The Ohio Lottery offers a variety of draw games and instant scratch-offs for players, and one of the most popular is Pick 4. Pick 4 launched in 1981 as one of the first numerical draw games in Ohio. It has remained a staple offering for over 40 years.
Pick 4 is a daily draw game where players choose 4 numbers between 0-9. There are two Pick 4 drawings per day – midday and evening. Players can choose to play their numbers for one specific drawing or multiday drawings. Tickets can be purchased for $1 per play.
To win, your 4 numbers must match the winning numbers drawn in exact order. For example, if you play “3-5-2-7”, the numbers drawn also need to be 3-5-2-7 to win.
Pick 4 is well-liked by players because it offers good odds of winning a prize. With 10,000 number combinations possible with 4 digits, the chances of matching all 4 are 1 in 10,000. This appeals to many Ohio lottery fans.
Pick 4 consistently ranks as one of the top performing draw games for the Ohio Lottery in terms of revenue. In Fiscal Year 2022, Pick 4 accounted for $226 million in sales. Its widespread availability and frequent drawings help drive its ongoing popularity.
How to Play Pick 4
Pick 4 is one of the simplest lottery games to play. To play, you simply choose 4 numbers between 0 and 9. There are a few ways to play:
Straight
A straight play means your 4 numbers must match the winning numbers in the exact order. For example, if you play 1-3-5-7, you’ll only win if those numbers are picked in that order. The odds of winning with a straight play are 1 in 10,000.
Box
A box play allows your numbers to be picked in any order. For example, if you box 1-3-5-7, you’ll win if the winning numbers are 1-3-5-7, 3-5-1-7, etc. Box plays increase your odds of winning but decrease your payout. A 4-number box has 24 possible combinations.
Straight/Box
You can also combine straight and box plays. For example, you could play 1-3-5-7 straight/box. This means you win if your numbers are picked in that exact order OR in any other order.
Front/Back Pair
With this play, you pick 2 front numbers and 2 back numbers. You win if the drawing matches both pairs. For example, if you play 1-2/3-4, you’ll win if the numbers drawn are 1-2-3-4 in any order.
Payouts depend on the type of play. A $1 straight bet pays $10,000 for an exact match. Box and straight/box bets pay less since your odds of winning are higher.
Pick 4 Evening Drawing
The Pick 4 evening drawing takes place every day at 7:29 PM EST. The drawings are held at the Ohio Lottery headquarters in Cleveland, Ohio and are conducted using a random number generator.
To watch the evening drawing, you can tune in to your local Ohio Lottery affiliate TV station. The winning numbers are also posted shortly after on the Ohio Lottery website.
The evening drawing randomly generates four numbers between 0-9. The four numbers are drawn one at a time, with each number ball being mixed and selected from four separate drawing machines. The four winning numbers are then lined up to create the official evening winning Pick 4 number.
All number combinations have an equal chance of being selected. The odds of winning the Pick 4 evening drawing are 1 in 10,000. Players can choose to play their four digit number as a straight bet, box bet, front/back pair, or combo bet. The payouts vary based on the type of bet placed.
Pick 4 Payouts and Prizes
The Pick 4 lottery offers a range of payouts depending on the type of play:
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Straight: Match all 4 numbers in the exact order drawn to win $5,000 on a $1 play. The odds of winning the straight prize are 1 in 10,000.
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Box: Match all 4 numbers in any order to win $1,200 on a $1 play. The odds are 1 in 2,500.
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Straight/Box: Play your numbers as both a straight and box play. This increases your chances of winning.
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Front Pair: Match the first 2 numbers in exact order to win $250 on a $1 play. The odds are 1 in 100.
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Back Pair: Match the last 2 numbers in exact order to win $250 on a $1 play. The odds are also 1 in 100.
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1-Off: Match 3 numbers in the exact order, missing only 1, to win $80 on a $1 play. The odds are 1 in 167.
The jackpot for matching all 4 numbers in the exact order for a $1 straight play is $5,000. While the odds are long, several players each year hit the Pick 4 jackpot.
You can increase your prize by playing higher amounts, with a top prize of $25,000 for a $5 straight bet. Overall the Pick 4 lottery offers a good range of payouts for different play types and match possibilities.
