Curious about what happens if you match just one number plus the Bonus Ball on your Lotto ticket? You might be wondering whether this offers any type of prize, or if your ticket is simply set aside with the rest that did not quite make it.
You are not alone if you find the prizes and rules around the UK Lottery a bit confusing. The way prizes are paid out, and how they relate to the Bonus Ball, is not always obvious at first glance.
If you want to know exactly what matching 1 number and the Bonus Ball means for your ticket, this guide explains it clearly so you can check your results with confidence.
How Do Bonus Balls Work In UK Lottery Draws?
The Bonus Ball is an extra number drawn in the National Lottery’s Lotto game, after the six main balls have been picked. When you play, you choose six numbers from 1 to 59 for each line. During the draw, six main numbers are drawn first. The Bonus Ball then follows from the same pool and cannot be one of those six main numbers.
You do not choose the Bonus Ball when you buy your ticket. It only comes into play when working out certain prize levels. In practice, it matters if you have matched five of the six main numbers, because adding the Bonus Ball to those five moves you into a higher prize category.
If you have fewer than five main numbers, the Bonus Ball does not create a prize on its own. Its role is specific and different from the main balls.
Which UK Lottery Games Use A Bonus Ball?
Not every lottery game in the UK includes a Bonus Ball. This feature is linked with the Lotto draw. In Lotto, one Bonus Ball is drawn from the same pool as the main numbers after the initial six numbers are picked.
Other popular games like EuroMillions, Thunderball, and Set For Life use different systems for extra numbers. EuroMillions has two Lucky Stars as additional numbers, while Thunderball includes a separate Thunderball drawn from a different set. These are not the same as a Lotto Bonus Ball, and each game handles prize tiers in its own way.
With that sorted, what does one main number plus the Bonus Ball actually mean for your ticket?
Can Matching One Main Number And The Bonus Ball Win A Prize?
If you match one main number along with the Bonus Ball in Lotto, this does not qualify for a prize. Prizes start from matching at least two main numbers, and the Bonus Ball only helps those who have already matched five main numbers.
It can be frustrating to see one of your numbers and the Bonus Ball appear, but the prize table is clear. The Bonus Ball acts as a top-up at higher levels, not as a way to turn a single main number into a win.
Prize Tiers And Typical Payouts For Number Plus Bonus Ball
Lotto has several prize categories, each linked to how many main numbers you match, with or without the Bonus Ball.
To reach a payout that involves the Bonus Ball, you need to match five main numbers plus the Bonus Ball. This is the second-highest tier in Lotto and pays a fixed £1,000,000. Without the Bonus Ball, matching five main numbers pays £1,750.
Other tiers do not use the Bonus Ball at all. Matching three main numbers pays £30, matching four pays £140, and matching two main numbers usually gives a free Lotto Lucky Dip for a future draw.
If you only have one main number and the Bonus Ball, that combination does not appear on the prize table, so no payout is given.
For the latest details on prize amounts and any temporary changes, check the National Lottery’s official site.
How Do The Odds Change When You Match The Bonus Ball?
Examples For Lotto, EuroMillions And Thunderball
In Lotto, the Bonus Ball is only relevant if you have matched five of the main numbers. The odds of matching exactly five numbers are 1 in 144,415. Hitting five plus the Bonus Ball is around 1 in 7,509,579, which shows how much rarer that higher tier is compared with matching five alone.
EuroMillions works differently. It does not use a Bonus Ball. You select five main numbers and two Lucky Stars. The odds for matching five numbers plus both Lucky Stars are about 1 in 139 million, while matching five main numbers plus one Lucky Star is roughly 1 in 6.9 million. The two Lucky Stars are used to shape the higher prize tiers in a different way to Lotto.
Thunderball also has its own structure. You pick five main numbers and a separate Thunderball. The odds of getting all five numbers plus the Thunderball are about 1 in 8 million. Here, the extra ball is an essential part of the top prize rather than an add-on for a higher tier.
Different games use their extra numbers in different ways, which is why the role and impact of the Bonus Ball in Lotto is so specific.
How To Check Your Ticket And Claim A Small Prize?
After the draw, results are available on the National Lottery website and app, and are often shown in newspapers or at retailers. Comparing your numbers with the official draw is the quickest way to see where you stand.
If you match two or more main numbers, you might receive a free Lucky Dip or a cash amount, depending on the tier. Winnings of up to £500 can usually be paid in cash at most retailers with a National Lottery terminal. The terminal scans the ticket and confirms any prize.
If you play online or in the app, smaller prizes are credited to your account automatically, and you will be notified if your entry has won.
For paper tickets, keep them safe and note that you usually have 180 days from the draw date to claim. For larger prizes or alternative ways to claim, the National Lottery website sets out the full process.
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**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.