Pick 4 is played in a number of states, and while the format is mostly the same, there are often a few little tweaks and changes between each game. On this page, we'll explain how to get started playing Pick 4 in Florida!
No matter where you play, the main format stays the same: Select four numbers from 0 to 9, decide on a play type, and enter your numbers into the Midday draw (1:20 PM ET), the Evening draw (9:35PM ET), or both.
Choose the conditions for your win. You can match in exact order with a Straight play, or in any order with a Box. Split your bet with a Straight/Box, maximise your bet with a Combo, or match just two numbers with Pair play. Read up on the play types on our Ways to Play page.
Picking your numbers is simple enough; just select a 4-digit combination from 0000 to 9999. If you're making a pair play, only mark two numbers on your playslip. If you'd prefer a random set of numbers, ask the vendor for a Quick Pick, and the computer will choose for you.
Next, pick how much you want to stake with your ticket. You can bet either $0.50 or $1 every time you buy a ticket. The odds are always the same, but the $1 prizes are (naturally) twice as high as the $0.50 prizes!
The Fireball is an optional extra available in Florida.
Adding it to your ticket doubles the cost of any plays you've made, but greatly improves your odds of winning. We'll explain it in a bit more detail up next.
Right after the four main numbers are drawn, a fifth Fireball number, from 0 to 9 is also drawn. Players with Fireball tickets can swap any of the main four numbers with the Fireball numbers to create new winning combinations!
The Fireball massively improves your overall chances of winning, but the prizes are lower if you rely on the fireball number for a win. If you add the fireball and win without using it, you still get the full prize.
Bear in mind though, the Fireball can only be applied to the winning/drawn numbers, not the ones on your ticket - a common misunderstanding.
If you like, you can enter your numbers in up to 14 drawings in advance! Use the Advance Play section of your playslip to specify the exact number, or leave blank if you aren't bothered
In Pick 4, all the prizes are fixed, so you can always be sure what you stand to win when you make a bet. The top prize is $5,000, which you can win by getting a $1 ticket for a Straight play and matching all four numbers in drawn-order (without using the Fireball!). Head over to our Odds and Prizes page for a table listing all possible prizes, and your chances of winning each one.
