EuroMillions is one of Europe’s most popular lottery games. Millions of people play it every week for the chance to win huge jackpots. But have you ever wondered how many numbers you need to choose in order to participate and have a chance to win? This article will explain everything you need to know about the EuroMillions numbers and how the game works, so you can be better prepared when playing.
What is EuroMillions?
EuroMillions is a transnational lottery game played across nine European countries. These countries include Austria, Belgium, France, Ireland, Luxembourg, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. The lottery began in 2004, and since then, it has become one of the largest lotteries in Europe.
Players choose a combination of numbers and participate in weekly draws. EuroMillions offers enormous jackpots, often reaching hundreds of millions of euros, making it very attractive to players. The game structure is relatively simple, and the chances of winning vary depending on how many numbers you select and how they match the draw.
How Does EuroMillions Work?
In EuroMillions, players select numbers from two separate pools. The first pool contains numbers from 1 to 50, and the second pool contains numbers from 1 to 12. Players must choose:
Five main numbers from the first pool (1 to 50)
Two Lucky Stars from the second pool (1 to 12)
So, in total, you will choose seven numbers: five from the main pool and two from the Lucky Star pool.
The Importance of Lucky Stars
While the main numbers are important, the Lucky Stars play a key role in determining the winners. Without the correct Lucky Stars, even if you get the five main numbers right, you won’t win the jackpot. This makes EuroMillions a bit more challenging than other lotteries where only one set of numbers is required.
How Do the Numbers in EuroMillions Affect Your Odds?
The odds of winning EuroMillions depend on the number of combinations you can make from the available numbers. Since you’re choosing 5 main numbers and 2 Lucky Stars, the total number of possible combinations is much higher than in simpler lotteries.
To calculate the odds, we first determine how many ways you can choose the five main numbers from the 50 available. This is done using a mathematical formula called “combinations.” The number of ways you can choose five numbers from 50 is calculated as:
C(50,5)=50!/5!(50−5)!=2,118,760
Next, we calculate how many ways you can choose two Lucky Stars from 12. This is also a combination:
C(12,2)=12!/2!(12−2)!=66
To find the total number of possible combinations in EuroMillions, we multiply these two results together:
2,118,760×66=139,838,160
So, the total number of possible combinations in EuroMillions is 139,838,160. This means your chances of winning the jackpot are 1 in 139,838,160.
What Happens During the EuroMillions Draw?
The EuroMillions draw takes place twice a week—on Tuesday and Friday evenings. During each draw, five main numbers are selected from the pool of 50 numbers, and two Lucky Stars are selected from the pool of 12.
The numbers are drawn using a machine that ensures the process is completely random, so each number has an equal chance of being selected.
The results of each draw are made public shortly after the drawing, and they are broadcast across participating countries. If your numbers match the ones drawn, you win a prize. The amount of the prize depends on how many of your numbers match the draw.
Prize Tiers in EuroMillions
EuroMillions has 13 different prize tiers, with the jackpot being the highest prize. To win the jackpot, you need to match all five main numbers and both Lucky Stars. However, there are also smaller prizes for matching fewer numbers. Here’s a breakdown of the prize tiers:
Jackpot (5 + 2 Lucky Stars): Match all five main numbers and both Lucky Stars.
2nd Prize (5 + 1 Lucky Star): Match all five main numbers and one Lucky Star.
3rd Prize (5): Match all five main numbers.
4th Prize (4 + 2 Lucky Stars): Match four main numbers and both Lucky Stars.
5th Prize (4 + 1 Lucky Star): Match four main numbers and one Lucky Star.
6th Prize (4): Match four main numbers.
7th Prize (3 + 2 Lucky Stars): Match three main numbers and both Lucky Stars.
8th Prize (3 + 1 Lucky Star): Match three main numbers and one Lucky Star.
9th Prize (3): Match three main numbers.
10th Prize (2 + 2 Lucky Stars): Match two main numbers and both Lucky Stars.
11th Prize (2 + 1 Lucky Star): Match two main numbers and one Lucky Star.
12th Prize (2): Match two main numbers.
13th Prize (1 + 2 Lucky Stars): Match one main number and both Lucky Stars.
As you can see, even if you don’t win the jackpot, there are many ways to win smaller prizes, depending on how many numbers you match.
The EuroMillions Jackpot and Rollovers
EuroMillions jackpots start at a minimum amount, which increases with each draw if there is no winner. When no one wins the jackpot, the prize money rolls over to the next draw, and the jackpot grows bigger. This process continues until someone wins the jackpot. The biggest EuroMillions jackpot ever recorded was €230 million in 2019.
How to Play EuroMillions
To play EuroMillions, simply visit an authorized retailer or play online via the official EuroMillions website or app.
Select Your Numbers: Choose five main numbers from 1 to 50, and select two Lucky Stars from 1 to 12.
Choose Your Draws: You can either choose to play for one draw or multiple draws.
Pay for Your Ticket: EuroMillions tickets vary in price depending on the country, but typically cost around €2.50 to €3.00 per line.
Wait for the Draw: EuroMillions draws happen every Tuesday and Friday evening.
If you match all the required numbers, you could win a life-changing amount of money.
Tips for Playing EuroMillions
Although EuroMillions is a game of chance, here are a few tips that might help you improve your experience:
Play regularly: The more you play, the more chances you have to win.
Consider joining a lottery syndicate: This allows you to pool your money with others and buy more tickets for better odds.
Use random numbers: Some people like to choose birthdays or lucky numbers, but remember that many people use the same numbers. Random numbers can give you a better chance of avoiding a shared prize.
Conclusion
EuroMillions is an exciting and popular lottery game with a simple structure. Players choose five main numbers from a pool of 50, along with two Lucky Stars from a pool of 12. While the odds of winning the jackpot are steep, there are many other prize tiers that make EuroMillions an appealing game for players across Europe.
Now that you know how many numbers are in EuroMillions and how the game works, you can play with a better understanding of the rules and your odds of winning. Keep in mind that lotteries are games of chance, and winning is never guaranteed. But if you’re lucky, EuroMillions could change your life forever!
