Multi-Number Lotto Games and Odds Calculator

As opposed to one-number games (3-Digit and 4-digit games), multi-number games are played by selecting 4, 5,or 6 numbers from a set of numbers that range from 1 to a certain maximum as specified by the game. There are also multi-number games with two sets where 4, 5,or 6 numbers are selected from the first set and additional numbers is selected from the second set. In the majority of the cases, only one number is selected from the second set.

Multi-number lottery games are popular around the world mainly because of the lucrative jackpots they offer. In most games, every time there is no winner of the jackpot, the prize money rolls over to the next draw thus progressively increasing the top prizes of subsequent draws. Sometimes these jackpots reach several hundreds of millions of dollars aluring even the most anti-lottery individuals.

Notations

Multi-Number Games are usually denoted by the abbreviation n/N, which means that you have to select n numbers from 1 to N. For example, a Lotto game where you have to select 6 numbers from 1 to 50 is denoted by 6/50.

For multi-number games with two sets, the notation is n/N + m/M, which means that you have to select n numbers from 1 to N from the first set and m more numbers from 1 to M from the second set. With a few exceptions, all lottery games that fall into this category are played by selecting only one number from the second set (i.e., m = 1). Thus, the abbreviation n/N + 1/M can be used for these games. The number selected from the second set is usually called the Mega Ball or the Extra Ball.

Odds Calculator

What are the odds of hitting the jackpot in a Lotto, Cash 5, Powerball, Mega Millions, or any other multi-number game?
What are the odds of getting lower prizes, say, 5-of-6, etc.?
Here are two odds calculators where you enter just the values of n, N, m, M, whichever are applicable, and press the "Submit" button.