How to Play Lotto 5-4-3-2-1

How to Play Lotto 5-4-3-2-1

What is Lotto 5-4-3-2-1? 

Lotto 5-4-3-2-1 is a game based upon the results of Lotto, Lotto Plus 1 and Lotto Plus 2. You decide how many numbers you play, i.e. 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5. Lotto 5-4-3-2-1 can be played on any or all of our three Lotto games.

How much is a Lotto 5-4-3-2-1 ticket?

Each play is €1. You may select €1, €2, €3, €4 or €5 in any panel.

What are the Lotto 5-4-3-2-1 top prizes?

The top prize per €1 played for the six-number game is €125,000 and the top prize for the seven-number game is €40,000! 

When are the Lotto 5-4-3-2-1 draws?

Draw days are every Wednesday and Saturday at 7.55pm. You can find out the results on our results page.

Sales close at 7.45pm precisely until 7.55pm on draw days.

Where can I watch the Lotto draws live? 

The Lotto and Lotto Plus draws can be seen live on RTÉ One every Wednesday and Saturday at 7.55pm.

Ways to play Lotto 5-4-3-2-1:

In Store:

Each playslip contains four panels A,B,C & D:

  • Panels A and B are for the six-number games, i.e. Lotto, Lotto Plus 1 and Lotto Plus 2 draws, excluding the bonus number.

  • Panels C and D are for the seven-number games, i.e. Lotto, Lotto Plus 1 and Lotto Plus 2 draws, including the bonus number.

In App:

To download the National Lottery App tap here.

  • Pick lines of up to 5 numbers that may apear in the Lotto draw.

  • Choose how much to play per line (min €1).

  • Add or de-select the Bonus Ball to make it a seven-number or six-number game respectively.

How do you play Lotto 5-4-3-2-1?

In Store:

  1. Choose your own numbers:
    1. Mark the box 'All 3 draws' to enter your numbers in all three games or mark the Lotto, Plus 1 or Plus 2 box to indicate the specific games you wish to play.
    2. Mark 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 to show how many numbers you wish to play per draw.
    3. Mark €1, €2, €3, €4 or €5 to indicate the amount of money you wish to play per draw. 
    4. Mark your selected numbers from 1 to 47.
  2. Choose Quick Pick numbers
    • Follow Steps 1 to 3 above
    • Mark the Quick Pick box to have random numbers selected for that panel or ask for Lotto 5-4-3-2-1 Quick Pick.

In App:

  1. Choose your numbers:
    • Choose 'Pick Numbers' to pick lines of up to 5 numbers that may appear in the Lotto draw OR
    • Choose 'Quick Pick' for automatic selection of up to 5 numbers that may appear in the Lotto draw
  2. Choose €1, €2, €3, €4 or €5 to indicate the amount of money you wish to play per draw. 
  3. Select or de-select the 'Bonus Ball' to make it a seven-number or six-number game respectively
  4. Select 'Plus' if you want to enter your numbers in all three games (Lotto, Plus 1 or Plus 2).
  5. Choose the number of Advance Play draws you want your numbers to play in: one, two, four or eight.
  6. You'll have the chance to check that your numbers are correct before you complete the purchase, and hey presto! You're in.
  7. We'll send you an email to let you know if your ticket is a winner!

Lotto 5-4-3-2-1 Advance Play

Lotto 5-4-3-2-1 Advance Play means that you can play up to a month's worth of Lotto draws in advance. Just tick the Advance Play box for two, four or eight draws, whichever suits best. The ticket you get will show the number of draws you're in and what dates apply.

Advance Play will always include the next Lotto draw (and Lotto Plus draws if you decide to play). If you win a prize in any of the draws you can claim it in the usual way. Retain your ticket to cover any draws left on your Advance Play.

Winnings

Six-number Game Matched Numbers Winnings* Seven-number Game Matched Numbers Winnings*
5 €125,000 5 €40,000
4 €6,000 4 €3,000
3 €550 3 €275
2 €45 2 €32
1 €6 1 €5

*To win, you must match ALL of your selected numbers.
You can choose to play €2, €3, €4 or €5 to win bigger prize amounts.

Odds of Winning Lotto 5-4-3-2-1

6 Number Game

 Lotto 5-4-3-2-1    6 Number Game 
   Matched Numbers       Approximate Odds   
 5  1 in 255,657
 4  1 in 11,891
 3  1 in 811
 2
  1 in 72
 1  1 in 8

 

7 Number Game

 Lotto 5-4-3-2-1    7 Number Game 
   Matched Numbers       Approximate Odds   
 5  1 in 73,045
 4  1 in 5,096
 3  1 in 463
 2
  1 in 51
 1  1 in 7


Game Rules and Guides

Important stuff!

Proof of Purchase

If you've bought a paper ticket, look after it. It's your only valid record for claiming a prize.

Check your numbers

If you chose numbers instead of a Quick Pick, make sure they're the numbers you wanted (before you leave the agent's premises if you have played in-store).

Don't get caught for time!

Bear in mind that you won't be able to buy your Lotto ticket immediately before or while the game is on. Sales are closed at 7.45pm and don't reopen until after the draw at 7.55pm is finished. Any tickets bought for the next draw will be eligible in that draw.

You can reuse your playslip

If you like to play the same set of numbers every week just keep the playslip. You don't need to complete a fresh one each time you play. If you play in-app, you can choose to 'Play again' from your last played tickets in your 'Tickets' section.