Winning Pick 4 Strategies
The Ohio Pick 4 game offers players a chance to win up to $5,000 by selecting a 4-digit number. While the odds are steep at 1 in 10,000, there are some strategies players use to increase their chances of winning.
Common Selection Strategies
Many players use special numbers like birthdays, anniversaries, ages of loved ones, and lucky numbers when choosing their Pick 4 digits. Some players choose numbers that have come up recently or numbers that are overdue. Some use the same set of numbers every drawing, while others mix it up.
Other selection strategies include:
- Playing repeating numbers like 1111 or 7777
- Playing ascending or descending numbers like 1234 or 4321
- Playing pairs like 1133 or 5577
- Playing the corners like 1000 or 9999
- Using a balanced/unbalanced mix like 1213 or 1223
Tips to Increase Odds
While the odds are fixed, there are some tips to maximize your chances:
- Play multiple number combinations – This increases the number of possible winning tickets.
- Try a variety of strategies – Don’t stick to just one set of numbers.
- Consider playing multiple drawings – Playing the same numbers for a week improves odds.
- Pool money with others – Splitting the cost of more tickets can help.
- Use an app or lottery wheeling system – This provides number suggestions.
Past Winning Numbers
Studying past winning numbers can reveal insights into number frequencies. Here are some recent evening Ohio Pick 4 winners:
- January 1 – 5713
- December 30 – 4327
- December 25 – 1225
- December 15 – 8765
- December 10 – 1029
Looking at these, we see repeating digits are common, as are ascending/descending strings. Holiday dates like 12/25 also come into play. While past numbers don’t predict future ones, they can inform selection strategies.
Where to Buy Ohio Pick 4 Evening Tickets
You can purchase tickets for the Ohio Pick 4 evening drawing at authorized Ohio Lottery retailers across the state. There are over 9,000 retailers to choose from, so you likely have multiple options close to where you live and work.
To find retailers in your area, use the retailer locator on the Ohio Lottery website. Simply enter your city or zip code and a list of retailers near you will appear. This makes it easy to find the most convenient places to buy your Pick 4 tickets.
In addition to in-person sales, you can also purchase Pick 4 tickets online through the Ohio Lottery website or mobile app. This allows you to securely buy tickets online and save your favorite numbers.
For frequent players, signing up for a Lottery Rewards membership can be beneficial. This free program allows you to earn points for buying tickets that can be redeemed for prizes. As a member, you’ll also receive exclusive coupon offers and entries into second chance drawings.
On the day of the evening drawing, you can buy Pick 4 tickets up until 7:59 PM. Make sure to purchase before this deadline to be included in that night’s drawing. Tickets can be bought at retailers during their normal business hours or online at any time.
No matter how or where you buy, be sure to get your Pick 4 tickets before 7:59 PM to play that evening’s drawing. With multiple purchasing options, Ohio makes it convenient to play this popular game.
Claiming Pick 4 Prizes
Winning the Ohio Pick 4 lottery can be a life-changing event. But before you can spend your winnings, you first need to claim your prize. Here’s what you need to know about the process:
Cash vs Annuity Options
For Pick 4 prizes over $5,000, you have the choice between receiving your winnings as a one-time lump sum cash payment or as an annuity paid out annually over 30 years.
The cash option gives you your entire prize upfront, but the amount will be reduced by applicable federal and state taxes. The annuity spreads out payments over time, allowing your winnings to potentially accrue interest. You’ll receive your full prize amount through the annuity, but the payments are taxed annually.
Consider your financial needs and preferences before choosing cash or annuity. You’ll need to make your selection within 60 days of winning.
Claiming Process and Requirements
To claim your Pick 4 prize, you’ll need to complete and submit a claim form to the Ohio Lottery Commission. This can be done at any Ohio Lottery regional office or by mail.
You’ll need to provide proof of identity and age. For prizes over $600, your Social Security number is also required for tax-reporting purposes. Prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the drawing date.
For group play, a member of the group or legal representative must submit the claim on behalf of all participants. A winning ticket must be presented to claim a prize.
Anonymity Options
Ohio allows lottery winners to remain anonymous for certain prize amounts. For Pick 4 prizes over $5,000, you can request that your identity not be released publicly. Anonymity requests must be made at the time of claiming your prize.
