Numbers is one of the most exciting New York Lottery games you can play, offering great odds and many different ways of winning. It is played twice a day, with midday draws taking place at 2:30pm Eastern Time, followed by an evening draw at 10:30pm ET.
Ticket sales close 15 minutes before the midday draw takes place, and 10 minutes before the evening draw, reopening again shortly after the winning numbers have been revealed. You can find a list of the numbers from the last seven days on the results page, which is updated straight after each draw.
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How to Play Numbers
Choose three numbers between 0 and 9. You can either pick your own or choose a Quick Pick option to have them randomly selected for you, and you can choose the same number more than once. It costs a minimum of $0.50 to play, and you can also double your stake to $1 to play for bigger prizes.
You can then choose from various different play types, including straight play, where you have to match the winning numbers in the exact order they are drawn, and box play, where the goal is to match them in any order. You can find detailed information about each of the different play types below.
Visit any official New York Lottery retailer- Pick three numbers between 0 and 9, or ask for a Quick Pick selection
- Choose whether you would like to enter the midday or evening draw, or both
- Select a play type
- Keep your ticket in a safe place until the drawing
- Find out if you’re a winner on the results page.
Game Types, Prizes and Odds of Winning
You can play Numbers in various different ways, with each play type offering its own methods of winning. You can find out exactly what each play type means below, as well as the odds and prizes on offer for each.
Straight
The goal of a straight play is to match the winning numbers in the exact order they are drawn. For example, if the winning line is 678, you only win a prize if your chosen numbers are 6, 7, and 8, in that order.
| Game Type | Odds of Winning | Prize per $0.50 play | Prize per $1 play |
|---|---|---|---|
| Straight | 1 in 1,000 | $250 | $500 |
Box
Match the numbers drawn in any order to win a prize with a box play. There are two options when choosing a box play: 3-way box or 6-way box.
With a 3-way box, you select a three-digit number with two identical digits. For example, if the winning numbers are 566, you win a prize if your chosen numbers are 566, 656 or 665.
You play a 6-way box play by choosing a three-digit number where none of the digits are the same. For example, if the winning numbers are 768, you win a prize if your numbers are 678, 687, 768, 786, 867, or 876.
It is harder to win with a 3-way box, as there are fewer winning combinations, but you are rewarded with a bigger prize.
| Game Type | Odds of Winning | Prize per $0.50 play | Prize per $1 play |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Way Box | 1 in 333 | $80 | $160 |
| 6-Way Box | 1 in 167 | $40 | $80 |
Straight/Box
As its name suggests, this type of play covers a straight and a box at the same time. Match the numbers in the exact order they are drawn to win both. Like a regular box, you can choose from a 3-way or 6-way to play alongside the straight, with different prize amounts on offer for each. The minimum ticket price is $1 as you are choosing two types of play for the same draw.
If you match the winning numbers in the exact order they are drawn, you win both the straight and the box play. If you match the winning numbers, but not in the same order, you just win the box.
| Game Type | Odds of Winning | Prize For Exact Match (Straight + Box) | Prize For Any Other Match (Box) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Way Straight/Box | 1 in 333 | $330 | $80 |
| 6-Way Straight/Box | 1 in 167 | $290 | $40 |
Combination
A combination lets you play every possible straight from one set of numbers. You can choose from a 3-way combination, where two of the three digits you play are the same, or a 6-way combination, where each one is unique. For example, if you play a 3-way combination with the numbers 233, you win if the numbers drawn are 233, 323, or 332.
The 3-way and 6-way combination plays both have a minimum bet of $3, and you can also double your stake to $6 to play for bigger prizes.
| Game Type | Odds of Winning | Prize per $3 play | Prize per $6 play |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Way Combination | 1 in 333 | $250 | $500 |
| 6-Way Combination | 1 in 167 | $250 | $500 |
Pair Play
In Pair Play, you select a two-digit number and then choose whether you want to try and match the front pair or the back pair of numbers in the winning line.
You win a front pair prize, for example, if you play the two-digit number 16 and the first two digits of the winning number are also 16, regardless of what the last digit is. You win a back pair by matching the last two digits of the winning number. You must decide at the point of entry whether you're playing to match the front pair or back pair.
| Game Type | Odds of Winning | Prize per $0.50 play | Prize per $1 play |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front Pair | 1 in 100 | $25 | $50 |
| Back Pair | 1 in 100 | $25 | $50 |
How to Claim Prizes
If you’ve won a prize, you should immediately sign the back of your winning ticket as proof that it is yours. Prizes must be claimed within one year of the drawing taking place.
Prizes up to and including $600 can be claimed from an authorized ticket retailer or one of the New York Lottery’s customer service centers. If you’ve won a prize over $600, you can either visit one of the customer service centers or mail your ticket to the official lottery operator to process your winnings. You will need to provide a signed claim form in addition to the winning ticket.
