Irish Lotto

Irish Lotto: Official Guide, Rules, Odds & How to Play

Number of balls to pick: 6 numbers from 1 to 47 Odds to win the jackpot: 1 in 10,737,573 Irish Lotto draws: every Wednesday and Saturday Ticket costs: €2.00

Irish Lotto is the Ireland's biggest millionaire-making game. Simply select 6 numbers from 1 to 47.

Irish Lotto draw takes place every Wednesday and Saturday. Six main Irish Lotto numbers are drawn, along with one additional number - the bonus number. Match a minimum of three numbers to the main Irish Lotto numbers drawn to win a prize. Step-up your chances to win the jackpot by playing these most often winning Irish Lotto numbers combinations. You can always play Irish Lotto online here.

All cash prizes won in National Lottery games are paid out as tax-free lump sums. No minor under the age of eighteen years may purchase tickets for or claim prizes in any National Lottery game. Winners have the right to remain anonymous.


Odds to win Irish Lotto jackpot

Winning selections Odds
Match 6 numbers 1 in 10,737,573
Match 5 numbers + bonus 1 in 1,789,596
Match 5 numbers 1 in 44,740
Match 4 numbers + bonus 1 in 17,896
Match 4 numbers 1 in 918
Match 3 numbers + bonus 1 in 688
Match 3 numbers 1 in 54
Match 2 numbers + bonus 1 in 72

Prizes history since 4 November 2006

Winning selections MAX prize AVG prize MIN prize
Match 6 numbers €19,060,800 €5,042,564 €588,144
Match 5 numbers + bonus €1,262,603 €95,971 €8,996
Match 5 numbers €40,224 €1,879 €314
Match 4 numbers + bonus €311 €164 €33
Match 4 numbers €100 €52 €21
Match 3 numbers + bonus €36 €26 €10
Match 3 numbers €18 €7 €5
Match 2 numbers + bonus €3 €3 €3

Winning VS Losing Combinations

Did you know that after each Irish Lotto draws, there will be exactly:

Winning Combinations: 883,755 (8%)
Losing Combinations: 9,853,818 (92%)

Winning Probability Calculations

In the Irish Lotto, you have to pick 6 numbers from 1 to 47. In the draw, they pick 6 main numbers plus an additional bonus ball. To win the smallest prize, you need to match either 2 main numbers plus the bonus number or at least 3 main numbers without the bonus number. The number of combinations that will always win any prize after each draw is calculated as follows:

Total Number of Combinations

The total number of ways to choose 6 numbers from 47 is given by:

\( \binom{47}{6} = \frac{47!}{6!(47-6)!} = 10,737,573 \)

Non-Winning Combinations

To find out how many combinations do not win any prize, we calculate the number of ways to match fewer than 3 main numbers or 2 main numbers without the bonus ball:

Matching 0 Main Numbers

The number of ways to pick 6 main numbers from the remaining 41 is:

\( \binom{41}{6} = 3,838,380 \)

Matching Exactly 1 Main Number

The number of ways to pick 1 correct main number and 5 numbers from the remaining 41 is:

\( \binom{6}{1} \times \binom{41}{5} = 6 \times 749,398 = 4,496,388 \)

Matching Exactly 2 Main Numbers without the Bonus Ball

The number of ways to pick 2 correct main numbers and 4 numbers from the remaining 41 is:

\( \binom{6}{2} \times \binom{41}{4} = 15 \times 101,270 = 1,519,050 \)

Total Non-Winning Combinations

Adding the non-winning combinations:

\( 3,838,380 + 4,496,388 + 1,519,050 = 9,853,818 \)

Winning Combinations

Subtracting the non-winning combinations from the total number of combinations gives the number of combinations that will always win any prize:

\( 10,737,573 - 9,853,818 = 883,755 \)

Therefore, there are 883,755 combinations that will always win any prize after each draw in the Irish Lotto.

So that means, 92% of all possible Irish Lotto combinations will not win a prize after each draw, and only 8% of combinations will always win a prize.

With our system, you will be able to play the winning 8% Irish Lotto combinations frequently.

How to win Irish Lotto

Increase your chances to win the jackpot by following these expert tips and strategies:

How To Win Irish Lotto
Lottery Balls