To claim a prize anonymously, you’ll need to work with legal counsel to establish a trust or other legal entity. This allows winnings to be paid out without revealing your identity.
Even if you remain anonymous, you will still need to provide your info to the lottery commission for tax and administrative purposes. But they will keep your identity confidential.
Following the proper procedures ensures you can enjoy your Ohio Pick 4 winnings, whether you prefer to celebrate publicly or privately.
Notable Ohio Pick 4 Winnings
The Ohio Pick 4 evening game has created some big winners over the years. Here are some of the largest jackpots and most interesting stories:
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In 2021, a lucky player from Dayton won the $5.75 million top prize after hitting the numbers in exact order. The winner was a retired auto worker who had been playing the same set of numbers for 30 years.
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In 2019, a Youngstown woman won $3 million on Pick 4 after purchasing a Quick Pick ticket. She planned to use the money to pay off her mortgage and help her grandchildren through college.
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A Cincinnati man won $1.5 million on Pick 4 after playing the same set of numbers based on family birthdays for over 10 years. When he realized he won, he thought it was a prank call at first.
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A factory worker from Toledo won $500,000 on Pick 4, which he called a “life-changing amount of money.” He planned to pay off debt, help his parents retire, and take his family on a dream vacation.
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In 2015, two friends from Cleveland won $250,000 each after agreeing to split any jackpot. They had played together for years and were shocked when their numbers finally hit.
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A Youngstown grandmother won $150,000 which she called an “answer to her prayers” after struggling through some difficult times. She planned to share the money with her children and grandchildren.
The Ohio Pick 4 game has delivered exciting winnings to lucky players across the state over the years. Huge jackpots and heartwarming stories continue to emerge from this popular evening lottery game.
Pick 4 Results and Numbers History
The Ohio Pick 4 evening drawing occurs daily at 7:29 PM EST. Here are the most recent winning Pick 4 numbers:
| Date | Winning Number |
|---|---|
| 2/17/2023 | 4-5-2-8 |
| 2/16/2023 | 1-7-3-0 |
| 2/15/2023 | 6-4-8-2 |
| 2/14/2023 | 3-1-7-9 |
| 2/13/2023 | 8-6-3-4 |
When analyzing past winning numbers, certain number patterns tend to occur more frequently in the Pick 4 evening drawing:
- Repeating numbers, like 3-3-3-3, occur approximately once every 400 drawings
- Consecutive numbers, like 1-2-3-4, occur approximately once every 80 drawings
- Pairs, like 5-5-8-2, occur approximately once every 20 drawings
- Singles, with all different numbers, occur 50% of the time
The most common winning Pick 4 numbers are:
- 0: Occurs in 14.7% of drawings
- 7: Occurs in 12.9% of drawings
- 3: Occurs in 12.8% of drawings
- 1: Occurs in 12.4% of drawings
The least common winning Pick 4 numbers are:
- 8: Occurs in 11.2% of drawings
- 4: Occurs in 11.1% of drawings
- 9: Occurs in 11.0% of drawings
- 2: Occurs in 10.9% of drawings
By studying the frequency of past winning numbers and patterns, Pick 4 players can look for trends and potentially increase their chances of winning.
Conclusion
The Ohio Pick 4 evening lottery draws players with its straightforward game play and potential for sizable payouts. With four numbers between 0-9 and a variety of bet types, players have multiple paths to winning a prize.
The evening drawing occurs daily at 7:29pm EST, providing a consistent opportunity to try your luck. While the odds of winning the $5,000 top prize on a straight bet are steep at 1 in 10,000, there are ways to improve your chances, like playing box bets or picking numbers strategically based on hot and cold digits.
For players looking to get in on the action, Pick 4 tickets can be purchased at authorized retailers across the state leading up to draw time. Winners have 180 days to claim prizes at Ohio Lottery regional offices or by mail. Many people have won life-changing jackpots from Pick 4 over the years.
The evening Pick 4 game presents an accessible, straightforward way to win cash prizes in Ohio. With smart play, there’s potential to walk away with winnings worth celebrating. The next $5,000 winner could be you!