The National Lottery offers a range of different lottery and scratch card games for people to participate in, and one of the most exciting options is Thunderball. Ever wondered how this popular lottery game works or how you can get involved?
In this brief introduction, we are going to set the stage for understanding everything there is to know about Thunderball. Whether you are considering playing for the first time or simply curious about the details, it is all laid out clearly.
Join us as we explore the basics, from how to enter to what you can win. Without further ado, let’s jump right in.
How Do You Play Thunderball?
Thunderball is a fairly standard lottery game in terms of how to play. The game has draws four times a week on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday.
To take part, you need to pick 5 main numbers from a range of 1 to 39. In addition to these, you also have to choose a Thunderball number from 1 to 14. If you are unsure about which numbers to select, you can opt for a Lucky Dip, which will randomly choose the numbers for you.
You have the option to play up to 7 lines of numbers on each play slip, and you can purchase up to 10 play slips at a time.
Remember to buy your ticket before 7:30 pm on the day of the draw you wish to enter. If you purchase it after this time, your chosen numbers will be entered into the next available draw.
If you follow these steps, that is your entry sorted, and you are all set for the next Thunderball draw to see if your numbers come up.
How Many Numbers Do You Need To Win on Thunderball?
Winning on Thunderball can begin with as little as matching just the Thunderball itself. If you do this, you'll win a prize of £3. It offers a chance to snag a little win, even if your main numbers do not come up.
As you match more numbers, the prizes get bigger. To win more substantial prizes, you'll need to match both the main numbers and the Thunderball, but with an interesting twist. If you match fewer than 3 main numbers, you must also match the Thunderball number in order to win a prize. This means you need both the main numbers and the Thunderball working together.
However, if you match 3 or more main numbers, you do not necessarily need to match the Thunderball to win. That is where the potential for bigger wins begins to unfold.
Although it might seem complex at first, understanding this balance between matching main numbers and the Thunderball can open up more chances to win. For a clearer depiction of how the prizes work in Thunderball, read the section below on the potential payouts.
What Are The Payouts On Thunderball?
Understanding how to win and what you can potentially win is a key part of getting involved with Thunderball.
So, with that in mind, let’s break down the prizes you could win if some of your numbers match those selected in the draw.
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Matching the Thunderball only: Awards £3 straight away.
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1 main number and the Thunderball: This combination wins you £5.
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2 main numbers and the Thunderball: You can look forward to £10 in your pocket.
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3 main numbers only: Matching this many numbers gives you a prize of £10, even without the Thunderball.
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3 main numbers and the Thunderball: The prize jumps up to £20.
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4 main numbers only: Winning this match awards you £100.
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4 main numbers and the Thunderball: Awards a £250 payout.
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5 main numbers only: A generous win of £5,000 comes your way.
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5 main numbers and the Thunderball: Awards the top prize, and the jackpot sees you win £500,000.
This range of potential payouts keeps each draw exciting, with plenty of opportunities to win across the various prize tiers. These are the prizes for each Thunderball game; they do not change like in other lottery games such as the Lotto or Euromillions.
**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.