NY Pick 4 is quick, easy and fun once you've got the hang of it, but there are a few more steps than many other lotteries. Essentially, you need to select four numbers from 0 to 9, and place a bet that they'll be drawn. Our guide below will explain in more detail.
Drawings take place at 2:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. every day. You must make sure you purchase tickets by 2:15 p.m. for the Midday draw, or by 10:20 p.m. for the Evening draw.
First, you'll need to decide how you'd like to play. The options are: Straight, Box, Straight/Box, Combination, or Pairs. We explain each option in full on the Ways to Play page.
Specify whether you will be wagering $0.50 or $1 per play. The prize you can win is proportional to the amount you stake.
You can select your own numbers on a playslip or if you want a set of random numbers, ask for a Quick Pick. You'll need to choose 4 numbers from 0 to 9 unless you're making a Pair play, in which case you only need to choose two.
This optional feature lets you enter your numbers in advance into the next applicable drawing(s), up to a maximum of 7. Decide whether to play the Midday or the Evening drawing, and how many consecutive drawings you want to play.
Pick 4 has two daily draws, so you don't have to wait long to find out if you're a winner. But if you just can't wait for your winnings, give this NY-exclusive add-on a try; it only costs a dollar extra!
If you opt for Instant Win, your ticket will contain another set of four random numbers from 0 to 9, with a cash prize printed next to each. If any of your chosen Pick 4 numbers match the Instant Win numbers, you win a prize.
The overall odds of winning with the Instant Win add-on are 1 in 5.3, and prizes range from $1 to a cool $500.
If you have an old Pick 4 ticket from the past 30 days, you can save time by handing it to the retailer and asking to play it again. A new ticket will be printed for the next applicable drawing, featuring identical selections, without the need to complete a playslip.
Each wager type has its own fixed prize, with a top payout of $5,000 if you play a $1 Straight and match all the numbers exactly. Go to the Odds and Prizes page to find out exactly how much you can win.