How to Play Pick 4
You start playing Virginia Pick 4 by choosing a four-digit number from 0000 through to 9999. You have to match all four numbers to win. However, the exact way you can win depends on what play type you pick. You can choose either Exact Order, Any Order, 50/50 or Combo.
The Fireball option also gives you a brand new way of playing and increases your chances of winning. Fireball effectively gives you a second chance to match all four numbers if you just miss out at the first time of asking, for double the price of your original play.
The ‘Day’ drawing takes place at 1:59 PM ET, with the ‘Night’ draw happening at 11:00 PM ET. The ticket cutoff times are 1:53 PM and 10:45 PM.
Learn all about playing Pick 4 below.
Pick Your Numbers
Like the name suggests, Pick 4 starts by picking four numbers. You can always get an Easy Pick or use our 'Number Generator' if you would rather not have to decide on these numbers yourself.
Play Types
Next you have to decide how you want to play the game. Your options are either:
- Exact Order: To win you have to match your four chosen numbers in the same order they have been drawn.
- Any Order: All you have to do is match four numbers, the order in which they are drawn doesn't matter at all.
- 50/50: You can play both ‘Exact Order’ and ‘Any Order’ at the same time by splitting a $1 play in half, with $0.50 on both games.
- Combo: You can play both ‘Exact Order’ and ‘Any Order’ at the same time by splitting a $1 play in half, with $0.50 on both games.
For all the play types apart from Exact Order, the combination of numbers you pick also makes a big difference to the odds of winning and the payout on offer:
- 4-Way - Three of your numbers are the same and the other is different, for example 1112. This creates ‘four ways’ that the numbers can be arranged – 1112, 1121, 1211 and 2111.
- 6-Way – Your four digits contain two sets of identical pairs, for instance 1122, 3344 or 5599.
- 12-Way – This type of four-digit combination contains two numbers that are the same, while the other two are unique. Examples would be 1123, 4566 or 7897.
- 24-Way – All four of your numbers are different, such as 1234. This could be ordered in 24 different ways – 1234, 1243, 1324, 1342, 1423, 1432, 2134, 2143, 2314, 2341, 2413, 2431, 3124, 3142, 3214, 3241, 3412, 3421, 4123, 4132, 4213, 4231, 4312 and 4321.
Fireball
Boost your chances of winning even more with Fireball. This a number that is randomly selected in addition to the four main numbers drawn. It exists to give you an extra chance of getting a winning combo from your original play.
If you have selected the Fireball option, you can use this to replace one of the drawn numbers, creating a new combination which you might have matched. Visit our 'Fireball' page for more information.
Purchase a Ticket
You can purchase a ticket online or at a local Virginia convenience store or gas station. If you have a paper ticket then you will need to keep this safe as proof of your purchase. Buying tickets online will keep your tickets safe for you.
How to Win
You have to match all four numbers to win Virginia Pick 4. The order these numbers are drawn in is essential for some play types but does not matter for others. Some play types have lower odds of winning but bigger prizes to be won. View a full breakdown of what you can win with each play type on our Odds and Prizes page.
