One of the best and most exciting daily lottery games in New Jersey is the Pick 4 NJ Lottery. Pick 4 gives people who like to try their luck a lot of options and big prizes because there are many ways to win.
Whether you’ve played Pick 4 before or this is your first time, this guide will teach you the rules, how to play, and everything else you need to know.
Understanding the Basics of Pick 4 NJ
Pick 4 NJ Lottery is a four-number game where players pick a set of numbers from 0 to 9. There are different ways to play the game that change how the numbers have to match to win. There are two daily drawings, giving you multiple chances to win:
- Midday Draw: Held at 12:59 PM
- Evening Draw: Held at 10:57 PM
Tickets must be purchased before the official cutoff times, which are a few minutes before each draw.
How to Play Pick 4 NJ Step by Step
Step 1: Choose Your Numbers
You can pick any four numbers from 0 to 9. You can pick either:
- Manual Selection: Feel free to choose any four-digit number.
- Quick Pick: Ask the lottery machine to pick a set of numbers at random for you.
Step 2: Select Your Play Type
The chance of getting and the amount of the prizes depend on the type of play you choose. These are the main types of plays:
Straight: Match all four numbers in the exact order they are shown. This has the biggest payment.
Box: Put all four numbers together in any way you want. You can play box games in different ways:
- 4-Way Box: Three of the numbers are the same, like 1112.
- 6-Way Box: Two sets of numbers are the same, like 1122.
- 12-Way Box: Two numbers are the same and two numbers are different, like 1123.
- 24-Way Box: Each of the four numbers is different (1234, for example).
Straight/Box: This is a mix of a straight play and a box play, with the bet split between the two. Pair Play: Pick two numbers instead of four for Pair Play:
- Front Pair: Get the first two numbers to match.
- Back Pair: To get a back pair, match the last two numbers.
- Split Pair: Match the first and last numbers to make a split pair.
Wheel: Shows all the different ways the numbers could be picked, giving you more chances to win.
Step 3: Choose Your Bet Amount
You can bet as little as 50¢ or as much as $5 each time you play. The bigger the prize you could win, the more you bet.
Step 4: Select Your Draw Time
There are two draws each day, or you can play for both. It’s possible to choose repeated draws if you want to play for more than one day.
Step 5: Add Fireball (Optional)
The Fireball feature is an extra that makes your chances of winning better. A separate Fireball number (0–9) is chosen after the main numbers are pulled. You can use this number instead of one of the numbers that were picked to make a winning line.
Winning and Prize Payouts
How much you win is based on the type of play you made, how much you bet, and whether you used Fireball. Here is a list of possible returns for a $1 bet:
| Play Type | Payout |
| Straight | $5,000 |
| 4-Way Box | $1,200 |
| 6-Way Box | $800 |
| 12-Way Box | $400 |
| 24-Way Box | $200 |
| Front Pair | $50 |
| Back Pair | $50 |
Adding Fireball raises the chances but lowers the prizes a little.
How to Check Pick 4 NJ Results
You can check the results in the following ways to see if you won:
- The official website for the New Jersey lotto lists stores where you can buy lotto tickets.
- Mobile app for the New Jersey Lottery
- Local TV stations showed the findings of the drawing
Tips on How to Get Your Prizes
You have one year from the date of the draw to claim your winning tickets. Here’s how to collect your prize:
- Prizes under $599 can be claimed at any lottery retailer.
- Prizes over $600 require you to fill out a claim form and present valid identification at a New Jersey Lottery office.
- Larger prizes ($50,000 and above) may require additional verification and processing.
Tips and Strategies to Improve Your Odds
Pick 4 is a game of chance, but you can improve your game by following these tips:
- Mix high and low numbers: Don’t pick numbers that are too easy to guess, like 1111 or 1234.
- Check past winning numbers: Even though numbers are picked at random, some players look at past winning numbers to see if there are any patterns.
- Play box bets for better odds: Box bets give you more chances to win than straight bets.
- Use Fireball to increase chances: Fireball gives you more number possibilities, but the returns are smaller.
- Smart budgeting: You should only play with money that you can afford to lose, and you should limit how long you play each time.
Read More: Cash Pop Winning Numbers
Last Thoughts
The Pick 4 NJ Lottery is a fun and interesting game that lets you bet in different ways and has draws every day. There are many ways to win, whether you like to pick your own numbers or use Quick Pick.
You can play the game more carefully if you know about the different ways to play, how to bet, and how much the prizes are.
