ThunderBall: Official Guide, Rules, Odds & How to Play
What is ThunderBall?
Thunderball is your best chance of winning up to £500,000 - the top prize is fixed and it never has to be shared. Since its launch in 1999, Thunderball has become one of the UK's most popular mid-week lottery games, offering better odds and more frequent draws than the main Lotto.
All Thunderball prizes are paid as tax-free lump sums. Of every £1 spent on Thunderball tickets:
Did You Know?
Thunderball was launched in 1999 as a Saturday-only draw. The game underwent major changes in 2010, expanding the number pool and introducing the Friday draw. In 2021, Tuesday draws were added, making it one of the most frequently drawn lottery games in the UK. The top prize of £500,000 is guaranteed and never shared!
How to play ThunderBall?
Players select five main numbers from 1 to 39 and one Thunderball number from 1 to 14. To win the jackpot, you need to match all five main numbers plus the Thunderball.
The Thunderball is crucial - even if you match no main numbers, getting the Thunderball alone wins you £3!
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Choose 5 main numbers from 1 to 39
- Select 1 Thunderball from 1 to 14
- Wait for the draw on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday or Saturday
- Check your numbers - match just the Thunderball to win £3!
- Claim your prize - all prizes are tax-free and fixed amounts!
You can play ThunderBall online here.
Odds to win ThunderBall prizes
ThunderBall offers excellent overall odds with 1 in 13 chance to win any prize!
| Main Numbers | ThunderBall | Odds | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 1 | 1 in 8,060,598 | £500,000 |
| 5 | 0 | 1 in 620,046 | £5,000 |
| 4 | 1 | 1 in 47,415 | £250 |
| 4 | 0 | 1 in 3,647 | £100 |
| 3 | 1 | 1 in 1,437 | £20 |
| 3 | 0 | 1 in 111 | £10 |
| 2 | 1 | 1 in 135 | £10 |
| 1 | 1 | 1 in 35 | £5 |
| 0 | 1 | 1 in 14 | £3 |
Overall odds of winning any prize: 1 in 13
Winning vs Losing Combinations
After each ThunderBall draw, the distribution of combinations is:
Winning Probability Calculations
In Thunderball, you pick 5 numbers from 1 to 39 and 1 Thunderball from 1 to 14. You win a prize by matching just the Thunderball or certain combinations of main numbers. The number of combinations that win any prize is calculated as follows:
Total Number of Combinations
The total number of ways to choose 5 numbers from 39 and 1 Thunderball from 14 is:
Winning Combinations Breakdown
Let's calculate all the winning combinations for each prize tier:
| Prize Tier | Winning Combinations | Calculation |
|---|---|---|
| Match 0 + Thunderball | 278,256 | \( \binom{34}{5} \times \binom{1}{1} \times \binom{13}{0} \) |
| Match 1 + Thunderball | 231,880 | \( \binom{5}{1} \times \binom{34}{4} \times \binom{1}{1} \times \binom{13}{0} \) |
| Match 2 + Thunderball | 59,840 | \( \binom{5}{2} \times \binom{34}{3} \times \binom{1}{1} \times \binom{13}{0} \) |
| Match 3 + 0 Thunderball | 53,856 | \( \binom{5}{3} \times \binom{34}{2} \times \binom{1}{0} \times \binom{13}{1} \) |
| Match 3 + Thunderball | 5,984 | \( \binom{5}{3} \times \binom{34}{2} \times \binom{1}{1} \times \binom{13}{0} \) |
| Match 4 + 0 Thunderball | 16,575 | \( \binom{5}{4} \times \binom{34}{1} \times \binom{1}{0} \times \binom{13}{1} \) |
| Match 4 + Thunderball | 1,275 | \( \binom{5}{4} \times \binom{34}{1} \times \binom{1}{1} \times \binom{13}{0} \) |
| Match 5 + 0 Thunderball | 13 | \( \binom{5}{5} \times \binom{34}{0} \times \binom{1}{0} \times \binom{13}{1} \) |
| Match 5 + Thunderball | 1 | \( \binom{5}{5} \times \binom{34}{0} \times \binom{1}{1} \times \binom{13}{0} \) |
| Total Winning Combinations | 650,910 |
Non-Winning Combinations
Combinations that don't win any prize (match 0, 1, or 2 main numbers without Thunderball):
Match 1 + 0 Thunderball: \( \binom{5}{1} \times \binom{34}{4} \times \binom{13}{1} = 3,014,440 \)
Match 2 + 0 Thunderball: \( \binom{5}{2} \times \binom{34}{3} \times \binom{13}{1} = 777,920 \)
Total losing: 3,617,328 + 3,014,440 + 777,920 = 7,409,688
Conclusion
Therefore, there are 650,910 combinations (8%) that win any prize in each Thunderball drawing, while 7,409,688 combinations (92%) win nothing.
Strategic Advantage
With our system, you can focus on playing the winning 8% of Thunderball combinations, significantly improving your chances of regular wins! The majority of winning combinations come from matching just the Thunderball or 1 main number plus Thunderball, showing that even small matches can lead to prizes.
Ready to Strike it Rich with ThunderBall?
Use our advanced tools and strategies to maximize your chances of winning up to £500,000!
Explore Winning StrategiesHistorical Changes & Evolution
Expansion to four weekly draws:
- New Draw Day: Tuesday draws introduced
- More Opportunities: Four chances to win each week
- Enhanced Prizes: Maintained fixed prize structure
- Growing Popularity: Continued player growth
Significant changes to game format and prizes:
- Expanded Number Pool: Main numbers increased from 1-34 to 1-39
- New Draw Day: Friday draws introduced
- Doubled Jackpot: Top prize increased from £250,000 to £500,000
- New Prize Tier: Added £3 prize for matching only Thunderball
- Better Overall Odds: Chance of winning any prize more than doubled
Thunderball launched as UK's new mid-week lottery:
- Initial Format: 5/34 main numbers + 1/14 Thunderball
- Launch Jackpot: £250,000 top prize
- Single Draw Day: Saturday-only draws initially
- Innovative Concept: First UK lottery with guaranteed fixed jackpot
Unique ThunderBall Features
Thunderball offers several advantages over other lottery games:
Guaranteed Jackpot
The £500,000 top prize is fixed and never shared - if multiple players match all numbers, they all receive the full £500,000!
Best Odds for Big Wins
With 1 in 8 million odds for the jackpot, Thunderball offers much better chances than EuroMillions or Lotto for life-changing wins.
Frequent Draws
Four draws per week mean more opportunities to win and quicker turnaround between games.
Source: National Lottery Thunderball
