The number of different play types and unusual terms in Pick 4 can make the game seem a bit puzzling, but it is actually very simple and designed to help you play the way that suits you. The boxes below outline the differences between the play types that are available with Daily 4.
Refer back to the How to Play page for an overview of the steps required to fill in a playslip, and remember that you are just trying to match four numbers between 0 and 9.
Also known as an 'Exact Order' play, the aim here is to match all four winning numbers in the correct positions. If you get them in any other order, you still lose on a Straight wager.
Your selected numbers can match the ones that are drawn in any order. If you play 1234, for example, you would still win if those digits came up another way, such as 4321.
Your numbers can be one higher or lower than the drawn numbers (in exact order). An example would be picking 1234 and the numbers drawn being 2345. One, two, three or four digits can be one off.
Half your wager goes on a Straight and half on a Box (minimum play is therefore $1). You win both parts of the play if your numbers match exactly, and just the Box portion if they appear in another order.
Every combination of your selected numbers is played as a separate Straight. This gives you better odds than a Straight and a bigger prize than a Box, but you have to pay for every combo.
You can decide to just play three numbers and try to match them exactly or in any order. Specify whether you want to play with the first three digits or the last three.
In addition to the numerous play types and wager amounts that you can choose from, the combination of numbers you select is also important. For example, whether you choose four different numbers, two sets of pairs, and so on.
This determines how many winning combinations there are for your chosen numbers, which in turn impacts on the odds and prizes. It is a consideration for all Box, Combo and Wheel plays (not Straights, when there is only ever one possible winning combination).
The table below tells you the difference between 4-Way, 6-Way, 12-Way and 24-Way plays. You can also enter a set of numbers into the boxes below, specify a play type and generate the winning combinations.
| Number of Ways | Description | Winning Combinations | Odds of Winning | Box Prizes | Cost of a Wheel |
| 4-Way | Three digits the same and one that is different - e.g. 1222 | 1222, 2122, 2212, 2221 | 1 in 2,500 | From $600 (for a $0.50 play) | From $2 (for a $0.50 play) |
| 6-Way | Two sets of pairs - e.g. 5566 | 5566, 5656, 5665, 6556, 6565, 6655 | 1 in 1,666.7 | From $400 (for a 0.50 play) | From $3 (for a $0.50 play) |
| 12-Way | One pair and two unique numbers, e.g. 7789 | 7789, 7798, 7879, 7897, 7978, 7987, 8779, 8797, 8977, 9778, 9787, 9877 | 1 in 833.3 | From $200 (for a 0.50 play) | From $6 (for a 0.50 play) |
| 24-Way | Four different numbers - e.g. 1234 | 1234, 1243, 1324, 1342, 1423, 1432, 2134, 2143, 2314, 2341, 2413, 2431, 3124, 3142, 3214, 3241, 3412, 3421, 4123, 4132, 4213, 4231, 4312, 4321 | 1 in 416.7 | From $100 (for a 0.50 play) | From $12 (for a $0.50 play) |
