How to Play Numbers
New York’s Numbers game is a bit different to most of the state’s other games, as you can choose from a variety of wager types and even decide on how much to pay per play.
There are two drawings every day - a Midday draw that takes place at 2:30 PM and an Evening draw at 10:30 PM. You need to purchase your tickets by 2:15 PM for the Midday draw, and 10:20 PM for the Evening draw. Here are the steps you need to take to play Numbers, with the different play types outlined underneath.
Select your numbers
Choose three numbers from 0 to 9. If you don’t want to select your own, get a Quick Pick instead and a random set will be generated by the lottery computer.
Choose your play style
Select how you want to play from the options that are available – Straight, Box, Straight/Box, Combination, Front Pair or Back Pair.
Pick your wager amount
Specify whether you want to play for $0.50 or $1. The only play type where you cannot choose your wager amount is Straight/Box, which is fixed at $1.
Decide on your draws
Indicate whether you want to play the Midday draw, Evening draw, or both. You can then mark how many consecutive days you will be playing, up to a maximum of seven.
Pay for your entries
The total cost depends on the number of draws you are entering and your wager amount. Pay for your tickets and then wait to find out if you are a winner.
If you have a ticket from the last 30 days, you can just hand it in to a New York Lottery retailer and ask to ‘Play It Again’. You will receive a new ticket with all the same selections, starting from the next draw.
Play Types
Here is more information about the different play types you can pick from in NY Numbers.
Straight
This is a wager on the three numbers you pick being drawn in that exact order. For example, if you play 123 as a Straight, you only win if the numbers are drawn as 123. If they are selected in a different order, such as 321, the wager is lost.
Box
With a Box play, the numbers you pick can be drawn in any order. If you play 123 as a Box, for example, you win if those numbers appear in any order – 123, 132, 213, 231, 312 or 321.
A number combination containing three different digits is known as a 6-Way Box because there are six possible ways those numbers can be ordered. If two of the numbers you play are identical, it is called a 3-Way Box as there are just three possible ways those numbers can be ordered. For example, a 112 Box can also be arranged as 121 or 211.
Straight/Box
A Straight/Box splits your wager in two, with $0.50 going on a Straight and $0.50 going on a Box. You win both parts of the wager if your numbers are drawn in that exact order, or just the Box prize if your numbers are selected in a different order.
Combination
Every possible Straight combination is entered as a separate Straight play. This gives you a better chance of winning than a regular Straight and you still win the same prize. However, you have to pay for every combination.
Pair Plays
Instead of picking three numbers, you can just select two and play a Pair. Specify whether you want to try and match the first two winning digits (Front Pair) or the last two (Back Pair). To win a prize, you must match both numbers in the correct position.
Odds and Prizes
The prize you can win in Numbers depends on how much you wager and your type of wager. If you play a Straight, for example, you can win $250 for a $0.50 play or $500 for a $1 play. Go to the Odds and Prizes to see all the payouts, along with your chances of winning.