
With such amazing prizes that you can win twice a day every day, you simply cannot afford to miss out on the Pick 4 lottery! Good luck!